Is it crazy to buy something like this and put a Bigsby on it?
 

I'm seriously thinking about buying this guitar for rockabilly and swing and would consider putting a bigsby on it. This is a lot of guitar for someone with my limited skills, but I like it and am committed to be able to play by the time I turn 50.

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VIBRAMATE® - Innovative Music Products - Made in USA

Here you go. No damage to the guitar. Although I think Bigsbys kind of suck.

Also look up the Ibanez Artcore series. A lot of guitar for the money.

I got an Artcore off evilbay for a song (pardon the pun) also picked up a nice fat Aria archtop jazz guitar. Of course buying guitars off eBay is a crapshoot... don't know if the Artcore had been setup but it plays great as is. The Aria has a great sound (I'm a Joe Pass fan) but the action is not great and needs to go for a setup. (neither have whammy bars... fun gadget but not really necessary unless you are going to go all EVH)

Is that a Gibson in your picture? If it is that is some big bucks to invest then do a change like add a bigsby, but at the end of the day it is you $$$ and your passion.

Have you considered a Gretsch with a built in bigsby?

Edit to add, the more I look at you pic the more I think that is a Gibson, I would guess that would make the price tag a grand or two? We have some guys here that are brilliant wood workers... however personally no way I would have the nads to drill on super nice Gibson. As I said I will take my Aria to a professional even just do a setup (around $100).

But what the heck, some people drop $100K on a 991 and roll off the lot right to the tuners shop to customize their car... so whatever works for you.

The Vibramate allows you to put a Bigsby on without drilling holes. I had one on my SG for a while. Its essentially an adapter plate that is anchored by the bridge posts.

I didnt realize you're looking at THAT particular guitar. Gibson? Unless its an older one, there are FAR better guitars for the money you'll spend on a new one. it looks like the Bigsby wouldnt work on it. They also kinda mess with the tone.

Like Scott says, you can do most vibrato with your fingers.

If you are just starting on guitar, I'd still reccomend an Artcore before making a major investment. And have it setup by a good guitar shop. Not Guitar Center. There has to be plenty in Chicago.

Gretsch makes some nice guitars.

Couple of Wolfe's P90s and you're set..


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That is a whole lotta guitar. ES 175 w P90s? If it is vintage you probably don't want to alter it unless you are willing to sacrifice 1/2 it's value. Even a modern guitar loses value when modded. If a Bigsby is important I would shop for a guitar with one factory mounted and enjoy both playing and retaining it's value. Then start learning chords and scales. Have fun!

I already have a very well modded Epiphone Dot that I bought in the 90's. Its had frets, wiring, pick ups and a bridge. It was done by one the top guys in Chicago. It's an exceptional instrument, as my last teacher usually had to take it for a spin every time we met.

I really want a real Gibson Guitar. For what that's worth. I'm kinda kicking myself for selling a Custom Shop Strat I had.

It's a limitedly produced 2006. I really want a hollow body p90 guitar and am considering an ES 295 with a Bigsby but gold's not my favorite color. If I buy the 175 I won't add a Bigsby unless I'm sure the guitar is mine for life. Not that I need another guitar. I just want another guitar. If I don't but a hollow body, I'll buy a tele.

While I consider myself a beginner, I know some scales and chords for sure. I can make my way thru Hideaway. The thing is, I turn 50 in 2 years and being able to play by then is really becoming important to me. According to the 2 teachers I had over the last 2 winters, I advance quickly and could be relatively decent If I put my nose to the grindstone for a couple years. I've been watching guitar players for along time now. So now I plan on really staying dedicated and see where I end up at 50. I'd like to play out.

The 2 biggest obstacles. One, my timing sucks! Two, I know what a good guitar player sounds like and get disappointed in myself. I guess we all can't be Roy Buchanan.

I've got a feeling you're an accomplished guitar player and your input is valued. It had to be a hell of an experience to get instruction from Robben Ford. First saw him in the early nineties. He's been blowing me away ever since.

You could see if they have a vibramate for it. I use one on my SG and its awesome to be able to install a bigsby without drilling in about 5 minutes

However for rockabilly I'm a Gretsch player and highly recommend them with a bigsby. My 6118 is flawless once I swapped out the bridge for a Compton bridge

All semi- and full-hollowbodies should have a Bigsby. :p

Mine doesnt.

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Hey, you're welcome to your opinion. I have mine. :D

While I like the Gretsch sound, I'm more attracted to the Gibson. Most likely because it's the first big hollow body sound I heard(live about 91') and the guy playing it has become one of my favorite guitar players.

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I also see a local guy(Joel Paterson) who plays an ES 295. I really like the way he sounds as well.

It's a big decision to buy a guitar like this, but it's the sound I'm into right now. If I don't buy a hollow body, a Tele will be what I purchase. I'm also looking for a Princeton Reverb. I plan on hitting it hard over the next 2 years. I want to be able to play out and to reach that goal by 50.

