Man, am I glad to see someone else doing a mod drilling freehand. I can't tell you how badly many a person has shit when they ask me what type of drill press I use, and I respond with,"I don't." You'd think I had just told them I was a canibal, or something. The fact is, I've done dozens and dozens of builds/mods/upgrades just like this. And with the rare exception, my regular old drill has worked just fine. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for the additional information. The 72 Tele with a humbucker in the bridge requires additional modification to accommodate a vibrato. You could certainly modify the plate that comes with the B5T kit in this video, or you could use a different bridge all together. Many folks remove the stock bridge and use a tune-o-matic paired with the B5 (not the B5T kit). It is fairly intensive, and if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself we recommend consulting with your local guitar tech.
Howdy; thanks for your support and the question. The B5 is the suggested vibrato model for both a Mustang and Jaguar. Depending on the current configuration of the guitar, it could be an intensive install as the bridge may need to be changed (though most likely not as intense as on a Strat). If you have a specific model you are thinking about, feel free to share a photo and we'd be happy to offer any assistance possible.
Hi there, we'll do our best. If the notes are 'fretting out' or simply don't sound right, it could be that the bridge is too low. This is the first place we would check. Overall height is adjustable by the 2 outside allen screws (in the 'legs' if the bridge). Individual string heights are adjustable on the saddle. Another item to check is the neck; it could be as simple as a truss rod adjustment. Hopefully this helps. Let us know if you have any other questions we may be able to assist with.
Hi Ben, thanks for your question. Currently, we do not offer a bridge plate sized for a humbucking pickup. There are a couple of options available to you. Modifying the stock plate (enlarging slot for HB), or to change the stock bridge to a tune-o-matic style and get our standard B5 (not the T-kit). The second option is more common but still requires a fair amount of modification to the guitar. We suggest consulting with your local tech if you don't feel comfortable doing the work yourself.
Hi-thanks for your comment. You are correct, you wouldn't need to B5T kit (B5, bridge, bridge plate), just the B5 vibrato. As you suggest though, the stock bridge needs to be changed. A common choice for the replacement is a Tune-O-Matic style. Hopefully this helps; please let us know if you have other questions we may be able to assist with.
Hi Michael, thanks for your question. While it would be possible to retro-fit a B5 onto a Strat, it would take a substantial amount of modification. If you decide to go ahead with the project, the stock bridge assembly needs to be removed, cavity filled, new bridge placed (not combo bridge/tailpiece), and body (or B5 body) sanded to match the contour of the other. Certainly possible, but an intensive project. Hopefully this helps. If you have any other questions, please let us know.
since this is the only video on the Tele B5, I think it's super important on exactly where the bridge plate is positioned !! Hopefully we'll get a reply.
Phil Hawk Thanks for your question. You are correct, getting the placement of the bridge and bridge plate is super important. This Tele has a scale length of 25.5" and we had to make sure that distance was achievable during this installation. There is a small bit of flexibility with the distance range of the saddles, but again, it is indeed very important to make sure that the original scale length can be achieved.
Absolutely. If you were to remove the vibrato setup in the future and replaced the stock bridge, everything would function as it did before the B5 install. Obviously there would be additional holes from the vibrato installation, but everything would still function the same.
Hi, thanks for your comment. In the case of installing a B5 on a Telecaster, it generally isn't necessary to change the pitch of the neck as the replacement bridge is roughly the same height as the original. However, if you use a B16, it is indeed necessary to pitch the neck to accommodate the new bridge. We'll have a video coming in the future detailing the process of the B16 install. I hope this answers your question; please let us know if there is anything else we may be able to assist with.
Hi, sorry to hear you are having a problem; thankfully this one has an easy solution. A little trick to keep the saddle height adjustment screws in place is to dab a small amount of clear fingernail polish on each one. Once you have the height and intonation set, the polish is strong enough to hold screws in place, but weak enough that you'll easily be able to break the bond if you need to. Hopefully this helps; please let us know if you have any other questions we may be able to assist with.
Hi Meagan-thanks for your question. The B5T kit can be installed on some Thinline Teles, but it depends on the model. If you would like to share which model Thinline you have or send a photo, we'd be happy to recommend the suggested vibrato models.
