To Bigsby or not to Bigsby

LG King · Oct 27, 2019

I am considering placing a Bigsby on a hollow-bodied electric, and want to know if anybody has done so, and then regretted it.

While I think a Bigsby looks cool as hell, 'tone' is a definitely a big factor for me when I am playing, and right now I am pretty happy with my tone, so would hate to lose any of it just for having a cool looking guitar.

So if anybody might have some experience they might like to share, it would be well appreciated...

duaneflowers · Oct 28, 2019

The Vibramate option is reversible, if its at all possible. Lots of Bigsby hate out there (haters gonna hate) but I have several, and I love them. :salude

LG King · Oct 28, 2019

Thanks Duane,

I have just checked the Vibromate website and they state that they do not make an adapter for an Epiphone Casino.

Just to add, my further research on other forums indicates that...'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'.

I stopped playing for a while (was gigging in clubs 3-4 nights a week), and recently happened upon a White Falcon, and really enjoyed all those Buffalo Springfield feelings I could evoke. But my latest acquisition has just got me silly and besides myself with glee...as is with the trapeze tailpiece.

Much appreciated.

Best,

LG King
Bangkok

johnreardon · Oct 28, 2019

I have a Bigsby on a Guild Starfire III. I only bought the Starfire because I was trying to get a guitar similar to the Guild Slim Jim I had in the 60s. The Slim Jim didn't have a Bigsby.

I never use the Bigsby and found out how much of a pain it was to change strings when I broke one. I bought one of the universal vibramate things and managed to squeeze it in, so changing strings is a lot easier.

If I could have bought the Starfire III without a Bigsby, I would have done so. As it is, it just sits on the guitar and never used. Does it make a difference to the way I sound? I don't think so. I still sound like me.

zacknorton · Oct 28, 2019

Nope.

Grog · Oct 28, 2019

At the time I bought my '67 ES-335, I really wasn't in the market for a guitar with a Bigsby on it. A factory Stop-Tail wasn't available during this era, so I gambled on the thought that the Bigsby would give the guitar a bit more sustain than a Trapeze Tailpiece. The Jury is still out on that one......

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Texas Blues · Oct 28, 2019

I love to be loving Bigsby's.

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Does that answer your question?

LG King · Oct 28, 2019

Grog,

Beautiful '67, and the Bigsby does make it look soooo cool...!

stilwel · Oct 31, 2019

If it’s for an Epiphone Casino a Vibramate isn’t necessary. I assume it has the trapeze tailoiece? These guitars are perfect for adding a Bigsby since they don’t have stoptails.

Its very easy to install a Bigsby B7 onto one of these. I have done this several times over the years with great results.

I currently have an epiphone Riviera with a B7 installed. I really have a thing for Bigsby’s on 335 style semi-hollow guitars. I even installed one on a black Casino about 10 years ago.

Do it. Makes a great guitar even better.

String changes on a Bigsby can be challenging for a Bigsby newb. Callaham makes a replacement string bar that is drilled through instead of the string pegs. Makes changing strings a breeze. I have the Callaham bar on 2 different guitars.

The Vibramate string spoiler works well too but kinda ruins the look.

here’s a video of mine:

hogy · Oct 31, 2019

Never Bigsby.

Guitar Whiskey · Oct 31, 2019

McCartney has used an Epi Casino for over 50 years with a Bigsby. It's worked pretty well for him so far IMO. I've had numerous guitars with them and they are great; no complaints; Gretsch 6120, ES335, Gretsch Double Anniversary, ES330, Casino, Brian Ray SG, Tikibird. I'd have to access the particular guitar and model of Bigsby you are entertaining to determine if it's a good idea to add, but I definitely wouldn't hesitate buying a guitar that was set up with one already.

To Bigsby or not to Bigsby

LG King

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duaneflowers

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LG King

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johnreardon

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zacknorton

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Grog

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Texas Blues

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LG King

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stilwel

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hogy

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Guitar Whiskey

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