JM_355 Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 I purchased a Custom Shop Es- 355 in cherry with a stop bar tailpiece a few months ago. Now that it has been setup to perfection, I am very pleased with it. Even with perfection, there is always room for tweaking. Does Gibson sell the Maestro/Vibrola trem as replacement parts? Most of the 355's I remember having G.A.S. for as a teen had one. I'm sure it would hurt the resale value, but I don't plan on selling this guitar anytime soon. Having a maestro trem isn't a necessity for me, but more of just a cosmetic extra that would be the icing on the cake. Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JM_355 Posted September 24, 2008 Author Share Posted September 24, 2008 Looks like there are a lot of custom guitar requests lately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Custom Admin Posted September 24, 2008 Share Posted September 24, 2008 I purchased a Custom Shop Es- 355 in cherry with a stop bar tailpiece a few months ago. Now that it has been setup to perfection' date=' I am very pleased with it. Even with perfection, there is always room for tweaking. Does Gibson sell the Maestro/Vibrola trem as replacement parts? Most of the 355's I remember having G.A.S. for as a teen had one. I'm sure it would hurt the resale value, but I don't plan on selling this guitar anytime soon. Having a maestro trem isn't a necessity for me, but more of just a cosmetic extra that would be the icing on the cake. Any suggestions? [img']http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w281/King_burbs82/ES-355_A.jpg[/img] we don't sell the maestro as an aftermarket part...sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LerxstLee Posted September 24, 2008 Share Posted September 24, 2008 http://www.allparts.com/store/tailpieces-tremolo-tailpieces-tp-3680-002,Product.asp They usually have the long travel bridge also I looked quick but could not find the link . Same as the ones SOME guitar makers use now , these are M.I.Japan , not Germany . Best to you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JM_355 Posted September 25, 2008 Author Share Posted September 25, 2008 Thanks for the replies. That trem on Allparts is what I am looking for. This is a day late and a dollar short, but for not much more cash, I could have had my Es-355 built by the Gibson Custom Shop with a Maestro from the beginning, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLiveSoundGuy Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 I'm kinda with you on the trem. I've thought about about putting one on my Sheraton for years now. To be honest with you though, yours is a very beautiful guitar just as she is! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JM_355 Posted September 26, 2008 Author Share Posted September 26, 2008 Thanks for the compliments on the guitar. When I was a kid (which was not too long ago since I'm 26 years old) I remember seeing a picture of the 1963 Gibson Catalog cover and wanting the red guitar with the gold trem. I am most likely going to leave "Christine" the way she is and not make any major tweaks. But I notice in another forum, there is a request for a Les Paul Custom Special Order. If I made a request through the dealer or the nearest authorized Gibson service center, could I get an estimate as to how much it would cost to have Gibson install a maestro trem? Or how about stereo varitone with the cut off switch a la the Alex Lifeson model? Do they even do post- production customization to CS guitars? The way I see it, I spent a lot on the 355 already, so a little more to add a few finishing touches would be worth the expense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Custom Admin Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 Do they even do post- production customization to CS guitars? we do not...sorry about that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnMcClane5000 Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 You could have bought an ES-355 with bigsby à la 1959 (without the redundand stereo out and Vari-Tone no one really liked anyway).... I'm about to buy me one of those! I'm just not sure whether I want a red or a black one... But prices are quite good for these, especially used ones (I want to use mine on stage, cause that's what great guitars are here for...!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rushview Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 The Bigsby model wasn't out back then. You had Stoptail and that was it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JM_355 Posted February 18, 2010 Author Share Posted February 18, 2010 Update: I decided to leave the stopbar on the Es-355. I found a good tech to install a bigsby or a vibrola/maestro copy. I would have located a "custom made" plate to cover the stopbar holes. But when it came time to turn on the drill, I changed my mind. The only changes I have made in recent months was adding the Gibson gold -tipped reflector knobs. When I purchased the 355 back in the spring of 2008, I had the option of buying the bigsby variant, but chose the stopbar because at the time I barely used the trem on my Strat. I also could have choose the Lifeson Es-355, but opted for the Cherry 355. The bigsby or maestro do add to the looks of the guitar but for now I am going to leave "Christine" the way she is. Here it is pictured with Elitist LP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DasViken Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 Hi ! I am new on this forum and looking for the same vibrato. I found one for you en ebay : here... if you are rich...! I am looking for one of these but they are very rare and expensive... So, since Gibson doesn't "sell the maestro as an aftermarket part". I made my mind and will try to build my own version of the Maestro. So far I can't find anything better than this image :, and a few photos. Does any one has blueprints or technical data to share ? I don't really care to have an exact copy, I am just customising a LesPaul style guitar, with a "end of the world" look, the Maestro will just be perfect (without its cover plate, for sure) on it... Many thanks for your replies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfox14 Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Have you checked ZZ Guitarworks no modification Bigsby mounting system? - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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