Hello Nikita, thanks for your comment and question. You can certainly use the kit in this video to modify your Telecaster with a vintage style bridge. Additionally, you could simply use the B5 vibrato and modify the stock bridge plate on your guitar. Check out Bigsby.com for a detailed step-by-step process for the bridge mod. Hopefully this helps. If you have any other questions that we may be able to assist with, please let us know. Thanks for your support!
Thanks for your comment. If the upper frets are not in tune with the comparable notes an octave below (on the same string), it most likely needs to have the intonation adjusted. The adjustments could include movement of the saddles, and/or neck relief. If you do not feel comfortable making these adjustments yourself, we suggest taking the guitar to your local luthier or guitar tech.
this is great. question, why did the bridge-plate have to be put on a lil crooked compared to the pickguard? If you lined them up straight would there be any problems with the resulting bridge angle? I'm asking because I might do a project like this, and would rather have the gaps nice and pretty.
as your post was a month ago i dont know if you know the answer but yes they do :D. eventually i might buy the left handed version of the kit to fit to my tele
I've been working on my first partscaster, and i had to drill holes in the heel of the neck. I just used a hand drill, but unfortunately the holes ended up crooked, so i'm going to have to dowel them. But kudos to you sir for pulling it off :)
@irvingzapata The suggested models for an Epiphone Dot are the B7, B12, B70, and B700. The B5 which is used in this video is for flat top electric guitars.
I have a comment floating about doing a B5 install on an American Series. Like I mentioned, I used a V5-TEAS Vibramate adaptor to maintain a no drill installation in case I want to back the mod out. I also used Graph Tech String Saver saddles because they minimize slipping vs the brass saddles; however, I ended up notching the saddles a small amount on the G-E strings mainly because the note would die when I bent the B string - problem fixed.
The bridge and bridge plate are stock in our Bigsby B5T kit. All pieces shown in the video (B5 vibrato, bridge plate, and bridge) are included with the Telecaster kit.
It is possible to do this install on a string-through Telecaster with ferrules. You just need to make sure that the ferrules are tight in place. If they aren't, a dab of glue usually does does the trick to keep them in place as they won't be used after the vibrato install.
Thanks for your question and support. Currently we do manufacture a left-handed Telecaster kit, but it may still be possible to install a B5 on your Affinity Tele. If the bridge saddles on your bridge mount via an offset screw, you will be able to modify the stock bridge plate and install the B5LH (just the vibrato, no plate or bridge). We have instructional guides on Bigsby.com showing how to modify the plates. Hopefully this helps. Please let us know if you have any other questions.
@edsmusicandstuff Not on every Telecaster, but if the Telecaster has a single coil pickup in the bridge, yes. The actual installation may vary slightly depending on the pickup cavity underneath the bridge plate though.
Hi Pedro, thanks for your question. The B5T kit is designed to fit your Made in Mexico Telecaster. I can't say there is not any risk--as risk is involved anytime you modify something--but adding this kit to your guitar is a straight forward process (would be very similar to this video). That being said, if you do not feel comfortable doing the work yourself, we highly recommend consulting with your local luthier or guitar tech. Please let us know if you have other questions we can help with.
@rayjaysonic it should be close, but its difficult to say. Having the vibrato attached directly to the body is best way to transfer the energy and increase the sustain; but how much difference there would actually be is hard to say.
Hi, thanks for your comment and question. It is still possible to install this kit, but you may have to fill the existing holes in the body, and re-drill. As for the string ferrules in the back, they won't be used as the guitar will be top loaded from the B5. Hopefully this helps; please let us know if you have any other questions.
Did you use a neck shim ? Im thinking about doing the same thing to my (squier affinity tele Sunburst) , and if I didnt use a neck shim would the action be too high?
I'm currently doing a BYO guitar telecaster. I ordered the bigsby vibrato, and I've just finished staining and sanding my guitar. When I tried pre-assembling my guitar to drill my remaining holes, I found that the pegs for my bridge saddles are too small. (Mine are different than yours in the sense that my pegs screw into the inserts rather than sliding as yours does.) What do you suggest I do?
