Advice re adding Bigsby.

jimkehoe

I have a great custom made cabronita with 2 TV Jones pick ups.
I would like to add a Bigsby or similar,
Can anyone suggest what I need to buy, where and a rough cost involved please.
Photos:

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f249/jimkehoe1/cabronita bridge/IMG_7148_zpsdedugm0d.jpg  

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f249/jimkehoe1/cabronita bridge/IMG_7149_zpsezqxkbif.jpg

ICBM

jimkehoe said:

I have a great custom made cabronita with 2 TV Jones pick ups.
I would like to add a Bigsby or similar,
Can anyone suggest what I need to buy

A Gretsch.































More seriously... you need a Bigsby B5 and a Vibramate V5-TEAS-ST kit with Tele bridge saddles. I can't find a UK price, but unfortunately they're not cheap. They are really the only way of doing it without modding the guitar to take a different bridge, since that Strat-type bridge doesn't allow for the strings going through the back. Any other bridges I can think of which would work have a different footprint and would need drilling, and leave the old holes visible, I think.

You can get one direct from the US, but it's nearly £200 even before you get stung for import duty…

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bigsby-B5-Vibramate-V5-TEAS-ST-Mounting-Kit-Cabronita-Tele-USA-Brand-New-/232175947771

TheMarlin

B17 is also an option, but you would need to chop it.  Neck might need a shim though.  Rutters chipped tele half bridge would also help. 

B17: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=bigsby+b17&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari#imgrc=OdHFfCnZCiPeVM:

chopped B17:  
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=chopped+bigsby+b17&client=safari&hl=en-gb&prmd=sivn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiFso2H6qnSAhUpJ8AKHc75CDwQ_AUICCgC&biw=414&bih=628#imgrc=-0KAcUVsN1UICM:

Rutters bridge:

http://www.ruttersguitars.com/uploads/RuttersChoppedBridge1.jpg

You would have to order the bridge with cuts for string psssage to allow Bigsby use. 

jimkehoe

Thanks for the help ICBM & TheMarlin. It is obviously far more complex than I'd hoped. Maybe the Gretsch is the smarter option!