Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

While I have never been a big fan of the Bigsby pickup, you have to admit that it is a cool look that harkens back to Lennon on the 325 or 350 models. It is a very nice look on Fogerty's Model 1997 as well.

For those who have the Bigsby I have a number of questions. Do you use the Bigsby to any great advantage or is it there for looks, as seemed to be the case for Lennon? Do you find that the Bigsby gets in the way of your playing style? Do you find it adds significant weight to the guitar such that it upsets the natural balance of the instrument. Is it any more difficult to string than your other Rickenbackers. Lastly, have you been tempted to remove it?

I'll weigh in on this Peter, since I just put a B5 on my 350V63.

My choice in istalling the B5 was one for looks only. While it's nice to have a tremelo tail instead of the trapeeze, I find it is of no great advantage to my playing style or to the music I play. But it certainly looks cool. It just belongs on that guitar body.

It doesn't get in the way of my playing...nor has it thrown off the balance - but I use a Python Strap on the 350V63...and that's so heavy that I don't think ANYTHING would tilt the guitar as it hangs on my shoulder! lol

I truly doubt I'd ever remove it.


I have never been tempted to install any model Bigsby on my 360s.

PS...stringing is a 'learned' experience. lol

I found that out with my Epi Casino - it too has a Bigsby.

It takes patience... Once you get the hang of it, it goes OK. I found that bending the string at about a 90 degree angle right by the eyelet really helps keep the string on the peg while getting it on the tuning peg. I also use a capo to keep the string in place, similar to what I do with an "R" tailpiece.

Rich: Thanks for all of this detailed information. John Lennon and Christopher Huston really set the stage for the Bigsby look on the Model 325 with their installation at Hessy's Music in Liverpool.

I had a Bigsby clone on my Danelectro Hodad. It was a real pain to restring at first, but like Rich, I learned the trick of the 90 degree bend fairly quickly. Many years ago, I had a Gretsch Tennessean with a 'real' Bigsby, but that was the type without the front retaining bar, and it was much easier to deal with.

I firmly believe that the collection of metal and springs has a subtle effect on the tone of the instrument, just as on a Strat - it's a bit like having a built-in reverb - and for delicate vibrato effects, the Bigsby is unmatched for feel.

I'm actually more curious about the Kaufmann vibratos. I've never seen one in person, and I'm very curious about how they work (i.e. how the string tension is actually altered) as well as people's impressions of their reliability/sound etc. They sure look great.

John: The Kaufmann does look cool. It is to be remembered, however, that John Lennon replaced it with a Bigsby. Perhaps we will get a chance to see a close-up photo in response to your question.

They look fine, they sound fine, look like they should work fine, but they're pretty much unusable.

The replicas probably work better than vintage units due to higher tolerances, and the originals worked better than anything else when they first were marketed, but still there were so many better units that followed- just like almost any product.

The intent of the C Series was to replicate products from a particular era, warts and all. That being said, you have no idea how difficult it is to perfectly engineer imperfection on a modern production basis, but the result is that they work at least as well as the originals as well as being authentically and consistently imperfect.

Re;
The problem restringing with a Bigsby;Only 2 things you need to do, and there are no more problems. 1] Take the new string, and using a needle nose pliers, carefully bend the wrapped end near the ball into a curve.Hook the ball end around the string bar, put some tension by hand on the string, and then, use a capo to hold the string in place.

I love the Bigsby on my 325v59.... It looks so cool--I love all that chrome with the 3 toasters....and although I am a pretty light hand when it comes to using the vibrato, it sounds great when I do use it. And since this is my 325th post, I'll celebrate with another picture! Finally got the lighting just right to capture its true green color....

Great picture, Melissa!

I have been a fan of Bigsby tailpieces since I bought my 1867 Gibson ES335TDC in 1969. The original owner had switched to the Bigsby, and I used it on songs that required major bending (I'm pretty much a rhythm player, mind you).

About the only time I use the Bigsby on my 1984 325v59 now is when I play along with "Walk Don't Run" by the Ventures - "We don't need no stinkin' Fenders" to play surf music, the v59 does it fine!

More vulgarity was invented during the 325 Hamburg restringing than were invented during the 360/12 restringing. The 325 also caused my very first nervous breakdown.

So, Peter -
Is your 350 going to get one of these soon, or what?
My only Bigsby experience has been with gretsch, I thought they worked great. Though I don't "warble" very often.

Spencer: I have indeed given it some thought. In the end, I am not wild about the idea of boring holes in the top of my 350 for this modification.

Well, there is no going back after that is there?
And that 350 of yours sure is purdy...