Vibramate

StefStoep · 2014-06-10T12:44:27+00:00

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 i...

Vibramate

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...

singemonkey

Locking tuners won't help you stay in tune. They just make string changes easier. Tuning problems with a Bigsby, as with ~~any vibrato tailpiece~~ any non-locking vibrato tailpiece come from the strings sticking on the bridge or, much more commonly, in the nut slots. Get the nut professionally seen to and add some graphite powder in there for extra lube.

When I asked about it, long time Bigsby users said that a rolling bridge is a tone-killer and does very little for your tuning. Just use your standard tune-o-matic and make sure the saddles are properly cut. That's what I've got and I have no tuning issues.

Hammeron, my guess is you're just not familiar with seeing these guitars with Bigsbys. It's a classic configuration. Mick Taylor rocked a cherry SG with a Bigsby B5 like that when the Rolling Stones were the greatest rock 'n roll band in the world, and a Bigsbyd Tele is a thing of loveliness.

Chabenda

I'm with Hammeron and Vintage Vibe on this.

The creaking sounds of strings hanging up in the bridge and nut (which at least can be alleviated) comes to mind. I had an old sixties SG with one which was great until you grabbed the whammy bar.

Hammeron's right about the looks IMO. It makes it look a bit like a breakdown truck.

AlanRatcliffe

String saver saddles work wonders for bridge binding, but Yeah, a stock TOM is better than the roller bridges.

Looks-wise, a Bigsby brings a certain vibe to any plank, which you either like or don't. I'm cursed with liking the look, but not the trem (any trem for that matter) or the weight. The extra weight actually works well on an SG, BTW - stops neck dive in it's tracks... ?

Chabenda

"The extra weight actually works well on an SG, BTW - stops neck dive in it's tracks... "

Yes - if you stick the whammy bar into the belt loop on your jeans ?

singemonkey

?

My breakdown truck: ?

Riding bareback too...