So I played aGretsch Streamliner with Bigsby at GC the other day

[Blille]

After watching A Star is Born I craved a 335 like the one Cooper plays but obviously can't afford one

I was in GC the other day and saw this, that had the price reduced, a Gretsch G2622t so thought to myself "close enough"

It turns out that it's part of the streamliner series which have pickups that are supposed to be less Gretschy and more flexible. And I think they managed to do that well. It was also built and finished really well for the price and the neck was great for me, thinnish, nice profile. I was really impressed.

But I wiggled the Bigsby (no dive bombing) and it got out of tune. Then I retuned. And wiggled the Bigsby a bit less and it also got out of tune.

This happened a few times.

I've always stayed out of Bigsbies because of this reputation. For those that have experience with them, is it just this way? Or is it because it's an import and "a real" Bigsby would work? Or is there some work that can done?

 

[Chistopher]

Re: So I played aGretsch Streamliner with Bigsby at GC the other day

The nut has to be filed perfectly and you have to have a quality, well setup unit if you want it to be in tune.

 

[Zombiwoof]

Re: So I played aGretsch Streamliner with Bigsby at GC the other day

After watching A Star is Born I craved a 335 like the one Cooper plays but obviously can't afford one

I was in GC the other day and saw this, that had the price reduced, a Gretsch G2622t so thought to myself "close enough"

It turns out that it's part of the streamliner series which have pickups that are supposed to be less Gretschy and more flexible. And I think they managed to do that well. It was also built and finished really well for the price and the neck was great for me, thinnish, nice profile. I was really impressed.

But I wiggled the Bigsby (no dive bombing) and it got out of tune. Then I retuned. And wiggled the Bigsby a bit less and it also got out of tune.

This happened a few times.

I've always stayed out of Bigsbies because of this reputation. For those that have experience with them, is it just this way? Or is it because it's an import and "a real" Bigsby would work? Or is there some work that can done?

That guitar may have had strings that hadn't been stretched when they were installed. With properly installed strings and lubrication of the Bigsby, it should stay in tune pretty well unless you do extreme "wanging" with it. Frequent lubrication of the contact points on a Bigsby is necessary for proper operation IMO. If I play a guitar in a store, first thing I do is stretch the strings a bit and check the tuning before even playing it.
Al

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: So I played aGretsch Streamliner with Bigsby at GC the other day

In my opinion it’s a bad policy to judge anything about what you find at GC. That said, Bigsbys are very useful trems. I have found that all you need is a decently cut nut, not even perfect, some nut sauce, graphite, or even oil, and decently notched bridge saddles with some lube. I have the Reverend Bigsby spring in my Falcon and dive and and act crazy and it staysbin tune beautifully. For a tuneomatic nylon saddles also help you quite a bit.

Luje

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: So I played aGretsch Streamliner with Bigsby at GC the other day

You have to set them up correctly and well -GC is not going to do this.

Gretsch Streamliners are probably the best quality guitars in the entire guitar market for the cost right now:

This Gretsch guitar cost about $350 new, Shown here, Brent Hinds plays his Streamliner 2622t often just for giggles to show people that he sounds just as good on it as his signature guitars and 5k+ collectables.

I suggest an aftermarket roller bridge, if you want a cheap and easy great improvement.

 

[Open lane]

Re: So I played aGretsch Streamliner with Bigsby at GC the other day

No experience with the bigsby but zombiwoof is right. It’s hard to really judge if you aren’t sure if the strings were stretched.

My #1 question with ANY reasonably priced guitar is “does it stay in tune”—- i can adjust to most other things but if it doesn’t stay in tune, to me, that is trouble.

I will say though, i’ve bought a couple guitars under $200 that actually stay in tune great. This post probably isn’t much of a help, though, because i’m not familiar with bigsbies

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

So I played aGretsch Streamliner with Bigsby at GC the other day

The strings need to be stretched. And the nut slots have to not bind the strings. A little graphite will help.

Also if you buy the guitar, which is much cooler than a 335, invest in a roller bridge and locking tuners.

I use a guitar with a Bigsby and have no tuning issues.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Blille]

So I played aGretsch Streamliner with Bigsby at GC the other day

Thanks all!

You're right of course, if it had been a different guitar I'm more familiar with I would have thought of stretching the strings. I'll probably go back and give it another try.

Other than that it sounds that with just normal care and a bit of effort it's possible to make it work.

 

[Securb]

Re: So I played aGretsch Streamliner with Bigsby at GC the other day

I have Sperzel locking tuners on my Iceman with the Bigsby, my Les Paul w/ Bigsby has standard Grover tuners. Neither of them has a rolling bridge. I have not experienced tuning issues with either of them. Like others have said keep your nut lubricated and you will be fine.

One thing I can say is changing strings on a Bigsby is a pain in the butt until you get it down. Like a Floyd, you are best off changing one string at a time.

 

[ICTGoober]

Re: So I played aGretsch Streamliner with Bigsby at GC the other day

Roller bridge will take care of 99% of tuning problems with a Bigsby. I've installed a number of them for players here in town. Cheap, too - you can buy the $20 Chinese ones or the $50 Schallers - they all work better than the tune-a-matic.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: So I played aGretsch Streamliner with Bigsby at GC the other day

They make 5 dollar Chinese ones too

I couldn't make myself get one thought
I got the Allparts one for 20

Probably the same one

 

[Blille]

Re: So I played aGretsch Streamliner with Bigsby at GC the other day

All very helpful, thanks!

 

[dystrust]

Re: So I played aGretsch Streamliner with Bigsby at GC the other day

I have Bigsbys installed on my 335 and SG. On the 335 I changed the nut to TUSQ-XL, but it's otherwise stock and stays in tune well. With the SG, I swapped the nut and installed Gotoh locking Klusons right away. During a string change I discovered that the stock tuners had post wobble, so they had to go. Those changes weren't enough, so I also installed a Tone Pros roller bridge and my tuning issues were gone.

 

[ICTGoober]

Re: So I played aGretsch Streamliner with Bigsby at GC the other day

In case anyone cares, Fender just bought Bigsby from Gretsch....

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: So I played aGretsch Streamliner with Bigsby at GC the other day

In case anyone cares, Fender just bought Bigsby from Gretsch....

I was under the impression that FMIC owned Gretsch for a while now.

 

[Blille]

Re: So I played aGretsch Streamliner with Bigsby at GC the other day

I was under the impression that FMIC owned Gretsch for a while now.

Same here. Turns out that Gretsch is still “independent” but FMIC does the development, sales and distribution

Wikipedia told me.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: So I played aGretsch Streamliner with Bigsby at GC the other day

Same here. Turns out that Gretsch is still “independent” but FMIC does the development, sales and distribution

Wikipedia told me.

Dang. Doesn't sound terribly independent to me.

 

[ICTGoober]

Re: So I played aGretsch Streamliner with Bigsby at GC the other day

Dang. Doesn't sound terribly independent to me.

They make guitar parts. Sounds smart to partner with a guitar company for distribution and promotion, no?

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: So I played aGretsch Streamliner with Bigsby at GC the other day

They make guitar parts. Sounds smart to partner with a guitar company for distribution and promotion, no?

It keeps the name alive, I supoose, but is it really a Gretsch if Fender is calling all the shots?

 

[Blille]

Re: So I played aGretsch Streamliner with Bigsby at GC the other day

It keeps the name alive, I supoose, but is it really a Gretsch if Fender is calling all the shots?

How do you feel about Charvel?