Supersonic Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 Hi everyone, I'm about to buy a cherry red Casino and I want to replace the trapeze tailpiece with A Bigsby when I get it. Is the B7 the right Bigsby for the Casino? Also, if anyone has any experience doing this, does it leave visible holes or marks on the guitar after it is installed? I'll probably take it to a shop rather than installing it myself, but I was wanting to make sure I got the right model Bigsby and if anyone has run into any problems doing this. I know they make the new ones that have the felt pads and don't require drilling, but I want the real deal old-school style one. Thanks guys for any help you can offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g6120 Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 Ive got a limited edition Lennon Casino sunburst 1965 and its got the Bigsby 7 and its added some sustain to this guitar and before that it always stayed in tune it still does . Some have asked why did I add a Bigsby since its a Lennon model limited and my reply was buying it was for playing not resale down the road . Not sure but I believe the Bigsby b3 does not require drilling at all . Looks cool sounds better and yes two holes are needed on the top of the guitar for the install . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supersonic Posted September 7, 2010 Author Share Posted September 7, 2010 Thanks g6120. After you installed it, were there any holes or marks visible or does the B7 cover everything up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g6120 Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 Thanks g6120. After you installed it, were there any holes or marks visible or does the B7 cover everything up? I believe not and it really does enhance your Casino more ways one . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Buffalo Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 There are videos on YouTube that show you how easy it is to install yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supersonic Posted September 9, 2010 Author Share Posted September 9, 2010 So the B7 is the right model to put on a Casino right? Just wanting to make sure as there is a picture of a Les Paul on the box and the Casino is completely hollow. What's the difference between the B7 and B70? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonny_2_owls Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 I think the B7 is the official USA made one, but the B70 is the 'licenced' far eastern made one. I've put both on casinos in the past and the difference isn't massive. The USA made B7 seemed to be a better finish, like the difference between nickel and chrome, and if I put one on another guitar I'd go for the B7. Bit more expensive but ithought it was marginally better. Also they both made the casinos better guitars in my eyes, they seemed to sustain better and felt more balanced on a strap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supersonic Posted September 9, 2010 Author Share Posted September 9, 2010 Awesome. I'll be going with the B7 then. Any tips or pointers anyone could offer before installing this would also be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonny_2_owls Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 It's pretty easy to install a bigsby, there's a few videos on YouTube showing how it's done. If you do decide to fit it yourself then I'd advise you make sure it's spot on in position before you drill. Check everything twice! Then once it's done you'll have the "fun" task of changing strings on a bigsby'd guitar, which can be somewhat frustrating!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g6120 Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 Here you go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supersonic Posted September 10, 2010 Author Share Posted September 10, 2010 Nice. Thanks for the video. It doesn't look that difficult at all. One question though..That Gretsch in the video is a semi-hollow right? So I would assume it has the center block down the middle. It seems like when you screw in the Bigsby, the screws would be stabilized by the center block. Since the Casino is hollow, what would prevent the tension from the B7 from pulling off of the top? Sorry if this sounds stupid, but I just want to be completely sure about everything before I go spending the extra $200 and drilling into a $600 guitar! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonny_2_owls Posted September 10, 2010 Share Posted September 10, 2010 Some 60's Casinos (george harrisons and Paul mccartneys for instance) came with a factory fitted b7 bigsby. Fitting one will not pull the top off your guitar. Being screwed in at the strap pin end also takes some pressure off. I fitted a B70 onto an '84 matsumoko casino and a B7 onto an elitist casino. Neither one had any problems, like I said in an earlier post they were better guitars after having them fitted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerrymac Posted September 10, 2010 Share Posted September 10, 2010 Nice. Thanks for the video. It doesn't look that difficult at all. One question though..That Gretsch in the video is a semi-hollow right? So I would assume it has the center block down the middle. It seems like when you screw in the Bigsby, the screws would be stabilized by the center block. Since the Casino is hollow, what would prevent the tension from the B7 from pulling off of the top? Sorry if this sounds stupid, but I just want to be completely sure about everything before I go spending the extra $200 and drilling into a $600 guitar! My hollow body Washburn (similar construction as the Casino) came stock with a B-70, no problem. Epiphone even makes a special run Casino with a B-70. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supersonic Posted September 10, 2010 Author Share Posted September 10, 2010 Yep, I've seen that special run model House Band. I think it's only available in vintage sunburst though and I definitely want to get a cherry red one. I love the look of the red and everyone I see with a Casino usually has a natural or sunburst one. I'm still kinda wondering if the B7 is worth the extra money over the B70? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerrymac Posted September 11, 2010 Share Posted September 11, 2010 Yep, I've seen that special run model House Band. I think it's only available in vintage sunburst though and I definitely want to get a cherry red one. I love the look of the red and everyone I see with a Casino usually has a natural or sunburst one. I'm still kinda wondering if the B7 is worth the extra money over the B70? I've had a lot of guitars with B-70s, they work fine. I find that the USA Bigsbys feel a little smoother, but you can buy a replacement Bigsby spring and that seems to slightly improve the action of imported ones. Let me put it this way, I've used both, I've never felt that I've I needed to replace an import with a USA model. I have replaced the spring, but even that wasn't necessary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supersonic Posted September 11, 2010 Author Share Posted September 11, 2010 I'm loving this forum so far. Once again, thanks for dropping the knowledge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amx05462 Posted September 11, 2010 Share Posted September 11, 2010 bigsby also sells a roller bridge to go with there tremelos . this would be a good upgrade and eliminate saddle wear you may also want to look into a roller nut as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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