Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I was going to install a Bigsby B5 on my 325C58 but found out it would not fit. I had the B5 flush with the back and the forward mount by the handle was about 1/4 inch above the guitar. The B5 went past the slant in body of the guitar to where it went into the air. I have not read where anybody had this problem. The B5 was made in the good ole U.S.of A. I'll post the pictures. I thought it was a simple procedure? Is there a different B5? Any help would be appreciated.[img]http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p21/moonraker07/DSCN0473-1.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p21/moonraker07/DSCN0474.jpg[/img]

Of course,I fit it after the old vibrato was off. I took the pictures after it was put back together. I looked in The Beatles Gear picture of Lennon's guitar and The B5 fit wthin the slant. Compare the pictures.

The B5 on John's guitar was a British export which was slightly smaller than the standard American Bigsby. I have a 325V59 with the Bigsby on it, and it fits within the slant. I don't know if the B5 on the V59 is a smaller version or not.
If you need a bowtie bridge, I have an extra one.

I've never liked the look of a B5 with that big honking boss hanging off there on the treble side.

Here's an '80s 325 with one installed...Note that the boss has been cut off and the area filed smooth and polished to make it even with the bass side.

It never would have fit without this modification.

The screw that the boss formerly housed, is now located in the center of the spring pad.



If you want to build an exact replica of Lennon's C58, then you might have to find an old, small one...this could prove to be difficult.

I appreciate the offer Kris, but I have the Bowtie. I was at a loss as to why this one would not work. I knew there was a difference between the USA and British but I thought that was way back. I guess I need to find a small one.

Perhaps Paul knows - Is the Bigsby B5 installed on the 325V59 a recreation of the smaller British version? And is that version of a B5 available?

This is what you would be looking for, Don. A Selmer model 3061, licensed to Selmer by Bigsby.

There you go - The British equivalent to the B5, still being made.

Actually, there are on occasions NOS models which come up for sale. So, good luck.

I don't think the Selmer version is still being made...

Don, Lennon's B5 was USA made. Lennon's B5 has all late 50's Paul Bigsby characteristics including allen screws at the string pins. I have compared vintage US B5's side by side with vintage Selmer B5's. Selmers castings are slightly smaller by 3%+/-. The base/width of both units are near identical.

The problem with The C58 is that the tail ramp is nothing like Lennon's Capri 325. I kindly addressed this issue with the CEO several years ago but for some reason was impolitely snubbed.

It's obviously nothing like the V59 either, as the B5 fits perfectly on it.

Funny you should mention the screws at the string pins, Karl. I had read where the Selmer's differed from the U.S. Bigsby because they came with the screws.

http://www.vintagehofner.co.uk/factfiles/bigsby/bigsby.html

Thanks for the information everyone. I was just confused with what people had used that had already converted theirs. I will look for the Selmer Model.

American Bigsbys--and the Asian licensees--use hardened roll pins to secure the strings. I've never heard of one of these working loose...it's a superior way to secure the strings.