Jump to content
Gibson Brands Forums

Elitist Casino and Bigsby- having 2nd thoughts


CajunBlues

Recommended Posts

Posted

So I bought a bigsby B7 and a roller bridge to put on my casino... But man I am having second thoughts about putting those holes into this beautiful instrument... Am I being kind of crazy ?? Is a bigsby a good solid upgrade on a casino ??

Posted

I'd do it! I put a B7 on an Elitist and an old matsumoku Casino a few years ago and it made both of them much better guitars. the sustain and tone was improved and I felt they balanced better for me. Oh.... and they looked cool as hell! [thumbup]

Posted

How about the Vibramate? Attach the Bigsby without drilling holes in the guitar. They do one for the B7 as well.

 

Link- My link no work- and I see Supersonic beat me to it anyway.

 

Vibramate-V5-B5-600.jpg

Posted

Hey Ive got the Lennon 1965 Casino Limited its got the Bigsby and its a better guitar than before .

 

Stays in tune better sustain .

Posted

A Bigsby absolutely ruins the look of a guitar for me (big hunky metal globby thing that it is). Imho, don't do it, or keep the whole operation reversible in case you don't like the end result.

Posted

I don't know much bout Bigsbys or Vibramates...but it looks to me like this Vibramate system mounts using the old stopbar tailpiece studs, which a casino does not have...

Posted

I don't know much bout Bigsbys or Vibramates...but it looks to me like this Vibramate system mounts using the old stopbar tailpiece studs, which a casino does not have...

 

 

Yep, good call. I forgot about that.

Posted

Ok, so I might be wrong now, but isn't the Casino built like an archtop and therefore lacks a centerblock, which is needed to put on a B7, because the top alone could not handle the screwholes etc and eventually break. So it should be better to put a B3 on it, which is made for hollowbodied guitars?

 

I might be seriously wrong here, but that's what I've always thought, please correct me if I'm wrong.

Posted

There's a bigger committment in going with the B7 with

having to drill holes in the top. It also has the tension

bar to hold the strings down better on the bridge if you're

a heavy picker. The string tension will also keep the screws

from pulling out.

 

The B3 would work as well, since it is designed for a hollow body.

Less committment too with only drilling holes around the

strap button. The string tension will hold it down, unless

you really whale away on it while playing your favorite

Beatles song.

 

B3 vs B7? Both would be fine. We didn't buy Casinos for sustain.

They're hollow bodies. They're not supposed to sustain. When and if

I decide on a Bigsby for mine, I'll probably go with a B3.

Posted

I don't know much bout Bigsbys or Vibramates...but it looks to me like this Vibramate system mounts using the old stopbar tailpiece studs, which a casino does not have...

 

D'oh!!! eusa_doh.gifeusa_doh.gifeusa_doh.gif Sorry. I'm in bed with a cold. It's good to have an excuse.

Posted

Maccas and George Harrisons Casinos both had B7's and both those guitars are still going strong!

 

Your right, didn't think about that. If it were me though, I'd probably go with the B3 aswell though, so if I change my mind I can restore the guitar, unless there is a huge diffrence in playability and sound etc. I think B7 look better though and I would love to put one on the ole' Sheraton II

Posted

If you haven't tried a Bigsby before, do so before you drill any holes. I put one on my Tele and bitterly regret it.

They are my least favourite trem; the arm takes quite a lot of movement for limited effect, I can only describe it as "spongey". I hardly ever used it, and I'm just refinishing my Tele to get rid of it. They are also a pig to restring.

I'm sure people will say they look great, and they are authentic, but from a technique point of view I'd rather have any other trem unit....maestro, stetsbar, strat all work better for me.

Posted

I agree about trying one out first. You may or may not like the feel of them. I have 3 guitars with B70s and one with a Vibramate and B7, and I don't regret putting them on. 2 of them on semis, a Dot and a Sherry, andthe other 2 on Agile LP clones.

 

The Vibramate for a B7 won't work on a 335 style with a stop tailpiece. The distance from the tailpiece to the end pin is too far. However the Vibramate for the B5 will. I just prefer the looks of a B7 on a 335 style guitar.

Posted

Good Points, Antwhi2001.

 

A bigsby is not for dive bombs. It's only for 1/2 steps and is truely a vibrato function and

not a tremelo. Bigsby's add mojo to the looks, but they're not for everyone.

Posted

I have the b7 and b3 on guitars I like b3 much better easier to pull down and smoother sounding.On My b7 I'm thinking about putting the string over that hold down bar.

Posted

As far as tremolos go, I am a big fan of the bigsby b7... So that is not the issue... Its just the drilling of holes that bothers me and I dont really use the trem that much... But I think I will likely install the bigsby once I get it in the mail

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...