Installing Bigsby B7 vibrato tailpiece

[Andrew H]

I'm thinking of getting a Bigsby B7 tailpiece installed on my 69 RI Fender Mustang, because the current Dynamic Vibrato system makes the guitar out of tune very easily even if i use it slightly, and the tremolo arm keeps falling out after some time since its not the screw-in type, and I recently lost it in my room

Below is a Fender Duo-Sonic with a Bigsby B5 tailpiece like the ones used in some Gibson SGs in the 1970s, and I really think it adds a more cool factor to the guitar and less plain looking.

I also like the look of Gibson Maestro Vibrola Tailpieces on the VOS SG's which is also one of my dream guitars,

So, any objections why I shouldn't install the Bigsby?

 

[Jumpin'Jellybean]

Irreversible plus no guarantee it won't go out of tune.
It might affect resale value (if you're worried about that). Changes the tone too especially with routing and the extra material added... Might sound different but not drastically i think.

 

[dudelove]

Wrong Bigsby for the guitar anyway. The Mustang is a flat top guitar a B7 will not fit. B5 will work.

I can tell you for every one reason why you should install a Bigsby, I can tell you 10 reasons why you should not install one.

The 2 main reasons why I don't recommend people installing Bigsbys on their guitars, espcially models who were not designed with the Bigsby in mind, is:

1. Tuning is one heck of a problem. It takes so much further effort, money for modification, setup, time and perfect precision to get a Bigsby to work like a charm and stay in tune. It will almost certainly throw a guitar off tune the moment it is used, unless it has the right setup and circumstance.

2. Have you tried playing a Bigsby equipped guitar? If you haven't please do. You'll be surprised it ain't no Fender trem or a Floyd. Its very very limited. You depress the bar fully and the max it goes is 1 step down MAX. It just does a very nice shimmer, that's all. No seasick trems no other stuff. Worst of all depressing the bar fully down will definitely throw the guitar out of tune. It's a very narrow and limited design.

Some people still love it and make the most out of it (Brian Setzer), other people like me, regret putting an irreversible modification and I barely even touch it nowadays. I'm speaking out of experience so no bullshit here.

 

[PatheinRaindropMoe]

hehe, unless name is neil young, if not, cannot abuse bigsby trem.. 3m 12sec onwards and towards the end!

 

[relinquish69]

I hate restring bigsby equipped guitars. Floating trems > Bigsby for me any day.