Just a thought, if you were to install a B5 to a guitar using the Vibromate system, would you get the same addition in tone as the Bigsby wouldn't be in direct contact with the body of the guitar in the same manner as drilling into the body?
i heard bigsbys on les pauls go out of tune constantly, because of the angle of the headstock. anyway have you seen the new les pauls with floyd rose trems on?
i have a tele thinline and a redundant bigsby lying around, but have yet had the confidence to make the leap. this vid is great and thanks for the guide but by the sounds of it the only way the tone is altered is it has become wooly! why did you pick the none equiped guitar, in a way only a tele can be picked, an then strum like a school kid to demonstrate the difference? didn't sound too hot afterwards i think, other than that, great vid :)
Hello. I would like to ask what if I installed this on a Blacktop Tele with 2 humbuckers? Will you have the bridge plate to accommodate a humbucker pickup?
can this B5 be installed on a blacktop telecaster? my concern is the two humbuckers on the blacktop... I've seen pictures of the B5 on blacktop, in that case...do I need to replace the bridge that comes originally with the blacktop? I can see (for the pictures seen) that I probably wont need the plate under the bridge that you used on this video
My telecaster has 4 screws in the bridge instead of the 3 in this video and the strings come in through the back of the body, is it still possible to install this?
I actually just successfully completed this mod on a 2003 MIM tele. The bridge works perfectly, and after I set it up, the guitar acoustically sounds and plays great, however for some reason I've lost signal flow altogether. I've gone in and tested the resistance at all of the solder joints and everything seems fine. Is this a problem that you or anybody else you know has experienced?
Hi. I'm looking to install a bigsby on a mustang or jaguar. Would you suggest the b5 and would the project be more difficult, such as an installation on a strat as mention above?
I was wondering the same thing, plus my higher frets are out of tune from the factory and I haven't done this yet, would a simple adjustment on the action fix that?
Hi I'm having a bit of trouble with mine, the screw in the bridge, right under where the strings lay, it has two screw per string and some of these vibrate and create a buzzing sound. I was wondering how I would go about making them stop ( they're the spiral screws) I'll be playing for about 20 min and one of the screws will be almost all the way out due to the vibrations :/ again it's not really a screw it's the spiral thing under the strings.
The string ferrules stay in place in the back of the guitar, unused. If they become loose for some reason, you can dab a bit of glue behind each to keep them in place.
I assume the ideal position for the bridgeplate would be where the bushing holes would be centered at 25.5", so that when the bridge slips into the bushings, it's center is at 25.5", correct or no? I am having a problem in that the bridge pickup is hitting the wall of the pickup route and not allowing the bridgeplate to be positioned at the correct distance 25.5" from the nut. S o I would have to expand the route a bit to allow proper placement of the bridgeplate?
iconoclast-o- matic Thanks for your comment and question. You are absolutely correct that bridge plate should be positioned preserving the 25.5" scale length on a standard Fender/Squier Telecaster. Generally, it isn't necessary to expand the pickup cavity to preserve the scale length, but it may need to happen depending on the individual guitar. Hopefully this helps; please let us know if you have any other questions. Thanks for your support!
Hello Bigsby Team, I want to use a B500 on a Vintage Tele. Definetly a B500. For keeping a Vintage Ash Tray, what would you recommend me to do? I am thinking of sanding the back or the tray for the strings' space, after that, ill the placement of the B500 be a problem? Thanks, Jack.
Hi Jack, thanks for your question. You certainly could use the B500 be hid a vintage 3-saddle bridge. As you suggest, you have to modify the bridge plate for the new string path. This is easily accomplished using a Dremel or hand files. Good luck and please let us know if you have any other questions we may be able to help answer. Thanks for your support!
+David Vesseur Hi; yes the ground is snug at the base of the bridge thimble pinched to the body. Placing it under the thimble continues the contact with the bridge making sure the guitar is grounded (reducing buzz). Thanks for your support and please let us know if you have any other questions we may be able to help answer.
