Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: AndyR on August 11, 2009, 09:08:06 AM
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I got a question about these boogers, arising from Hunter's "Maestro" thread, but I don't want to hijack it.
Philly helpfully posted a link to this little thing, I'll use it as an illustration:
http://www.allparts.uk.com/online-shop/allparts-guitar-amp-parts/bridges/guitar-bridges/tremolo-tailpieces/short-gibson-style-vibrato-w-arm-p-4183.html (http://www.allparts.uk.com/online-shop/allparts-guitar-amp-parts/bridges/guitar-bridges/tremolo-tailpieces/short-gibson-style-vibrato-w-arm-p-4183.html)
The only trems I've ever used are strat-type trems with springs counter-balancing the strings. I'm not a dive-bomber, sometimes I like a bit of gentle Hank-ery, sometimes a bit more...
However, a strat-type trem has a problem with ordinary playing that is a show-stopper for me: when you set the trem floating, string bends and vibrato with the left hand tend to detune other strings... this is a real pain because I have to cut down my double-bends and finger vibrato that I'm rather fond of. It means I usually end up disabling the trem.
My question about the Gibson-type trems such as the one linked is: do they have the same problem? Looking at it, and thinking about how it's designed to work, I'm guessing that this effect could be minimal?
I've got footage of Allen Collins in Lynyrd Skynyrd using these on an Explorer in the kind of way that I envisage... and I've, er, got an Explorer... (partly because of this particular chap). I also notice that Angus Young's SGs often seem to have trems on - and I think (or suspect) that his style of playing would cause him trouble on a floating trem strat.
But it looks like holes need drilling to install one of these, and I don't fancy doing that as an "experiment" to see whether I like it :lol:
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The trem problem you describe happens on all trems.
I have the Maestro vibrola on my 'DC gigging SG and while I do suffer from trem-itis to a certain extent, it's not actually that noticeable. You need to try one out on a guitar and see if it suits you.
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The trem problem you describe happens on all trems.
I have the Maestro vibrola on my 'DC gigging SG and while I do suffer from trem-itis to a certain extent, it's not actually that noticeable. You need to try one out on a guitar and see if it suits you.
have you tried locking tuners to go with it? I have a set of these on my Gibbo LP Special and like them a lot: http://www.wdmusic.co.uk/product/Gotoh_Locking_3_Aside_Vintage_Style_Nickel_SD90-SLNMG
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No need for locking tuners - the guitar has Grovers and it stays in tune just fine.
I don't find that locking tuners are any more stable than regular tuners and a well set up nut. They're just a bit more convenient for string changes!
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The trem problem you describe happens on all trems.
I have the Maestro vibrola on my 'DC gigging SG and while I do suffer from trem-itis to a certain extent, it's not actually that noticeable. You need to try one out on a guitar and see if it suits you.
I was thinking that even as I hit post!
I'm encouraged that you don't find it that noticeable, though...
have you tried locking tuners to go with it? I have a set of these on my Gibbo LP Special and like them a lot: http://www.wdmusic.co.uk/product/Gotoh_Locking_3_Aside_Vintage_Style_Nickel_SD90-SLNMG
Sorry, I wasn't too clear, Hunter - I've got no problem with the guitar's tuning going, it's the flattening of other strings while I bend one or two, they always return to pitch when I finish the bend :D
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Speaking as a Vibrola Fan, I have never had the same degree of "Flattening" when using a Vibrola as opposed to a Strat style trem. That said, a Vibrola is a very different beastie. Think of it in the same way that you would a Bigsby, it was designed to produce a shimmer, nothing more. OK there are those whom have used them more violently, but in the main they have paid the price with their Tuning.
A Vibrola, when set up correctly, is a great feature for embellishing chord work and can also be used sparingly for lead runs, but the "trick" lies in the actual Set Up.
One further note, a very good friend got a Vibrola style trem from AllParts. It was actually unusable. The Bent Plate that actually makes the Trem work was too shallow, so the Arm was touching the Scratchplate. This is not an easy thing to cure because we are talking about a piece of Steel that is chromed. Any attempt to increase the curvature will result in damage to the chrome and little else. Just a word or warning.
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Thanks for that Rob - encourages me further, but point taken about the set up issues... :D
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One further note, a very good friend got a Vibrola style trem from AllParts. It was actually unusable. The Bent Plate that actually makes the Trem work was too shallow, so the Arm was touching the Scratchplate. This is not an easy thing to cure because we are talking about a piece of Steel that is chromed. Any attempt to increase the curvature will result in damage to the chrome and little else. Just a word or warning.
