Installing a Bigsby on my guitar

[Elias]

Just curious whether anyone here brought your guitar to shops to install a bigsby system or do it yourselves? And which shop/luthier/serviceman would you recommend for such a task?

I'm contemplating on getting a bigsby system to install it on my Gibson Flying V (and/or Gibson Les Paul when I get one). Wondering whether it's a difficult thing to get it right (cos it involves drilling extra holes and I wouldn't wanna risk ruining my guitars if I do it myself!)

Finally, does anyone know if lefty bigsbys are available locally?

Thanks in advance!

 

[ShredCow]

For services like so, I recommend Malcom. However, he is away in USA till April. He is top notch stuff. Check out his work: www.mtlutherie.com My guitar was refretted by him.

Actually, why a bigsby? Do you just want a trem system that will retrofit on a TOM system?

 

[guitarnub]

do take note that the bigsby isnt for whamming hard.

if you want a tuneomatic replacement, and still whammy as hard as a floyd rose, try searching for a kahler bridge

 

[Elias]

Thanks for the recommendation, Shredcow and guitarnub Yup, I'm aware of the limitation of the bigsby system...in fact, I'm not really into hard whammy stuff and dive bombs, etc. I love the subtle, vibrato effect created by these 'ancient' tremelo systems. I have a Fender Jaguar and I love it's tremelo system, so I wanna let my other guitars have that capability too. And if I do wanna whammy, I still have my Strat

Oh, finally, I love that vintage bigsby look

 

[ShredCow]

Schaller has a very interesting trem that retrofits on a TOM brigde system and does not need any routing. Yes, its a floating trem with springs and everything!

Go to the schaller website.. and this guitar website.. ah... flaxwood guitars, google it, they use the schaller trem and there is a vid of a guy playing with their guitars with that trem, pretty stable i would say!

 

[calibre2001]

I don't much about bigsby bars but don't you need a tailpiece/wraparound bridge for that? Like the ones on those early SGs and Grestches or even Danny Gattons' tele? I do recall there's a bigsby model that doesnt around such a bridge. However, you might not get the sustain you want without the wraparound.

Ok I dunno much really, Just my 2 cents.

 

[brundisium]

there's a picture of a flying v with bigsby which billy corgan uses when zwan was still around. It looks good. Functionality wise, not too sure about it. From the picture, it looks like 2 point of the bigsby was screwed on to the top body of the flying v though

 

[Elias]

Calibre2001: The strings fastens at the end of the Bigsby system and run over the existing bridge of the guitar, so I think basically all that's needed is some extra holes to fix the Bigsby.

brundisium: Yup...That cool Flying V Billy Corgan used during Zwan is a Lonnie Mack version Flying V (extremely rare), which has a mean-looking Bigbsy system which cames straight from the factory. It's not available for sale from Bigbsy.

 

[fgl]

suggest U get a copy flying V and copy bigsby (both available from dan Enterprise) and try 1st b4 attempting on an original expensive Gibson...

2 cents ...

 

[blackstar]

out of topic,

Elias,

did you swap out the bridge for your jaguar to a mustang bridge? do you still any string buzzing? i'm using a mustang bridge on my jazzmaster but i've still got some buzzing

 

[Elias]

OT: I didn't change my Jag bridge but I added a buzzstop instead. It's supposed to give a tighter tension to the strings, thus reducing the buzz. I also did a thorough setup...that is, raising the bridge (via the individual saddles), adding a neck shim (by sticking 2 guitar picks into my neck pocket) and also use .10 strings. Now it doesn't buzz. You can do a search on the net for Jaguar/Jazzmaster setup and you'll find some useful links.

out of topic,

Elias,

did you swap out the bridge for your jaguar to a mustang bridge? do you still any string buzzing? i'm using a mustang bridge on my jazzmaster but i've still got some buzzing

 

[WJ]

im quite interested in the kahler bridge, is it possible to install on my bc rich bodyart? its something like the gibson tune o matics but its string through- dunno how to describe la
looks like this

 

[bin4christ]

suggest U get a copy flying V and copy bigsby (both available from dan Enterprise) and try 1st b4 attempting on an original expensive Gibson...

2 cents ...

really?dan has flying vs?cool...

 

[guitarnub]

kahler 2300 series are for ALL flat top body guitars, while the 2200 series are for arched top tuneomatics axes

 

[ShredCow]

The problem with kahlers is that they require maintance (lubricated regularly), lots of moving parts. 2nd, because there are moving parts (the saddles are rollers) you get less sustain and a thinner tone.

Of course, if you play heavy heavy metal, no issue. Also, if you want minimal wood off your guitar but locking trem extreme pitch shifting, go kahler.

WJ, go check out the Schaller TOM Tremolo... it retrofits on a TOM.

 

[WJ]

tks shredcow,
i did a little search on the net

http://www.schaller-guitarparts.de/1227.htm

is this the one? where do i get one in sg and how much?

 

[ShredCow]

Yep, thats the one... Flaxwood guitars use it... i saw a vid (still ontheir site) of a guitarist playing it, pretty stable from the usage.

Where to find? No in Singapore. Overseas definately. Also, please ensure you do proper measurements.

I suggest you measure first... email Schaller for some dimensions, then share it on SOFT please.

 

[guitarnub]

does that fit into the tuneomatic holes or stop tail posts, coz WJ's axe is string thru

 

[ShredCow]

Its the TOM apparently, from the way its placed on the guitar. I know WJ's axe is stringthru, so I recommended chekcing that out... it might work...

 

[xspace]

Erm, slightly OT... Nice thread on building a guitar w/ a bigsby...

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1191011

He made the body, etc himself... 8)