Hi; sorry to hear that you have lost all output. As you say that you have tested the resistance on of the soldier joints, it sounds like could be something as simple as one of the wires to the jack coming loose. It would explain why everything else would still check out fine. As far as the actual adding of the Bigsby, there isn't anything inherent that would make the guitar loose signal. Good luck and let us know how and when you are able to resolve.
Great...thank you for the vid...wish you would have done a little bit 'o whammy work a the end though instead of straight strums...overall excellent tutorial though
This is a nice demonstration...but it would have been more helpful to play the exact riff (using the same p/u settings) at the beginning and the end of the demonstration to truly compare the tone pre vs. post bigsby
Did you use a neck shim ? Im thinking about doing the same thing to my (squier affinity tele Sunburst) , and if I didnt use a neck shim would the action be too high?
Am I the only one who notices that the way he's installed the new bridge plate it isn't even close to being straight? Am I?
Man, am I glad to see someone else doing a mod drilling freehand. I can't tell you how badly many a person has shit when they ask me what type of drill press I use, and I respond with,"I don't." You'd think I had just told them I was a canibal, or something. The fact is, I've done dozens and dozens of builds/mods/upgrades just like this. And with the rare exception, my regular old drill has worked just fine. Keep up the good work!
We will have to take your word for it. You played with your fingers in the before clip, and strummed chords in the second.
Thanks for the additional information. The 72 Tele with a humbucker in the bridge requires additional modification to accommodate a vibrato. You could certainly modify the plate that comes with the B5T kit in this video, or you could use a different bridge all together. Many folks remove the stock bridge and use a tune-o-matic paired with the B5 (not the B5T kit). It is fairly intensive, and if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself we recommend consulting with your local guitar tech.
Howdy; thanks for your support and the question. The B5 is the suggested vibrato model for both a Mustang and Jaguar. Depending on the current configuration of the guitar, it could be an intensive install as the bridge may need to be changed (though most likely not as intense as on a Strat). If you have a specific model you are thinking about, feel free to share a photo and we'd be happy to offer any assistance possible.
Hi there, we'll do our best. If the notes are 'fretting out' or simply don't sound right, it could be that the bridge is too low. This is the first place we would check. Overall height is adjustable by the 2 outside allen screws (in the 'legs' if the bridge). Individual string heights are adjustable on the saddle. Another item to check is the neck; it could be as simple as a truss rod adjustment. Hopefully this helps. Let us know if you have any other questions we may be able to assist with.
Hi Ben, thanks for your question. Currently, we do not offer a bridge plate sized for a humbucking pickup. There are a couple of options available to you. Modifying the stock plate (enlarging slot for HB), or to change the stock bridge to a tune-o-matic style and get our standard B5 (not the T-kit). The second option is more common but still requires a fair amount of modification to the guitar. We suggest consulting with your local tech if you don't feel comfortable doing the work yourself.
Hi-thanks for your comment. You are correct, you wouldn't need to B5T kit (B5, bridge, bridge plate), just the B5 vibrato. As you suggest though, the stock bridge needs to be changed. A common choice for the replacement is a Tune-O-Matic style. Hopefully this helps; please let us know if you have other questions we may be able to assist with.
Hi Michael, thanks for your question. While it would be possible to retro-fit a B5 onto a Strat, it would take a substantial amount of modification. If you decide to go ahead with the project, the stock bridge assembly needs to be removed, cavity filled, new bridge placed (not combo bridge/tailpiece), and body (or B5 body) sanded to match the contour of the other. Certainly possible, but an intensive project. Hopefully this helps. If you have any other questions, please let us know.
since this is the only video on the Tele B5, I think it's super important on exactly where the bridge plate is positioned !! Hopefully we'll get a reply.
Phil Hawk Thanks for your question. You are correct, getting the placement of the bridge and bridge plate is super important. This Tele has a scale length of 25.5" and we had to make sure that distance was achievable during this installation. There is a small bit of flexibility with the distance range of the saddles, but again, it is indeed very important to make sure that the original scale length can be achieved.
Absolutely. If you were to remove the vibrato setup in the future and replaced the stock bridge, everything would function as it did before the B5 install. Obviously there would be additional holes from the vibrato installation, but everything would still function the same.
