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Installed a Bigsby on my Les Paul (with Vibramate)

Texas Blues

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Joined
Apr 13, 2008
Messages
4,641
Alrighty then y'all.

Got the Vmate today and decided to screw my tech out of money and install and set it up myself.

Got ever 'thang together and undressed my gal and told her I was gonna' treat like my sister.

Only differnt'.

Puta Negra, '78 LP Pro, with Lollar's, RS pots n' sheeit, super slim 60's neck and fast as hell, top wrapped.

The pup covers are actually much more closer in color to the poker chip but don't photograph well with my camera.



Right here.



As you can see the B7 on the Vmate doesn't really fit as the B7 is designed to be hard mounted and with the Vmate there's a big gap due to using the TP posts.

You can see the gap difference at the strap pin end.

A minor design flaw but one I can live with.



I ain't frettin' about it.

Wiped her down, greased the neck and strung her up.

I told her the new metal was just like aspirin.

Only...better.

She's ready to rock.



I tossed the condom chingaderra on the talent bar.

Be like grabbin' a tit while she's wearin' a kevlar vest.



Plugged her in for 3 hours into a my Clark Lil' Bit.

Good Gawd' and have mercy!

Took a bit to tune her proper but finally got it down and after about 20 minutes of yankin' her crank she was rock solid.

This guitar sounded like a she wolf in heat at midnight already but there is a skosh of some added high end spank and in a good way.

Tone and sustain are killer.

I played some sheeit I only could dream of before.

The 'thang is that you don't grab it and snatch it like a high school boy tryin' to get to 3rd base.

Touch her.

Pet her.

Gently.

And she moan's and makes orgasm woo woo noises.

This 'thang ain't ever comin' off her.

And right now I'm feelin' like a porn star.

This bitch is gonna' be next!



Salute'!
 

LesPlucker

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Joined
Mar 12, 2002
Messages
186
If I am not mistaken, the VM has the advantage over bareback install in that the grounding of the stop tailpiece is preserved. With the bareback install, you lose the grounding of the stud. How were factory Bigsby LPs grounded?
 

Texas Blues

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Apr 13, 2008
Messages
4,641
My black '78 pictured from just above was never grounded at all and only recently was

it discovered.

Came from the factory that way without a hole drilled for access.

Tech guy ran a ground to the pup switch.

It was pretty quiet overall for a p90 guitar before but dead quiet now.
 

Big Al

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Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
Tex, the reason it isn't a good fit is because the 78 has the wrong body shape. It is quite bit shorter than the Vintage, late 60's early/mid 70's and post 90's. You can easily mount a B5 on these with not problem. As you can tell the stud anchors bear all the tension so it isn't a big deal.

Glad you like it.
 
Last edited:

Texas Blues

Active member
Joined
Apr 13, 2008
Messages
4,641
Tex, the reason it isn't a good fit is because the 78 has the wrong body shape. It is quite bait shorter than the Vintage, late 60's early/mid 70's and post 90's. You can easily mount a B5 on these with not problem. As you can tell the stud anchors bear all the tension so it isn't a big deal.

Glad you like it.

Muchas gracias Al.

My luthier guy put a rosewood shim in the gap and replaced the strap screw with a longer

stainless steel.

Works great!
 

Big Al

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Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
Muchas gracias Al.

My luthier guy put a rosewood shim in the gap and replaced the strap screw with a longer

stainless steel.

Works great!

I did the same for my son. I gave him my old Standard 80 and he HAD to have the B7. I have two with B7's and use B5's on the rest. The B5 is so easy to do and I like the look.

I also noticed with the B7 and my strap locks that I had to file the button flat on the sides to mount it. On the B70 it was easy peasy no sweat straight on screw it in. It also seems that the cheaper B70 and B50 work really, really well and I like them just fine and dandy.

Like that P90 Les Paul you are toting' there, Tex! I put a B70 on my P90 early 70's Goldtop. I use it for Trower/Hendrixy things.
 

Davidos

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Joined
Jun 19, 2010
Messages
94
Sorry to revive an old-ish thread but am looking for some tips/advice on mounting a V7 and Vibramate...

I have tried to no avail on a few Custom Shop LPs...

- First I mount the Vibramate (not screwed tight so it can slightly pivot)

- Take the pads off the Bigsby and screw the 2 screws in to mount the Bigsby to the Vibramate... I assume these have to be finger tight so the Bigsby and VMate are flush (no gap)?

