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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 217
Location: Snåsa, Norway | I love the look and feel of the Bigsby trem on my electric, but not when I restring it. Is there any good and easy way to do this in without finger acrobatics to keep the ball ends in place while tighting the strings? :confused:
Would probably make my electric happy with fresh strings more often!! |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | tape the string on the post, then tighten. then tape the next one. |
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Joined:
July 2007
Posts: 325
Location: Texas | I have a guitar with a bigsby - take 2 xanax and a shot of tequila - it will make it much less frustrating that way. Never thought about taping the string - Good idea!!! |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 1889
Location: Central Massachusetts | Are you doing the 45-degree kink trick? That helps. Haven't tried it, but I've heard a little home-made wedge made out of styrofoam or cardboard helps.
PS, and it's not OT! I have a Bigsby on my Ovation Eclipse! :) |
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Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 22
Location: Ky | The 45 degree kink works best -keeps it from slipping off the little peg while you take one hand & crank the tuning peg, while keeping tension with your other hand. One of those goobers that goes on the drill helps a lot, especially with the Bigsby.
Also, having 3 hands would help, but with a little practice it gets easier. Without the kink, it's a real pain, though. Personally, I'm kind of like Brian Setzer -I can't play without a Bigsby. Of course I can't play like him no matter what I have.
Just don't get a Rickenbacker with the "R" tailpiece - then you need 4 hands to change strings. |
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Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | It`s a cinch....all U need are four hands and a thumb...
Kidding Aside ;...I made a cardboard template,that slides under the tremolo/bridge ,remove old string,then insert new string (at end)through peg,then ,other end ,over saddle ,under roller,over Tremolo-roller,bend under,secure at pin...on my WASHBURN J-9..see..nothin`to it.. :)
:cool: Vic |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 651
Location: Australia | I own 3 Gretsch guitars all wth Bigsby's.
As DVD said, you need to make the kink in the string to help keep it on the pin.
As long as you keep the tension on the string as you wind it you should have no problems.
Contrary to rumor, Bigsby's work well and stay in tune providing the guitar is set up correctly.
This is from the official website:
Question: Is it difficult to re-string a Bigsby?
Re-Stringing the Bigsby Vibrato
1. Crimp the string at a 45 o angle next to the ball end (A).
2. Feed the string underneath, around and over the axle (B).
3. Place the ball end of the string onto the axle pin (C), keeping tension on the string to hold the ball in place.
4. Push a foam wedge (D) into the space under the axle to keep the string in place on the pin while winding.
5. Wind the string onto the tuning machine, tune to pitch and remove the foam wedge.
6. Repeat for each string. |
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Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | I disagree with the kink in the string....that will induce tuning problems...well,a slight bend maybe.. :)
Vic |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 1889
Location: Central Massachusetts | The kink is right where the string bends over the axle anyway, it gets pulled tight when you tune to pitch. Make a point to kink it in the direction the string will be pulled anyway and it'll be fine. |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 651
Location: Australia | You're right DVD, no tuning problems at all. I've been stringing my Gretsches this way for 15 years.
Most important thing for tuning stability with a Bigsby is a well cut nut, preferably bone, graphite or slipstone. |
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OT - restringing a bigsby