Thanks for that info - the Allparts unit isn't too great then!
Andy, you've probably seen them before but there are a few different trem systems for Gibson-style guitars which don't require permanent modification of the body:
The Stetsbar (http://stetsbar.com/)
The Les Trem (http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar_tremolos/Les_Trem_Stop-Tailpiece_Tremolo.html) (I've always thought it sounds like something Ellen DeGeneres might have a use for.... )
And I really like the look of this one Ratrod posted - would look great on my LP Special but I fear the neck angle may be too shallow:
The Vibramate (http://www.vibramate.com/index.html) (also sounds a bit Ann Summers, come to think of it... :? )
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Ahhhhhhh.... The Vibramate. Now, of this, I have first hand experience. It is a very nice unit, requires minimal fiddling about with and works very well out of the box. A chum fitted one to his Explorer and it worked rather well and actually looked rather nice too..... always a bonus!
(http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk207/RStobbs/Vibramate2.jpg)
(http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk207/RStobbs/Vibramate1.jpg)
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You're a star Philly! :D
On a brief scan, I'm liking the look of the Vibramate as well - one would need to buy the Bigsby B5 as well?
Ah Rob, you've posted as well... (Can't see the pic here at work though) nice one.
I'm feeling rumblings in the lower bowel (GAS :lol:)
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Tell you one thing though?
I saw something last year that looked "just SO wrong" that it actually began to grow on me!! :D
Imagine an Ebony Les Paul Standard? Got that? :D
NOW...... Add a Full Length Lyre Vibrola! I kid you not! 8) IF I can get a shot of it I'll post it here.
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Ahhhhhhh.... The Vibramate. Now, of this, I have first hand experience. It is a very nice unit, requires minimal fiddling about with and works very well out of the box. A chum fitted one to his Explorer and it worked rather well and actually looked rather nice too..... always a bonus!
Good man! That looks, er, wicked.... as the under-40s might say. Splendid! :)
Would you say it gives enough string angle behind the bridge to work with a low-sitting tune-o-matic?
(Andy: Yes, you need to buy the Bigsby separately. I think I read that it works with licensed Bigsby copies as well, although the website says it was only esigned to work with the original B5.)
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So I've been checking it out a bit further, and it looks to me like:
A) The Bigsby B5 is designed for flat-tops like an SG or Explorer, for example, and is usually screwed into the body, requiring hard to reverse mods...
B) The Vibramate is designed to alleviate the mods problem (uses the existing stop-bar studs)...
C) The extra thickness of the Vibramate raises the B5 off the body a bit, and that's why you're worried about fret angle Philly...
... is that about right?
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Yes to all three! :D
Despite my slight worry (point C) I am getting serious Vibramate GAS the more I look at it. Could always find something else to fit it to.....
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My favorite vibrato is the Bigsby. Easy to setup, more tuning stability than a floating fulcrum. Not as stable as a locking Floyd and doesn't have much range but there's something magical about the tone.
The vibramate is a great piece of kit. Just bolt on and completely reversable. You can save some money by going for a B50 instead of a B5. The B5 is the US made sandcasting model. Very much a old skool look and feel. The B5 is a modern cast Eastern made model.
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Here we go...... Sorry because I suspect that the photo might be a tad large.
This is Roger Filgate's Gear. Roger who? Ex Wishbone Ash and now a Solo Artiste. :D
(http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk207/RStobbs/guitar_group_shot_lg.jpg)
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Don't worry too much about the angle behaind the bridge. A bit less angle will make it stay in tune better and smoother vibrato action. There will be no loss in sustain due to the extra mass of the Bigsby.
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Seconding all that RatRod said. :D
Neck Set Angle will not be an issue either with this system, so your Bridge can be flat to the deck and it will still work.
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Don't worry too much about the angle behaind the bridge. A bit less angle will make it stay in tune better and smoother vibrato action. There will be no loss in sustain due to the extra mass of the Bigsby.
Seconding all that RatRod said. :D
Neck Set Angle will not be an issue either with this system, so your Bridge can be flat to the deck and it will still work.
Excellent, thanks gents! 8) I feel a purchase coming on...
Here we go...... Sorry because I suspect that the photo might be a tad large.
