Which Bigsby for a 330?

Jumping@Shadows · Jun 26, 2007

Hi all, i was all set to order a B7 Bigsby for my 330 when a friend, (a very knowledgable, toneful friend) tells me you cant fit the tension-bar type Bigsby to the fully hollow 330, as there is not enough wood for the screws to bite into. Is this true? I know the B7 is recommended for Epi Casinos, and i was under the understanding the 330 and Casino were pretty similar in construction..as it happens another friend had an original 60s non-tension-bar Bigsby in his parts bin so i'll go for that if thats the correct type.
Please weigh in with you experience of this, all answers are greatly appreciated.
Cheers!

Troels · Jun 26, 2007

Your toneful friends is not that knowledgable...

as there is plenty of wood to bite into. A 330s has grade AAA spruce strips (one piece actually with scores) beneath the top - exactly like a 335... (only the maple block is missing compared to a 335). 330 tops and 335 tops are 100% identical constructionswise. You'll need the Bigsby with two bars - the one bar type will help playing a guitar that never stays in tune

A Casino is a five laminate layer construction whereas a 330 is three layers - but the overall thicknes of the tops themselves are almost the same. Casinos as well as 330s have the spruce reinforce pieces on the inside surface of the top.

Jumping@Shadows · Jun 26, 2007

Thanks Troels! well, he may not be quite as knowledgable as i suspected, but is definately still as toneful.....damn it! i'll have to get back on top of that B7 auction again...Oh well
Cheers!

wingnut1 · Jun 26, 2007

I was wondering what Bigsby to use on this H555 or if I should even put a Bigsby on it? Since it isn't a Gibson I don't know if I have to worry that much about resale value. It does have a solid block of wood inside running under the pickups down to the tail.

Smiert Spionam · Jun 26, 2007

Long time lurker here, but this is as good a place to jump in as any.

I really dislike tension bar Bigsbys. They mar the top, the feel isn't as good (too stiff for me), and they can't be removed without leaving a scar.

It's all dependent on the neck angle -- if you have sufficient break angle over the bridge, a non-tension bar will work fine and you'll have no intonation problems. If you're not able to judge for yourself, have it looked at by a luthier who knows how to set one up.

ThorK · Aug 17, 2007

I would appreciate it GREATLY if someone could tell me the proper Bigsby to fit onto that Heritage h555, as I have an h535 that is nearly identical to an ES335 dot.

I notice on the new b3 boxes, it says that is the right unit for an es335, however, I also see that many 335s have the b7 bigsby unit.

which is the proper one for an es335, or in my case, an h535 heritage model?

id just be worried about it not staying in tune as well as now with the regular bridge... but i really dig the vibrato function of the bigsby, and it would be put to good use in my band/playing style.

68goldtop · Aug 17, 2007

hi!
i´m a huge bigsby-fan, too, but i could never bring myself to drill holes in the top of a perfectly good guitar, that´s why i stayed away from the B7/B70 and opted for the B3/B30 on all my les pauls and casinos. they work just fine for me! i even use the regular tom-bridges and i don´t have any severe tuning-issues to speak of.

best - 68.

tooold · Aug 17, 2007

For the original poster, I have a 330 with a B3, it works fine. If you don't need to use a B7, why drill holes in the top? Same would go for the Heritage.

ThorK · Aug 17, 2007

Ah Ok, for some reason I thought that with the b7, there would be no need to drill holes in the top. I thought the old stoptail holes would be re-used for the b7, but I see now that is wrong.

Thanks!

MikeSlub · Aug 17, 2007

Here is a 1960 ES-330 in Argentine Grey. Bigbsy works fine. :hank

ThorK · Aug 18, 2007

Ok cool, looks like either one will work just fine.

I won a b3 on ebay, so I'll stick with that.

Thanks!

BurstMeUp · Aug 18, 2007

A 330?? ... hell, Bigsbys have LOTs of uses ...

ThorK · Aug 18, 2007

hehe, clever pic. any reason to get a b3 over a b7, or vice versa, in regards to a 330 or 335 in my case?

58dutchie · Aug 27, 2007

Bigsby works fine for my '62 ES-330 TDC! :dude:

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Rumbling_Groover · Aug 27, 2007

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtnF8hdQ1Ws&mode=related&search=

330 with bigsby in action

68goldtop · Aug 31, 2007

hi rumbling groover!
thanks for the link!
not sure if i´d invite these guys for tea or something, but it´s a cool take!

cheers - 68.

Which Bigsby for a 330?

Jumping@Shadows

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Troels

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Jumping@Shadows

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wingnut1

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Smiert Spionam

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ThorK

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68goldtop

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tooold

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ThorK

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MikeSlub

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ThorK

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BurstMeUp

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58dutchie

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Rumbling_Groover

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68goldtop

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