Messin' with my Bigsby

grayn

I recently acquired an Epiphone Riviera Custom P93, with a Bigsby B700 attached. It's lack of usefulness, compared to a B60, on another semi, was the only thing i was unhappy with, on this great guitar. So, I restrung the guitar, replacing the 10s with 11s. I also ran the strings above the tension bar, strainght from the rear bar, to the bridge. The strings actually run a millimeter or 2 above the tension bar, not touching it at all. What a difference. The Bigsby has come alive. It really is of some use now. Also the whole guitar has become more resonant. Louder acoustically and there's plenty enough tension, to keep the strings firmly on the bridge saddles. The only other difference, that some may not like, is you do get some interesting sub harmonics, from the strings, between the bridge and tailpeice, when playing acoustically. I really like this but some may not. And it doesn't come through the pickups. More of an acoustic thing. So I'm really chuffed with this Bigsby now. Simple remedy with great results.

merlin

Good call. Too much break angle between the bridge and the roller can cause the guitar to go out of tune really easily too, but if you're playing a bit hard, then you may find that the strings, particularly the thinner strings may pop out of the bridge saddles if there's not enough angle. I recommend a Biggsfix tuning stabilizer. 

http://bricksbiggsfix.com/product/btsv3/

impmann

+1 on the Biggsfix.

I also fitted a roller bridge to my Casino which made a great set up even better.

grayn

Cheers guys. I reckon, with the heavier strings and that I'm not a hard player, this fix should be just the thing, for me. There's still a reasonable angle on the strings and there seems good tension in them still. Thanks for the link.

Moss

Just restrung my Gretsch like this - what a huge difference

Cheers @grayn ;

TheMarlin

The problem with bypassing the bar is lack of tension over the bridge.  Hit the strings hard, they may skip off the bridge.  Instead get one of these, makes a world of difference.  Besf Bigsby (tension bar models) mod ever!

grayn

Moss said:

Just restrung my Gretsch like this - what a huge difference

Cheers @grayn ;

Glad it worked for you, too.
Nice one.

grayn

TheMarlin said:

The problem with bypassing the bar is lack of tension over the bridge.  Hit the strings hard, they may skip off the bridge.  Instead get one of these, makes a world of difference.  Besf Bigsby (tension bar models) mod ever!

I've seen that kit before, it's a top idea and mod.
I think for those guitars, with a very short distance between the Bigsby and bridge, it's got to be a winner.
The back bar on my bigsby is 5 1/2 inches from the bridge and about 3/4 of an inch lower.
With the 11 guage strings, there is plenty of tension.
I've played it harder than normal and pulled off some big, blues, string bends, with no problems.

ICBM

There's very little break angle on my Pro Jet - the Bigsby has no bar, and is about 3" behind the bridge and only a little over 1/4" lower - but the strings never jump out no matter how hard I play. The solution is simple... deep enough grooves.

I like the very low angle, it not only helps the tuning stability but makes the sound brighter, twangier and more 'Gretschy' on a guitar which is basically a chambered Epiphone Les Paul rather than a proper Gretsch construction.