[IMG:2576:1932]http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/678/bigsbyhq4.jpg[/img]
Hi Guys,
(warning – long post…)
Two weeks ago I bit the bullet and mounted a Bigsby on my X500. I’ve done setups and basic repairs on my guitars for a long time and figured I could handle it. Having owned Gretches in the past though, I know how quirky Bigsbys can be, so I was very determined to get it attached correctly. My assumption was that getting it bolted dead center was the way to go. So I was a bit surprised when I unscrewed the original harp tail piece and found that it had been set somewhat to the bass side. Not sure if I loaded the image correctly, but if the link works, you’ll be able to see what I’m talking about in the photo. There’s a hole with a wire coming out of it (I assume a ground) that was concealed by the original tailpiece - it’s now visible through the gap in the Bigsby endpiece. That hole is dead center on the butt end. Also, as you’ll see in the picture, I inserted a screw in the original screw hole that was at the tip of the inverted triangle – look under the endpin. It’s obviously about a millimeter or two to the left of center.
When I started lining up the Bisgby to attach it, I strung A and B strings on it to make sure that the strings centered correctly over the pole pieces. Oddly enough, I had to position it ever so slightly to the bass side, just as the harp tailpiece had been, to get the strings right. Now, the strings lined up perfectly, but the Bigsby unit being slightly off center, dipped slightly to the left with the contour of the top of the guitar. Before drilling anything, I moved the unit around and the strings definitely were not going to line up if it was perfectly centered – the strings were way off the pole pieces.
So, I positioned it where the harp had been, and just reused the original endpin screw hole. I put the other strings on – loosely – and gave everything a long looksee. Everything looked good, strings over the polepieces, Bigsby was square from the front, though it had that slight dip to the left/bass side. The thing was, dipped as it was, one of the holes lined up perfectly with one of the original holes. So I screwed it down there. Drilled one new hole, and tuned it up to pitch. I’ve been playing it for two weeks now, and it stays in tune great – even with the original wood bridge, which hasn’t moved at all. I bought a tune-a-matic, but haven’t even put it on yet. Everything is stable as is.
Two things I’m concerned about: Could the Bigsby dipping to the bass side pose any problems over the long haul? And what’s up with the slight offset with the original tailpiece?
Thoughts?
Thanks,
John
Front view:
[IMG:320:240]http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/1562/bodycj8.jpg[/img]
With original tailpiece:
[IMG:1932:2576]http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/9292/harpam2.jpg[/img]
Hi Guys,
(warning – long post…)
Two weeks ago I bit the bullet and mounted a Bigsby on my X500. I’ve done setups and basic repairs on my guitars for a long time and figured I could handle it. Having owned Gretches in the past though, I know how quirky Bigsbys can be, so I was very determined to get it attached correctly. My assumption was that getting it bolted dead center was the way to go. So I was a bit surprised when I unscrewed the original harp tail piece and found that it had been set somewhat to the bass side. Not sure if I loaded the image correctly, but if the link works, you’ll be able to see what I’m talking about in the photo. There’s a hole with a wire coming out of it (I assume a ground) that was concealed by the original tailpiece - it’s now visible through the gap in the Bigsby endpiece. That hole is dead center on the butt end. Also, as you’ll see in the picture, I inserted a screw in the original screw hole that was at the tip of the inverted triangle – look under the endpin. It’s obviously about a millimeter or two to the left of center.
When I started lining up the Bisgby to attach it, I strung A and B strings on it to make sure that the strings centered correctly over the pole pieces. Oddly enough, I had to position it ever so slightly to the bass side, just as the harp tailpiece had been, to get the strings right. Now, the strings lined up perfectly, but the Bigsby unit being slightly off center, dipped slightly to the left with the contour of the top of the guitar. Before drilling anything, I moved the unit around and the strings definitely were not going to line up if it was perfectly centered – the strings were way off the pole pieces.
So, I positioned it where the harp had been, and just reused the original endpin screw hole. I put the other strings on – loosely – and gave everything a long looksee. Everything looked good, strings over the polepieces, Bigsby was square from the front, though it had that slight dip to the left/bass side. The thing was, dipped as it was, one of the holes lined up perfectly with one of the original holes. So I screwed it down there. Drilled one new hole, and tuned it up to pitch. I’ve been playing it for two weeks now, and it stays in tune great – even with the original wood bridge, which hasn’t moved at all. I bought a tune-a-matic, but haven’t even put it on yet. Everything is stable as is.
Two things I’m concerned about: Could the Bigsby dipping to the bass side pose any problems over the long haul? And what’s up with the slight offset with the original tailpiece?
Thoughts?
Thanks,
John
Front view:
[IMG:320:240]http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/1562/bodycj8.jpg[/img]
With original tailpiece:
[IMG:1932:2576]http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/9292/harpam2.jpg[/img]