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Post subject: Bigsby: pros and cons?
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 7:14 pm
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May have the opportunity to get one at a steal of a price.

name the pros and cons.

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Post subject: Re: Bigsby: pros and cons?
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 7:58 pm
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I have a '67 Gretsch Chet Atkins with a Bigsby tremolo and it doesn't put my guitar out of tune. It has put some guitars out of tune, but so has the Fender whammy bar. Depends on how well the nut and bridge are lubricated AFAIK.
It has a very nice effect once you get good at it. Check out Neil Young or Luke Doucet (Whitehorse).

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Post subject: Re: Bigsby: pros and cons?
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 8:03 pm
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+1 on Neil Young. Rickey Medlocke ( Blackfoot, Skynyrd) has one on his Lester, and puts it to good use as well.


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Post subject: Re: Bigsby: pros and cons?
Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 3:11 am
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Use some Big Bends Nut Sauce. That stuff is great and you'll have no tuning problems.The only other pain is that it's a little more difficult to put strings on because you have to keep the ball on the post. They're great trems but you won't dive bomb with them. The range is shorter than say a Fender trem.

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Post subject: Re: Bigsby: pros and cons?
Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 6:29 am
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I like them for subtle use, but they don't compare to the floating trem, IMO.

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Post subject: Re: Bigsby: pros and cons?
Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 6:32 am
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I have three electrics with bigsby's on them and they rock.

They do not cause any tuning issues, if you A: use them as intended and B: make sure you have a properly lubed and regulated nut.

+1 for big bends nut sauce.. and you probably want to lube every witness point (the nut, the bridge and the roller bar where the string wraps around on it's way to the saddles.)

Pros -
add a lot of nice subtle ambiance when you're sustaining chords.
pretty easy to install of you're a DIY sort.

Cons -
not for dive bombing or strafing runs.. :D

some configures require removing the bar to case the instrument (as in the case of when they are fitted with the chet wire) most of the time, with the flat bar, you can just fold it back towards the heel of the guitar and the case will then close.

string replacement can be fiddly, takes some "getting the knack of".

But if you take a cork from a wine bottle, and fashion a wedge - make it look like a slice of pie, about 1/2 inch long, maybe 1/4 inch wide at the wide end, 1/8" thick - problem solved. just push that wedge up to the string post after you put the ball end on the post, that will keep the string seated while you get the new strings situated to the tuning head and get some tension on the strings.


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Post subject: Re: Bigsby: pros and cons?
Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 8:05 am
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KidBlast wrote:

string replacement can be fiddly, takes some "getting the knack of".

But if you take a cork from a wine bottle, and fashion a wedge - make it look like a slice of pie, about 1/2 inch long, maybe 1/4 inch wide at the wide end, 1/8" thick - problem solved. just push that wedge up to the string post after you put the ball end on the post, that will keep the string seated while you get the new strings situated to the tuning head and get some tension on the strings.


+1...another way of restringing which I use, is to make a bend at the ball end using needle nose pliers (an essential part of every guitarists tool kit 8) ) and then the string ball is both easier to slide over the pin and also stays in place whilst winding.
If you get a Bigsby - and I recommend that you do - don't stock up on fender bullet strings :lol:

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Post subject: Re: Bigsby: pros and cons?
Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 10:45 am
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KidBlast wrote:

But if you take a cork from a wine bottle, and fashion a wedge - make it look like a slice of pie, about 1/2 inch long, maybe 1/4 inch wide at the wide end, 1/8" thick - problem solved. just push that wedge up to the string post after you put the ball end on the post, that will keep the string seated while you get the new strings situated to the tuning head and get some tension on the strings.


Darn, why didn't I think of that? Thank you Kid Blast. I love my Bigsby-equipped ES 355 but loathe string changes. Your tip will definitley make life a lot easier. I agree with all your other comments on the Bigsby too.

Btw, has anyone else found some strings a bit short for using with the Bigsby? (Rotosound D string for example is only just possible to fit to my Gibson)


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Post subject: Re: Bigsby: pros and cons?
Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 12:03 pm
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The pros seriously outweigh the cons in my book, plus the Bigsby adds mass and it might be me, but I find a little better sustain with a Bigsby. Plus they just look cool. :lol:

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Post subject: Re: Bigsby: pros and cons?
Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 12:23 pm
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63supro wrote:
The pros seriously outweigh the cons in my book, plus the Bigsby adds mass and it might be me, but I find a little better sustain with a Bigsby. Plus they just look cool. :lol:


True about the sustain imo.


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Post subject: Re: Bigsby: pros and cons?
Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 12:23 am
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Agree, must lube the nut slots and no dive bombing. Still, there is that tendancy to go slightly out of tune, but your technique can minimize it.
String installation is very easy using this technique: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRxqGZrnyYA

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Post subject: Re: Bigsby: pros and cons?
Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 11:07 am
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The Bigsby really is a great twang bar, as others have mentioned can be a little challenging when changing strings fitting properly in your case, but the sound and feel is wonderful. Good enough for Duane Eddy, good enough for me!

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Post subject: Re: Bigsby: pros and cons?
Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 6:21 pm
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I have a Gretsch hollow body with one and man is it awesome! As others have said as long as your nut is done right and you keep it lubed they will stay in tune. I love the nice shimmering effect I get when I use it!
ABS :D


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Post subject: Re: Bigsby: pros and cons?
Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 5:52 am
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i just like looking at my bigsby, not too fussed about using it.

something about telecaster + bigsby is just right.


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Post subject: Re: Bigsby: pros and cons?
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 5:05 am
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I just joined the forum and was browsing the archived posts when I found this one. I've had my Gretsch for 25 years and this is the first time I've heard about lubricating the Bigsby. I don't have issues staying in tune once I get my new stings stretched and settled in. I'm not a tinkerer and normally have the attitude "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". But your comments on lubrication sounds like something that might be beneficial if I start doing (which I assume you would do each time you change the strings?). Thanks to all for the tip. :)


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