This is Roger Filgate's Gear. Roger who? Ex Wishbone Ash and now a Solo Artiste. :D
No Roger Who? about it, I am a Wishbone Ash fan! :D
I'm not sure about the Lyre on the LP, it looks a bit weird. And he has a "The Strat"! I remember admiring one of those in a shop window when I was about 16 (they got the headstock horribly wrong, though).
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Yeah thanks guys :D
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Great to know that there is another W.A. Fan here. May I commend you upon having capital taste My Good Fellow?
Ironically, Mr Filgate very nearly ended up using my Rig for the Mansfield AshCon last year. Up until the eleventh hour I was all set to drive up with two Heads, Two Cabs and various splitter boxes, but at the very last minute Mr Powell found an AC30 and a Twin.
Back ON Topic (Whoops!) :D
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Staying off topic for a second (Andy's a fan too, and it's his thread! :wink: ), do I take it you know the band personally? Tell us more!
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Well the Gear thing came about because of yet another Great Chum (Also W.A. Fan) who is in constant touch with Andy P and Joe Crabtree. Joe asked whether there was any chance of getting hold of a Twin, my chum asked me and I said I'd ask around, but also offered my Rig if needed.
Long story short...... Not required, thankfully I was told just as I was about to leave home. :lol:
My connection comes from Laurie Wisefield. I knew him in the "Home" Days and whilst a Fan of W.A. from day one........ I just got more into it when Laurie joined.
All of which suddenly makes me feel rather older than I had thought. :D
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I would assume, if I'd fit a Bigsby/Vibramate to my SG, when I'd tune to Drop D, all other strings would go out of tune.
Would that be correct?
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You'd need to retune, yes.
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You'd need to retune, yes.
:( bummer
I am tuning Standard E <> Drop D about 5 times a gig with the metal band. I don't wanna restrict the set to having to adapt to my Bigsby issues. It's a no-no for me then :wallbash:
[/GAS]
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I would assume, if I'd fit a Bigsby/Vibramate to my SG, when I'd tune to Drop D, all other strings would go out of tune.
Would that be correct?
When I had a bigsby I noticed the other strings didn't go out of tune that much with the bisgsby when dropping my D. Compared to a strat trem where every string went out by almost half a semitone. Mine was stable at least, only a fraction of a cent on most strings out of tune after dropping.
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I would assume, if I'd fit a Bigsby/Vibramate to my SG, when I'd tune to Drop D, all other strings would go out of tune.
Would that be correct?
When I had a bigsby I noticed the other strings didn't go out of tune that much with the bisgsby when dropping my D. Compared to a strat trem where every string went out by almost half a semitone. Mine was stable at least, only a fraction of a cent on most strings out of tune after dropping.
[GAS]
:mrgreen: Yes Yes Yes
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All of which suddenly makes me feel rather older than I had thought. :D
Even older than me, by the sound of it! :lol: Thanks for the story!
I'm also a fan of the Laurie Wisefield period. I must admit I've only seriously got into the band in the last few years, I had old copies of Argus and a few other albums on vinyl and cassette, but then I got the CD of Just Testing (which I'd almost bought when it first came out in '79, but somehow nover got round to it) and it totally blew me away. Still haven't seen them live though. :oops:
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[GAS]
:mrgreen: Yes Yes Yes
Let's all go to the Vibramate shop! :lol:
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Agreed, I was just being honest Hunter. I would have hated you to think that I was implying that everything would be 100% Fine, a miniscule amount of retuning required but again, dependent on many other factors too, such as string age etc.
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[GAS]
:mrgreen: Yes Yes Yes
Let's all go to the Vibramate shop! :lol:
Would they give us a rebate if we'd order 5 VMs and B5s?
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Agreed, I was just being honest Hunter. I would have hated you to think that I was implying that everything would be 100% Fine, a miniscule amount of retuning required but again, dependent on many other factors too, such as string age etc.
That would be no issue as I am very quick in running through all strings once for minor adjustments.
The problem only gets dramatic when you have to run through all six strings 3-4 times and then again after 1-2 minutes like on a floating Floyd.
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the main issues with bigsbys is stringing them up - but its not too bad once you get the hang of it. Pre-wrapping the ball end of string around a pencil really helps!!
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Wow this thread moved on while I was away for five minutes!