On top of it I'll be selling all of my cars this spring, having them just isn't what it used to be. Music is just something that never leaves me. Now it's time to become a musician.

I love the Gibson. I always loved the 175 but prices are ridiculous and I don't think the new ones are of the same quality as the vintage ones

I wasn't thinking properly when I posted about the vibramate. I do not believe it will work. The vibramate needs to mount into the bridge posts and the Gibson doesn't have them. However mounting a bigsby should be a simple procedure for a luthier. There should not be any screwing or drilling into the top. I wouldn't worry about devaluing the guitar if you love the guitar and it inspires you to reach your goal. But beware of the tuning issues that might come from adding the bigsby.

They do have a vibramate for telecasters btw.

Also, You might want to spend a bit more on a vintage deluxe reverb instead of the Princeton or consider one of the many boutique small watt amps out there today. I'm a big fan of hand wired amps, if for no other reason than ease of repairs.

This is true for almost every single guitar made, IMO.

I looked at the art core semi hollow bass...it was a lot of money for what it was. I bought a Gibson 335 bass instead. Yeah it was almost $1500.00 but worth every penny. And in the end ..it's a Gibson made in Memphis. Would I put a bigsby on that guitar? Not on your life.

OP, if you do not already play guitar, why are you even thinking about buying a vintage guitar and modifying it? You should be practicing now, not messing with this stuff. Buy something cheap, like an Epiphone, put in your 10k hours and then get serious about vintage gear and mods. I don't mean to discourage you. And that guitar would look cool hanging on the wall in any house. But man, you have a ton of work to do before worrying about that stuff.

I get what your saying for sure. If I buy that guitar, modifying it might not be cool and won't modify it unless this became the end all, be all guitar for me. I probably would let my better senses take over, before I did any modifications that weren't reversible. I did by a cheap Epiphone and its playability was poor and the electronics sucked. I ended up fixing all of its short comings and it is now a very nice instrument. Problem is, its still an Epiphone with little value. Of course I wouldn't sell it, but I have way more into it than it's worth.

I desire a hollow body and don't want to buy a cheap one. So if I can buy it right, I may. I will then own a Gibson guitar and shouldn't get too hurt if I decide I don't like it. I'm still on the fence for sure, as it's big purchase for a novice guitar player. It does have a hell of a cool factor. I also am interested in a Telecaster and giving it consideration. It is considerably cheaper and will get me into the different sound I'm after.

A Tele is a whole different ballgame from a hollow body Gibsonl; like night and day. If you're not an experienced player, I would question whether your Epi was really a lemon or just needed a good setup. Generally, they're good guitars and, for beginners, they're great guitars. I've been doing my own setups for about 20 yrs. and I still run into guitars now and then that are above my ability and end up taking them to a pro. I've left some really nice guitars in their cases for years because I was convinced they sucked and I had done all I could. But I have finally found a local tech who can make anything play like butter and he identifies stuff I couldn't. I'd still spend no more than $700 on a starter guitar, one that's nice enough that you'll look forward to practicing and cheap enough that you won't feel bad about modifying it. My first guitar was a $160 Hondo and I later made it into a partscaster that I played all through high school and was a killer, cheapo guitar.

Bigsby blows imho, but even if you dig them, please don't take a 175 and hack it up. Just buy a guitar that has one already or get an Epiphone or something cheap to mess up.

There is no hacking involved. There are a couple small screws down by the strap button that hold it in place. The rest of the unit just rests there on felt pads.

I have had many bigsby equipped guitars and they do not blow. They are beautiful, functional and sound amazing. It's a matter of style and taste and having the guitar set up properly.

I'm pretty sure Chet Atkins liked his bigsby

For a me a Bigsby is simply a tool to accessorize the guitar and is neither particularly good or evil. It suits some players better than others. I would have no problem bolting it onto a $600 used Tele but would think long and hard about adding one to a $6k ES 175. It's like bolting rally lights onto the hood of a 67 911. I would rather gig with the Tele also because guitars get damaged and stolen all the time when out and about. To lose a treasure over a $300 juke joint gig would cut me deeply.

I'd say if that is your dream guitar and you've got the cash, go for it. We only go around once and this guy likes the Bigsby just fine:
Brian Setzer - Route 66 Live (rare video).avi - YouTube

I'm not getting the Bigsby hate. But, then, I prefer a twangy guitar solo to the sounds of someone aimlessly wheedling around on a sax. :D

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I'd like your permission to use this as my signature line for a while!

Compared to a well-setup Fender vibrato unit (or Wilkinson, etc), the Bigsby underperforms imho. It is about the last whammy setup I'd want on a guitar but ymmv. I still maintain that putting one after the fact on a nice ES175 w/P90s is something I personally wouldn't do but if the spirit moves you, go for it.

