[MoonshineCalbilly]

I didn't read all of the above comments, so I apologize if someone else has already mentioned this but; I was watching the video interviewing Eddie Cochran about his recent signature model Gretsch and this was one of his concerns. He had them put a mod on the Bigsby of changing the pegs to being just a little bit longer, and he says then you can pop them on there and not have to think about 'em any more.

P.S. In an interview with Jim Heath about his signature model Gretsch, he too had this complaint and resolved it with the mod of Grover Locking Tuners (I believe it was Grover). He said this way you could string it with one hand while holding it in place with the other.

[TV the Wired Turtle]

Originally Posted by lennyedwards

the 10-15 second change.... easy! It's the 'backup guitar' method....

exactly..who'd ever play a serious gig without a backup guitar? I dont get that at all. Ironically in twenty yrs of playing for bread on the table, I only broke strings on my stupid strat.
Once I switched over to gretsch and a bigsby I never broke a string, but I changed strings every 4th performance and used murrays pomade in the nut and string slots. The backup guitar was never used.

(now that I've said this, all my strings will break huh? )

[MoonshineCalbilly]

Originally Posted by TV the Wired Turtle

exactly..who'd ever play a serious gig without a backup guitar?

(now that I've said this, all my strings will break huh? )

Yeah, missed that one, and it's truly the number one defense against the problem, but it would be nice to make it a little easier to string with my Bigsby. I wouldn't trade it for anything, it's got the best range and best touch sensitivity I've ever had in a whammy bar!

P.S. @TV the Wired Turtle You and I need form a union to establish negotiations with our Guardian Angels! If I said that, all my strings would break and then one on my back up!

[fasteddie455]

Originally Posted by MoonshineCalbilly

I was watching the video interviewing Eddie Cochran about his recent signature model Gretsch and this was one of his concerns.

Boy Howdy, I am confused... I thought that Eddie Cochran died way back in 1960. Could it have been a spokesman from his family instead?

[rockabilly-rebel]

Originally Posted by fasteddie455

Boy Howdy, I am confused... I thought that Eddie Cochran died way back in 1960. Could it have been a spokesman from his family instead?

I think this chap means Duanne Eddy!

[jaycemumford]

Bahhh.. People always whinge about re-stringing Bigsbys! Once you done it once its easy!

[Darkel777]

The best things you can do with a bigsby are the following:
1. Ban the Peg mod (use a pyramiding bit if done with a hand drill)
2. Get a 1 inch tremolo spring
3. Remove the handle spring (the one inside the handle not under it) and replace it with washers so it doesn't wobble (in some models just tightening down this spring does the trick).
4. Superglue your new 1 inch tremolo spring to the base of the bigsby so it doesn't fall during pullups.
5. Get a roller bridge
6. Get a good tremolo nut (I prefer teflon)
7. Get locking tuners (tying knots in the string after it is placed through traditional tuners sometimes works too)

After all this it's actually a great tremolo you can get a 1 step tone drop and up to a 1 1/2 step rise with the feel and flow of a floyd. Dropping with the range of a floyd IMHO is just a novelty, when used effectively with these mods I don't think there's really too many applications where this can't be substituted for the real thing. The only difference is that you can't drop so the strings bounce against the pickups.

[Uma Floresta]

Originally Posted by Uma Floresta

Just slightly stiffer action. Not enough to bother me at all.

The handle is very comfortable though. Better than the butterknife handle.

Actually, I'd like to amend this. I was using a spare 1" Bigsby spring, didn't even try the one that came with it. Tried that one and it was less stiff, though kind of touchy. But then I tried putting a Chet Atkins handle on it (which is longer than the one that comes with this) and now it feels just like a real Bigsby.

[Synchro]

Originally Posted by Uma Floresta

Actually, I'd like to amend this. I was using a spare 1" Bigsby spring, didn't even try the one that came with it. Tried that one and it was less stiff, though kind of touchy. But then I tried putting a Chet Atkins handle on it (which is longer than the one that comes with this) and now it feels just like a real Bigsby.

That is über cool Uma. I'm a big fan of the Chet handle anyhow but seeing it used in this context is awesome.

[Lacking Talent]

Originally Posted by Lacking Talent

If you wouldn't mind elaborating, Uma, I'm curious what performance deficiencies you encountered in the GFS -- which, from the looks of them, seem smartly designed, and well fabricated -- that added up to the 5% less love from you when compared to the Bigsby.

Originally Posted by Uma Floresta

Just slightly stiffer action. Not enough to bother me at all.