Wishbone Ash - yeah I was into the Laurie Wisefield era. I first saw them on the Just Testing tour - I'm on Live Dates II (Living Proof, I think, have to check) and on the live Helpless (I think this has been packaged in the remastered Just Testing?) - I was at Andy Powell's feet at the Colston Hall, absolutely amazing night. I saw them a year later with Trevor Bolder (Number the Brave, I think?) and they were very disappointing. I next saw them years later when they wheeled out Ted Turner for a re-union - that was a bit stunning. Their "modern" stuff at the time didn't really grab me though, so I haven't really looked into anything since then.
GAS has definitely struck on the Bigsby/Vibramate thing though :roll:... I do remember Ratrod's thread about it a while back now, but I wasn't interested at all at the time. I even passed up a Grestch Corvette a while back when I discovered they came with a Bigsby :lol:
But this is all sounding very interesting now...
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I would agree that "some" of the later material was certainly different. There was a period when I feared that they'd become yet another Boogie Band, but things seem to have calmed down again. Both Ben Grenfeld and Muddy Mannigan have bought something new to the table in recent years and this can only be too the good.
Strange to hear numbers like Engine Overheat etc in the more recent Set Lists, but you have to appeal to everyone of course.
Going back to Vibrolas for a minute. Andy's are set up superbly thanks to Kev Chilcott and he doesn't seem to have too many issues with them now does he? His recent foray into Duesenburgs has been less successful from the stability point of view.
I have recently spent a great deal of time and effort getting my old vintage style Strat trem to work properly. This is the old 6 screw version and I am really thrilled with the results. It took a lot of tweaking, but now.... it is "almost" capable of doing a Floyd!! Not that this is my thing, but I just fancied a Floating Trem for a while and had the old bitsa Strat sitting here.
With the Bigsbys, there is a trick about restringing them as Wez pointed out. That works and so does having an ild wooden Clothes Peg!! :D
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Now what about bridges to go with the Bigsby?
I was planning to change the bridge on my LP Special anyway, is it a good idea to go for rollers, or Graph Tech saddles? I don't plan on getting the type of bridge that rocks back and forth on the posts.
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Now what about bridges to go with the Bigsby?
I was planning to change the bridge on my LP Special anyway, is it a good idea to go for rollers, or Graph Tech saddles? I don't plan on getting the type of bridge that rocks back and forth on the posts.
Wot??! I can't just leave the tune-o-matic there? :lol:
Rob - I got the 6 screw strat trem on my current strat going beautifully a year or two ago, it would almost do floyd jobbies and stay in tune as well! But I couldn't cope with the string bending issues so I flattened it again and put 5 springs in :lol:
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I really like the Schaller Roller Bridge I put in the LP Special a few years ago. Tone is good and it's smooth an the right hand as well as staying in tune better than the standard T-O-M bridge.
Might be a nice fit for a Bigsby, too ... but then it gets expensive ...
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I have one mate who swears that a Roller Bridge is the best thing since...... However, I have various other friends whom are more than happy with their standard Nashvilles and ABRs. I guess it is all down to which you find the better on a personal level?
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It's all expensive Hunter :lol:
I've been GAS-less for months, then I accidently buy a Gibson SG, and before I know it I'm getting excited about doing crazy-sh1t to the SG and to an Explorer...
Time for a lie down I think...
Aahh... the voice of reason :lol::
I have one mate who swears that a Roller Bridge is the best thing since...... However, I have various other friends whom are more than happy with their standard Nashvilles and ABRs. I guess it is all down to which you find the better on a personal level?
EDIT: Rob, you do realise some of us hear your every post in a "Terry Thomas" voice don't you? :lol:
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I really like the Schaller Roller Bridge I put in the LP Special a few years ago. Tone is good and it's smooth an the right hand as well as staying in tune better than the standard T-O-M bridge.
Might be a nice fit for a Bigsby, too ... but then it gets expensive ...
Yeah, with the Vibramate, Bigsby and bridge (I do like the look of the Schaller) it's adding up to about £200..... for, in my case, a £350 Epiphone! :lol:
(And that's not including the pickups, tuners, pots, knobs, straplocks.... fortunately I already have them so I'll pretend they cost nothing)
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I really like the Schaller Roller Bridge I put in the LP Special a few years ago. Tone is good and it's smooth an the right hand as well as staying in tune better than the standard T-O-M bridge.
Might be a nice fit for a Bigsby, too ... but then it gets expensive ...