Hi, thanks for your comment. In the case of installing a B5 on a Telecaster, it generally isn't necessary to change the pitch of the neck as the replacement bridge is roughly the same height as the original. However, if you use a B16, it is indeed necessary to pitch the neck to accommodate the new bridge. We'll have a video coming in the future detailing the process of the B16 install. I hope this answers your question; please let us know if there is anything else we may be able to assist with.
Very interesting video.
Hi, sorry to hear you are having a problem; thankfully this one has an easy solution. A little trick to keep the saddle height adjustment screws in place is to dab a small amount of clear fingernail polish on each one. Once you have the height and intonation set, the polish is strong enough to hold screws in place, but weak enough that you'll easily be able to break the bond if you need to. Hopefully this helps; please let us know if you have any other questions we may be able to assist with.
Hi Meagan-thanks for your question. The B5T kit can be installed on some Thinline Teles, but it depends on the model. If you would like to share which model Thinline you have or send a photo, we'd be happy to recommend the suggested vibrato models.
Hello Nikita, thanks for your comment and question. You can certainly use the kit in this video to modify your Telecaster with a vintage style bridge. Additionally, you could simply use the B5 vibrato and modify the stock bridge plate on your guitar. Check out Bigsby.com for a detailed step-by-step process for the bridge mod. Hopefully this helps. If you have any other questions that we may be able to assist with, please let us know. Thanks for your support!
Thanks for your comment. If the upper frets are not in tune with the comparable notes an octave below (on the same string), it most likely needs to have the intonation adjusted. The adjustments could include movement of the saddles, and/or neck relief. If you do not feel comfortable making these adjustments yourself, we suggest taking the guitar to your local luthier or guitar tech.
You'll have to check with your local Guitar Center. Some GCs do have repair/installation facilities, but not all locations do.
this is great. question, why did the bridge-plate have to be put on a lil crooked compared to the pickguard?
If you lined them up straight would there be any problems with the resulting bridge angle?
I'm asking because I might do a project like this, and would rather have the gaps nice and pretty.
as your post was a month ago i dont know if you know the answer but yes they do :D. eventually i might buy the left handed version of the kit to fit to my tele
I've been working on my first partscaster, and i had to drill holes in the heel of the neck. I just used a hand drill, but unfortunately the holes ended up crooked, so i'm going to have to dowel them. But kudos to you sir for pulling it off :)
Nice work man!
@irvingzapata The suggested models for an Epiphone Dot are the B7, B12, B70, and B700. The B5 which is used in this video is for flat top electric guitars.
how much would it cost to have somebody put a bigsby in my tele?
I have a comment floating about doing a B5 install on an American Series. Like I mentioned, I used a V5-TEAS Vibramate adaptor to maintain a no drill installation in case I want to back the mod out. I also used Graph Tech String Saver saddles because they minimize slipping vs the brass saddles; however, I ended up notching the saddles a small amount on the G-E strings mainly because the note would die when I bent the B string - problem fixed.
The bridge and bridge plate are stock in our Bigsby B5T kit. All pieces shown in the video (B5 vibrato, bridge plate, and bridge) are included with the Telecaster kit.
It is possible to do this install on a string-through Telecaster with ferrules. You just need to make sure that the ferrules are tight in place. If they aren't, a dab of glue usually does does the trick to keep them in place as they won't be used after the vibrato install.
Seems like an interesting project to do a cheap Tele such as the Affinity series.
that's ace. do you think it would be possible to see how a B5 kit is installed on a SG model? I'm seriously considering to buy it and do it myself...
I got myself a vintage B5 on my tele!!
Thanks for your question and support. Currently we do manufacture a left-handed Telecaster kit, but it may still be possible to install a B5 on your Affinity Tele. If the bridge saddles on your bridge mount via an offset screw, you will be able to modify the stock bridge plate and install the B5LH (just the vibrato, no plate or bridge). We have instructional guides on Bigsby.com showing how to modify the plates. Hopefully this helps. Please let us know if you have any other questions.
@edsmusicandstuff Not on every Telecaster, but if the Telecaster has a single coil pickup in the bridge, yes. The actual installation may vary slightly depending on the pickup cavity underneath the bridge plate though.
