fingers galore Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 What is the deal with Bigsby`s? Anyone have one on their Les Paul? Are they mostly cosmetic or are they actually useable? How about tuning issues? I am thinking about putting a bigsby on my LP. I want to try the version that doesn't require drilling. Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silenced Fred Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 What is the deal with Bigsby`s? Anyone have one on their Les Paul? Are they mostly cosmetic or are they actually useable? How about tuning issues? I am thinking about putting a bigsby on my LP. I want to try the version that doesn't require drilling. Any suggestions? I love em. I want to put one on my LP, probably for Christmas. Very much usable, and they just look amazing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thundergod Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 What Nathan said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 They work great - as a tremolo/vibrato arm. They're not intended for dive bombing like a Floyd style. No drilling or routing - Vibramate mount - http://www.vibramate.com/ - For a carved top Les Paul - http://www.vibramate.com/vibramate-v7-lp-install.php Use only with an original B7 Bigsby (not a third party licensed Bigsby, the mounting holes won't fit). You might lose a tad of your bridge break angle, but the impact on sustain is negligible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoConMan Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 Love 'em. Tuning issues? The best American Strat will be less stable than a properly set-up Bigsby-equipped guitar. And I'm happy with my Strats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparky scott 29 Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 I think they are cool as I always wanted to get one myself, just haven't got around to it yet.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fingers galore Posted December 8, 2010 Author Share Posted December 8, 2010 I love the way a Bigsby looks. I haven`t had a chance to try one yet. I just ordered a LP Studio 50`s Tribute gold top. Thinking about putting a Bigsby on that. I will go the Vibramate route in case I want to remove it again. I read somewhere that a Bigsby equipped guitar goes out of tune when you use it. Glad to hear that is not the case. Locking tuners or roller bridge maybe if it does mess with the tuning? Thanks for the input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brundaddy Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 Call me crazy but you don't need to buy any additional adapter kit to install a Bigsby without drilling additional holes. The strap button fastens it securely and string tension keeps it aligned. I've had zero problems with mine and there was no drilling or expensive adapters involved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoConMan Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 Shhhhh...... Vibramate doesn't want anybody to know that. Seriously, I never tried it that way. Wondered if I could simply attach one at the end and lay it across the top of a Les Paul. Works okay for you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 Call me crazy ... The strap button fastens it securely and string tension keeps it aligned. I've had zero problems with mine and there was no drilling or expensive adapters involved. Crazy. I would worry about possibly scratching the guitar with an accidental sideways bump to the arm or roller area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versatile Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 The Bigsby is a real classic design and looks the part I've only had them on semis like Gretsch's, and there were slight tuning variations But that's part of the fun... V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOL! Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 Bigsbys on Gibsons are killer. Put one on my SG two+ years ago and my only regret is that I did not do it sooner. I do the occasional dab of Big Bends Nut Sauce in the nut slots, but my ham handed playing does more to rip the guitar out of tune than anything else. Roller saddles on bridges are not a good design. All it takes are a few drops of sweat or a little grim before they lock up and become useless. And my advise is to not milquetoast it; go all the way and properly mount that sucker. Vibramate? Might as well put your guitar in a glass case in that lawyer's or dentist's office. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoConMan Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 possibly scratching the guitar with an accidental sideways bump to the arm or roller area. Felt pads on the underside. Seriously, I have a Goldtop Deluxe that I've considered putting old P-90s in. Make it a NeoConMan 1956 Les Paul Reissue model - autographed by Ted Nugent. Adding the Bigsby would multiply the "cool" factor. Just don't wanna drill holes in the top. Buddy of mine has a real deal 1955 Goldtop (built with '56-style TOM) that was drilled for a Bigsby long ago. Also routed for humbuckers. I know my 2007 GOTW Les Paul will never be worth that kinda money, but I don't want unnecessary holes. If Brundaddy sez it'll work, I'd like to know more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thundergod Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 Call me crazy but you don't need to buy any additional adapter kit to install a Bigsby without drilling additional holes. The strap button fastens it securely and string tension keeps it aligned. I've had zero problems with mine and there was no drilling or expensive adapters involved. It was about time someone said that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 Had 'em. The advantage to them is that they lock out fairly easily. To me it's kinda like a tuxedo. I've worn maybe a half dozen rented ones since I was 20. Otherwise never had much use for one. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidl Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 I love the idea but will it still fit the case? Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canon_mutant Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 This is good to know. Since I can't sell my Lifeson, I am seriously considering dumping the Maestro, which is junk if anyone cares, to a Bigsby just so I can have a tremolo I can use. The guitar will stay in tune "reasonably well" now by adding locking tuners and a roller bridge so long as I use the tremolo very sparingly. You'll notice Alex just turns his around backwards and leaves it there. And I never dive bomb, just tremolo. Beyond that, the guitar is the hands down tone monster of my collection but I don't play it enough because I end up getting pi$$ed. In contrast, my original Floyd equipped Carvin will still be in tune from the last time I played it unless it needs new strings. I have seriously picked up that guitar off the stand after being out of town a couple of weeks and it's still in tune. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoConMan Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 I love the idea but will it still fit the case? Every one I've seen with a Bigsby used a normal case. I dunno, just find the best place to swing the arm to stow it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zonkers Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 I've got one on my Agile AL3100SE, love it. The guitar weighs a ton, but sounds great IMO. From the SD in the bridge, to the p90 in the neck... Sorry it's not a Gibson, but it get's the job done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brundaddy Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 It totally works, no problems ever. There's a Bigsby thread somewhere in here where I explained how to do it step-by-step. If the only way you're going to be happy is drilling unnecessary holes or buying unnecessary (and crazy expensive) adapter kits, suit yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versatile Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 Just for interest... The best 'Bigsby' IMO is currently the Deusenberg Fitted to several of their guitars It has a jewel-like smoothness and precision It encourages me to waggle more than I should :blink: V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damian Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 If it's under a year old, it should be accessible..I'll try to find it......It's good, I'll bet... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChanMan Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 Ima say this.... When i get around to getting my Black Beauty, she'll have a Bigsby. One of the best tremolo systems I've ever used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoConMan Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 It totally works, no problems ever. There's a Bigsby thread somewhere in here where I explained how to do it step-by-step. PM details when you have time, please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOL! Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 It totally works, no problems ever. There's a Bigsby thread somewhere in here where I explained how to do it step-by-step. If the only way you're going to be happy is drilling unnecessary holes or buying unnecessary (and crazy expensive) adapter kits, suit yourself. Unnecessary holes? Holes are how you mount a Bigsby. Well, at least the B5 model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.