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Re: Gear talk: TALK ME OUT OF IT

Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2021 2:03 pm
by biscuitdough
Dudley wrote: Tue Nov 30, 2021 12:23 pm My Tele Custom is maybe my favourite sounding guitar - great stock bridge p/up, and a Creamery WRHB.

Talk me out of putting a Bigsby on it.

And if you can't, give me some shit about paying extra for the no-drill Vibramate mounting.
It won’t sound the same.

Re: Gear talk: TALK ME OUT OF IT

Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2021 2:46 pm
by brownreasontolive
Dudley wrote: Tue Nov 30, 2021 1:08 pm
brownreasontolive wrote: Tue Nov 30, 2021 12:42 pm I've never been super happy with the results from an aftermarket Bigsby install.
Can you give me a bit more detail? Tone, action, fit of Bigsby...?
For Tele, specifically:
- Loss of sustain (the main/major reason I would go with a Tele in the first place)
- Change of the height/break angle at the bridge makes things a little funny to setup (you'll probably want a neck shim for aftermarket bigsby on a tele)
- Less room behind the bridge lands the arm in a weird place when you dip it all the way (tip of the arm lands ahead of the bridge pickups and around the controls, whereas, it is at or behind the bridge pickup on something like a Gretsch or Gibson hollowbody type and doesn't interfere with controls as much)

Anyway, it can be done right but I didn't like it on my Tele(sold it to somebody who did so I wouldn't have to remove it).
Removed one from a friends Tele and it was pretty gross after. 4 holes from the vibrato mount and I can't remember how many holes in total were left by the bridge plate /posts. Buddy did a decent job of filling the holes and matching colour, but you can still see where it mounted. I thought it was a godman nightmare.

If you are saying you already have one of these: https://www.stewmac.com/parts-and-hardw ... rtEALw_wcB
... lot of the risk/headache could be avoided.

Re: Gear talk: TALK ME OUT OF IT

Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2021 9:54 pm
by MoreSpaceEcho
Dudley wrote: Tue Nov 30, 2021 12:23 pm My Tele Custom is maybe my favourite sounding guitar - great stock bridge p/up, and a Creamery WRHB.

Talk me out of putting a Bigsby on it.
Bigsbys are clunky and don't stay in tune.

Put a Floyd on it.

Re: Gear talk: TALK ME OUT OF IT

Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2021 11:16 pm
by Mickey242
I hate the bigsby tremolo system. Had one on a 68 SG and it never stayed in tune. Change the nut, no, Internate it every way it can be done, no.

Re: Gear talk: TALK ME OUT OF IT

Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2021 3:53 am
by Dudley
Thank you all.
Owen wrote: Tue Nov 30, 2021 1:20 pm I love me a Bigsby, but I would be terrified of fucking with a guitar that is your favorite sounding guitar. That's just me though.
This is my main fear. Spoiling something great by putting icing and sprinkles on.
cakes wrote: Tue Nov 30, 2021 1:30 pm Why do you want a bigsby? they aren't as cool as they seem, unless you're really into them.
I'm quite into them. I have one on my Dano 64. I had one on my Gretsch bari which was pretty stiff and shallow and didn't get used much.

But your question makes me realise that the trem I really like is the one on my Squier JM. By the time I've bought a Staytrem, Bigsby, compliant saddles, and post-shim set up, I could pretty much afford a Squier Jag.

Pretty much job done, and then this absolutely sealed the (non) deal. Thank you!
brownreasontolive wrote: Tue Nov 30, 2021 12:42 pm
For Tele, specifically:
- Loss of sustain (the main/major reason I would go with a Tele in the first place)
- Change of the height/break angle at the bridge makes things a little funny to setup (you'll probably want a neck shim for aftermarket bigsby on a tele)
- Less room behind the bridge lands the arm in a weird place when you dip it all the way (tip of the arm lands ahead of the bridge pickups and around the controls, whereas, it is at or behind the bridge pickup on something like a Gretsch or Gibson hollowbody type and doesn't interfere with controls as much)

Anyway, it can be done right but I didn't like it on my Tele(sold it to somebody who did so I wouldn't have to remove it).
Removed one from a friends Tele and it was pretty gross after. 4 holes from the vibrato mount and I can't remember how many holes in total were left by the bridge plate /posts. Buddy did a decent job of filling the holes and matching colour, but you can still see where it mounted. I thought it was a godman nightmare.

If you are saying you already have one of these: https://www.stewmac.com/parts-and-hardw ... rtEALw_wcB
... lot of the risk/headache could be avoided.

Re: Gear talk: TALK ME OUT OF IT

Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2021 9:22 am
by MoreSpaceEcho
Dudley wrote: Wed Dec 01, 2021 3:53 am the trem I really like is the one on my Squier JM.
Awesome. The JM trem is way, way better than a Bigsby IME. I have a Bigsby on a new Gretsch and I don't get along with it at all. I fell in love with the JM trem on my Jag immediately. So easy to use in a musical way, and it stays in tune.

Re: Gear talk: TALK ME OUT OF IT

Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2021 11:06 am
by cakes
Dudley wrote: Wed Dec 01, 2021 3:53 am
cakes wrote: Tue Nov 30, 2021 1:30 pm Why do you want a bigsby? they aren't as cool as they seem, unless you're really into them.
I'm quite into them. I have one on my Dano 64. I had one on my Gretsch bari which was pretty stiff and shallow and didn't get used much.

But your question makes me realise that the trem I really like is the one on my Squier JM. By the time I've bought a Staytrem, Bigsby, compliant saddles, and post-shim set up, I could pretty much afford a Squier Jag.

Pretty much job done, and then this absolutely sealed the (non) deal. Thank you!
Heh, I'm happy that my non-technical answer helped you!

Re: Gear talk: TALK ME OUT OF IT

Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2021 9:51 am
by MoreSpaceEcho
bishopdante wrote: Sun Dec 05, 2021 11:55 pm A real serial number 1965 fender with a kahler slapped on... you could probably run a YouTube channel off the reactions.
If I had ridiculous fuck off amounts of money, I would do this just to watch the ensuing shitshow on Youtube, it would be incredible.

I was obviously kidding about the Floyd but but apparently some folks think it's a great idea because Fender actually make this:
Image
Could be yours for only $2499!

Re: Gear talk: TALK ME OUT OF IT

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2021 8:09 am
by brownreasontolive
My local Kijiji has a 78 tele that was modded with EMGs and a Fender floyd style bridge.
I think the ad title is something like "Telecaster, sort of..."
So upsetting.

Re: Gear talk: TALK ME OUT OF IT

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2021 11:06 am
by MoreSpaceEcho
I'm a big fan of both EMGs and Floyds, but on the right guitar (i.e. not a damn telecaster). Come on people!

After I make the internet explode by putting a Kahler on a '65 Fender, my next stunt will be grafting a Steinberger TransTrem to a '58 Les Paul Gold Top. I'll chop off the headstock to really make the look complete.