Bigsby or Bigsby Clone us a Virbramare Adaptor on SG body?

[ThreeChordWonder]

For my SG/V which the painting if will be finished this weekend. Gloss black.

The body came predrilled for a regular stoptail and I don't want to plug those holes or drill any new ones.

Thoughts / experience anyone?

 

[Chistopher]

On paper a V neck and SG body seems goofy, but that actually looks pretty slick.

Are you looking for a long or short tail Bigsby? In my experience Bigsby's have to be mounted extremely precisely or they will go out of tune, so if you're not confident in your drilling abilities (or if you're not 100% sold on Bigsby) I would get a vibramate. Couldn't tell you about brands though

 

[Dudeman7]

I've used Vibramates with good results. Once was on an older Epiphone SG and once on a Tele.

Neither of those were nice guitars and I wanted to be able to keep the Bigsby when I sold the guitars. No extra holes and there wasn't really any damage damage finish under the plate when I removed it.

That's a cool guitar, too! Drop in some Pearly Gates and you're in Billy Gibbons territory.

 

[beaubrummels]

On a TOM/stoptail, if it's already drilled for it, I believe you have to use a Vibramate because some of those holes are right next to where you'd have to drill new ones.

 

[ThreeChordWonder]

On a TOM/stoptail, if it's already drilled for it, I believe you have to use a Vibramate because some of those holes are right next to where you'd have to drill new ones.

That's the kind of experience that I come here for:beerchug:

 

[ThreeChordWonder]

On paper a V neck and SG body seems goofy, but that actually looks pretty slick.

Inspired by one I saw Billy Gibbons playing last month.

 

[beaubrummels]

Inspired by one I saw Billy Gibbons playing last month.

There is a possibility of using a B3 with an aftermarket retaining bar. The retaining bar would go into the holes for the stop tail. Not the prettiest solution, but would allow using a Bigsby properly mounted to the body.

 

[ThreeChordWonder]

I'm postponing any decision until after I finish the build, try it with a regular stoptail, and get back from my 10-day trip back to Englandshire for Guy Fawkes Night and my dad's 81st.

 

[hamerfan]

Duesenberg is completely removeable.

https://store-cbbjtkthsb.mybigcommerce.com/duesenberg-les-trem-ii/

 

[Ashurbanipal]

^^ Was also going to suggest the Duesenberg, seems to get a good rap. Arm is also adjustable, unlike a Bigsby.

How it would look on an SG.

 

[GuitarDoc]

That's very clean looking.

 

[ThreeChordWonder]

TBH I prefer the look of the Bigsby.

I'm putting off a decision for a couple of weeks, at least, until I get back from Englandshire.

Maybe the wife will buy me one for Chrimbo...

 

[dystrust]

Both of these have a Bigsby B5 with Vibramate Short-Tail, and the setup works pretty well on an SG, along with a roller bridge, TUSQ-XL nut, and Gotoh locking Klusons.

I tried a similar setup on my 335 minus the roller bridge, and tuning stability was good enough though I didn't care for how the Vibramate positioned the bar. I ended up replacing it with a B6 and Towner bar, and the experience was much closer to the B7/335 setup I'm used to though with smoother feel on the bar and less string tension.

 

[chadd]

B5 with a vibramate works so well on any flat top Gibson style guitar. That's what I used on my Banshee (Firebird style) for a while

 

[JMP/HBE]

Bugsby's are the worst and a great way to ruin a good guitar.

 

[GuitarStv]

I'd own a Bigsby if not for a couple things that drive me nuts:
- string changes are kinda a PITA. The string always slips off that little pin for me.
- The arm always seems to be in the way when I'm playing with my volume controls for the neck pickup, or when I want to flick the switch

Other than that, they can be set up to hold tune well and function pretty decently.

 

[Securb]

I'd own a Bigsby if not for a couple things that drive me nuts:
- string changes are kinda a PITA. The string always slips off that little pin for me.
- The arm always seems to be in the way when I'm playing with my volume controls for the neck pickup, or when I want to flick the switch

Other than that, they can be set up to hold tune well and function pretty decently.

The strings are a pain in the ass to change. I have a little wedge I made out of wood with polishing cloth on the underside, so it doesn't scratch the guitar. I put the string on the post then slide the wedge under the post to hold the string ball in place. Doing this I can change strings on my Bigsby as quickly as I change them on any other guitar.

 

[Chistopher]

Also Bigsbys are pretty trash to rest your hands on.

 

[GuitarStv]

Also Bigsbys are pretty trash to rest your hands on.

What, you mean the bar? I'd figure your palm would only rest ever touch the TOM, just like any other gibson style guitar.

 

[dystrust]

What, you mean the bar? I'd figure your palm would only rest ever touch the TOM, just like any other gibson style guitar.

I'm not sure what that means either. The only time I touch the bar on my SGs or 335 is when I'm using it, otherwise they're just like playing any other TOM guitar.