Yeah, with the Vibramate, Bigsby and bridge (I do like the look of the Schaller) it's adding up to about £200..... for, in my case, a £350 Epiphone! :lol:
(And that's not including the pickups, tuners, pots, knobs, straplocks.... fortunately I already have them so I'll pretend they cost nothing)
You also already have the Epiphone, so that costs nothing, too. Makes 200GBP for an awesome guitar worth at least 400GBP :lol:
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I rather think that the Terry Thomas Voice just might be an improvement.... What Ho Chaps! :D
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You also already have the Epiphone, so that costs nothing, too. Makes 200GBP for an awesome guitar worth at least 400GBP :lol:
You are 100% right! So it's an absolute bargain really. :D
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you can use a normal T-O-M with bigsbys but you will get better results with a roller bridge, or the modified mustang bridge stud + T-O-M thing i think legra bob showed us
ah yeah, found it:
http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=16023.15
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GULP! Hand-made parts... Costs escalating even further :lol:
So what was that calculation again Philly?
"A sh1thot guitar worth £300 for only £400 (not including initial outlay and parts)?" :lol:
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Nah, I won't be going the rocking-bridge option - apart from anything else it would be tricky to revert to a normal tune-o-matic, which totally defeats the object of getting the Vibramate!
So it's still a sh!thot guitar worth £300 for only £200, not including initial outlay and existing parts. I'm in profit! :)
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this maybe a complete myth, and I don't know if it applies to floating trems or just dive bomb trems, but I read somewhere adding more springs helps to reduces detuning problems with bends and double stopping, I've no idea if it reduces them enough for a double stop player to be happy with a trem though
it also makes absolutely no sense to me in a floating trem as you'd have to rebalance it, can wez or someone else demythologise this please :)
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this maybe a complete myth, and I don't know if it applies to floating trems or just dive bomb trems, but I read somewhere adding more springs helps to reduces detuning problems with bends and double stopping, I've no idea if it reduces them enough for a double stop player to be happy with a trem though
it also makes absolutely no sense to me in a floating trem as you'd have to rebalance it, can wez or someone else demythologise this please :)
Interesting you should say that old chap...
I was thinking this through on the way home and will be experimenting in the next few days.
When my strat was floating, it had three springs and was set up according to a pdf you can find on Fender's site. It worked like a dream.
When I decided to flatten it, I got some more springs and did the whole job to completely disable it.
HOWEVER! I believe that more springs = stiffer... So I guess the detuning probs, while still there, might be acceptable. I just didn't try it floating with five in...
Might be getting the screw driver out later :D
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HOWEVER! I believe that more springs = stiffer... So I guess the detuning probs, while still there, might be acceptable. I just didn't try it floating with five in...
I'm not sure it's possible to get it floating with five springs - too much tension. Unless you use bass strings.
Happy to be proved wrong though. :D
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Well, I haven't tried it yet, but I do remember I had to tighten the claw a fair bit (after putting the 4th and 5th spring in) to get the bridge down flat and stay flat...
... so I have vague hopes :lol:
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A little tip for TOM's and Bigsby's.
If it fits, get a Nashville TOM, it's less prone to rattling than an ABR-1. Drill out the post holes a bit. This will allow the bridge to wiggle along with the strings.
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I can never get this right - the Nashville's the "modern" one, isn't it?
Slightly longer travel for "enclosed" saddles, no retaining clip...
Both my SG (pic attached - you can almost see the bridge clearly :lol:) and Explorer have the same bridge on them - I'm thinking it's a Nashville...
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Yep, that's a Nashville.
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Cool! :D
... or NOT actually, I was getting ready to post a "has anyone else's GAS subsided after yesterday's Bigsby/Vibramate love-in..."
Then I found Ratrod's post, and suddenly my tummy is rumbling again :roll:
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Cool! :D
... or NOT actually, I was getting ready to post a "has anyone else's GAS subsided after yesterday's Bigsby/Vibramate love-in..."
Then I found Ratrod's post, and suddenly my tummy is rumbling again :roll:
:lol:
I was thinking yesterday evening.... I got up that morning and none of that stuff had even crossed my mind*, then by mid-afternoon I was Bigsby crazy.
But no, the GAS hasn't subsided! I've already ordered a Schaller roller bridge and I'll order a Vibramate later today, probably. The Bigsby itself is more expensive, it can wait a while.
(* TBH, I had previously considered putting a Bigsby or Maestro on the LPS, but only in a vague sort of way... )
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My GAS has definitiely subsided to a comfortable "hmmm might do this one day..." now, rather than "omigod, must start buying bits!!!"
