Keith7940236 Posted February 28, 2012 Posted February 28, 2012 I've been thinking lately about having a Bigsby installed on my thinline Eagle and was wondering if anyone has had any regrets about the addition? I would guess perhaps some tuning issues? I would appreciate any advice. Thanks, Keith
DetroitBlues Posted February 28, 2012 Posted February 28, 2012 All I've heard is sometimes the Bigsby can cause some loss of sustain and make the strings sound a little more mellow. There are a few here that have converted their standard configured Heritages to accept Bigsby's.
MartyGrass Posted February 28, 2012 Posted February 28, 2012 The rim holes from the tailpiece should be filled, which is easy. Then the Bigsby can be installed. If you have to reverse the process, you redrill where the fillings are, which is also easy. The biggest complaint I have about a Bigsby that is rim mounted only on this size of a guitar is that the handle isn't far enough forward to grab quickly. You may want to put a Gretsch bridge on your Eagle or a roller bridge.
NoNameBand Posted February 28, 2012 Posted February 28, 2012 Some folks in the audience have said they experienced a form of sea-sickness when over used.
smurph1 Posted February 28, 2012 Posted February 28, 2012 My personal opinion here, but I've never liked any type of whammy or tremelo bar, They've always caused tuning problems for me..But it could be that I just don't know how to use them..YMMV..
MartyGrass Posted February 28, 2012 Posted February 28, 2012 My personal opinion here, but I've never liked any type of whammy or tremelo bar, They've always caused tuning problems for me..But it could be that I just don't know how to use them..YMMV.. My standard answer to whether Bigsbys are good:
smurph1 Posted February 28, 2012 Posted February 28, 2012 My standard answer to whether Bigsbys are good: See..I told you I didn't know how to use em..
bolero Posted February 28, 2012 Posted February 28, 2012 you can use a vibramate & avoid drilling any holes at all...it will also position the bar closer to the bridge I put on one my 535, with a B5 and it works great
big bob Posted February 28, 2012 Posted February 28, 2012 you can use a vibramate & avoid drilling any holes at all...it will also position the bar closer to the bridge I put on one my 535, with a B5 and it works great You can't use a vibramate on an archtop, no studs... Now this is just my opinion... but.... Bigsbys...... NO PROBLEMS!!! do it.
Gitfiddler Posted February 28, 2012 Posted February 28, 2012 Putting strings on a Bixby'd gitfiddle is a challenge...for me. I own two with Bixbys and typically let the strings get dull n' grungy between changes because I hate the task. But that's just me. I'm pretty lazy when it comes to changing strings on any git...but love the sound of new strings. Go figure.
Franke Posted February 28, 2012 Posted February 28, 2012 you might want to check Heritage's website. I seem to recall them saying they don't advice putting a bigsby on certain models for structural reasons...
MartyGrass Posted February 28, 2012 Posted February 28, 2012 The Eagle is a 17" guitar, and yours has a 2 1/4" rim. Assuming you don't want to drill the top. expect the tip of the handle to be just beyond your bridge, even with the 9". Here's an example. If someone has another opinion, I'd love to hear it. Changing strings is a chore. It is easier with needle nose pliers to loop the ball end. Once the ball is on the pin, pull the string tight and hold it in place on the fretboard with a capo. Then thread it into the tuning key and tighten.
michaeljames Posted February 28, 2012 Posted February 28, 2012 Agree with many of you. Hard to keep in tune. Pain in the a** restring. Seasick <hee-hee>. Not sure about sustain loss ~ I have not expierenced that myself ~ 1974 SG Std factory installed bigsby with original electronics. I'm glad I have one! Rarely use it. Just too much damn work. But whenever I get the itch? Well, ...
brentrocks Posted February 28, 2012 Posted February 28, 2012 The guy i bought this korina H 137 from installed a bigsby....with locking studs and locking tuners, ITS A WINNER!
MartyGrass Posted February 28, 2012 Posted February 28, 2012 The go on Heritage carved tops. Not that often though.
High Flying Bird Posted February 28, 2012 Posted February 28, 2012 The Chet Atkins handle might be a bit longer. I think they have two lengths of this handle.
High Flying Bird Posted February 28, 2012 Posted February 28, 2012 Changing strings is a chore. It is easier with needle nose pliers to loop the ball end. Once the ball is on the pin, pull the string tight and hold it in place on the fretboard with a capo. Then thread it into the tuning key and tighten. Use an eraser to hold the string ends in place. Works great.
H555rocks Posted February 28, 2012 Posted February 28, 2012 I have a bigsby on my H555 and I don't experience many problems with tuning. It is a heck of a lot of work to restring though.
bolero Posted February 29, 2012 Posted February 29, 2012 oops, I missed the archtop/no holes bit, sorry!
michaeljames Posted February 29, 2012 Posted February 29, 2012 eraser ~ i'll have to try that. couldn't be worse!
bolero Posted February 29, 2012 Posted February 29, 2012 wow, Marty that version of "witchita lineman" is fantastic!! he's got a slow stereo pan going between the 2 amps, real interesting effect plus he's using those marshall anniversary amps, which is a bit unique, for a clean sound like that...I heard he records with & uses them pretty much exclusively
DetroitBlues Posted February 29, 2012 Posted February 29, 2012 I think this Vibramate will work on an Archtop...But do go by Heritage's recommendation. The Bigsby puts pressure on the top and excessive pressure could cause it to crack. http://www.vibramate.com/vibramate-v7-lp-install.php
MartyGrass Posted February 29, 2012 Posted February 29, 2012 Vibramate is a no go. There's no TP studs on the Eagle. It cannot attach. You can ask Heritage if you want. I know the answer. They put Bigsbys on full archtops at Heritage. Ren Wall told me how to put one on a Golden Eagle once (didn't do it----yet). He put one on another full archtop on mine. The pressure on the bridge dwarfs the minor increased pressure of the Bigsby. As long as you don't try dive bombs you should be fine. Consider this. My string set on one of my archtops is 14-55. That's a lot of bridge pressure, and the tops are built to handle even more. I don't think you will come close to that pressure using 11s or 12s while doing bends with a Bigsby.
Steiner Posted February 29, 2012 Posted February 29, 2012 Is there any disadvantage to adding a Bigsby I've been thinking lately about having a Bigsby installed on my thinline Eagle and was wondering if anyone has had any regrets about the addition? I would guess perhaps some tuning issues? I would appreciate any advice. Thanks, Keith The only disadvantage I see is that when you finiish, you have a bigsby. you can use a vibramate & avoid drilling any holes at all...it will also position the bar closer to the bridge I put on one my 535, with a B5 and it works great Bolero - That is an Awesome photo!
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