Vibramate

StefStoep

Has anybody used one of these before?

http://www.vibramate.com/vibramate-v5.php

I am considering adding a Bigsby on my SG and I don't want to drill holes into the body. The Vibramate will allow me to add the Bigsby and it fits into the current holes for the stoptail, and then the bigsby fit onto the vibramate.

I assume the tone will be different to a guitar with the bigsby fitted directly onto the body.

i currently own 3 guitars with stoptails and tune-o-matic bridges, so it might be nice to have the option of the bigsby on one of them and the SG is the natural choice since it is the lightest and adding the extra weight to it won't kill me when standing with the guitar.

Do i need to also fit a roller bridge? As i have seen many pics of guitars with a bigsby that has a standard bridge.

Any negative aspects of a bigsby that I should be aware of?

The pic below is an SG fitted with a Vibramate and Bigsby B5.

Chocklit_Thunda

The tone really isn't that different... People often equate a little screw or two going into the body as changing the entire tone but really it still sits the same way on the body and most of the vibrations are the same...
also you don't need a roller bridge (some even believe them to be tone-suckers) but make sure your saddle edges are not sharp and your nut is well cut to stop the strings from catching and breaking or causing tuning issues.

the only negative aspect I can think of about a bigsby is that I don't have one yet! ?

also, people complain and whine about restringing one due to the little pins but it's really easier than they make it out to be... you just use a capo to keep the string taut on the bridge side while you tune them up to tension

StefStoep

Chocklit_Thunda wrote:

the only negative aspect I can think of about a bigsby is that I don't have one yet! ?

AlanRatcliffe

Haven't used one, but have only heard good things. Great solution for those who don't want to do the whole major install thing.

Explorerlover

I am also looking at maybe getting a Bigsby for what I am building now. Apparently there is a tone difference (for the better ) because of the mass, but I don't know how true that is. ( I'm sure my ears won't hear it anyways.. )...

Stef, don't wanna hijack your thread, but can anybody tell me where one can find a tele bridge as per the below pic?

Jayhell

If I remember correctly, the same company that makes the Vibramate also makes a thingy (excuse the technical jargon) that makes the strings easier to change on a Bigsby and I'm sure they have a solution for the Telecaster too. I was looking into this a while back, but then sold the guitar I had it in mind for.

StefStoep

Explorerlover wrote: I am also looking at maybe getting a Bigsby for what I am building now. Apparently there is a tone difference (for the better ) because of the mass, but I don't know how true that is. ( I'm sure my ears won't hear it anyways.. )...

Stef, don't wanna hijack your thread, but can anybody tell me where one can find a tele bridge as per the below pic?

I think this is the one you are looking for also made by Vibramate. I saw Stewmac had the Vibramate-Bigsby combo i want, they should probably hae the tele one as well.

http://www.vibramate.com/vibramate-v5tev2-install.php

Explorerlover

Dankie man... dit is presies hy... ?

Chocklit_Thunda

Explorerlover wrote: I am also looking at maybe getting a Bigsby for what I am building now. Apparently there is a tone difference (for the better ) because of the mass, but I don't know how true that is. ( I'm sure my ears won't hear it anyways.. )...

Stef, don't wanna hijack your thread, but can anybody tell me where one can find a tele bridge as per the below pic?

The bridge itself is a regular tele ashtray bridge with the back wall cut out, leaving just the metal where the screws go through. The unit on the back of the bigsby is to solve string change issues. You can buy both with a bit of searching. The bridge, you can make yourself...

Explorerlover

Chocklit_Thunda wrote: The bridge itself is a regular tele ashtray bridge with the back wall cut out, leaving just the metal where the screws go through. The unit on the back of the bigsby is to solve string change issues. You can buy both with a bit of searching. The bridge, you can make yourself...

I figured as much, but just realised that the shape of the body I am using isn't going to work with this Vibramate bracket. It seems some fabrication is on the cards after all...

Psean

Chocklit_Thunda wrote: the only negative aspect I can think of about a bigsby is that I don't have one yet! ?

Dude, you had an offer of a free one! Why have you not picked it up yet? ???

Chocklit_Thunda

Psean wrote:
Chocklit_Thunda wrote: the only negative aspect I can think of about a bigsby is that I don't have one yet! ?
Dude, you had an offer of a free one! Why have you not picked it up yet? ???

I haven't had the time :'( :'( :'( I chose the worst degree course in history.....

peterleroux

Chocklit_Thunda wrote: I haven't had the time :'( :'( :'( I chose the worst degree course in history.....

Indeed you did mr Architect ?

Hammeron

Visually, completely destroys the Tele, takes away it's simplistic subtelty. Ruins the SG to.

Vintage-Vibe

Just beware tuning stability - Gibbos don't stay in tune as well as some other axes at the best of times without a Bigsby ... locking tuners ala Brian Setzer will help it behave better ...

Psean

Hammeron wrote: Visually, completely destroys the Tele, takes away it's simplistic subtelty. Ruins the SG to.

WRONG! ?

Hehe. Different strokes...

Psean

Chocklit_Thunda wrote:
Psean wrote:
Chocklit_Thunda wrote: the only negative aspect I can think of about a bigsby is that I don't have one yet! ?
Dude, you had an offer of a free one! Why have you not picked it up yet? ???
I haven't had the time :'( :'( :'( I chose the worst degree course in history.....

Aah. Sucks man. Hope you get a break to grab it soon.

Tokai-SA

Contact Christian at Towner Vibrato Guitar parts.

http://townerusa.com/towner-screwless-vibrato-systems/

christian@townerusa.com

Hammeron

Psean wrote:
Hammeron wrote: Visually, completely destroys the Tele, takes away it's simplistic subtelty. Ruins the SG to.
WRONG! ?

Hehe. Different strokes...

However, on the hollow body it looks great, fills a gap, doesn't look cluttered.

Psean

Hammeron wrote:
Psean wrote:
Hammeron wrote: Visually, completely destroys the Tele, takes away it's simplistic subtelty. Ruins the SG to.
WRONG! ?

Hehe. Different strokes...
However, on the hollow body it looks great, fills a gap, doesn't look cluttered.

Nah, I reckon it works on the Tele. Looks like some solid piece of machinery, to go with a solid piece of wood. Works for me on the SG too. Basically looks good to me on most guitars with vintage origins besides a Strat...