Tele Bigsby bridge?

[Will S-T]

Putting together a Tele Bigsby baritone project and was wondering what
bridge options are available. I've ordered the pickup plate in the pic.

Cheers, Will.

 

[dr. ad]

Re: Tele Bigsby bridge?

from what i've read, the 3-saddle vintage type tele bridge (with some gaps cut into the back) is one of the better options; apparently the rocking jazzmaster-type bridge doesn't sound as good as the tele-type bridge, and can have tuning issues... you may be able to make it work for you though?

i'm interested to hear what the other guys think

 

[Will S-T]

Re: Tele Bigsby bridge?

Yeh Ad, i'm not keen on the rocking type bridges and I might have issues
with tuneamatic bridge not being able to intonate properly given the length of saddle travel.
i've got a harmonice type bridge here somewhere but not sure about the cosmetics.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Tele Bigsby bridge?

Someone (or more) on the forum has a guitar with a Schaller roller bridge. It is an option I will explore when I do a bari w/ bigsby. I'm not sure if the post spacing would work with your plate ........

 

[J Moose]

Re: Tele Bigsby bridge?

The roller bridges are bunk & don't even roll!!! Probably "best" option is a mustang bridge. Only problem I've had with mine is rattling which was solved with a few drops of lock-tite.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Tele Bigsby bridge?

The roller bridges are bunk & don't even roll!!!

I'm heartbroken. The concept sounds good.

IIRC, Danglybanger always recommended Mustang bridges .... even for the Jazzmaster trem.

I really like the look of a Bigsby on a Tele and noticed today on their site that they have a "wire" arm option that can be used in place of the traditional wide flat one. It may be available with only specific models ... IDK.

 

[ericmeyer4]

Re: Tele Bigsby bridge?

from what i've read, the 3-saddle vintage type tele bridge (with some gaps cut into the back) is one of the better options; apparently the rocking jazzmaster-type bridge doesn't sound as good as the tele-type bridge, and can have tuning issues... you may be able to make it work for you though?

i'm interested to hear what the other guys think

I have the traditional jazzmaster bridge/bigsby setup on my tele and I have never once had tuning issues. I could even drop the bar until it hit the body and it would still come back in tune.

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: Tele Bigsby bridge?

I've always felt (and have personal experience) that roller bridges are tone-kilers, so i'd hafta thow my vote in the direction of the Mustang or Jazzmaster bridge. My Tele Custom was originally built for a factory-fitted Bigsby, but unfortunately it was long-gone before I bought it. Actually it took years back then to work out why there were no holes through the body for the strings, hehe.

There is a kit available from Bigsby called the B5 kit, for Tele's, and you can even get it with the Fender 'F' at the back of the horseshoe base. It has all the parts, bridge included.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Tele Bigsby bridge?

I have the traditional jazzmaster bridge/bigsby setup on my tele and I have never once had tuning issues. I could even drop the bar until it hit the body and it would still come back in tune.

Pics please!

 

[dr. ad]

Re: Tele Bigsby bridge?

I have the traditional jazzmaster bridge/bigsby setup on my tele and I have never once had tuning issues. I could even drop the bar until it hit the body and it would still come back in tune.

really? that's encouraging
did you fit one of the B5 kits, or was it stock? i've read on the tele forum about guys modding the rocker bridges and having better results; any advice?

sounds like a great tele

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Tele Bigsby bridge?

If I were doing a Tele with a Bigsby I'd just mod a Tele box bridge...those rocker bridges are garbage in most settings not to mention that IMHO they really rob a Tele of a lot of tone...

The down side to a box bridge with a bigsby is that after a while you will groove out the saddles and will have to replace them...sad but true but I think it's worth it...

 

[ericmeyer4]

Re: Tele Bigsby bridge?

Pics please!

really? that's encouraging
did you fit one of the B5 kits, or was it stock? i've read on the tele forum about guys modding the rocker bridges and having better results; any advice?

sounds like a great tele

I used a B5 kit and it has Spertzel locking tuners. Its just all in how it is set up.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Tele Bigsby bridge?

What (manufacturer's) guitar is that that, Eric? I don't recognize the headstock. Sweet looking axe by the way ..... and nice photos .... thanks!

 

[ericmeyer4]

Re: Tele Bigsby bridge?

What (manufacturer's) guitar is that that, Eric? I don't recognize the headstock. Sweet looking axe by the way ..... and nice photos .... thanks!

That was all Warmoth stuff. I cut the headstock myself.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Tele Bigsby bridge?

That was all Warmoth stuff. I cut the headstock myself.

coolness.

 

[J Moose]

Re: Tele Bigsby bridge?

I'm heartbroken. The concept sounds good.

IIRC, Danglybanger always recommended Mustang bridges .... even for the Jazzmaster trem.

Yeah... to be honest, functionally I don't think there's a lot of difference between the Mustang bridge & the Jazz/Jag bridge aside from the saddles. Here's my Tele w/Bigsby... which, actually has a Jag bridge... with lock-tite to solve all the issues. No real tuning problems here... even with non-locking tuners.

One of these days I need to flip the control plate around... its so far down on the list of things to do but getting to the volume around the Bigs really stinks. Its as awkward as it looks.

 

[Will S-T]

Re: Tele Bigsby bridge?

Nice guitars gents!
Which of the Mustang/Jazz/Jag bridges has the smooth saddles?