The number of aimless wanking guitar solos greatly outnumbers sax wheedlers :D

I dunno. I've played 'em all. Fender vibratos. Wilkinson 2-point trems. Floyd-Roses (yuck) -- both knife-edge and ball bearing. The best of the lot (IMHO) are the configurable Parker units, but even those have their drawbacks.

A Bigsby with a roller bridge is pretty much perfect for me, but then I don't do Satch dive-bombing or Petrucci trem flutter.

Granted. :D I hate the sax. Nostatic's latest album would be on permanent rotation in my car if he didn't have that sax player on it.

Thanks!

Full disclosure, I hate the sax, too, mostly, but for some reason, a band I hate, (Foreigner) has a song that by rights I should despise, ("Urgent") with an '80's era sax solo, that I will absolutely crank till the ears bleed if I think no one is watching!

Back to the Bigsby.

Luckily no sax on Come Together, Just the Two of Us (banjo ftw), and My Romance.

Been slowly working on the next album, hope to have it done by next summer. At this point no sax - but we may have violin and electric mandolin :D

Sounds good. Same vocalist? I love her voice.

Also, if you can do another cut of Eleanor Rigby without the sax, that would be greatly appreciated. :D

Yeah, same vocalist. She is crazy good. I've also got another original project that is heading into the studio probably in Jan. Different vocalist but great tunes. Kind of Steely Dan meets Todd Rundgren in a dark alley and gets roughed up by Paul McCartney. No sax on that project...

I'll try to whip up an alternative take of ER this weekend for you. :p

Hey, maybe this is the future - personalized tracks...

I like this idea. I can send you a kazoo solo if you want to splice it in. :D :D

I understand a Tele and a hollow body Gibson are completely two different animals, but I'm going to buy a guitar and one or the other is what I want. The hollow body is definitely a big commitment and a whole other world from what I'm used to and a considerable investment. The Tele is a no brainer. I'm still weighing the pros and cons and will be taking the hollow body for another spin tomorrow and Friday.

I bought the Epi back in the 90's which basically sat in my closet up until couple winters ago when I first started taking lessons as an adult. I had a friend with considerable experience set up the Epiphone, he just couldn't eliminate a fret buzz that drove me crazy. It also had a string spacing issue . He recommended a phenomenal tech known for exceptional fret work. The tech told me the fret board was mess and a fret job and nut would really improve the guitar. Since it was the cost of another cheap guitar I said go ahead. When I got the guitar back it absolutely blew me away. Money well spent. I later had him put a bridge on it. Not that I don't like this guitar, I just want another sound and a Tele or full hollow body is what I'm after.
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There should be no hate for the Bigsby. The first guitar player I saw use one, was Lonnie Mack. Some of the Rockabilly players I see use them too. Since Rockabilly and country seems to be where my interests are going I wouldn't mind having one.

What's with the sax hating? It seems, I'm more frequently seeing a single baritone being used and these players have been killing it. Nothing wrong with a good bone player either.

Now back to my 10,000 hrs.

Is the Gibson your considering a new or vintage instrument? I don't think you stated.

Either way I think you should spend a good deal of time testing the feel above the 12th fret. At times I wish I had gotten a Gretsch with a longer scale as I am so used to my strat or SG

and also, play it loud as though you were playing with a drummer to see how it behaves with feedback. My Gretsch will howl like mad at band levels, although I can control it well. And that is what I love about the bigsby.....feedback and bigsby, or any whammy bridge, is great with feedback and not something you can really produce with your fingers alone. However if the Gibson is going to feedback uncontrollably and your goal is to play live, you need to be aware of it now during the decision making process

Here you go. Gets pretty insane around 1:20.

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I've struggled with this, since I play loud VH-style stuff. I practice at home with a 50w EVH or 100w Soldano head, which is insanely overkill. And I practice in a small room and usually facing my 4x12 cab. So it feeds back when I play loud. But it's a lot more controllable at band practice, which is always in a bigger room and I'm usually not facing the cabinet. I still think it's great to practice as loud as you can stand it because it really amplifies mistakes and forces you to work on techniques that don't matter at low volume like string muting and volume knob (on the guitar) control.

The guitar I'm considering is a 2006 that was limitedly produced w/ p90s. I really liked a ES 295 I played about a year ago, but just couldn't pull the trigger. I want a full hollow body with p90s and gold isn't my first choice, though it is growing on me. An ES 175 essentially provides a better color choice. A Tele will probably win out at this juncture.

I hope you guys wear ear protection. I use it on every rock gig. Thankfully the jazz gigs are at lower volumes. Of course if a guitar player is involved invariably we end up asking him to turn down. I swear to god that guitar players can hear everyone but themselves in a mix unless they run the amp on 11...

Bigsby=Boat Anchor.

Vintage 175 action.

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