2manyGuitars
New member
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2007
- Messages
- 155
I've always loved the look of a nice Les Paul with a Bigsby. There's just something so classy about it. Plus, I actually like the subtle vibrato you get from a Bigsby or Maestro. The problem is, I could never bear the thought of drilling holes into the top of any of my guitars.
A while ago, I'd seen a product called the Vibramate that allowed you to mount a Bigsby with no modifications. It's essentially an aluminum plate that mounts to the existing holes from your tailpiece. Then there are threaded holes that line up with the screws on the Bigsby. The problem was that the only model they offered was for the Bigsby B5 (the horseshoe shaped version). There are fine for SGs, Explorers, LP Juniors, Flying Vs, etc., but no good for a Les Paul. Well, I was recently delighted to find out that they had finally come up with a version for the B7. I tracked down a used B7 about two weeks ago, ordered the Vibramate V7, and as soon as it showed up in the mail today I couldn't wait to get to work...
Here's my 2001 Les Paul Classic Plus before...
The Vibramate V7...
You start by removing the strings and tailpiece. Here's what the underside of the unit looks like...
and here it is mounted to the tailpiece holes (they included both standard (Gibson) and metric (Epi, ESP, etc.) bolts)...
Here's the other plate that attaches at the bottom...
and a helpful hint. Attach it to the Bigsby first, then mount it to the guitar with your strap pin. The small opening in the hinged portion of the Bigsby won't slip over most strap pins. Here it is installed...
Then you simply install the two small screws and you're done...
A while ago, I'd seen a product called the Vibramate that allowed you to mount a Bigsby with no modifications. It's essentially an aluminum plate that mounts to the existing holes from your tailpiece. Then there are threaded holes that line up with the screws on the Bigsby. The problem was that the only model they offered was for the Bigsby B5 (the horseshoe shaped version). There are fine for SGs, Explorers, LP Juniors, Flying Vs, etc., but no good for a Les Paul. Well, I was recently delighted to find out that they had finally come up with a version for the B7. I tracked down a used B7 about two weeks ago, ordered the Vibramate V7, and as soon as it showed up in the mail today I couldn't wait to get to work...
Here's my 2001 Les Paul Classic Plus before...
The Vibramate V7...
You start by removing the strings and tailpiece. Here's what the underside of the unit looks like...
and here it is mounted to the tailpiece holes (they included both standard (Gibson) and metric (Epi, ESP, etc.) bolts)...
Here's the other plate that attaches at the bottom...
and a helpful hint. Attach it to the Bigsby first, then mount it to the guitar with your strap pin. The small opening in the hinged portion of the Bigsby won't slip over most strap pins. Here it is installed...
Then you simply install the two small screws and you're done...