which Bigsby on Duo Sonic?

MarkFro · Post by **MarkFro** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 5:04 pm

Hello collective wisdom. First-timer here with a first posting.

I'm rebuilding a 60's Duo Sonic ('67 body; '65 neck), and I still haven't worked out the low end of the guitar. I definitely didn't want the "three saddle" approach, even with compensated saddles. I bought a Jazzmaster bridge, and I was originally considering string-through ferrules to secure the strings. But now, I think I'm opting for a Bigsby tremolo, and I'm wondering which one to get.

Do I choose a simple B-5? Do I get a Telecaster-conversion kit? Is there another model which would be better for this guitar, short of modifying it into a Mustang? And another question, would a Bigsby work with the Jazzmaster bridge?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated by this newbie.

MarkFro

endsjustifymeans · Post by **endsjustifymeans** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 5:08 pm

If you're going to do this, I'd go for the telecaster kit and cut the pick guard to suit. It'd look cool.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 5:25 pm

you'd be better off buying a mustang body, in my opinion. purely from an aesthetic view, if nothing else. a bigsby on a duo sonic will look absolutely ridiculous.

or what about using your jazzmaster bridge and fitting a stop tailpiece like a jag HH?

also, for what it's worth, i have compensated saddles on my duo sonic and they work perfectly.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 5:29 pm

just remembered, this belongs to roachello who posts here:

endsjustifymeans · Post by **endsjustifymeans** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 5:44 pm

stewart wrote:just remembered, this belongs to roachello who posts here:

Thats bonariffic, but I really think that a tele bridge plate would be awesome.

I always think that though, regardless of teh project.

DGNR8 · Post by **DGNR8** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 6:56 pm

Pics? WHat shape is the body in?

robert(original) · Post by **robert(original)** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:00 pm

don't re-drill a vintage body, please!
or rather route out and murder a peice of vintage goodness.
what do you have against the 3 saddle? the intonation is not hard to achieve, mine is perfect with 11-52
and i didn't have to moddify anything.
if anything you could probly be able to fix a toro bridge on there and only add maybe 2-3 more screw holes and mod it to be a top loader.

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:42 pm

robert(original) wrote:don't re-drill a vintage body, please!
or rather route out and murder a peice of vintage goodness.
what do you have against the 3 saddle? the intonation is not hard to achieve, mine is perfect with 11-52
and i didn't have to moddify anything.
if anything you could probly be able to fix a toro bridge on there and only add maybe 2-3 more screw holes and mod it to be a top loader.

+1

If you want a trem, sell that guitar and buy a mustang!

endsjustifymeans · Post by **endsjustifymeans** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:45 pm

http://store.guitarfetish.com/vistsumowhba.html

could that be made to work with the current bridge somehow?

MarkFro · Post by **MarkFro** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 11:00 pm

Hi, it's MarkFro again.

Sorry, I forgot to mention that this is not the original finish on the guitar. (If it were, I would *not* consider modifying it as such.) The guitar had originally been Daphne Blue, then I believe someone stripped it and painted it jet black. The body as I received it had most of the paint sanded off, though I am still removing a sealer coat.

I like the colors of the boards, as odd as they are, and I am thinking of lacquering it mostly clear, with a little bit of tint. I've already purchased black electronics cover and a red tortie pick guard. I think the colors would go fine with natural wood colors. I will try to upload a couple of pictures of the guitar as it stands now, even though the pick guard and the black hardware were just drawn in by hand. I did it just to see what it would look like.

I repeat, the original finish is gone, gone, gone. If it had its original finish, I would not be modifying. I know that some of you however, would still object to me drilling any new holes in it, and would have me simply put an original style bridge on it. The body as I received it had only the original control plate and original interior shielding.

I like the look of roachello's guitar. If he/she is watching ... what kind of Bigsby is that? And does it work well for you?

Okay, enough for now. I've got two pictures to try and upload.

Thanks for the comments. I guess the big argument here is ... "To tremolo, or not to tremolo? That is the question."

MarkFro

DGNR8 · Post by **DGNR8** » Wed Aug 26, 2009 12:54 am

Once it's been tampered with, it's less of an issue. Just try to get it right and then hang onto it. That's all anyone can hope for. Hard not to want a Bigsby.

robert(original) · Post by **robert(original)** » Wed Aug 26, 2009 5:33 am

but here is the thing, i guess there is a level of mods done to vintage stuff.
so, the paint isn't og, big woop, that still does not warrant drilling new holes or moding it more than a few small screw holes.
im just saying man, you could make an exact replica of that body, sell the og one and it would pay for your time and the raw materials.
DO NOT MODIFY VINTAGE GEAR MORE THAN IT HAS ALREADY BEEN MODIFIED.
in case you didn't realize, they only made 57's in 1957, and they only made 63's in 1963, thats not just directed toward you, but alot of folks.

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Wed Aug 26, 2009 6:01 am

Robert(original) wrote:but here is the thing, i guess there is a level of mods done to vintage stuff.
so, the paint isn't OG, big whoop, that still does not warrant drilling new holes or modding it more than a few small screw holes.

this is what i was wanting to say all along.

MarkFro · Post by **MarkFro** » Wed Aug 26, 2009 10:20 pm

It's MarkFro again.

It seems I'm upsetting people with my plans. Ah well.
Here are pictures of the guitar as it stand now, in unfinished state, for those who would want to see it.
(Sorry, it took me a while to sign up for Flickr.)

[img][/img]

[img][/img]

I hope the photos work. And I hope I'm not offending here with my desired modification.

MarkFro

serfx · Post by **serfx** » Wed Aug 26, 2009 10:25 pm

MarkFro wrote: And I hope I'm not offending here with my desired modification.

don't worry its just standard noob hazing

although you may want to sell the body for mad ebay cash and get a newer one to mod (mind you i find nothing sacred as all my gear owes me money)

endsjustifymeans · Post by **endsjustifymeans** » Wed Aug 26, 2009 10:27 pm

serfx wrote:
MarkFro wrote: And I hope I'm not offending here with my desired modification.
don't worry its just standard noob hazing

although you may want to sell the body for mad ebay cash and get a newer one to mod (mind you i find nothing sacred as all my gear owes me money)

Uh oh... isn't this how things started with mcclownshoe?

I'm the king of can't leave well enough alone, my advice is do your mod. I'm also an idiot.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Wed Aug 26, 2009 10:32 pm

to be honest, a couple of screwholes can be filled easily enough, it's not going to do any major damage.

my issue would be with how it looks, but that's just my taste.

chimpsticks · Post by **chimpsticks** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 5:05 pm

Sorry to kick up such an old thread, but I just did this.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 5:26 pm

that's actually really nice, and you bumping this thread has made me realise what a moany bastard i was being in 2009.

i especially enjoyed the dog going mental in the background too.

taylornutt · Post by **taylornutt** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 5:28 pm

That wood grain is awesome. Don't muck it up. Please.

Trade it to Cooterfinger and I am sure he build you something nice. He is our resident Shortscale student body dealer these days.

Cooterfinger, you're needed in this Project thread, Stat!!