old/new Bigsby hybrid bridge

[Smiert Spionam]

Hi all,

Thought some you might be interested in this shot of the new bridge arrangement of my X-440. I just got it back from a refret by Bill Giebitz (amazing job), and I also had him install a plain-G-compensated Bigsby bridge on a rosewood base. I wanted the better intonation, and hoped the rosewood base would be a better fit and take just a little fizz off the high end without changing the percussive, crisp tone of the aluminum Bigsby bridge too much.

Still experimenting, but I think it did exactly that.

Plus, Bill re-radiused the bridge to match the fretboard. It plays GREAT now.

 

[Walter Broes]

That's about the only way I can stand those Bigsby saddles, with a rosewood base. With the original metal base, they're too much IMO.

funny - I have about the exact opposite polepiece height on my pickups!

 

[dklsplace]

Plus, Bill re-radiused the bridge to match the fretboard.

That is Outstanding!!! There should be more guys in the trade concerned with the details like that! 8)

 

[Smiert Spionam]

Yup, he's really phenomenal. I always see the most amazing things in his shop -- lots of great vintage restorations under way, including (most recently) a pre-war D-28 herringbone that was absolutely clobbered. A couple of neck breaks and some goofy old repairs -- but I'm sure it will emerge in a few months in a much happier state.

He also did a fine job on the fretboard and frets. Ah, so comfy now.

Walter, I'm going to have to take a close look at those polepiece settings....