Hello,

I am new to guitar and I am going to purchase a Gretsch as soon as I get paid. I originally planned to get a Telecaster but I just fell in love with that Gretsch sound.

I have been playing on a budget acoustic that a friend gave me. I plan on getting whatever they have at the store that I can afford, so likely a new Electromatic unless the store just happens to have a used 6219 or something for a reasonable price.

I have been doing my homework on the different Gretsch guitars and I hear that a real US made Bigsby works better, somehow, than the liscensed ones. Not that I plan on switching them out but I was just wondering how easy it is to do. Is it simply a matter of dropping one in where the other went or do you have to drill new holes?

Hey Monkeybear! Welcome to GT :D

Nice taste there on the 6129! Love those silver jets! keep your eyes on a mash (http://www.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/mash.cgi?cat=mus&itm=gretsch&loc=&fil=6129&ys=&ye=&ps=&pe=&pgs=50&submit=++++go++++) - there are a few there that are quite reasonable!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Gretsch-Silver-Jet-G6129-1957_W0QQitemZ160365011425QQcmdZViewItemQQssPageNa meZRSS:B:SRCH:US:101

http://cgi.ebay.com/GRETSCH-G6129-SILVER-JET-F-SHIP_W0QQitemZ370259575515QQcmdZViewItemQQssPageNa meZRSS:B:SRCH:US:101

for example :D

Meanwhile, I'll sling you an invite to the jet group so you can drool over ours ;)

Oh and I should add, yes you can replace the bigsby on an electromatic with a licensed one easily, there are corresponding models in both lines :)

Welcom to the forum and good luck finding your Gretsch!

[QUOTE=Monkeybear;90970]Hello,
I have been doing my homework on the different Gretsch guitars and I hear that a real US made Bigsby works better, somehow, than the liscensed ones. QUOTE]

Welcome Monkeybear from just plain old Bear. The information you have on the licensed Bigsby being inferior to the US made one is a bunch of hooey that was probably started be someone who believes that just because it is made in the US, it must be better.

Don't you find it funny that that perception only applies to guitars? We don't see Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Kia Hyundai, Subaru, Mazda, etc., filing for bankruptcy and asking the government for a handout to keep the doors open.

A licensed Bigsby is an excellent unit and it is cast and finished with closer tolerances and better polishing on the metal and a lot more consistancy of fit and quality control than the US made units. The real difference in the US vs. the licensed models is the spring. US models come with a 1" spring and licensed come with a stiffer 7/8" spring since most of the entry level buyers prefer and use a lighter gauge string. If you use .011s or heavier strings, a simple purchase of a $7.00 1" spring will make your licensed Bigsby perform on an equal level with the US model.

I'm going to take some heat for this posting by some of the members here who feel differently but in my 50 years of playing, I feel confident in my statement.

Good luck with your new Gretsch; you'll love it.

Hey Monkeybear! Welcome to GT :D

Nice taste there on the 6129! Love those silver jets! keep your eyes on a mash (http://www.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/mash.cgi?cat=mus&itm=gretsch&loc=&fil=6129&ys=&ye=&ps=&pe=&pgs=50&submit=++++go++++) - there are a few there that are quite reasonable!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Gretsch-Silver-Jet-G6129-1957_W0QQitemZ160365011425QQcmdZViewItemQQssPageNa meZRSS:B:SRCH:US:101

http://cgi.ebay.com/GRETSCH-G6129-SILVER-JET-F-SHIP_W0QQitemZ370259575515QQcmdZViewItemQQssPageNa meZRSS:B:SRCH:US:101

for example :D

Meanwhile, I'll sling you an invite to the jet group so you can drool over ours ;)

That first one is awesome! Has the potential to be an insane deal. The second one already sold! Fast! Heres's another:

http://cgi.ebay.com/GRETSCH-G6129T-SILVER-JET-F-SHIP_W0QQitemZ290351029758QQcategoryZ2384QQcmdZVie wItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DSIC%26 its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%2 52BUFI%26otn%3D10%26ps%3D63#ht_1276wt_941

One thing I learned in all those years tramping through the north woods of Canada: never argue with a bear.

Bear, you are so right. I like the analogy.I have a 5120 and by jove the thing is just superb.The only thing that has been changed on mine is the jack. The only other thing I'll change are the p'ups.GFS has some buckers that sound neato to my ears.
So welcome and enjoy and dig what you have before changing it.