The handle is very comfortable though. Better than the butterknife handle.

Originally Posted by Uma Floresta

Actually, I'd like to amend this. I was using a spare 1" Bigsby spring, didn't even try the one that came with it. Tried that one and it was less stiff, though kind of touchy. But then I tried putting a Chet Atkins handle on it (which is longer than the one that comes with this) and now it feels just like a real Bigsby.

Originally Posted by Synchro

That is über cool Uma. I'm a big fan of the Chet handle anyhow but seeing it used in this context is awesome.

Ditto -- thanks for the update, Uma!

[Uma Floresta]

No problem. You do need to slightly widen the hole on the Xtrem with a drill to fit the Chet arm in there.

[54club]

As far as the Goddess of Strings goes, I have found that as long as I have a set of spare strings sitting on my amp, I never break strings. If I forget to put a spare set of strings on my amp at a gig, I always break one which necessitates going to the dressing room to get the spares out of the case...

Lately I do have a spare guitar (or 2 or 3) on stage. I still put the spare strings out though, call me superstitious, but I rarely break strings on stage.

[gtr_5155]

Of all the solutions/suggestions that have been posted--THIS is the best !! It seems superstitious,but I have had similar experiences with other things.When I am short on a certain part,I will get so many orders that it makes me crazy.When I stock a ton of any item,then sales slow down.Same principal of fate.

[classicrock]

I know this product may not be the most attractive but it is a simple solution. It works.

http://www.vibramate.com/vibramate-string-spoiler.php

[stevo]

I would love to see how this turns out. As much as I don't hate the pegs, I would love to be without them!

[GretschGhost]

Originally Posted by Bengal65

On the new Bigs, just pull the roll pins outwith vise grips or pliers, and you can get the pivot bar out after removing the snap ring on the end. Place the bar in a drill press vise, line up the holes to vertical and clamp it. Use a drill size that will fit into the existing holes. and...drill baby drill. Clean off any left over burrs with a file and re-assemble the pivot bar into the Bigs assembly in reverse order (minus the pins of course)

The only problem with this, or I should say a caveat to this, is that the drilled hole will have a sharp edge and could result in more broken strings so you may want to file the edge or use a graphite insert or rubber insert.

Alternatively, if you want to get fancy, you can use the rubber coating used to rubberize tools.

[Bob M]

Originally Posted by GCGhost

The only problem with this, or I should say a caveat to this, is that the drilled hole will have a sharp edge and could result in more broken strings so you may want to file the edge or use a graphite insert or rubber insert.

Alternatively, if you want to get fancy, you can use the rubber coating used to rubberize tools.

If you look at the modified Bigsby it looks like the holes were countersunk. I assume the thought was to avoid sharp edges. Pretty slick idea. I still think the only potential issue is disturbing the geometry of the Bigsby.

[MarcD]

Hi!
I realize this is an older thread, but I just stumbled in after a Google search.
I am really interested in getting hold of some Bigsby set screw style string pins; I currently have five guitars fitted with Bigsbys, and wish they had never changed the string bar design...probably a cost-cutting/production simplification step, but the original design had many advantages, plus the magic of Paul Bigsby!

I'd love to chat with anyone anytime about Bigsbys!

Regards,
Marc in SF

[MoonshineCalbilly]

Originally Posted by goss61

For those who don't want to attempt that mod and are having trouble stringing, here's a good way to do it in a hurry, ie, at a gig.

1- Set the hole on the tuner post roughly parallel with the nut, ie, at right angle to the strings.

2- Use a small pair of needle-nose plyers (which, of course, you have in your guitar case) to bend the ball end over and to bend the half inch of string next to the ball end. It should then be fairly easy to fix it to the Bigsby pin and keep it there with a bit of pull as you go to the other end.

3- Pull the string thru the tuner, going outwards from the center of the headstock, and pull it tight. Bend around the post...up towards the Gretsch logo and around...and slip it under the string where it's coming in from the neck. Pull tight, bend it up around the string and fold it over. Tune up and the string will 'grab' itself and lock.

When you get the hang of this system it's quick and easy and you can do it while keeping a pull on the string so it stays on at the Bigsby.

+1... to make it even easier (for myself) I usually pre-bend all of peg ends of my change-out strings and have a capo ready to hold the string in place so I can use both hands to set the string in the tuner; but I'm a lazy guy

[Wulfgang]

Nice option! Since then I Have gotten better and quicker with the pin. Still a finger pincher sometimes.. I still bring 2 guitars with me live just in case lol.