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Post by Leftee on Feb 18, 2022 11:34:30 GMT -5
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matryx81
Wholenote
I think I know the reason but I can't spell it.
Posts: 771
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Post by matryx81 on Feb 18, 2022 13:38:03 GMT -5
I find the aesthetics quite appealing.
I also hear they are difficult to use. Any truth to that?
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Post by Taildragger on Feb 18, 2022 14:36:44 GMT -5
^ I had a Gretsch 6022-JR with one on it. I used "Nut Sauce" lubricant on the bridge and in the nut slots. Also replaced the stock, TOM-type bridge with a radius-matched, Tru Arc aluminum bar bridge. Worked smoother with that than it did with the TOM, plus the tone was better. I think there are also "roller" bridges, but I've never used one of those (maybe someone else who has will chime in). Still, Bigsbys are better when used with subtlety and restraint: in my limited experience, they won't stay in tune all that well if you try to do big dive bombs. If that's what you're looking for, a locking trem like a Floyd Rose is probably a better choice.
BTW: thanks for the OP, Leftee. I'd seen other, prototypical Bigsby guitars before, but never that one.
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Post by ninworks on Feb 18, 2022 17:59:18 GMT -5
Not a fan of Bigsby tailpieces. I have a friend with a Gretsch Tennessean that the bridge isn't mounted to the guitar and will move when doing even subtle stuff with the bar. It's a tuning nightmare. He tried gluing 600 grit sandpaper to the bridge's contact points on the top and it helped but didn't fix it. He ended up screwing a bolt through the tailpiece inside the spring where it couldn't move and that fixed the problem. I suppose they probably aren't as much of a problem with a fixed bridge but I don't want to find out. All but one of my guitars has a stop tailpiece on it and the one that doesn't has a floating Kahler on it. It stays in tune quite well but has a locking nut and that helps. It's a beast to tune up though.
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Post by reverendrob on Feb 19, 2022 0:14:27 GMT -5
Never been a fan, I'm a Kahler Flyer (the "route the top" model) or a Jazzmaster/Jag trem guy.
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MoJoe
Wholenote
Posts: 855
Formerly Known As: quiksilver
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Post by MoJoe on Feb 19, 2022 1:49:38 GMT -5
Love the Bigsby on my 800$ Gretsch for a mildly detuning feel. No dive bombs with this device. The linked guitar sure looks nice. May someone else get lucky. 😎
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Post by Opie on Feb 19, 2022 6:58:35 GMT -5
Been using a Bigsby on most of my guitars for 30+ years with no problem. I use it subtlety most times,but as I was reading this I really wacked it with no issues. The nut has to be cut properly with the correct width slots according to gauge, and the bridge as well. Use of lubricant of some sort is required as well. Strings smaller than .10's are gonna give you grief.
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Feb 19, 2022 10:05:01 GMT -5
I have one Bigsby equipped guitar, my G5420TG Gretsch. I like it well enough for what it does. I've had a few over the years and always got along with them.
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Post by funkykikuchiyo on Feb 19, 2022 10:37:04 GMT -5
That guitar is in amazing condition. A highly figured top like that is going to want to do weird things with age, and the plastic on it is in shockingly good shape.
I love the vibrato you get. They are naturally softer, and I imagine if you were to get super scientific and plot how the pitch changes for the linear movement of the bar, you'd find the "shape" of the vibrato is different - you can't get the same light vibrato out of a modern 2-point trem even if you're gentle with the bar. It also acts as a nice limit on the string movement, so you don't end up with the nut binding issues, for the simple reason that you'll never even get close to a dive bomb with one.
I love Bigsbys on SOME guitars. I love it on my Gretsch. But, people slap them on too many things. We get a lot of people wanting them on SGs and LPs, and the tone always suffers a lot. On a Tele? Knock that *$^# off.
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Post by Seldom Seen on Feb 19, 2022 11:17:18 GMT -5
Wow that’s a beauty!
I have one Bigsby equipped guitar; a Gretsch 6128T Duo Jet. I love the guitar but one Bigsby is enough for me.
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Post by Vibroluxer on Feb 19, 2022 12:26:38 GMT -5
I am down to one, my Gretsch Bamboo Annie.
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Post by zenland on Feb 19, 2022 17:16:53 GMT -5
Owned them in the past and may get one later on. I've come close to pullng the trigger!!!
Not a real solid want right now but, I would love a 6120! It's a ways off!!
And Yes, I like Bigbys!
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Post by Mike the marksman on Feb 21, 2022 11:37:42 GMT -5
I see them strictly as a "because it looks cool" non-functional piece of hardware, like the hand lever on the side of a modern slot machine. I want an SG with one, like Mick Taylor's.
