Re: about bigsby...: is this normal?

[ProCarsteNation]

Oh boy!

I fear I may have to buy another guitar...

I got a cheap old Strat-copy, that I pimped out to be quite nice,
that is mostly tuned to Eb standard. Going back and forth between that and dropped tuning works OK,
but I'm really starting to dig looooooower tunings.

If I wanted to go down to Bb or even A, would I need a baritone/VI?
Or could I get this and thicker strings:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/ ... by-tremolo


Because that looks damn promising to work on
Are Bigsbys really as untuning though?
I defintely love beautiful things, but that shouldn't compromise playability on a guitar......

Thanks in advance for any pointers....

[ThurberMingus]

I personally thing Bigsbys are awesome. Not as awesome as a Jazzmaster tremolo though, maybe look into a Jazzy!

[Swordfishtrombone]

Bigsbys are cool. I use mine more than I used any other vibrato that I've had before, and they're smooth af and tend to stay in tune pretty well (I can expect it to go 4-5 cents sharp after using it "heavily" for a while). And no, you don't necessarily need a baritone if you're gonna be tuning that low. My tele is tuned to drop G# currently, and it's fine. I probably use much lighter strings than most of you use for low tunings, and the 25.5" has given me no problems.

[UglyCasanova]

I think Bigsbys look great, but they're just bulky and in the way. They don't suit my playing style at all. But I love hardtails, so why the fuck should you listen to me?

[KaosCill8r]

I think Bigsbys look great, but they're just bulky and in the way. They don't suit my playing style at all. But I love hardtails, so why the fuck should you listen to me?

I'm usually a hardtail lover, but lately I've been intrigued by Bigsby's. I have been thinking my next guitar will be a black SG with P90 pickups and a Bigsby.

[antennafarm]

love'em, i have a b7 hacked onto my LP melody maker... will be replacing it with a b5 (which is probably for the best) and then transferring the b7 onto my LP.

if you have one i HIGHLY suggest getting the string spoiler. makes restringing MUCH less of a pain in the ass.

[Swordfishtrombone]

I've looked at the string spoiler online, and maybe I'm just an idiot, but what do they actually do?

Also, as far as putting strings on a bigsby, I've had to put strings on my jaguar twice since getting it, and it's easy imo. Just use some pliers to hold the ball end and bend the string over the pliers for a minute and you should be good to go. First time I put strings on it was hell tho, because I didn't think to do that, and I was used to just sliding strings on and being done with it, and it was shit, but as long as you pre-bend, you shouldn't have a problem.

[Swordfishtrombone]

I'm usually a hardtail lover, but lately I've been intrigued by Bigsby's. I have been thinking my next guitar will be a black SG with P90 pickups and a Bigsby.

This made me imagine Neil Young playing doom, and it made me happy as hell for a minute.

[Holy Schnikes]

I love the Bigsby, both aesthetically and functionally. Smooth and holds tune very well in my experience.

As far as restringing, pre-bending the ball end and using a capo make it very quick and simple. This video shows exactly what I'm talking about:

[youtube]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oRxqGZrnyYA[/youtube]

[ProCarsteNation]

Heyhey & thanks for all the tips, folks!
I was busy with my kids & vacation, and tomorrow is my sons birthday celebration...

And I was almost too busy to notice the Cabronitas getting sold out quickly, but today I ordered what must have been the last one in Germany

I had seen a tremless SQ Jazzmaster at a local store before and found that quite nice
(which I could't say about the 800€ Hagström and the 1200€ Fender Starts) and I might have investigated & saved up further in the JM direction,
but the sudden dissapearance of the cabronitas called for swift action

and I havent't even sold my pedals and mics

[ProCarsteNation]

Oh that bigsby is fun

but I'm a total bigsby-noob:
is it normal that the bridge moves back & forth when using the trem?
it would kinda make sense, but I woulda thought the strings slide over the bridge instead of moving it?

Also the bridge on that cabronita is clearly where they cut corners to make it so affordable,
looks a bit like it might break off with all that movement

[KaosCill8r]

Doesn't it have a roller bridge? Maybe a roller bridge would solve those problems. I'm just throwing out ideas, I don't own a trem equipped guitar.

[ProCarsteNation]

hmm, looked like a standard tele bridge to me...

[Swordfishtrombone]

That's the same bridge that came with the Bigsby that I got for my Jaguar. Someone else can correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that's a regular Jaguar/Jazzmaster bridge, which means that it's meant to rock. If you don't like it, then invest in a roller bridge. Not sure if you could put it in without modifying the guitar (removing the existing bridge studs and replacing them), but Wilkinson makes a nice one. The radius is too flat, but you can easily shim the individual saddles, so it won't be a problem. Maybe you should consider a Staytrem bridge if that doesn't sound good to you? From my understanding, they make one that doesn't rock (I don't use them, so I dunno).

[ProCarsteNation]

Thanks man, guess it's normal then....
Just have to see if I trust that bridge far enough till I could get a replacement,