Hi,
Are these rare?? And if so, wht do you think they are worth?? There is one for sale in Australia at the moment...

Thanks,
Steve

Hi,
Are these rare?? And if so, wht do you think they are worth?? There is one for sale in Australia at the moment...

Thanks,
Steve

Unless you are restoring a 1969 Gretsch I don't know why it would be preferable to a new one.

I'm not restoring and I'm not preferring it over a new one, I'm just curous as to how rare they are, and what they are worth, that is all ;)

They are not "rare" because they are on a whole heap of Gretsches made in the 1960s in particular.

It is slightly more rare to find them separated from the guitar.

There is no way to date a Bigsby to 1969 unless you happen to know that the guitar it came from is a 1969. You can tell the vintage V-cuts from the new ones however.

As far as value, I've seen them go on ebay from around $150 - 200 maybe 250 US on a good day. The one exception is the early version of the V-cut which you don't see after 1961 or 62. That one goes for $350 or so.

Thanks for the detailed answer, I think I'll leave it alone, it's for sale for $99.00, but there is hardly a point to grabbing it, if not so rare. Apparently, it came off a '69 6120. If it was one of the earlier models you speak of ('61 or '62, which would be around the first years of production I am assuming), I might buy it, but considering your answer, not worth messing with for me. If the value sits only about $20-$30 above current models......

Thanks!! :)
Steve

Thanks for the detailed answer, I think I'll leave it alone, it's for sale for $99.00, but there is hardly a point to grabbing it, if not so rare. Apparently, it came off a '69 6120. If it was one of the earlier models you speak of ('61 or '62, which would be around the first years of production I am assuming), I might buy it, but considering your answer, not worth messing with for me. If the value sits only about $20-$30 above current models......

Thanks!! :)
Steve

That's not a bad price for a Bigsby if it's in good shape. I figured that if the guy mentioned a vintage date then he must've been wanting a high price.

$99 (US) is a pretty good price for a vintage one IF it is a vintage one. I routinely see vintage NON v-cut's on ebay advertised as vintage. I've not seen a V-cut one that is new advertised as vintage but that may be because I don't examine the sales of the V-cuts.

I think the original V-cuts turned up in 1960. I have a 1960 6119 and it had one at some point as the holes in the butt of it bespeak.

Well, given they aren't seen so regularly, I might just pick it up, here are two images of the Bigsby, if you can please give your thoughts as to whether or not this is authentic (I understand you can not be absolute on age), it would be MUCH appreciated :) From there, I'll contact the seller to find out exactly why they have one for sale. I have a hard time imagining someone would replace a vintage tailpiece if it was spec and in good condition, so I'll try to find out a bit about the history of it if I can.....

Thanks again everyone!

I think the original V-cuts turned up in 1960.

That year would fall into line with the changeover on the 6120 tail too, I think prior to that year, the V-cut was not produced.......

Well, given they aren't seen so regularly, I might just pick it up, here are two images of the Bigsby, if you can please give your thoughts as to whether or not this is authentic (I understand you can not be absolute on age), it would be MUCH appreciated :) From there, I'll contact the seller to find out exactly why they have one for sale. I have a hard time imagining someone would replace a vintage tailpiece if it was spec and in good condition, so I'll try to find out a bit about the history of it if I can.....

Thanks again everyone!
Looks fine to me.

That's most likely a 60s one, post the 1961/2 long tail version. I would have loved to have had that when I put a Bigsby on my 60 Anniversary instead of the modern one I got.

Decent price at 99.

Excellent, I will pcik it up then!! :) Sounds like something I or someone I know, could use it in future! I found out the seller wanted to swap it out for a gold one, which is why it's up for sale.

Thanks guys,
Steve

Sorry to pull a zombie on you...

Another reason the Bigsby you show is more desirable than later models is that it has removable pins. If you take the pins out, you can set it up as a string through, which I find way easier than dealing with the pins.

Well, I did buy it, and ended up selling to a friend for a similar price...... I was going to try it on my SSLVO, but quickly found the holes didn't quite line up perfectly, and I figure why mess with it if it's not broke. Tell you what though, my friend was one happy dude....