Took the Bigsby off my SG... and...

[Robb]

Bigsbys are good looking but I have a hard time getting used to them.

 

[fitz]

Just an update:
The Vibramate String Spoiler came the other day, and strings showed up today.
Got the Bigsby on the Firebird restrung.



I've changed strings on that Bigsby a few times and I gotta say, the String Spoiler is a godsend.
Trying to keep the ball end on those little pins while winding the tuners at the other end can be a PITA.
Combined with the Steinberger's, I'm not sure if changing strings could possibly be easier....
Thread it, pull it, clamp it, tune it, done.



And a close up of the SG 50th back to stock.

 

[JohnnyGoo]

Those are beautifull guitars Fitz.Our very own Hackmaster drives those string pins out of the Bigsby then you can just string the guitar strings through the holes. Just a FYI for ya.

 

[fitz]

Those are beautifull guitars Fitz.Our very own Hackmaster drives those string pins out of the Bixbeys then you can just string the guitar strings through the holes. Just a FYI for ya.

Thanks!
Driving the pins out is genius.
Now you tell me...

 

[JohnnyGoo]

Im suprized ol Hackmaster didnt chime in on this so i took the liberty.Another Bigsby trick he performs is he grinds the stop off the Bigsby not sure if its the arm or the Bigsby itself but it allows you to swivel the arm all the way around.I think once this is done you can rotate the arm 360 circle.

 

[fitz]

Im suprized ol Hackmaster didnt chime in on this so i took the liberty.Another Bigsby trick he performs is he grinds the stop off the Bigsby not sure if its the arm or the Bigsby itself but it allows you to swivel the arm all the way around.I think once this is done you can rotate the arm 360 circle.

There is a knub on the cam bracket.
Grinding that off would let the arm rotate 360.
It goes about 270 as is, but keeps the arm from going over the strings.
I guess if you were picking and wiggle sticking at the same time, that could be useful.

 

[fitz]

Update:
Didn't want to start a new thread for this, so tagging it on here.

Got a Chet Atkins trem arm for the Bigsby.
Here's a stock pic from the listing.



Before pic for reference.



Some after shots.



One set screw on the trem shaft to swap out the whole assembly, and some little setscrews for adjusting the arm.



Can rotate around 360 degrees.
Not a lot of clearance at the end of the arm for "wiggling".
Might slide the arm out and adjust the bend at the cam bracket a bit.
I like the look of it, but the geometry needs some tweaking.

 

[DirtySteve]

It looks better IMO.

 

[Robb]

Yep, real looker.

 

[JohnnyGoo]

Another looks better vote.