Need Bigsby advice

[Guest mgoetting]

I have a Roy Clark single cutaway 1 5/8" nickel which craves a Bigsby.

 

The Bigsby site shows this guidance on selection:

 

■Model B-3 is designed for thin electric guitars

■Model B-5 is designed for flat top solid-body guitars

■Model B-6 is designed for large acoustic and arch top guitars

■Model B-7 is designed for thin electric guitars with more downward pressure

■Model B-11 is for thin electric guitars with an arch

■Model B-12 has a pressure bar and is designed for large acoustic and arch top guitars

 

So do I need a B3 or B7 or B11? What is the downward pressure about?

 

Bigsbys look easy to install. Any pitfalls?

 

Thanks.

[peteraltongreen]

I have a Roy Clark single cutaway 1 5/8" nickel which craves a Bigsby.

 

Thanks.

 

I Favour the unit shown below.It fits directly on to the studs,and doesn't need screws damaging the guitar top.It leaves no marks at all.I've used this unit on my H140CM,my ES335,and it's currently on by '64 Epiphone Wilshire. It's called a Les Trem,made in Germany & Distributed by Duesenberg.It's also very stable in use.

Peter Alton Green.

[Kuz]

I have a Roy Clark single cutaway 1 5/8" nickel which craves a Bigsby.

 

The Bigsby site shows this guidance on selection:

 

■Model B-3 is designed for thin electric guitars

■Model B-5 is designed for flat top solid-body guitars

■Model B-6 is designed for large acoustic and arch top guitars

■Model B-7 is designed for thin electric guitars with more downward pressure

■Model B-11 is for thin electric guitars with an arch

■Model B-12 has a pressure bar and is designed for large acoustic and arch top guitars

 

So do I need a B3 or B7 or B11? What is the downward pressure about?

 

Bigsbys look easy to install. Any pitfalls?

 

Thanks.

 

Again Mark, I would point you toward contacting Heritage directly. The curve on the top of the bodies are different between models and you need to make sure you get the right one that fits.

 

Call Ren. That's my advice.

 

Good luck.

[LH575]

I had an Epiphone Wildkat which had a B70, I believe. It was one of the ones with the tension bar. I could never get that thing to stay in tune. Nut was cut well and I had it all lubed up with graphite and it still would not bounce back to tune.

 

I think it may have had something to do with that tension bar. It adds more friction to the equation.

 

I have a Gretsch 6120 with a B6. Bounces right back. No tension bar.

 

If you wind of needing a model with the tension bar, I'd suggest playing a few guitars with the same type of Bigsby and see if they stay in tune.

[Guest mgoetting]

I Favour the unit shown below.It fits directly on to the studs,and doesn't need screws damaging the guitar top.It leaves no marks at all.I've used this unit on my H140CM,my ES335,and it's currently on by '64 Epiphone Wilshire. It's called a Les Trem,made in Germany & Distributed by Duesenberg.It's also very stable in use.

Peter Alton Green.

 

 

Peter,

 

How does it compare to a Bigsby in the vibrato effect? I'm worried it may work like those crappy SG whammy bars I twanged with as a kid.

The Les Trem seems too good to be true!

 

My Roy Clark won't take a hit in its image with a Bigsby. I may even look for those dice knobs Big Bob had.

 

Thanks for your help. If you find the Les Trem sounds similar to a Bigsby, I'm interested.

 

I'll also ask Ren for his take on this.

[big bob]

I Favour the unit shown below.It fits directly on to the studs,and doesn't need screws damaging the guitar top.It leaves no marks at all.I've used this unit on my H140CM,my ES335,and it's currently on by '64 Epiphone Wilshire. It's called a Les Trem,made in Germany & Distributed by Duesenberg.It's also very stable in use.

Peter Alton Green.

Danger Do not buy a les trem. get a bigsby...

 

One who knows...

[High Flying Bird]

Adding a Chet Atkin's arm to the Bigsby would look great on this guitar.

[Guest mgoetting]

Adding a Chet Atkin's arm to the Bigsby would look great on this guitar.

That's a what I was thinking.

[peteraltongreen]

Peter,

 

How does it compare to a Bigsby in the vibrato effect? I'm worried it may work like those crappy SG whammy bars I twanged with as a kid.

The Les Trem seems too good to be true!

 

My Roy Clark won't take a hit in its image with a Bigsby. I may even look for those dice knobs Big Bob had.

 

Thanks for your help. If you find the Les Trem sounds similar to a Bigsby, I'm interested.

 

I'll also ask Ren for his take on this.

 

I see I have disapproval already.If your trem use is light,and semitone pitch drops,the Les Trem is fine.If you are more adventurous i.e. Whole tone drops & frantic whammy,I agree,don't get one.By using a Bigsby,you are adding an American made product to an American made guitar,and generally accepted.My comment is that the damage caused by the Bigsby is unsightly upon it's removal.I've seen too many great guitars spoiled by a Bigsby's screw holes. However,if you can get a short Bigsby,( photo 1 ) as show fitted to my 1960 Hofner Club 60,then that's great,as the only screws are in the end,and covered by the tailpiece plate on removal ( if it has one ). I think they still do a longer one for larger bodied guitars ( photo 2).Do make sure you get a good break angle over the bridge.The Bigsby only successfully operates about the same as the Les Trem,in my experience.If you want to sharpen the tone,the spring can drop out,or re locates,same as the Les Trem. I just think the Les Trem's a good idea,easily fitted & removed,with no damage,and re located to another guitar in minutes. Please take on board everyone else's comments,most members are younger than I,and play a more modern style,then decide.

Peter Alton Green

[H]

Adding a Chet Atkin's arm to the Bigsby would look great on this guitar.

 

I was just thinking that the Roy Clark guitar looks a lot like my Chet Atkins Tennessean...

 

[Guest mgoetting]

I was just thinking that the Roy Clark guitar looks a lot like my Chet Atkins Tennessean...

 

 

I'm thinking that Chet wants to come back home.

[LH575]

I had a guy from gretschpages build me a custom screw plate for a Bigsby so I could install on my 575 without drilling new holes. PM me for contact info if needed.

[jazzrat]

That's what I was gonna suggest...they make a plate (Vibramate) that ties into the stop tailpece studs so

no holes are required.

http://www.vibramate.com/vibramate-v7-lp-install.php

Works with the carved top of an LP....not sure about the Heritage RC....best call.