Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hello,

I'm new to the forum and have an issue that I'd like some advice on. I recently purchased a 2002 325C58 MG from an original owner. I love the shorter scale and think it sounds great with flatwounds.

Anyway, the original owner replaced the stock Kauffman vibrato unit with a Bigsby. The Bigsby was professionally installed but I know that holes must have been drilled to accommodate the Bigsby unit. The Kauffman unit came with the instrument and I am considering putting it back on. Other than this, the guitar is in otherwise mint-like condition.

Three questions:

1. How much visible damage can I expect to see on the instrument should I replace the Bigsby with the original Kauffman?

2. Is the switch able to be performed by a "typical guitar player" or should I go to a competent repair shop?

3. Should I keep the Kauffman in mothballs and just enjoy the Bigsby because the instrument plays well and is probably a better unit anyway?

My only real motivation for switching is that it's making me a bit crazy to think the guitar has rogue parts on it.

Thanks for your advice!

Mike

Michael: Welcome to The Rickenbacker Forum and congratulations on the 325C58.

If it was my instrument I would be doing just what has been done to it, that is I would have added the Bigsby vibrato. Lennon did not care for the Kauffman and hence the change.

If you wanted to save this as a collector's edition and never play it then I could see your point. Returning it to stock, although you would certainly have to deal with the fallout from the switch back, that is repair holes in the top of the instrument.

I would enjoy it the way it is. It is a cooler Lennon look and the Bigsby is also functional, should you choose to use it.

My two cents.

My .02 (American Bush pennies, so somewhat devalued) is to do what the man says.

The holes will be visible, and there is no way to fill them and make them invisible. The Bigsby is built like a brick outhouse and is definitely the choice.

You simply have a Lennon replica that's a couple of months newer than the original Lennon ex-factory 325.

Happy playing.

As a player rather than a collector, I'll take the advice and enjoy the upgraded instrument. Now, my other problem is that, with the increased bulk of the Bigsby, the nice original silver case will no longer close. Because of this, I'm storing it in an acoustic guitar case as they are deeper.

You did swivel the bigsby handle down, I assume?

Welcome, Michael. I bought my 325c58MG used also, but it still had the Kauffman and roller bridge on it. The Kauffman was very cool to look at, but it definitely knocked the guitar out of tune if I used it. The roller bridge rattled as well.

I know some people here have talked about "pinning" the Kauffman which keeps it from moving, but I think this also disables it from being a whammy bar.

I immediately replaced the Kauffman with a Bigsby B-5 and the bowtie bridge. Sounds better. Feels more stable. I think the Bigsby really improved my guitar. I've kept the Kauffman and ocasionally show it to people. I'm glad I went through the process and I would never put that contraption back on my guitar.

Welcome, Michael, as Paul said you have to swing the arm around(as far as allowable) where the case closes properly.

If this fails, then you might have a similar problem I had, the spring needs to be reduced or replaced.

A pinned Kaufmann allows us to keep the historic look and still play the guitar. Of course, there is no vibrato effect. Kind of a paradox, but if you love the look, then...

Welcome to the forum, Michael.

I can't say anything from user experience, but man, those Bigsby's look fantastic, and are the perfect upgrade. It is an upgrade that never really alters the value or collectibility---you can't say that about too many other after-market upgrades. Leaving it on gives it the ultimate Beatles/Lennon look. Congrats on your purchase. You have one of the most awesome guitars in existence.

Joe,
Beautiful guitar you have there.

Hey, great responses! Yup, that Bigsby sure looks good and given what I've been hearing and reading, it will be on to stay.

In terms of the case clearance, the silver case will shut and latch closed with some effort and yes, the arm is in the downward (swung-out-to-the-bottom) position. Even so, the puffy lining on the top of the case (over the spring mechanism) doesn't compress as much as I'd like am I'm hesitant to snip away at it with a knife as the case is otherwise nearly mint. I'd just like another 1/3-1/2 inch or so of clearance and I'll feel better about closing and latching the case.

I had the guitar checked out and the Bigsby unit is on properly, so there's not much I can do in terms of tweaks.

Michael: There is a one inch spring and a 7/8th spring for this unit. Also you can cut the spring if you need to have the arm lowered slightly.

Keep the Bigsby! the Kauffman is horrid. they look really cool, but that's about it. I

Ok, so the Bigsby stays. Now, where can I get one of those really nice bowtie-shaped bridges? The rectangular one I've got now does the trick but is pretty ugly.

Try www.ricpage.com. Bowtie will go for about $30.

Greg Feo has an original with patina for...YIKES!