Its Bigsby time ~

[georgeguitars]

what bigsby trem should i use for my BB King lucille. im gonna get rid for the gold hardware so i can have a nice silver bigsby. i see the 335 one that folds down at the bottem but is there a short one i can use on this guitar??

[georgeguitars]

has any one got one?

[shugz]

I have a Gibson 355 and I retro-fitted a Bigsby to it. Right here goes, you can fit either a B3 or a B7. I have a B3 fitted to mine which I believe is the correct Bigsby for an archtop, here's a link just for illustration purposes:

http://www.wdmusic.co.uk/product/USA...Y_TAILPIECE_B3

The B3 is the 'folder' one in that it only mounts on to the guitar via the area around the lower strap button and folds over onto the guitar body via a hinge for want of a better word. A B7 will also work and this is more commonly fitted to 335/ 355 type guitars ala Noel Gallagher's 355 or Bernard Butler's one. I think Gibson themselves also fit B7's to new 355/ 335's too. The B7 though will mean that your archtop body will be getting 2 screwholes in it and therefore it's a pretty un-reversable mod. OK, mine's is too but at least the screwholes are out of site with the B3 setup.

I prefer the looks of the B7 but went for the B3 due to the fact I didn't want the top to be drilled.

Hope this helps

Cheers
Hugh

[shugz]

Oh, forgot to add. You'll need a 'Custom Made' plaque or something to hide the 2 Stop tail holes when the Bigsby is fitted (unless you don't mind them being on show). I went for the Custom Made plaque and if you want me to look out the details where I got it from I will,

Cheers
Hugh

[georgeguitars]

Cheers man. thanks for the help i think i'll go for the B7.

[shugz]

No worries, glad to help. It will change your guitar (as you'll already know!) but I like a Bigbsy I must admit. I have one on my LP Custom and will be getting one fitted to my 'soon to be finished' Custom build currently nearing completion @ JXG Guitars.

It is an ABSOLUTE pain in the neck to change strings with. You might already know this but a tip when changing strings is to use a capo to clamp the string in place which then allows you to wind the string on at the peg head without it falling off at the Bigsby!

Cheers
Hugh

[Gojirosan]

Originally Posted by shugz

It is an ABSOLUTE pain in the neck to change strings with. You might already know this but a tip when changing strings is to use a capo to clamp the string in place which then allows you to wind the string on at the peg head without it falling off at the Bigsby!

Cheers
Hugh

I use some low tack tape (masking tape or such) across the ball ends to keep them on the pegs whilst restringing.

Works a treat.

[Lixarto]

Originally Posted by Gojirosan

I use some low tack tape (masking tape or such) across the ball ends to keep them on the pegs whilst restringing.

I have done this, but now I find it easier to use one of Mrs Z's hands to keep the string in place

Zap

[shugz]

Good tips fella's, yes there's a few method's out there. I suppose that's the whole 'experience' of owning a Bigsby-ed geetar! lol

Cheers
Hugh

[uncle_psychosis]

I have to restring my bigsby'd guitar this weekend...

*cries*

Nice tips though! Sometimes I use a piece of sponge/foam and ram it between the ball ends and the body of the guitar to hold them on whilst I string.

Sam