Removing a Bigsby

[vonFrenchie]

Hey everybody. Long time no see. Sorry for the hiatus but I bought a Vox AD60VT and started a band, I've been a tad busy. But I need some answers. I've searched the internet for a simple answer to my question and no one has one so I am going to the only group of people I know that has the answer.

Since I am in a band I need to make some equipment changes. I am buying a new guitar, a Gretsch Double Jet. The main problem with the guitar is I can only find it at a good price when it has a bigsby.

guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gretsch-Guitars-Electromatic-Double-Jet-Electric-Guitar?sku=511589

I really am not a fan of Bigsby's when it comes to constant abuse. The abuse that comes along with moving in and out of cases, in and out of vans, up and down stages and in bars full of drunks. Now, to my main question. How can I retrofit a tune-o-matic bridge onto a Bigsby B50 guitar? I was thinking a PRS style wraparound because the bigsby only has two screws, but I really wanted to know before I invested 600+ into a new guitar when I can just buy a Xaviere. Thanks in advance everyone, you're the best.

[gitpiddler]

My gut tells me that loose-o-matic bridge isn't the ideal mate for a Bigsby for longevity. A PRS wraparound is a good thought. I wouldn't pay that much for one that would need that much work out of the box.

[cynical1]

I'm with the piddler on this one. Why soak more money into a new instrument your not happy with when you bought it? If I bought it used I'd be more content to start ripping and shredding.

Having said that, if I was going with a wrap-around/one-piece tailpiece I'd go for the Schaller 458 fine tuner tailpiece.



Best one out there, IMHO, and you can still find them on eBay for around $50.00-$60.00 used.

HTC1

[D2o]

VF – great to hear from you!

FWIW, I found a little discussion here, in which a Compton bridge was mentioned several times – one fellow, in particular, had this to say:

Or better yet, get a Compton bridge. I will be getting 3 more soon (ProJet/3140/Corvette). The aluminum CCC on my 5120 was a game-changer. The improvement from it is unreal.

( here is a link Compton bridges as well, in case you wish to check it out www.comptonbridges.com/ ).

I hope that helps.

D2o

P.S. I don’t know what you are talking about when you say you couldn’t find anything on this … I Googled your query and instantly got a hit on exactly what you are asking - if you click on it you will see that it even comes with responses from two smartguys and one smart"butt". ;D

[vonFrenchie]

d2o, apparently we're writing the book on Bigsby to Hardtail converstions, haha.

I looked at the Compton bridges and they're all fine and dandy but... they don't solve my main problem. With a compton bridge I would still be using the Bigsby which will lead to more difficult tunings and more inconsistencies in tuning due to the road abuse.

So far piddler and cy both have the best idea for me personally. Do you know if those Schaller bridges will fit right on the old mounting studs? Pro Jets have angled bridges so I'm unsure of if that would cause a problem or not.

[dunkelfalke]

Feb 3, 2010 10:14:48 GMT -5 cynical1 said:

Best one out there, IMHO, and you can still find them on eBay for around $50.00-$60.00 used.

Why used? Schaller still makes them.

[D2o]

I like their advice better as well.

I just found this doo-dad as well : a Bigsby Vibrato Fine Tuner ... it won't be of interest, based on your needs, but have you heard of it?

D2o

[vonFrenchie]

I have never heard of a fine tuner for a Bigsby. This looks like it would take away a lot of stress involved with tuning a bigsby. I often times accidentally over tighten a string and throw the others out of whack.

If only someone made a Bigsby stop block that was just a nut that replaced the spring and was the proper height.

[D2o]

Feb 3, 2010 16:28:50 GMT -5 vonFrenchie said:

If only someone made a Bigsby stop block that was just a nut that replaced the spring and was the proper height.

... and that didn't cost 265 clams ...

[vonFrenchie]

We'll I decided against the double jet because I have found a Malcolm Young that I am hoping to get. If not the Malcolm Young then an LP Double Cut. Either way I appreciate the help and I might actually slap on a Schaller 458 or some other similar bridge.