[GretschGhost]

I've just bought a used, very nice PJ and want to add a Bigsby.

I will NOT use the B5, have considered B3 but string tension is a problem from what I hear.

Considering B7. Suggestions? Thoughts? Concerns?

[acousticplays]

Originally Posted by GretschGhost

I've just bought a used, very nice PJ and want to add a Bigsby.

I will NOT use the B5, have considered B3 but string tension is a problem from what I hear.

Considering B7. Suggestions? Thoughts? Concerns?

I kind of want to put a B7 on mine as well, but mine has the B50 installed...what I'm really curious about is if the B7 will cover the holes left by the B50. If it does...I'm sold

[6stings]

The string tension and the string break angle is NOT a problem with B3 on Pro Jet!

The string break angle will be the same as on Duo Jets with B3.

I have measured the string break angles on Duo Jets and my Pro Jet with B3s, it's always best to do your own measuring...

[6stings]

Originally Posted by acousticplays

I kind of want to put a B7 on mine as well, but mine has the B50 installed...what I'm really curious about is if the B7 will cover the holes left by the B50. If it does...I'm sold

Acu, the B7 is very long, much longer then B3. Who cares about the holes, you can always hide them with some cool pinstripes...

I forgot to say that B50 with it's flat base could have left a deep 'footprint' on the top.
You better take it off and see if it was screwed down by some gentle Chinese butterfly, or by some Kung Fu master.

My Pro Jet had a mahgogany body and the 'foorprint' was so deep and ugly, but I was stripping the top so it didn't matter.

[6stings]

Found them. Pics of string break angles on Pro and Duo with B3s:

[GretschGhost]

Originally Posted by 6stings

The string tension and the string break angle is NOT a problem with B3 on Pro Jet!

The string break angle will be the same as on Duo Jets with B3.

I have measured the string break angles on Duo Jets and my Pro Jet with B3s, it's always best to do your own measuring...

This is physically impossible. The bridge height is going to be different due to the neck position on a Duo vs. Pro Jet, therefore the break angle would be different.

[GretschGhost]

Originally Posted by 6stings

Found them. Pics of string break angles on Pro and Duo with B3s:
Attachment 22445

Attachment 22446

I don't know if you aren't mechanically inclined, so I won't try to insult you but your pics actually prove you wrong.

The break angle on the Pro is clearly a little more shallow.

Also, the Bigsby site recommends the B7 (and used to have installation instructions for a B7 on a Jet - http://www.bigsby.com/vibe/resources/faqs/) or the B11 "for thin electric guitars with an arch".

Anyone who has experience with both?

[6stings]

Originally Posted by GretschGhost

This is physically impossible. The bridge height is going to be different due to the neck position on a Duo vs. Pro Jet, therefore the break angle would be different.

Well, it's not as much as you think!
Do your own measuring Ghost. Or you can measure angles on my pics

I know at least 15 others who fitted B3s to the Pro Jets without a problem with string break angle or anything. Why?

The neck to body angles are the same on Duo and Pro, that's important.

The bridge height is little different, but it changes the break angle only for the fraction of a degree.

[6stings]

Originally Posted by GretschGhost

I don't know if you aren't mechanically inclined, so I won't try to insult you but your pics actually prove you wrong.
The break angle on the Pro is clearly a little more shallow.
Also, the Bigsby site recommends the B7 (and used to have installation instructions for a B7 on a Jet - http://www.bigsby.com/vibe/resources/faqs/) or the B11 "for thin electric guitars with an arch".
Anyone who has experience with both?

Easy, Ghost.
How many Duo Jets have you seen with the B7 or B11?

[GretschGhost]

Originally Posted by 6stings

Easy, Ghost.
How many Duo Jets have you seen with the B7 or B11?

No Duo Jets. But the neck angle isn't the exact same on a Pro. And even if it was, that indicates that the bridge height would be significantly different.

I have a 5120 right here with the same neck joint height as a Duo Jet and I can tell right away that if the fretboard was flush with the body the bridge wouldn't even need a wooden base to be the correct height.

I know a B3 will go on a Pro Jet, but the B7 is meant to compensate for the difference in break angle because of the bridge height in just such an instance.

My big concern would be with a) How well the string sits in the saddle b) If the lower tension affects intonation and c) If the lower tension & angle result in string buzz.

[6stings]

Don't know what 5120 has to the with the case, but I have, well, enough Duo Jets and Pro Jets right here, with B3s, Comptons, Rocking Bars even Melitas. I use only 9s and 10s on my guitars, never had any problem with any of things that troubles you.

The pics I posted are of my giutars, the white Pro Jet and Caddy Green Duo, taken last year or the year before, the camera was at about the same distance from the guitars, believe it or not.

[GretschGhost]

Originally Posted by 6stings

Don't know what 5120 has to the with the case, but I have, well, enough Duo Jets and Pro Jets right here, with B3s, Comptons, Rocking Bars even Melitas. I use only 9s and 10s on my guitars, never had any problem with any of things that troubles you.

The pics I posted are of my giutars, the white Pro Jet and Caddy Green Duo, taken last year or the year before, the camera was at about the same distance from the guitars, believe it or not.

The 5120 has a Duo Jet-like neck fit with the raised fretboard.

But if there is no string buzz issue, then the B3 should be good. However, I've read things that say something to the contrary, so it'd be nice to have some other views.

I have a Schaller roller bridge to go along with the Bigsby so maybe some views on this would be valuable, too.

Thanks!

[6stings]

Sure.