putting a Bigsby on my Gibson LP

I'm seriously considering to put a Bigsby tremolo on my Les Paul. Anyone in this NG who did this before? Do's an dont's anyone? Alternatives? (No, I don't want to put a Floyd Rose on it )

Thanks!

I havent done it but know the principles. Find out what the optimal distance between the Bigsby and bridge is,mark that,center it ,mark that and screw it down.Pre drill your holes so the screws go in easy while still getting a good bite. The bridge though different will be in the same spot.

I'm seriously considering to put a Bigsby tremolo on my Les Paul. Anyone in this NG who did this before? Do's an dont's anyone? Alternatives? (No, I don't want to put a Floyd Rose on it )

Thanks!

A bigsby will alter tone to one degree or another, some variables there. Consider a les trem, available at stew mac, elderly. I've installed bigsbys (plural). I've used a les trem. For a paul type guitar, fixed tailpiece... I would only go les trem. Basically takes the place of your stop tailpiece. Non-invasive. A bigsby is appropriate for subtle shimmers; the les trem does that just fine. I put a piece of felt, double sided taped, under the lever just in case, another piece under the slug for extra protection. Great Unit for what it is, what it does, its purpose.

Thank you for your very useful reply, William!

Besides of the 'invasiveness' of a Bigsby, are there other drawbacks? Personally, I think a Bigsby is a pretty cool-looking asset, and the Les Trem doesn't have that sound look. But that's my personal view of course. The main issue is that I'd like to have a good tremolo device on my LP, preferably one that is goodlooking in my taste.

You mentioned tone alterings 'to one degree or another'? That's worrying me a lot more. Can you be more precise?

Are there things that I can do with a Les Trem and not with a Bigsby (or vice versa)?

Thanks a lot!

Bigsby's are pretty notorious for putting your guitar out of tune, but they certainly do look cool.

Another concern: If I do install a Bigsby, is it wise to keep my standard tune-o-matic bridge? Won't the Bigsby screw up those saddles in no-time? Should I install a Schalles Roller Bridge or a Bigsby Rocker bridge at the same time?

Someone here who can pace down my GAS-attacks?

If Bigsby is the preferred way: Some put a b5 on pauls... the b5 is made for a level surface (flat top) solid body. The b7 is the design for an archtop paul. Bigsby now makes cheaper variants with slightly different number designates. Before they provided cheaper alternatives, I got mine from Fat Dog at Subway Guitars, made in Korea, great price (then), worked great. Don't know what the score is Today there.

The to one degree or another... you'll know/find out What after you've put it on... I... would not do it. I've had bigsby flatten out a semi-hollow, take some of the sustain out/cut some of the raw power, throw it to the treble side. I've had a b5 on a solid take a tad of the ooomph out, though still sounded great... but it was a noticeable tradeoff.

The les trem pretty much kept everything the same, and that on a paul thing. And I kept an ear out. Works fine. I went to that unit After doing 2 bigsbys on other guitars, getting a bit of the lay of the land. It appears much has to do with visual aesthetics for you... so what can I say, 'cept do your own thing.

With regard to tuning stability for any whammy... Stretch strings. I use silicone grease from dive shop for o rings to lube, a tad on toothpick end. For about 5, 6 years now. Much prefer it over graphite grease. On all string contact points, i.e., where attach to whammy/contact with, saddles, nut slots. Someone once complained about their use of silicone based cleaning/polishing spray on their guitar, how it made for trouble when going for a refinish, and inferred that use of silicone grease may have same effect. Have never had yen to refinish, and keep it off surface as much as possible, keep guitar clean. No complaints, but YOUR mileage may vary.

Roller bridge, tuneomatic... have had both with whammys. Tuneomatic saddles get/got the lube, roller saddles, No.

You're welcome, have fun, hope whatever you do works out.

Currently William C., once upon a time aka JuJuVooDoo. Every now and again Rev. Billy Bob Buck:

Keep it? Yes.

Use it with the Bigsby? No.

The real problem is that the strings will catch in the saddles, reducing tuning stability.

I'd go for the Schaller. The saddles turn (oil them) and will permit intonation.

Remember that a trem unit is only a part of a system. The guitar *must* be set up properly for trem use if you expect any kind of reasonable results.

HTH

Ditto this - from another tech who has installed many bigsbys

Dave,

The lestrem I used loaded on the top of the lever. The felt went on the underside of the lever just in case (not on guitar top/finish) if all strings changed at once. A simple design, the lestrem, and works great within its scope.

Glad you enjoyed, Mo.

No. That could change. Possible inclusion of songs already done that fit tangent/direction; something slated for near future recording that may well be put on net.

I do have one I would really like to share, I feel it one of my best efforts, and that over the decades in and out of music. Co-writer is former hit-maker, contract niceties (ie. avoidance of mechanicals, hoops) slated it in present incarnation for record company shopping only. It is one I really wish Somebody (been out to Blue Note originally, now to quite a number more) would pick up so it could be heard.... It would Take/Be a Miracle (and no less than that, all factors considered).

I guess because I am a good enough salesman, I can get my material heard. Smoke, no fire (I've said it before) as of yet.

Thanks again for the kind words, Mo. I'm in the trenches as are so many.