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Bigsby on a Casino


Dennis G

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I have an Elitist Casino, that I absolutely love, and have been thinking about putting a Bigsby on it. It's not like I NEED to, I just think I WANT to. I have a Wildkat and a Gretsch 5122, both w/Bigsby's but I'm just thinking that since my Casino probably gets more play than any of my guitars, well why not? And FWIW, I don't use the effect a lot, but like it when it's there.

 

So, that said, any words of wisdom from those who've gone this route? Roller bridge? Do's, dont's, etc. BTW, I'll have my luthier do this along with a fret dressing, setup, etc., and ask his opinions as well, but there's a lot of knowledge on these boards. Even though I think I could handle it, I'd feel awful if I screwed this guitar up! [biggrin]

 

Edit: Forgot a question - will it still fit in the Epi case (My Kat does with the arm pointed at the strap button.

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I put a Bigsby on my MIK Casino. Haven't really run into enough tuning problems to make me consider switching to a roller bridge, though last time I got the guitar set up, it had a fret dress and some filing done on the nut, so maybe that's helping keep things in tune.

 

I haven't had any problems fitting it in the Epi case. As you say, just swing the arm back and you should be fine.

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Yeah, do it! My Casino, ES-355, ES-330 and Tele all have Bigsbys, and I have a Sheraton on the bench at the moment which will be joining the Bigsby club any day now. Just can't live without them...

 

You shouldn't need a roller bridge if the guitar is set up properly and you use strings that put the Bigsby under enough tension (10-52s work great for me but regular 10s should be fine). Most 335 cases are fine with Bigsbys - just rotate the arm backwards so that its out of the way.

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I have a inspired by John Lennon Casino and put a Bigsby B7 on it. I would not use a roller bridge ( too many moving parts ) .i did but a Graphteck bridge and nut on it and it stays in perfect tune. I have a Gibson Les Paul standard, a Midtown Custom and a Fender Strat Deluxe. The Casino is the cheapest of the bunch but is my favorite by far. There is just something very special about P90's on a hollow body . Anyway go for the Bigsby it's a easy up grade that you won't regret.

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I would go with a stetsbar, nonevasive (no holes to drill)simply replaces the bridge & stop tail, stays in tune much better, google it.

Googled it. Interesting, and worth a look down the road, but I've already ordered the Bigsby and talked to my Luthier, and to be honest, I think the B just "looks cool" [biggrin]

 

 

I have no advice about this, but Id love to see pictures when your done! That sounds like a cool project!

I'll post a before/after when it's done (couple of weeks).

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I have no advice about this, but Id love to see pictures when your done! That sounds like a cool project!

Dropped the Casino off at the luthier's on Monday. Should have it back by the end of the week. Doing a fret dress, setup, and installing the B7 I provided. BTW, if anyone is interested, Bigsby's on Amazon are $50 cheaper than StewMac.

 

I'll post a before/after when I get the guitar back.

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I had a Stetsbar on my Gibson Custom Les Paul. Mine was a sustain sucker so I sold it. I have Bigsbys on 4 of my guitars and I love them.

Interesting. I've done a little more (not a lot) research on the Stetsbar and it seems that for every happy user there's one who's not so much. I think I'll steer clear and stick with the Bigsby's on any future mods as well.

 

BTW, Luthier called a bit ago. Casino's done. I'll pick it up tomorrow and get a pic or two up shortly after.

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Actually picked this up early last week, but my laptop crashed on Thursday and I just got it back today. Anyway, lovin' the B7 on the Casino. I don't use it a lot, but it's nice to have when I want it and since this is really my #1 guitar, well...'nuff said. As promised, here's a before and after. And two things...the B7 was $50 cheaper on Amazon than StewMac and you'll need a couple of felt washers for the strap button at the Bigsby due to the additional depth of the B7 vs the original tailpiece. All in all, I'm a happy camper.

 

Body-1.jpg

 

008.jpg

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Gotta say I didn't like the idea when you started the thread; thought it'd look silly, over the top. Don't mind admitting I was completely wrong there - it looks great, looks like the Casino was originally designed with a Bigsby in mind. And your luthier seems to have done a very professional job (based on that huge portfolio of one picture!).

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I love the look of a Bigsby on a Casino and have even wondered what one would look like on my ZBD. I think that they really dress a guitar up (although on an SG, it'd definitely be a Lyre type). My problem is, that's all it'd be doing, dressing it up, as I'd never use it. I've even blocked the trem on my Strat, I think I used it once in 10 years. Still, there's no denying, that Casino looks "right" now. Congratulations.

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Dennis let me know if you feel any more stability in tuning with the Bigsby

I'll pay attention. I didn't have any issues before the Bigsby, and really don't have any tuning issues on the other two guitars I have with Bigsby's as well.

 

And thanks to all for the comments. I'm really happy with it from both a function and visual standpoint.

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Every bigsby I've put on a casino has improved the guitar IMHO.

 

The sustain has been improved, and I feel they balance a bit better! And they look cool as hell!

 

Nice looking guitar!

Gotta agree on all counts LOL. I really think that the sustain has really improved on this, which would make sense given the increased mass & density of the B7 over the original tailpiece.

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