how close can you put a bigsby to the TOM?

[BlackhawkRise]

I'm drilling for a bigsby on a blank that I bought and was wondering how close I can put the bigsby to the strings before it has issues?

Right now it's sitting so the center of the roller is about 1 3/8th inch away from the center of the saddles. I don't think string binding will be an issue because the roller is actually higher than the bridge by about 8th an inch.

It looks the best this way plus the handle is right where I like it. Should this work fine or will I suffer from string binding having it this close?

 

[beaubrummels]

Depends on the Bigsby model and whether the guitar is flat top or arched.

If the guitar is a flat top and the tailpiece is a B5 or other type with the hold down/roller built in, I wouldn't put it any closer than a normal TOM tailpiece would be because the strings wouldn't have a clear break angle to the tailpiece; they'd hit and catch on the back edge of the bridge before going to the Bigsby.

The roller shouldn't be higher than the bridge. I don't know how you could get into that position. Need to see a photo of what you are doing.

 

[Chistopher]

Is the bottom of the roller higher than the bridge? That would be strange indeed.

 

[BlackhawkRise]

That's right, top of bar is 1/8th inch higher than the top of the bridge (LP Jr bridge) and this is on an SG type guitar. When wrapping the strings under the bar the strings don't hit the ends of the bridge

 

[AlexR]

You confused people by talking about the wrong part of the roller. The only relevant part for this topic is the bottom of the roller, as that is where the string goes. And its the line from the top of the saddle to bottom of roller that is relevant. This line should not intersect the back of the bridge

 

[beaubrummels]

For a minute, I thought you had an archtop and were inching a B7 or something up against the TOM bridge part. That's the only way I could picture the roller bar lifting up above the bridge.

Carry on.

 

[Chistopher]

Should be alright