Optimal Bigsby for Aristocrat?

[parker_knoll]

I‘m a big Bigsby fan. Really.

But there are guitars that don‘t want a Bigsby. The M-75 is one on them.

is that a Duane Eddy handle? I've got one of them - very comfortable.

 

[parker_knoll]

Available in gold plate? I cannot quite make out the logo. Might be a bit of an eyesore on my nice looking guitar...

It's a vintage unit so I'm not sure. Cheap though: €75. I might buy one to test it out on my M70.

 

[Stefan Eff]

is that a Duane Eddy handle? I've got one of them - very comfortable.

Nope, that’s a vintage narrow handle- even more comfortable, but I like the Duane arms too. I‘ve tried also the Chet handle but couldn’t get used to it.

Back to topic- here‘s a guitar that definitely wants a Bigsby:

 

[Stefan Eff]

Calm down @musicofanatic ..Screw a stiff B7 in the top of your M-75, keep your thread, ignore me and die happy, whatever floats your boat!

 

[parker_knoll]

for those who are newer to the forum, I would advise that members here are on the whole respectful to each other. There are many other places to shout at each other online. I'm not a mod, just a longstanding member, and that's my view.

 

[krysh]

So all calm down now and be nice, none of you has more to offer than opinions and that is fine, even if somebody else doesn‘t like your opinion. Please all stay respectful.

 

[cupric]

Back to YOUR topic, perhaps... Whose thread is this anyway? And what is your purpose with such royal proclamations as: "...guitars that don‘t want a Bigsby. The M-75 is one on them." (presuming you intended "one OF them). Not to mention cluttering up my thread with some unsightly Telecaster photos...sheesh!

These threads often veer.....which is great because there's often lots of great information found in the off shoots. Sometimes it can get confusing, at least to me , especially when discussing unknown setups, etc. But it also often created lively discussion.
My brain tends to be easily cluttered nowadays....but I enjoy the veerings immensely!
And, I've been in several bands and there's often that one guy.....lol! And that is why there is more than one flavor of ice cream.

 

[Mark WW]

I promise I have no strong opinion nor will I yell...but if you add a B7 consider getting a Biggsfix if the angle is too steep.

 

[fronobulax]

I intended my retort to be taken lightly, but perhaps this has gone far enough. I'm not sure if it's I who is being reprimanded or the the ones telling me what to do/not do with my guitar, but I reckon I have gained all I can conceivably gain from this panel of "experts", and perhaps it's time to close 'er down...? Certainly being ordered to "calm down" is not how to win friends and influence people, if I am that "people"...

Humor and sarcasm don't always come across in text. You have attracted the attention of two Moderators with two recent posts. If you want to vent or just understand why, feel free to PM me.

 

[Walter Broes]

removed

What happened?

 

[fronobulax]

What happened?

We had two new members who were viewing each other's posts in the worst possible light and responding accordingly. One chose to destructively disengage.

 

[Walter Broes]

Ah, reading some of it I can see why.

Anyway - Musicofanatic, in case you're still reading this. I'm not claiming to be any kind of expert, but I've been up close and personal with a few old M-75's, including one of those elusive red ones with a factory Bigsby (and franz pickups! Be still my heart!!)

Anyway - last I read is you were thinking of trying a B3 - seriously, save yourself the trouble - it almost works, but it really doesn't.
My buddy's red one with the stock Guild B7 has that steep angle to the bridge, but it works surprisingly well considering.

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

Damn, missed all the excitement!

 

[parker_knoll]

Bigsbygate

 

[guitarlover]

I have a korean m75 with and added a guildsby B 7 .
The angle is indeed a little steep but the guitar holds tune quite well.
There is some pressure on the bridge that tilts a little bit forward. I have the black m 75 version that has a pinned bridge ( the cups have pins that go into the wood )maybe this helps too.
I don't know if an unpinned bridge would stay in place ( like on my goldtop m 75)
The added bigsby gives the guitar more sustain so it "changes" the guitar but I like it (just as I like the guitar without a bigsby.)

 

[guitarlover]

Walter is absoIetly right ( as always) : I wouldn't do a bigsby b3 on this guitar. The pressure from the strings on the bridge will be too low and you will lose tone. Probably the strings will pop out of the bridge saddles too when you hit the strings a little harder.

 

[matsickma]

Hey Guitarlover,

Is your M75 the archtop model or the routed chambered "solid body" model?
Just wondering because of your comment about a pinned bridge.
M

 

[Default]

I think you could probably get away with a B-7 using spacers. I'm thinking that a teflon sleeve over the tension bar axle would also work.

 

[guitarlover]

@ Matsickma : My aristocrat is the archtop model.

 

[musicofanatic]

I reckon my first mistake was asking for opinions. Problem solved for me by virtue of pencil-y necks on apparently all pre-1963 M-75s (please refrain from "advising" me to get a later issue M-75. Thanks.). I sent back a $5000 example that was advertised as having a 43mm wide nut, but actually measured at barely 42mm. Whilst everything else about the guitar was UTTERLY AMAZING (under 5 lbs!), my left hand cramped painfully 30 seconds into trying it out. So, screw it; I will stick with my G*bs*n ES-330 w/ Bigsby B-7 as my thinline hollow electric. Thanks for playing...