[ReverberatingDream]

Well not exactly everything, but it sure feels like it.
Quick recap so you understand my excitement: The three guitars I had before buying my Gretsch had setup problems. One I couldn't adjust the truss rod myself because I didn't have metric allen key and also needs the nut slots filed a bit deeper, the other I believe needs the nut slots filed wider to prevent binding. So I had a shopping list, metric allen keys, set of nut files. etc. Didn't want to try the makeshift nut files on a bone nut, so just put the guitar away. Because I have my Gretsch to play now, and it plays perfect...
Except then of course I broke a string. It had what I guess are 12s or maybe 11's on it, very stiff flatwounds, and all I have around for spare strings are 10-46s.
Plus did I mention I'm seriously scrooging it these days. So I had no guitars in playable states for a few days.

Then my packages start arriving in the mail, then, lo and behold, my dad shows up and asks Do you need any tools? Look what I had laying around extra...holy I just got given a 200+ set of Mastercraft tools, not even opened yet. Don't have to buy a set of allen keys now,
Then, the Bigsby b6c I've been waiting for comes on sale on the bay, as well as a set of good nut files, the day PayPal finally clears the money that's been sitting in my account for three weeks.
Anyway, changed the strings on my Gretsch, had to loosen the truss rod half a turn to compensate for going down to my girlie strings, still a bit of fret buzz on the highest frets but I'm not done fiddling with the action quite yet. I'm very happy at the moment to hear the tone I've been wanting, that gritty, biting Hilotron sound through my just breaking up AC4TV... So very happy, and the Compton looks so gorgeous. Now once I get over losing one of the three tiny truss rod cover screws, I'll get the Bigsby put on there and it will really be complete. Pics to follow when I can get them to upload...

[Gretsch5135]

Very cool thanks for the pics.

[audept]

Congrats on the upgrades and your dad. He sounds like a nice guy.

[ReverberatingDream]

Yep, he is pretty nice these days. I'm still surprised over the tools. What more could a girl ask for but a lifetime supply of tools!?! Not having a brother is certainly paying off.
It's just been a really great week, it's nice for things to work out instead of go downhill. A bit of reversal for me as of late.

[beep.click]

Originally Posted by ReverberatingDream

Now once I get over losing one of the three tiny truss rod cover screws...

I wonder if Gretsch (Fender) customer service would sell or just send you one? If not, you might want to contact this guy:

http://www.darrenriley.com/Gretschparts.htm

[ReverberatingDream]

Thanks for the link! I'm convinced it is somewhere on my floor, but likely beneath a heavy piece of furniture...repeated searching hasn't turned it up yet, so I'll try to find some strong backs before I go after a new screw. It's so tiny, yet so obvious it's missing.
Being one screw short really bugs a person, you know?

[fender62custom]

Great dad...cool upgrades...nice guitar!!! enjoy.

[Gretsch5135]

Sweep with a magnet and you might find it that way. Good luck.

[ReverberatingDream]

Whoa. After blood, sweat and tears (not quite tears but I was close, much sweat and multiple finger string stabbings...) today I finally got the Bigsby installed. My very first "real" guitar mod. Rather stressful to start out on a proline Gretsch, but hey, life is short. I used a conglomerate method consisting of Bigsby's instructions, instructions here and on GretschPages. To get the felt pad area sitting level/even with the guitar top, the Bigsby is about 1/4" off the guitar top at its edge. Looks funny to me but...that's how it is. Checked some pictures of other guitars to see a wide range of spacing from what looked like mine to some sitting flat on the guitar. Hmm.

But I still haven't got this pretty thing set up properly! Only today did it finally dawn on me that my Compton string spacing is not 2", it's 2 1/8"(after many times wondering why my picking hand couldn't quite get the distance between strings right). Plus, upon measuring the bridge pup pole pieces, it appears that the ideal spacing for the hilos would actually be 1 7/8", not 2".
So I'm thinking I should get a 1 7/8" spacing bridge and forget the 2" spacing altogether. Thoughts on this anyone?

On the plus side, hooray, finally a Bigsby, it looks "complete" now. Also, the DeanMarkley's I had on were buzzing horribly. At the moment, the bright D'addarios have no buzz whatsoever (same gauge).

Oh, and I still haven't found the truss rod screw after sweeping with a magnet. I'm starting to suspect it actually fell inside the guitar and is stuck to a pup, since I didn't actually see/hear it hit the floor, just saw it fall at the headstock and heard it clink on the guitar somewhere (cringe).