About Bigsbys and Tune-o-matics

[Alvin Lee Fan]

Re: About Bigsbys and Tune-o-matics

There was a guy on the LP Forum who put a B3 on an ES-135. That guitar has a tune-o-matic and he said it worked fine. The difference between the two is that the B7 has the roller bar that the strings go under to give you more break angle over the bridge. The guy with the 135 said the angle over his bridge was shallow, but not so bad as to cause the strings to slip off the saddles when bending notes.

Personally, I tend to like a fairly shallow angle over my bridges. I usually have my tail pieces jacked up pretty high or top wrap them.

[Indie P Bass]

Re: About Bigsbys and Tune-o-matics

If you still need a bridge, I have a Gibson ABR-1 or whatever sittin' around. Used to be in my strat... I'm not sure if it'd work, but if it would, you're welcome to it for around 30-40 dollars.

edit: not to confuse anyone, but it's a tun-o-matic, I have the tailpiece, too.

[butnut]

Re: About Bigsbys and Tune-o-matics

I hear ya ALF...notice they both mention the B7 for the Epi. If it were my axe, I'd opt for no screws through the top, BUT the B3 is for a floating bridge favored on the hollow bodies vs the B7 'made' for the TOM bridge. So unless someone has used a B3 on a Sheriton without any issues I'd be a little leery...there MUST be a reason why they have 2 different yet similar units and specific model recommendations.

[Alvin Lee Fan]

Re: About Bigsbys and Tune-o-matics

I got my info from Elderly Instruments,

BIGSBY B3 NICKEL TREMOLO Hand made original "Kalamazoo Line". The B3 unit works best on thin hollowbody archtops such as GuildŽ Starfire III's, Gretsch 6120 Nashville's & others that use a floating style bridge. It can also be used on some solid body archtops that use the same style bridge such as a Gretsch 6129T Silver Jet. The only holes that need be drilled are the four at the bottom of the guitar where the hinge attaches to the body.
on order, expected arrival date unknown
B3 .. list $140.00 ours $105.00 buy

Here's what they say about the B7. Notice they say hollowbody, but all the examples given are semi-hollow. I'd just worry about attaching mounting screws to the top of a hollowbody guitar with nothing underneath to provide support.

BIGSBY B7 NICKEL TREMOLO Hand made original "Kalamazoo Line". The B7 model is best suited for thin archtop hollowbodies & solid body electrics such as Gibson ES335's, Les Pauls, Heritage H-535's, Epiphone Sheratons, Ally Cats, Dot's, GuildŽ Bluesbird, etc... that have a stud mounted Tune-O-Matic style bridge. These units have the roller retaining bar to give you the angle over the bridge that is needed. Requires two holes to be drilled into the top of the guitar & four on the bottom where the hinge attaches to the body. All mounting hardware is included.
B7 .. list $150.00 ours $112.50 buy

[butnut]

Re: About Bigsbys and Tune-o-matics

Here's the text that went beside the pic I posted...did they 'screw' up?
Genuine Bigsby B7 Vibrato System for Thin Line Acoustic Guitars (chrome)- As used on the Epiphone Casino played by George Harrison.

Genuine Bigsby B7 - Chrome
Price: $125.00 USD each
Continental US Shipping: $4 USD each
Alaska, Hawaii and International Shipping: Fax or eMail
Part # NCM-432

[Benjy_26]

Re: About Bigsbys and Tune-o-matics

ALF is right, you need the B3 instead of the B7 if you have a full hollow.

[Alvin Lee Fan]

Re: About Bigsbys and Tune-o-matics

Are you sure you want a B7? Those have mounting screws that screw into the top of the guitar body. They work well for solidbodies and semi-hollows, but your Casino is a full hollowbody. You should look into the B3 instead, designed for hollowbody guitars. It only mounts at the strap pin end of the body and rests on top of the body instead of screwing into it.

Those roller bridges should work well.

[68 lost souls]

Re: About Bigsbys and Tune-o-matics

I think a few people over at mimf and projectguitar have.

[butnut]

Re: About Bigsbys and Tune-o-matics

Thanks...those look good and would do a nice job with the Bigsby unit. Anyone used this bridge yet?

[68 lost souls]

Re: About Bigsbys and Tune-o-matics

Roller bridges. Heres a link to the ones stewmac is selling I know they sell them other places aswel like universal gems but stewmac have good descriptions and pics

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar,_Tune-o-matic_bridges/Schaller_Roller_Bridge.html

[butnut]

Re: About Bigsbys and Tune-o-matics

Are you refering to a roller 'nut' or is there a roller bridge?

[68 lost souls]

Re: About Bigsbys and Tune-o-matics

The link doesnt work for me but make sure that when you do put in the bigsby your gonna want a roller bridge or else the strings wont move properly and get stuck on the saddles. Schaller make a good roller bridge.

[butnut]

Re: About Bigsbys and Tune-o-matics

You'll have to verify as some Epis (imports) use metric stuff. It looks like the post size is a factor, but I do know Epi pup rings are wider...not certain about the bridge. Some others who have done the bridge upgrade will know.

[dasfonzie]

Re: About Bigsbys and Tune-o-matics

Thanks for the quick reply!

OK this seems to be what I'm looking for. I just wanted to make sure that this particular tonepros model is compatible with the bigsby trem as I saw quite a few different models.

[butnut]

Re: About Bigsbys and Tune-o-matics

You'll need a B7 Bigs for your Casino (sweet axe BTW)...Tonepros is really the best bridge design and upgrade most use. Wiggle on...