NBD!

[FretFire]

Meaning, new Bigsby day. I tried installing a B5 via a Vibramate kit, but the high E didn't want to stay in the saddle. So, I went for it and drilled the holes. Seems great so far, but the threaded saddles and weapon-like intonation screws on the stock tailpiece are just plain bad. I'll be putting a Mastery bridge on soon, for sure.

 

[Jake]

Re: NBD!

Sweet! Nice looking Tele you have my friend, and the Bigbsy adds some serious mojo to it. Bet that's a fun one to play.

 

[FretFire]

Re: NBD!

I installed a couple of upgrades: Mastery bridge and Callaham string-through Bigsby bar. The string-through bar is especially nice, it's cleaner looking than the Vibramate spoiler and makes changing strings much easier.

As for the bridge - I did some recording with the stock bridge last night and will be doing more today, so I should be able to hear any differences pretty easily. The guitar already sustains/resonates a tad more unplugged, I'm curious to see what differences I hear amplified.

 

[Mr 9finger]

Re: NBD!

The real question is......does it stay in tune when using the bar? I've wanted a Bigsby for awhile but everyone says they're a nightmare to keep in tune.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: NBD!

looks cool love the white

 

[FretFire]

Re: NBD!

The real question is......does it stay in tune when using the bar? I've wanted a Bigsby for awhile but everyone says they're a nightmare to keep in tune.

It's been fine so far. The Mastery bridge and a well-cut nut help. It's worth noting, though, that fully depressed only gets you about a half step drop in pitch. These are really meant for adding some shimmer/wobble to chords, IMO.

 

[Kam]

Re: NBD!

Great looking guitar, dude.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: NBD!

way, way too cool.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: NBD!

The real question is......does it stay in tune when using the bar? I've wanted a Bigsby for awhile but everyone says they're a nightmare to keep in tune.

Bigsbys are fine. The nightmare thing probably come from people who dont know how to set up/intonate and stretch in a set of strings in the first place. Keep the nut lubricated -same as any non-locking trem. Nut sauce is popular, but you can also use chapstick or any other lip balm. Stretch the strings every time you tune them to pitch...that way they stay in tune when you bend up. If you find that when you depress the bigsby that one of the strings goes sharp, just give it a quick tug, or bend it and it will pop back into tune.

 

[Brian Krashpad]

Re: NBD!

These are really meant for adding some shimmer/wobble to chords, IMO.

I'm convinced that 90% of complaints about Bigsby's are from people who are essentially misusing them, for something they weren't intended to do.

Congrats!