After the 2 steps above I am left with the Bigsby sticking up too high off the body even with the ability to pivot down due to the not tight Vibramate post screws... If I push down on the Bigsby harder to try to get the strap pin to line up I am worried about the torque on the inserts and the strap pin.

Do these combos only work on flatish LP bodies?

Should I screw in the combo by the strap pin first and then mount the 2 screws to connect the Bigsby to the Vibramate? This will leave a gap where the vibramate/Bigsby connect around the 2 screws...

Any tips/advice would be mucho appreciated!!!!!
 

Big Al

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Apr 24, 2002
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14,537
Screw the post bolts all the way and tight. You do not want wobble:bigal! Screw the Bigsby tight, not torqued, just tight. The Bigsby sits about where my non viberamate ones do. You can use the shorter spring to lower the arm but it will reduce the pitch dive a wee bit.
 

Classic

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Dec 6, 2004
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Is there a fit, finish and feel difference between a B7 version and a non b7 version?
 

Big Al

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Apr 24, 2002
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Is there a fit, finish and feel difference between a B7 version and a non b7 version?
The less expensive B70 fits the Vibramate better. It isn't much different in basic looks but it is polished aluminium instead of the flatter brushed aluminium of the B7. The function is excellent and the one on my 74 Goldtop w/vintage P90's will not go out of tune. I used it for Hendrix and Trower stuff.
 

gio

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Dec 22, 2004
Messages
125
The less expensive B70 fits the Vibramate better. It isn't much different in basic looks but it is polished aluminium instead of the flatter brushed aluminium of the B7. The function is excellent and the one on my 74 Goldtop w/vintage P90's will not go out of tune. I used it for Hendrix and Trower stuff.


Did you have to do any modifications to anything to make it fit?
 

Big Al

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Apr 24, 2002
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Did you have to do any modifications to anything to make it fit?

No. It is easier than the B7, only in that the strap button attachment is butt simple, IF IT IS NOT THE EARLY 80's STUBBY BODY WIDE CUTAWAY BODY.
On those a B5/B50 work best. I have a B7 on my 99 R9 and a B5 on my favorite Y2K R9.
 

vibroluxe

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Jan 6, 2015
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26
Installed one on my Standard 80 Heritage. Works great

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Huc

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Jul 6, 2003
Messages
156
Looks great. I wish like crazy Bigsby will change the bar design and get rid of those horrible string nubs. Restringing is a pain and I must use a sponge to hold the ball end of the string to the metal nub. Callaham Guitars sells an upgrade for the B5 to end the restringing problem and improve sustain. They are pricey but the fix is well worth the money if you want a better Bigsby.
 

Big Al

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Apr 24, 2002
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Looks great. I wish like crazy Bigsby will change the bar design and get rid of those horrible string nubs. Restringing is a pain and I must use a sponge to hold the ball end of the string to the metal nub. Callaham Guitars sells an upgrade for the B5 to end the restringing problem and improve sustain. They are pricey but the fix is well worth the money if you want a better Bigsby.

Vibramate has a simple solution that works well. I have no problem with stringing up my Bixbys. I prebend the ball end of the string, it goes right over the nub and I always bend the string with the ball end flat so the hole in the ball slides right on to the nub. Then it is a simple wind, cut and tune.
 

1all's Pub

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Aug 15, 2015
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Looks great. I wish like crazy Bigsby will change the bar design and get rid of those horrible string nubs. Restringing is a pain and I must use a sponge to hold the ball end of the string to the metal nub. Callaham Guitars sells an upgrade for the B5 to end the restringing problem and improve sustain. They are pricey but the fix is well worth the money if you want a better Bigsby.

Yep... what Big Al said... pre-bending the string's ball end to easily hook is how Bigsby recommends doing it. Just use a needle-nose pliers to bend it and you'll have no problem stringing up a Bigsby.
 

Kokuma

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Mar 26, 2019
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20190416_172224[1].jpg
On my 50s tribute gold top, with Vibramate. Easy peezy! I do recommend using the string spoiler for easier string changes.
 

cincyguitar

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Jul 30, 2015
Messages
431
I put the Vibramate...with the optional spoiler on my 90's Gibson Sg and it was so easy...easy to restring with that spoiler too...want to get one for my LP too !
 
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