Bigsby or Les Trem?
- Thread starter Mr Twangy
- Start date
Wayne Gretschzky
Country Gent
I think... if a Bigsby vibrato "affected the tone of the guitar negatively", they wouldn't have survived 70 years of production, and most modern Pro-line Gretsch's wouldn't be designed to have one. Enjoy your B3!!
radd
Friend of Fred
Gotta love where ever that comment came from.
As WG said, enjoy your B3
As WG said, enjoy your B3
guitarzan50
Electromatic
A Gretsch needs a Bigsby. To me the Les Trem is just plain ugly.
gretschbigsby
Gretschie
I really like the Les Trem... I use it instead of a Bigsby w/vibramate whenever I have an archtop with stop tailpiece now. Less expensive and works as well. I know there are those who don't like the way they look-- I do. Some fine German engineering!
Bigsby is still my preference, but the Les Trem and Moseley/Shade vibrato would be the big three.
Bigsby is still my preference, but the Les Trem and Moseley/Shade vibrato would be the big three.
mandobandit
Gretschie
I have 3 Bigsby fitted guitars
2 Gretsch and a Nash tele
The Gretsch guitars came factory equipped
The Nash I added yes I believe it has some what less sustain but picked up some jangle.
I also want to have a guitar with a Les Trem maybe a Rivolta or Dusenberg
2 Gretsch and a Nash tele
The Gretsch guitars came factory equipped
The Nash I added yes I believe it has some what less sustain but picked up some jangle.
I also want to have a guitar with a Les Trem maybe a Rivolta or Dusenberg
These look a little nicer in my opinion.
https://www.banzaimusic.com/goeldo-tlt2c-tremolo-lt2-chrome.html
https://www.banzaimusic.com/goeldo-tlt2c-tremolo-lt2-chrome.html
2groggy
Electromatic
The picture is a little grainy, but those do look nicer. They appear to be "licenced by Dusenberg", and the description mentions Les Trem.
I did a quick search and can't find a source in North America. Let me know if you have a source.
gretschbigsby
Gretschie
If I remember correctly, the original Les Trem arm came off the bridge nearer to the high e creating more of the Bigsby geometry. The goeldo seems to evoke that.
I think this was it... Reverend used to use them:
Looks aside, the Les Trem is very smooth and accurate to use.
I almost put this on my offset Tele-- the Moslike Vibrato. Ended up going with a B5.
Bob Shade sells the Shade Mosrite Vibrato on the Hallmark Guitars website. Smooth as butter.
I think this was it... Reverend used to use them:
Looks aside, the Les Trem is very smooth and accurate to use.
I almost put this on my offset Tele-- the Moslike Vibrato. Ended up going with a B5.
Bob Shade sells the Shade Mosrite Vibrato on the Hallmark Guitars website. Smooth as butter.
Highroller
Country Gent
I think it's safe to say the Les Trem would be an easier install, less invasive, no drilling, etc.
I've got an older one on a Reverend I own and like it a lot. As far as playing it, it responds pretty much like a Bigsby. Very smooth, sounds great.
But on a Gretsch? Bigsby's the sure-fire traditional choice. Whoever said they have a "negative effect" on tone either doesn't like Gretsch to begin with, or only plays Floyd Roses.
I've got an older one on a Reverend I own and like it a lot. As far as playing it, it responds pretty much like a Bigsby. Very smooth, sounds great.
But on a Gretsch? Bigsby's the sure-fire traditional choice. Whoever said they have a "negative effect" on tone either doesn't like Gretsch to begin with, or only plays Floyd Roses.
Attachments
I like the action of the les trem, very smooth….I will say, if you like your palm around the bridge while playing, the les trem on a jet takes some getting use to.
I know the handle is reversed in this pic, here’s the look on a double jet though.
super easy install
I know the handle is reversed in this pic, here’s the look on a double jet though.
super easy install
Attachments
No I've never seen a North American seller.
TV the Wired Turtle
Gretschified
Who ever said that should be drawn and quartered!
gretschbigsby
Gretschie
I put a Les Trem on my Starcaster. I think it looks rad... but de gustibus non est disputandum
By the way, those new Fender Custom Shop CuNiFe WRHB pickups sound awesome.
By the way, those new Fender Custom Shop CuNiFe WRHB pickups sound awesome.
Ricochet
Senior Gretsch-Talker
Thomann and Rockinger in Germany usually have very reasonable shipping fees. Not sure about the current...ehm situation though.
rcboals
Country Gent
Get the LesTrem since your guitar has the Dum @$$ stop tail bridge. Trust me been there done that a couple times! I am a slow learner, LesTrem all the way verses a Bigsby and a Towner Downer. Better yet save some money get rid of your Dum @$$ stop tail bridge guitar and get a model that has the B-3 with the floating or pinned bridge.
Last edited:
Your last suggestion has been up for consideration but I am too bonded with this guitar!
Lacking Talent
Country Gent
V-cut Bigsby with a Towner bar is where it's at!
