bigsby trem users and abusers.

robert(original) · Post by **robert(original)** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 1:52 am

i have had limited use with these, but i was never really that impressed with them, mainly with the range, and the feel of it.
it usually feels better doing down rather than up.
so.
my question for all of you bigsby folks.
whats the range you can get out of your trem, and how do you prefer to set it up?

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 2:28 am

some i've played had really good range and sounded great. and some had no range at all.

James · Post by **James** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 2:33 am

I've never owned one but I've always found them to feel a bit stiff and awkward. You almost feel as if it's going to jump in pitch a little or that a string might snap if you move it too fast. Maybe I've just used ones that were badly setup or low end copies? I'm fairly sure I've at least used a proper branded one and it wasn't all that.

Will · Post by **Will** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 2:58 am

The ones with the tension bar never feel good and seem to go out of tune more easily. The old B6s are great.

I never liked restringing them, though.

Dogma Hollow · Post by **Dogma Hollow** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 2:59 am

I had the option of getting the Gretsch I just ordered with a Bigsby or a hardtail. The one I test drove at Guitar Center had a Bigsby. I actually liked the stiff feel of it, but the way the guitar was setup, the trem post kinda got in my way a few times. Maybe with a guitar that had it set back farther I'd have gone for it, but as it was, it was more of a hindrance than a help. So I got the hardtail. I've never been a trem guy, and I hate Floyd Rose's, so the fact I'd consider a Bigsby says something about it, I guess.

mickie08 · Post by **mickie08** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 6:01 am

Its the only trem I like. But I don;t use trem much, just to wobble a few notes here and there. I like the fact that it takes a little more pressure to work. Kind of like wah pedals, I hate the ones that are all loose and can be played with your damn big toe. (I don't really use wah at all, but if I were to start to, I would want one with plenty of resistance...)

holyCATS1415 · Post by **holyCATS1415** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 7:21 am

Its perfect on an SG as far as range (and looks) go. however they can be terrible (functionally and aesthetically) when put on the wrong guitar.

ultratwin · Post by **ultratwin** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 11:41 am

Each one feels different from each other.

I've played a few archtops with B6s and B11s, and what you get is a nice and spongy feeling due to the simple tension pulling straight across the bridge's fulcrum and that's it: There are no screws holding it down, and to me they feel the most comfy and gentle in response.

Didn't like the Synchromatic Jet w/B7 I once played, although it was not too unlike a B5: VERY STIFF (though slightly less than the B16). The tension bar on the B5 and B7 makes it a bit of a wrestling match to enjoy, though for me I've always found that fighting against a Tele and letting it scream is a good way to enjoy some good rock'n'roll. Honestly the B5 needs a good grip on the handle to appreciate, but the standard bar handle Bigsbys all come with is half the fun. Expect a heaping 1/2 step in either direction.

Setup for B5/B7s? The break angle is so sharp that strings are unlikely to slide across the saddles, and the entire assembly will teeter under the immense weight as it should. Still plenty of lube on the saddles, nut, string tree & everything will do wonders. The Televersary for example, is as stable under really hard trem action as my TOM'd Jazzmaster, the best tuning geetar in the house.

Progrockabuse · Post by **Progrockabuse** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 10:42 pm

i keep toying with fitting a bigsby to my les paul custom, to kinda make it more like a black beauty. i've never played a bigsby, though i could imagine it's nice for the gentle shimmers.

i have played a couple of guitars with maestro trems on. i quite like those, but have a few tuning issues with them.

Post by **Hurb** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 10:46 pm

Bigsbys are wack.

Progrockabuse · Post by **Progrockabuse** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 10:52 pm

i like mustang trems alot. that red mustang i was playing at doogfest had one of the nicest trems i've ever used on it.

Reece · Post by **Reece** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 10:54 pm

Progrockabuse wrote:i like mustang trems alot. that red mustang i was playing at doogfest had one of the nicest trems i've ever used on it.

i wub my mustang trem. i love the jaguar one too but it feels a little limited (which makes sense because it is) compared to the 'stang.

i've only played a bigsby once, didn't like it at all, too stiff.

Jagermeister · Post by **Jagermeister** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 10:59 pm

...Mustang trems really have a great, slick feel and a ton of range... My fave trem

The Jaguar trem is... Ok, range is a bit less than I'd like but it's super solid... The important part being that it allows low string tension, and makes a guitar... Sound like a Jaguar, or JM.

I could eternally do without Bigsbies.

And they're ugly.

Mages · Post by **Mages** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 12:25 am

Progrockabuse wrote:i keep toying with fitting a bigsby to my les paul custom, to kinda make it more like a black beauty. i've never played a bigsby, though i could imagine it's nice for the gentle shimmers.

I've added bigsby's to a few guitars. I will say, if you like how you're guitar sounds now, don't add a bigsby. it definitely changes the sound by rooting your strings to a big hunk of aluminum. but you could always go with one of the B6s or B11s ultra was talking about. they only screw in at the bottom by your strap button so you would only minimally modify your guitar.

the isaac eaton · Post by **the isaac eaton** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 2:11 am

I like the stiffness of a bigsby. I have been thinking about putting one on my danelectro 59-DC (2007). Anyone here ever played a danelectro with a bigsby like that? i just really want that nice tremolo with my dano, good idea? any suggestions?