What Bear said. Licesnsed does not mean inferior. Frankly, IMHO, some of the non-licensed Bigsbys I've seen have struck me as wanting in the quality control area . . . and I own four of them at the moment. I would at least wait until you see how the bigsby on your new Electro looks and feels before making any plans. If you aren't satisfied with it, then by all means go for it and swap it out. It requires a screwdriver and a little caution. Drink the screwdriver, then carefully remove the strings. After that, remove the screws the hold the Bigsby in place with ont of them thingies that remove screws. In most cases a #2 Phillips thingie will do the trick. Reverse the process and treat yourself to another screwdriver when you are finished. Don't drive until the screwdrivers have fully metabolized.

Monkeybear,
Bear and Synchro are on the mark here...I own both and there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Bigsby Licensed tremolo. A common upgrade is to switch out to a 1" spring or put a penny under the original to give the arm more travel, but I have not even done that on my G5120 and the Bigsby works just fine.
Good luck on your purchase and be sure to post pictures when you get one and one more thing...Welcome to the Family. :cool:

Oh, I have no plans on shelling out $100+ to change out the tremolo. I was just curious if it could be done. I read here and there about certain Gretsch models having a "real" Bigsby and it just popped into my head "I wonder if a "real" Bigsby is similar enough that you could just drop one in the same place?"

You can easily swap them, but the mounting screw patterns are different between the USA and the import Bigsbys, so you may have to drill new holes.

Could you just use the old mounting plate?

Could you just use the old mounting plate?


On non-tension bar models (B3, B6) you may have to drill the hinge rivet out of the hinge plate, swap it, and then put a new hinge pin in.

On tension bar models (B5, B7) the top-mount screws are in different positions than the import versions (B50, B70, B700), and there is no getting around that.

What Bear said. Licesnsed does not mean inferior. Frankly, IMHO, some of the non-licensed Bigsbys I've seen have struck me as wanting in the quality control area . . . and I own four of them at the moment. I would at least wait until you see how the bigsby on your new Electro looks and feels before making any plans. If you aren't satisfied with it, then by all means go for it and swap it out. It requires a screwdriver and a little caution. Drink the screwdriver, then carefully remove the strings. After that, remove the screws the hold the Bigsby in place with ont of them thingies that remove screws. In most cases a #2 Phillips thingie will do the trick. Reverse the process and treat yourself to another screwdriver when you are finished. Don't drive until the screwdrivers have fully metabolized.

If I might hijack this thread... I'm going to be replacing a bigsby on the Tenn Rose I've bought from Jukebox, so I'm interested in this business.

Synchro, not really being much of a toolman - what do you mean "drink the screwdriver" or "metabolized"?

The holes on my B700 Epiphone lined up REALLY close for the drop in of my B7. Just had to finagle a little bit, no drilling....

Synchro, not really being much of a toolman - what do you mean "drink the screwdriver" or "metabolized"?I was talking about the other kind of screwdriver, Vodka & Orange Juice. :)

I was talking about the other kind of screwdriver, Vodka & Orange Juice. :)

Oh dear, I'm dangerously close to revealing my childlike innocence! :o

Oh dear, I'm dangerously close to revealing my childlike innocence! :oI just figured that they call it something else in Australia.

The holes on my B700 Epiphone lined up REALLY close for the drop in of my B7. Just had to finagle a little bit, no drilling....

That's really good to know. I've heard that the worst mismatch is on the B5/B50, which Gretsch only uses on a few electromatic models.

I just figured that they call it something else in Australia.

I think they call that Tang in Oz. :p

I think they call that Tang in Oz. :pAs in: "we can't give the buyby its bottle of Tang, we've run out of Vodka"? :)

I was talking about the other kind of screwdriver, Vodka & Orange Juice. :)

:D:D LOL!

I just figured that they call it something else in Australia.

No, still called screwdrivers :)

Actually, that reminds me of a joke:

A screwdriver walks into a bar. The bartender says, "hey, we've got a drink named after you." The screwdriver replies, "what, Trevor?"

OK, so this dyslexic guy walks into a bra . . .

That's really good to know. I've heard that the worst mismatch is on the B5/B50, which Gretsch only uses on a few electromatic models.
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Yeah, I agree with the folks that dont see the point in a licensed Bigsby vs "real" bigsby switchout. Especially in a B5, they function the same. I switched out the B700 for cosmetic reasons, as they look quite different, plus there is a "feel" issue with the cast ones. I would really like to get the old school handle for it, like I have on my DSW6120....

...but for the record, the B700 worked absolutely fine...I still have it, if anyone has a need or wants to swap...

...but for the record, the B700 worked absolutely fine...I still have it, if anyone has a need or wants to swap...

I need a B6C if I was going Bigsby. Don't happen to know what the equivalent model in licensed Bigsby is, do you?

I think they are called B6 one way or the other.

I need a B6C if I was going Bigsby. Don't happen to know what the equivalent model in licensed Bigsby is, do you?