Whenever I hear people complain about them not staying in tune I think "Well duh. You're not supposed to actually *use* the thing"
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Feb 21, 2022 12:19:08 GMT -5
Well, they certainly seem over engineered for what they do and almost have a steam punk aesthetic to them. But that thar leever is functional, just not in Fender/Floyd kind of way.
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Post by walshb 🦒 on Feb 21, 2022 16:42:03 GMT -5
I've never owned a guitar with a Bigsby, but the trem on my Jazzmaster is super smooth, and it stays in tune really well, also. I like it way more than the trem on my Strat.
I do have a Floyd Rose/locking nut on a Charvel, and of course that one stays in tune the best, but it's a real pain to change strings.
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Post by LeftyMeister on Feb 21, 2022 18:07:26 GMT -5
I've never played a Bigsby but they sure look cool.
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Feb 21, 2022 18:58:38 GMT -5
If I could compare Fender vs Bigsby vibrato to singers, I'd say it's like Grace Slick vs Chrissie Hynde.
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jtheissen
Wholenote
Montana lurker, mostly🎸
Posts: 202
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Post by jtheissen on Feb 21, 2022 19:11:06 GMT -5
No. Hate them.
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Post by Leftee on Feb 21, 2022 19:21:39 GMT -5
I love how we do threads. 😂
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Feb 22, 2022 10:35:58 GMT -5
I like Bigsbys and I cannot lie.
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Post by jazzmastertele2020 on Feb 23, 2022 18:30:44 GMT -5
I’ve used and loved Bigsbys on a few guitars over the years. They’re a great design and make killer sounds.
I’ve since sort of taken what I learned from playing on those and applied it to Fender vibratos (Strat, Mustang, Jazzmaster), refining my approach whereas before I struggled finding a practical use for them. I like the softer feel of the Fenders but staying within what the Bigsby pitch range would be.
tl;dr - yes! Bigsbys are awesome.
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Post by rdr on Feb 24, 2022 11:05:07 GMT -5
I have a couple; one on a Gretsch and one on a Tele Cabronita. Both stay in tune with minor wobbling. Have the Reverend "soft springs" on them- big improvement.
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professor
Wholenote
"Now I want you to go in that bag and find my wallet." / KMMFA
Posts: 621
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Post by professor on Feb 24, 2022 12:41:25 GMT -5
Yes, and I accept their limitations. Paul Bigsby also designed motorcycle parts, and it shows. I always think of a kick stand.
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Post by samspade on Feb 24, 2022 19:14:44 GMT -5
I like them. I know they can't be abused, but they can be used for subtle to aggressive use...just check Brian Setzer. I also think they add that nice string resonance that jazz masters and trapeze type bridges do. And they look cool  |
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Post by jazzmastertele2020 on Feb 25, 2022 12:47:00 GMT -5
Paul Bigsby also designed motorcycle parts, and it shows. I always think of a kick stand. I don’t like what a Bigsby does to the look of a Les Paul. |
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Post by Leftee on Feb 25, 2022 13:01:10 GMT -5
I’m a “Bigsby on a Gretsch” sorta guy.
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Feb 25, 2022 13:32:54 GMT -5
I think a Bigsby on a Tele is pretty cool looking. But years back I played one (Fender Japan) and found it to be pretty abysmal. Everything seemed wrong, especially the string tension. I'm sure a proper setup may get it closer to something recognizable, but it pretty much turned me off.
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Post by capnhiho on Feb 25, 2022 13:51:57 GMT -5
Hell yeah!!
Both of my Gretsches have ‘em…. (Hollowbody and Double Jet)
Wouldn’t have it any other way!
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Post by pcalu on Feb 25, 2022 18:01:54 GMT -5
I'm out to lunch on them .. some guitars they look cool and look like they are supposed to actually be on the guitar.. example Gretches. They just add to the sweet aesthetics of Gretches
IMO they look just "ok" on Telecasters (& and I'm pretty much a Tele guy)
Look hairless cat ugly mounted on a Les Paul!
Bill Frisell an outstanding player ... plays a tele with a bigsby in "Surfer girl" Great tune!!!!
His style is very sublime, very mature... follow the nuisances of his playing... think "just chilling on a Sunday afternoon" then you get his style.... like Jim Campilongo plays with nothing to prove, mature, tasteful, great tones... committed to the song...
I could listen to those guys all day
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Bopper
Wholenote
Motor City USA
Posts: 505
Age: 72
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Post by Bopper on Feb 26, 2022 10:31:39 GMT -5
I don’t like what a Bigsby does to the look of a Les Paul. We disagree!
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