What screws for a Bigsby B6?

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TeyeplayerTeyeplayer Frets: 3129
edited October 2016 in Making & Modding
Got passed an old B6 that hadn't ever been fitted to a guitar minus the screws and spring. Thinking of modding my beat up Loar LH600 which has already had a pickup fitted at the neck. I know I can easily get a replacement spring but can't seem to find any details on the correct size screws to use. Are these a fairly generic size or a more specialist item? 
Should probably add that the loar already has a tailpiece so would these screws be deep enough for the bigger weightier bigsby?

Cheers folks.
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Comments

  • TheMarlinTheMarlin Frets: 7744
    I've got spare springs.  Yours for free. 
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  • TeyeplayerTeyeplayer Frets: 3129
    TheMarlin said:
    I've got spare springs.  Yours for free. 
    Legend! Cheers @TheMarlin I'll pm you and sort you out for postage if that's cool?
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  • Thanks @TheMarlin for the free bigsby spring -a true gent!

    Meanwhile any forum wisdom on the correct size screws to use?
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  • TheMarlinTheMarlin Frets: 7744
    I could take one out and have a look. How do I size a screw?  
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  • WezVWezV Frets: 16541
    Any bridge mounting screw, but preferably one with a domed head
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  • Cheers @WezV  so I don't need to be fussy about a specific length? That's all that bothered me. I should have some strat or tele bridge screws around from an old partscaster somewhere that should do the job then.
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  • CorvusCorvus Frets: 2924
    tFB Trader

    Strat trem screws are OK, they have a small area of plain shank (though it's just finesse, not really important in this case). I have got stainless dome-head woodscrews before from fleabay, no idea of the size now though but an inch or inch & quarter is plenty long into a solid-body or a centreblock.
    (Screw sizing is a number system, you lookup the size on a chart to check the diameters and things in mm).

    If this is new to the guitar, I'd line it up with some fake e-strings. Don't assume the strap button is dead centre, plus Bigsbys have a lot of slop in the hinge and the castings, esp the US ones, can be a bit unpredictable, so if you don't line it up the thing can end up on the squint when strung up. Fishing line or strong cotton will do it.
    Put masking tape around where the tail bracket will sit.
    Line up the Bigsby, you want a bit of pull from your fake E strings. When the lie of the strings is good over on the fretboard, mark where the screw holes are. Taping the thing temporarily can help steady it etc.
    Drill pilots & nail the thing on, commence rocking.

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  • TeyeplayerTeyeplayer Frets: 3129
    edited November 2016
    Thanks @Corvus for such a detailed explanation, very much appreciated. I'll pick up some dome headed screws and will follow your instructions to the letter...now all I need is the free time to do it! :-)
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  • CorvusCorvus Frets: 2924
    tFB Trader

    No probs mate, chuck me your address I'll post you some, got some Fender screws that look about right and a bunch of other s/s screws in all sorts of sizes.
    It's an easy job and worth doing. Even factory guitars have Bigsbys that pull to one side or the other for want of being moved a mill or two.

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  • CorvusCorvus Frets: 2924
    tFB Trader
    Few screws posted off mate.
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  • Many thanks @Corvus  -blown away by how helpful folk are here on the fretboard.
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