Changed strings on a Bigsby guitar for the first time the other day...

Cirrus

... I almost didn't post this thread because I know it's a trigger for some, but it's easy. I was expecting it to be fiddly, it's not. Which is a relief. What's supposed to be difficult about it?

breakstuff

Yep,can't see what all the fuss is about.A little bend in the string at the ball end and you're good to go.

Dave_Vader

Try it with slot head tuners sometime....

guitars4you

Cirrus said:

... I almost didn't post this thread because I know it's a trigger for some, but it's easy. I was expecting it to be fiddly, it's not. Which is a relief. What's supposed to be difficult about it?

there is a knack which I dare say is easier to do than explain - one key point is to keep the tension on the string as you are winding it on the tuners, to stop it slipping off the Bigsby ball end post - I just lift the string above the fingerboard and allow it to come down as the string is tuned up

JDE

There are a myriad of "tricks" - kinking the string an 15mm or so from the ball end to keep it on the bar's pin, putting a pencil eraser between the ball end and the guitar body to stop the string popping off, kinking the string and the tuning post, putting a capo on behind the nut. Tried em all. Locking tuners can really help.

I just kink the string at the ball end. I still don't particularly enjoy changing strings on a Bigsby. 

notanon

You can use a capo as well http://empireguitarsri.com/what-the-fk-how-to-string-a-bigsby-equipped-guitar-without-the-expletives I've never had to though.

ICBM

Dave_Vader said:

Try it with slot head tuners sometime....

Makes no difference.

mburekenge

I hate it with a passion. Done it a million times and have barely improved my technique.  It's like you need 3 arms.

Sassafras

How many people did you have around to help you?
I've heard it takes a minimum crew of 6 experienced luthiers to carry out this precision operation.

Whitecat

It's hard to pay for the whole new guitar that often. Did you re-buy the same one or get something different?

notanon

mburekenge said:

I hate it with a passion. Done it a million times and have barely improved my technique.  It's like you need 3 arms.

Zen and the art of bigsby maintenance :-)

mburekenge

Sassafras said:

How many people did you have around to help you?
I've heard it takes a minimum crew of 6 experienced luthiers to carry out this precision operation.

Last time, I had Leo Fender, Ted Mcarty and Paul Reed Smith over my shoulder, bickering abut the best way to do it. 

It was no help at all tbh 

stickyfiddle

Sassafras said:

How many people did you have around to help you?
I've heard it takes a minimum crew of 6 experienced luthiers to carry out this precision operation.

No no no... It takes 1 to do it, and 5 to stand around commenting "see, it's easy really"...

Cirrus

It was a real emotional rollercoaster. I started with the low E, and as I was wrapping it round the peg, it slipped off the bigsby. So, holding the string at the peg with one hand, I had to move my OTHER hand all the way back to the bridge, and slip the ball end back onto the bigsby. After that is was like I'd become a magician... it just felt easy.

All jokes aside, I did get a shock when the whole assembly swung away from the guitar body once I'd got the old strings off. I had no idea they weren't attached to the front of the guitar!

chrisj1602

Never had an issue, I just kink the string.  It's obviously a lot easier if you remove then replace the strings one at a time to keep the Bigsby in place.

Sassafras

I'm starting a new business,  "The Sassafras Bigsby New String Service"
All 6 strings changed for a paltry £75 not including strings.

ICBM

Sassafras said:

I'm starting a new business,  "The Sassafras Bigsby New String Service"
All 6 strings changed for a paltry £75 not including strings.

It is true that there is someone I work for who pays me to restring his guitars with Floyds! He probably would if he had one with a Bigsby too - he did, but sold it before it needed restringing .

Sassafras

ICBM said:

Sassafras said:

I'm starting a new business,  "The Sassafras Bigsby New String Service"
All 6 strings changed for a paltry £75 not including strings.

It is true that there is someone I work for who pays me to restring his guitars with Floyds! He probably would if he had one with a Bigsby too - he did, but sold it before it needed restringing .

Bet you don't charge him £75 though. By my reckoning that would bring your hourly rate up to around £450

ICBM

Sassafras said:

Bet you don't charge him £75 though. By my reckoning that would bring your hourly rate up to around £450

I charge him a tenner, which still seems like money for old rope, but he seems to be happy with it. That does include a set-up check as well, although they very rarely need anything adjusting.

scrumhalf

breakstuff said:

Yep,can't see what all the fuss is about.A little bend in the string at the ball end...

Try using your fingers, it's even easier.

breakstuff

scrumhalf said:

breakstuff said:

Yep,can't see what all the fuss is about.A little bend in the string at the ball end...

Try using your fingers, it's even easier.

My fingers are far to fat,whereas etc etc..........