Bigsby 325

Setup, repair and restoration of Rickenbacker Instruments

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tony_carey
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Post by tony_carey »

I wouldn't put it on any of my present gtrs, especially my 1997 (looks like another 1997 will be on it's way to me soon!!!!). I would look for a standard 330 to put it on. I have used the bigsby on a clients collection of Gretsches & really like it. I just can't bring myself to but another manufacturers gtr though...not with so many Rics that need loving homes, so I will end up with a bigsby'd 330 at some point!

Haven't seen the John Fogerty DVD...I'll look out for it.
'Rickenbacker'...what a name! After all these years, it still thrills me.
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Post by admin »

Tony: You must see this Premonition DVD, but then you already knew that!
Life, as with music, often requires one to let go of the melody and listen to the rhythm

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jingle_jangle
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Post by jingle_jangle »

Tony, as I thought...$150 over here, 150 pounds over there. That's about $275.00 in today's Bush dollars. And Brits on average earn 2/3 of what Americans do...really tests one's mettle, huh?
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doctorwho
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Post by doctorwho »

Here is an older "artsy" picture I took of my 1984 325v59 JG at an oblique angle, giving an idea of the Bigsby's arm-to-body distance on it:

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Scastles
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Post by Scastles »

Upon further review (and looking at Gary's pic) I think my Bigsby may have more problems than just the size of the spring. The gap from arm to body is just too much. It angles upwards too significantly. I think my luthier (using the term loosely) is going to have to do some notable adjusting.
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Post by admin »

Stan: What gauge strings do you have on your guitar?
Life, as with music, often requires one to let go of the melody and listen to the rhythm

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Scastles
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Post by Scastles »

.012's -.054s
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Post by admin »

12's is creeping up there, however, it is likely that 13's would bring it down further should you be prepared to go that high.
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Scastles
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Post by Scastles »

May try it. The ones I have on now are Pyramids. The first set of Pyramids I've ever owned. I don't know...in a state of flux over this.
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Post by admin »

Stan: Send us a photo of your Bigsby. I would not be wild about changing the Pyramids at this point. You can explore other springs and some of the Gretsch folks have just bent the arm to where they feel it should be.
Life, as with music, often requires one to let go of the melody and listen to the rhythm

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Scastles
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Post by Scastles »

I will try to get a couple angle shots out later. I would have already have done it today but my wife has a habit of putting things, like cameras, in different spots all the time. Nothing is in the same place twice. If I ever get a little mind deficent I'll be a goner in my own home.
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Post by jingle_jangle »

Stan, the springs can be compressed by clamping them in a vise and squeezing down (trial and error) or they can be replaced with hardware store springs. Any Home Depot has a pretty good spring selection. They can also be cut with a Dremel equipped with a thin abrasive wheel.
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
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Scastles
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Post by Scastles »

Does this looked screwed up or what?

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ozover50
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Post by ozover50 »

Thanks for that, Peter. I've got the Premonition CD (but you knew that!) - didn't know it was available on DVD. Goin' shoppin' tonight!!

BTW, I reckon the song itself rocks!!
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jingle_jangle
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Post by jingle_jangle »

Your guitar needs prosthetic help, Stan.
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
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