Bigsby for 1981 M80

[olderandlouder]

I'm looking for the correct Bigsby for a 1981 M80. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SFIV1967]

Well, there wasn't any for the original model. And I'm not sure how you want to fix it with the thin and round body of the M-80 ? Also the distance of the stop tailpiece to the strap button seems to be shorter than on the later Bluesbirds?

On the later Bluesbird models of the 90ies it looks a bit easier to me as they were thicker and square at the end. Our member RussB has used one with a Towner bar on his Bluesbird, the description from him is on that thread:

Guildsby on my Bluesbird

When I got my Bluesbird a few years ago, it had a Bigsby B3 on it, The tailpiece was some funky contraption a a former Westerly employee conjured up. It didn't work well. It was barely threaded into the the bushings and flopped around...I took the Bigsby off the guitar. The Guildsby was in need...

letstalkguild.com

Two of the gone pictures of his converted Bluesbird were this:

Another similar conversion:

I'm really no expert here for the M-80 but you might be forced to screw one into the top like on this Telecaster:

Or use some kind of adapter:

Ralf

 

[olderandlouder]

I was trying to avoid th B% but if thats what works, thats what i'll do. Thanks.

 

[olderandlouder]

B5

 

[SFIV1967]

Well, wait until a few other members state their opinion! This bunch of people here has a lot of ideas usually! Stay tuned!
Ralf

 

[cupric]

There is a known issue concerning a weakness in the neck heel joint of (at least some), M80s. I am not sure how well known this issue is. Maybe someone with more knowledge of the M80 can comment. But, if that is the case a Guildsby may not be recommended.
Just a thought....

 

[SFIV1967]

There is a known issue concerning a weakness in the neck heel joint of (at least some), M80s. I am not sure how well known this issue is. Maybe someone with more knowledge of the M80 can comment. But, if that is the case a Guildsby may not be recommended.

Interesting, I never read about this. GAD's opinion in his review was this:
"This is a set-neck guitar and the neck joint is ridiculously solid. I’ve always been fascinated by this neck attachment method as it looks like there’s no way it could be strong enough to support the 24-fret neck, but it does, and it does it well. "

Ralf

 

[cupric]

Interesting, I never read about this. GAD's opinion in his review was this:
"This is a set-neck guitar and the neck joint is ridiculously solid. I’ve always been fascinated by this neck attachment method as it looks like there’s no way it could be strong enough to support the 24-fret neck, but it does, and it does it well. "

Ralf

I was told by a ex factory Luther to be careful with them as they had been known to be a weakness. This was many years ago. I am sure this was valid information. It had been discussed by other Guild pros. I am not completely certain of the nature of the issue. I brought it up here as I am thinking a Bigsby might increase tension. I have no experience with M80s due to the conversation I had. At the time I was considering getting one.
I am certain someone else here may hold more info, especially if the issue was as well known as I thought it was.

 

[cupric]

I was told by a ex factory Luther to be careful with them as they had been known to be a weakness. This was many years ago. I am sure this was valid information. It had been discussed by other Guild pros. I am not completely certain of the nature of the issue. I brought it up here as I am thinking a Bigsby might increase tension. I have no experience with M80s due to the conversation I had. At the time I was considering getting one.
I am certain someone else here may hold more info, especially if the issue was as well known as I thought it was.

And I think GAD did notice a possible issue as he stated to be careful picking the instrument up by the neck! Maybe he could elaborate, but I think everyone picks up their guitar this way.

 

[cupric]

And I think GAD did notice a possible issue as he stated to be careful picking the instrument up by the neck! Maybe he could elaborate, but I think everyone picks up their guitar this way.

As far as I know the info I received was of a proprietary manner.

 

[olderandlouder]

Neck is solid. The B5 won't work on this guitar. So I'm back on the hunt. Thanks everyone.

 

[SFIV1967]

The B5 won't work on this guitar.

Just out of interest, what is the problem?
Ralf

 

[olderandlouder]

The B5 works best on flat body guitars. This has a carved top.

 

[catan]

what about a les trem?