The B6C *IS* the licensed (USA Made) one ;) the closest thing in the cheaper ones would be the top-mounted model that comes on the pro jets.

The B6C *IS* the licensed (USA Made) one ;) the closest thing in the cheaper ones would be the top-mounted model that comes on the pro jets.

Hmmm, top-mounted doesn't sound like something I want on a Rose, would you agree?

No, definitely not - they are for solid bodies :)

Yeah. I'm seeing screws being stuck where they don't belong. *cringe!*

On the guitar I mean.

bwahahaha, yeah, I know what you mean..

Stick with the B6C, that's what's meant to be on there :) you can probably get a decent deal on one through Blackrider Guitars if Fender Australia can't do anything for you (since we can't find a bigsby dealer in Oz).. Blackrider stock loads of gretsch parts & they're great guys

Schweet. Will do.

The B6C *IS* the licensed (USA Made) one ;) the closest thing in the cheaper ones would be the top-mounted model that comes on the pro jets.


Not quite. In Bigsby terminology, "licensed" means one made overseas, not one with a Gretsch logo-- Gretsch actually owns Bigsby, so there is no real need for "license" for the Gretsch name.
A B6C will be too long for a Duo Jet or a Pro Jet, there will not be enough string break angle. A Pro Jet with a stock Bigsby has a B50 model. This would be the way to go if you compare to the stock Bigsby-equipped ProJets. However, a B3 or B30 will work, if you want to go for the classic Duo Jet Look.

Please see this post which explains MUCH more, before buying a B6C for a Pro Jet:

http://www.gretsch-talk.com/forum/electromatic-gretsch-forum/11912-pro-jet-bigsby-ideas.html#post91628

Not quite. In Bigsby terminology, "licensed" means one made overseas, not one with a Gretsch logo-- Gretsch actually owns Bigsby, so there is no real need for "license" for the Gretsch name.
A B6C will be too long for a Duo Jet or a Pro Jet, there will not be enough string break angle. A Pro Jet with a stock Bigsby has a B50 model. This would be the way to go if you compare to the stock Bigsby-equipped ProJets. However, a B3 or B30 will work, if you want to go for the classic Duo Jet Look.

Please see this post which explains MUCH more, before buying a B6C for a Pro Jet:

http://www.gretsch-talk.com/forum/electromatic-gretsch-forum/11912-pro-jet-bigsby-ideas.html#post91628

Thanks a lot for the info, TartanPhantom, but I'm actually wondering about a cheaper bigsby for a Tennessee Rose. Since folks are saying the cheaper ones are not inferior. I just hijacked this thread, which was asking about the bigsby on a pro jet, I think.

Thanks a lot for the info, TartanPhantom, but I'm actually wondering about a cheaper bigsby for a Tennessee Rose. Since folks are saying the cheaper ones are not inferior. I just hijacked this thread, which was asking about the bigsby on a pro jet, I think.

I checked your very informative post. I see that a B60 would be the cheaper "licensed" one, but unfortunately it's apparently not sold aftermarket. Oh, well, a B6 seems to be cheaper than most of the others, anyway.

Cheers. :)

The 6119 is out of customs, so you should be getting it this week (I would think) .

I'm optimistic about it coming today, JB!

Monkeybear,
Bear and Synchro are on the mark here...I own both and there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Bigsby Licensed tremolo. A common upgrade is to switch out to a 1" spring or put a penny under the original to give the arm more travel, but I have not even done that on my G5120 and the Bigsby works just fine.
Good luck on your purchase and be sure to post pictures when you get one and one more thing...Welcome to the Family. :cool:

I wouldn't do the penny trick if your Pulling you're arm tho. Makes it easy for the spring to fall out of place because the lip the spring sits in is being filled by a penny...

Hmmm, top-mounted doesn't sound like something I want on a Rose, would you agree?

7 series Bigsby. I have a 700 on an electromatic.

Thanks Lizardkinged. Yeah, I saw that was the go, but actually, they apparently don't sell the 7 series equivalent. Anyway, I've ordered the B6C.

You don't need a B7 on a Rose. The extra tension bar is not necessary with the angle over the bridge that the guitar already has...plus you'd have to drill another unnecessary hole in the top of the guitar.

I've owned a Rose before, just like the one you have now. A B6 is all this guitar needs.

Don't drive until the screwdrivers have fully metabolized.

Haha I hadn't read this thread before, but dang. Thanks for my first BIG laugh of the morning Synchro!

Hi, im new to the forums, and i have a random question. I have a modded pro jet in firebird red with a rocking bar bridge and tv jones pickups. Now I want to get rid of the bigsby, i really don't want it, and i want to put a gretsch "G" tailpiece

Will that do any significant damage to either the guitar or the sound?