Nice tutorial, I'm really considering of installing one on my tele... Does Bigsby sell complete B5 + Bridgeplate sets?
Hi Pedro, thanks for your question. The B5T kit is designed to fit your Made in Mexico Telecaster. I can't say there is not any risk--as risk is involved anytime you modify something--but adding this kit to your guitar is a straight forward process (would be very similar to this video). That being said, if you do not feel comfortable doing the work yourself, we highly recommend consulting with your local luthier or guitar tech. Please let us know if you have other questions we can help with.
@rayjaysonic
it should be close, but its difficult to say. Having the vibrato attached directly to the body is best way to transfer the energy and increase the sustain; but how much difference there would actually be is hard to say.
Hi, thanks for your comment and question. It is still possible to install this kit, but you may have to fill the existing holes in the body, and re-drill. As for the string ferrules in the back, they won't be used as the guitar will be top loaded from the B5. Hopefully this helps; please let us know if you have any other questions.
Did you use a neck shim ? Im thinking about doing the same thing to my (squier affinity tele Sunburst) , and if I didnt use a neck shim would the action be too high?
Great video, thanks. But... what's the point of installing a bigsby on a Squier??
But once I install a bigsby, and if I decide to remove it for some reason in the future, would I still be able to use the string through body?
I'm currently doing a BYO guitar telecaster. I ordered the bigsby vibrato, and I've just finished staining and sanding my guitar. When I tried pre-assembling my guitar to drill my remaining holes, I found that the pegs for my bridge saddles are too small. (Mine are different than yours in the sense that my pegs screw into the inserts rather than sliding as yours does.) What do you suggest I do?
The manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP) is $264.00.
Just a thought, if you were to install a B5 to a guitar using the Vibromate system, would you get the same addition in tone as the Bigsby wouldn't be in direct contact with the body of the guitar in the same manner as drilling into the body?
i heard bigsbys on les pauls go out of tune constantly, because of the angle of the headstock. anyway have you seen the new les pauls with floyd rose trems on?
Would this be doable on a strat?
i have a tele thinline and a redundant bigsby lying around, but have yet had the confidence to make the leap. this vid is great and thanks for the guide but by the sounds of it the only way the tone is altered is it has become wooly! why did you pick the none equiped guitar, in a way only a tele can be picked, an then strum like a school kid to demonstrate the difference? didn't sound too hot afterwards i think, other than that, great vid :)
What happens to the string through body system when you do this?
Hello. I would like to ask what if I installed this on a Blacktop Tele with 2 humbuckers? Will you have the bridge plate to accommodate a humbucker pickup?
can this B5 be installed on a blacktop telecaster? my concern is the two humbuckers on the blacktop... I've seen pictures of the B5 on blacktop, in that case...do I need to replace the bridge that comes originally with the blacktop? I can see (for the pictures seen) that I probably wont need the plate under the bridge that you used on this video
My telecaster has 4 screws in the bridge instead of the 3 in this video and the strings come in through the back of the body, is it still possible to install this?
I actually just successfully completed this mod on a 2003 MIM tele. The bridge works perfectly, and after I set it up, the guitar acoustically sounds and plays great, however for some reason I've lost signal flow altogether. I've gone in and tested the resistance at all of the solder joints and everything seems fine. Is this a problem that you or anybody else you know has experienced?
Hi. I'm looking to install a bigsby on a mustang or jaguar. Would you suggest the b5 and would the project be more difficult, such as an installation on a strat as mention above?
I was wondering the same thing, plus my higher frets are out of tune from the factory and I haven't done this yet, would a simple adjustment on the action fix that?
Hi I'm having a bit of trouble with mine, the screw in the bridge, right under where the strings lay, it has two screw per string and some of these vibrate and create a buzzing sound. I was wondering how I would go about making them stop ( they're the spiral screws) I'll be playing for about 20 min and one of the screws will be almost all the way out due to the vibrations :/ again it's not really a screw it's the spiral thing under the strings.
Will the B5 kit work the same on a thinline tele? Or will the sound change be a lot different from the video?
