Some simple mods for my Gretsch G5232T

grayn

I got my Gretsch G5232T Electromatic Double Jet about 3 weeks ago and was very impressed with everything,

except the bridge, which was rattling quite a bit.  I'm not a big fan of the tenson bar that comes with this type of

Bigsby and was thinking of just removing it.  But could I remove the circlip to get rid of the bar?  No I could not.

What a hassle, so I just left it in and got used to the bigsby, as it was.  But the rattle was not getting any better,

So I ordered a Vibramate, String Spoiler and a Vanson, Chrome Roller Saddle Bridge.  Both arrived very quickly.

But the suppliers had sent me a gold string spoiler, instead of the chrome one I'd ordered.  But TBH, I could not

be bothered to faff around and stuck with what I had.  Any way, my Gretsch is Casino Gold.

The Vanson roller bridge is very reasonably priced, so if it hadn't worked out, I would not be put out.  But it

slipped in place, very easily and had a good, solid feel.  I had to take it down a bit, as the roller saddles stand a 

little higher than the original bridge's saddles did.  No problem though.  Fitted the Vibramate S.S. and some new

strings, gave the whammy bar a good bit of usage, played hard for some time and very quickly the strings were

staying in tune.  Once the dust had settled I was pleasantly aware that there was now, no rattling or buzzing.

Yippee!  Plus the strings have lost a small amount of tension, making playing even easier.  The Bigsby's spring

is still stiff of course but the unit does seem a little smoother overall.  Two very easy mods have worked a treat and 

given my little Gretsch a nice uplift.  Might go for a Reverend soft spring next.  Although this Bigsby quite

suits the Rockabilly/vintage RnR style, I am using it for.

JayGee

That is a damn fine looking guitar!

TheMarlin

Trust me on this, get one of these for your Bigsby B50. https://bricksbiggsfix.com/

It makes an enormous difference. The Bigsby will be wonderful to use once it’s fitted, plus this solves the tuning instability. 

As someone who has modded an awful lot of Gretsches over the years, I can tell you that on that guitar, this would be the most important upgrade you can make. 

I have no link to this company, I get nothing for recommending them, but for a bloody awful Bigsby B50, this mod will transform it into one of the bext Bigsbys to use.  Watch the videos on the website to see how easy it is to fit. 

grayn

Thanks TheMarlin.  I have seen these higher tension bar remedies before.  I could get away with no tension bar, as there is enough of an angle/rake from the anchor bar to the bridge.  Just need to dislodge that bloody circlip.  Overall though, the mods have made a nice difference and tuning stability is not a problem.  Cheers.

TheMarlin

I can loan you my circlip pliers. 

PM me your address, will bung it in the post

grayn

That's very kind of you.  I have 2 sets of pliers that are pointed and small enough to get in the circlip's holes but cannot get the technique to pull them apart.  Very frustrating.  Do yours have a strong opening spring?

TheMarlin

It’s not an expensive one, but does the job well.  

I had to buy a few to find the right one…

PM me, will bung it in the post

Flip

I bought a Chinese roller bridge and a reverend soft spring for my Electromatic,. Did the trick. 

ThePrettyDamned

I'm not a fan of vibramates, nor b5s/b50s but I think the gold looks really cool on that guitar, even if it's not "correct" - it looks cooler, more hot rodded. Which suits gretsch very well!

Lovely looking guitar.