Bigsby advice for a MelodyMaker reissue

[Howlin' Mad Mac]

I've got a 2009 vintage sunburst MelodyMaker... a strange little beast & while it won't replace my SG Classic, Strat or Tele, it is very playable & fun guitar with a unique sound all its own. After debating keeping it or selling it (doing a little house cleaning @ the ol' mobile home/studio) I've decided I can't part ways with it. That said I've decided to make it more useful to me by adding a Bigsby (or Maestro if I could find one) vibrato tailpiece & possibly having the body modified to accomodate a TV Jones pickup. I'm not totally commited to changing the p-up just yet but the vibrato is getting the green light however before I go & order one I'd love some advice (preferably from an expert luthier with experience with vibrato tailpieces like the Bigsby or Maestro) such as...

 

1) Are Maestro reissues available? I've searched several popular guitar hardware site but have not found the Maestro Vibrola available on any of them so far.

 

2) Assuming my only choice will be a Bigsby, I'd like to know which tailpiece to be the better choice for a MelodyMaker reissue, the B3 or the B7? They're both similar overall with the exception the B3 model (often used on ES-335 style guitars) does not have the extra tensioning roller like the B7 (most often seen on Les Paul guitars.) I know for flat top solid body guitars the standard choice is the B5 whereas the ES-335 & Les Paul both have some arch to their tops (pardon the pun) but I prefer the B3/B7 style to the B5. Can anyone tell me if a B3 or B7 will work properly & which one would be the better choice & why?

 

3) Regarding the bridge I've considered (as I see it) my 3 options, keep the original wraparound, swap it for a compensated wraparound or swap it for a Leo Quann adjustable model. While the Leo Quann bridge would add individual string intonation adjustment I love the simplicity of a simple wraparound so unlikely I will choose this option so... regarding wraparound bridges for use with a Bigsby will I get better overall performance keeping the original or should I swap it for a compensated model?

 

Many thanks in advance for anyone able to help with my conundrum.

[lowb5str]

Have you looked at the "bridges & tailpieces" page at www.stemac.com??? Thay have no-drill Bigsby adapters....

[DestructorsKillMusic1982]

I bought a reissue Maestro off Ebay (the long vibrola with the box, not the short one), it ran me around $100 I think, and I love it! It was easy to install, stays in tune well, looks great (goes a long way in helping me turn a beater SG Special into my attempt at an Angus style model, along with chrome pickup covers and witch hat knobs). Actually the chrome "box" was a little hard to install, because the screws that hold it on are tiny, and I do wish it had the correct Gibson "Lyre" engraving on it (it's blank, and it's not a Gibson part) but otherwise it's been perfect! Stays in tune much better than my Bigsbys too.

 

Here's a short chrome one for $125: http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-SHORT-VIBROLA-GIBSON-MAESTRO-SG-JR-FIREBIRD-/220795508983?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item33687018f7

 

and a gold one for $105: http://cgi.ebay.com/Maestro-Vibrola-Tremolo-SHORT-Gold-SG-Firebird-Fly-V-/390322666818?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item5ae10b3d42

 

and there are several long box ones as well, this one being the cheapest at $125: http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-VIBROLA-GIBSON-MAESTRO-SG-JR-FIREBIRD-TAILPIECE-/360376966786?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item53e8241e82

 

(BTW I'm not the seller of any of these, or affiliated with them.) Hope this helps, and good luck!

[LSAR]

1) Are Maestro reissues available? I've searched several popular guitar hardware site but have not found the Maestro Vibrola available on any of them so far.

 

 

All Parts has them:

 

Nickel:

Short $110

Long $150

 

Gold:

Long $185

I guess they don't make a short gold one...