The string ferrules stay in place in the back of the guitar, unused. If they become loose for some reason, you can dab a bit of glue behind each to keep them in place.
And also if my bridge cavity is the same do I need to add the 5th screw to the bridge or will it be alright to just add 4?
can u plz show a video on how to install a bigsby on a les paul?
what about the neck pitch? did it change?
I assume the ideal position for the bridgeplate would be where the bushing holes would be centered at 25.5", so that when the bridge slips into the bushings, it's center is at 25.5", correct or no?
I am having a problem in that the bridge pickup is hitting the wall of the pickup route and not allowing the bridgeplate to be positioned at the correct distance 25.5" from the nut. S o I would have to expand the route a bit to allow proper placement of the bridgeplate?
iconoclast-o- matic Thanks for your comment and question. You are absolutely correct that bridge plate should be positioned preserving the 25.5" scale length on a standard Fender/Squier Telecaster. Generally, it isn't necessary to expand the pickup cavity to preserve the scale length, but it may need to happen depending on the individual guitar. Hopefully this helps; please let us know if you have any other questions. Thanks for your support!
anyone know what bridge and plate that is? would be a massive help
Hello Bigsby Team,
I want to use a B500 on a Vintage Tele. Definetly a B500. For keeping a Vintage Ash Tray, what would you recommend me to do? I am thinking of sanding the back or the tray for the strings' space, after that, ill the placement of the B500 be a problem?
Thanks,
Jack.
Hi Jack, thanks for your question. You certainly could use the B500 be hid a vintage 3-saddle bridge. As you suggest, you have to modify the bridge plate for the new string path. This is easily accomplished using a Dremel or hand files. Good luck and please let us know if you have any other questions we may be able to help answer. Thanks for your support!
i have a question. Can i put a bigsby on a Stratocaster?
I've heard that the B7 model is the best for a Les Paul.
that drastically changed the tone - and imho not for the better
id like to instal b5 with my 3saddle bridge, can you tell something about this manipulation?
Thats what I thought. On my tele, they do go through the back, would that mean i am unable to install a bigsby?
Did you attach a ground wire to the bridge plate? If so, how did you attach it?
+David Vesseur Hi; yes the ground is snug at the base of the bridge thimble pinched to the body. Placing it under the thimble continues the contact with the bridge making sure the guitar is grounded (reducing buzz). Thanks for your support and please let us know if you have any other questions we may be able to help answer.
can i install this on a epiphone dot?
Hi; sorry to hear that you have lost all output. As you say that you have tested the resistance on of the soldier joints, it sounds like could be something as simple as one of the wires to the jack coming loose. It would explain why everything else would still check out fine. As far as the actual adding of the Bigsby, there isn't anything inherent that would make the guitar loose signal. Good luck and let us know how and when you are able to resolve.
how much does this kit cost?
Great...thank you for the vid...wish you would have done a little bit 'o whammy work a the end though instead of straight strums...overall excellent tutorial though
what if the Telecaster has string Furls?
on ebay, the average price is around 140/150USD for a complete set...
Am I the only one who feels compelled to blow away the bits of wood ever time he drills??
@S34n4s4ur haha... thats the whole reason im watching this video... thinking bout putting one on mine...
good call!
This is a nice demonstration...but it would have been more helpful to play the exact riff (using the same p/u settings) at the beginning and the end of the demonstration to truly compare the tone pre vs. post bigsby
i can't tell the difference between "before" and "after" I'm just dumb or something?
I have a '72 reissue - looks just like this one sweetwater(.)com/store/detail/Tele72TMNAT What model do you think would work best on it?
Bigsby's just look great even if, as in this case, the damn thing probably costs more than the guitar it's fitted to!
You can
elmers glue? hahaha
On this telecaster, the strings don't go through the body. I expect they ran through the back edge of the bridge plate originally.
Did you use a neck shim ? Im thinking about doing the same thing to my (squier affinity tele Sunburst) , and if I didnt use a neck shim would the action be too high?
Is there any lefty telecaster kit ? Ive got affinity tele but mine is lefthanded so was wondering if i could add bigsby to it