What decided me was the other night when I finally got a chance to look at the pictures of Rob's mate's Explorer (can't see them at work).
That "IS" my Explorer! (except mine's got nickel covered MQs on it) - so that's what it would look like on mine...
The top pic was "YEAH!", the bottom pic was "hmm, not so sure..."
At that point the missus came home and I thought I'd better start preparing the way for possible expenditure. So I showed her the pics, modelled my own, etc...
She wasn't sure with the top picture, but with the bottom picture, she thinks it looks better than mine at the moment... er ... okeydokey... hmmm... :lol:
So now we've got her going "yeah! go for it..." and me going "I dunno..."
If the total cost was £50 or so (vibramate + bigsby, I'd be sticking with my Nashville TOM), then I would have gone wot-the-hell and ordered already. But as it'll be approx £100 more, I'm just letting the idea "ferment" for a while...
I'm almost convinced that I wouldn't stick it on the SG - which simplifies matters somewhat, I'd need a short-tail V5 vibramate for that, and most of the methods of ordering on line that I found don't seem to be aware of that possibility...
Watch this space though, 12 months time, who knows? there'll be bigsbys sprouting all over the place down our way - Explorer, SG, teles, missus's hairdryer, etc... :lol:
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i am strongly considering a vibrola for this
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/new/2-2.jpg)
it even has some holes where one may have been anyway
but then if its a choice between buying one of those or saving up for some lollar or peter naglitsch mini-humbuckers i know which way i will go
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Yeah, my decision on the "no bigsby for my SG" was based on three things:
1. Loving it without any clutter...
2. The way I'm playing it at the moment, who needs any sort of wang-bar?
3. Looks-wise, if I was going to put anything on the SG, I think it has to be a vibrola
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I'm almost convinced that I wouldn't stick it on the SG - which simplifies matters somewhat, I'd need a short-tail V5 vibramate for that, and most of the methods of ordering on line that I found don't seem to be aware of that possibility...
You can order direct from the link on the Vibramate website, so that's eliminated that excuse for you! :wink:
I'm considering the Short Tail version myself, in a way I think it looks neater. But I assume they put that little "tongue" at the front of the standard version for a reason.... I guess it supports the Bigsby a little better.
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... But I assume they put that little "tongue" at the front of the standard version for a reason.... I guess it supports the Bigsby a little better.
I was wondering that as well... but on the other hand, I'm guessing they wouldn't be marketing a short tail version if they thought it was unstable??
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Unless.... it's one of those cases where they come up with a refinement but they're reluctant to drop the original model out of nostalgia or sheer stubbornness?
Like when DiMarzio had the Super Distortion, then introduced the Dual Sound, which was just a Super Distortion with four-conductor wiring. After a few years, they were offering four-conductor wiring on all their models but they still had both the SD and DS in their catalogue! :lol:
(I think now they just make the SD - but with four-conductor wiring)
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I have a 65 SG Junior with a vibrola . I think it looks cool but , in my experience , there is less down pressure on the bridge than if the strings were simply wrapped around , and the sound is less firm as a result . Also , I get unwanted overtones from the B string , a pinging sound , at the bridge when using the tremolo . However , for gentle shimmers these units do have there own thing going . Finally , if mounted on Gibsons with the shallower headstock angle i.e .late sixties into the eighties , that and the lack of pressure on the bridge can cause the plain strings to pop out of the bridge saddles when bending - especially on SG juniors and Specials - I've owned several .
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... But I assume they put that little "tongue" at the front of the standard version for a reason.... I guess it supports the Bigsby a little better.
I was wondering that as well... but on the other hand, I'm guessing they wouldn't be marketing a short tail version if they thought it was unstable??
I emailed them to ask about the difference between the two, and here's what they said:
Hi Phil,
Thank you for your note and interest in Vibramate systems.
In most cases we would recommend the Standard Vibramate V5 mounting kit for the additional balance and stabilization however depending on what model guitar you have the Short-Tail is likely more then adequate for mounting and support.
I think I'll go for the Standard version! :D
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Interesting...
And have you noticed they're in the process, right at the moment, of launching a telecaster version?!
http://www.vibramate.com/vibramate-v5te-install.html (http://www.vibramate.com/vibramate-v5te-install.html)
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Nice Tele sollution. I still think you should shim the neck.
They should do one for Strats too.
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And have you noticed they're in the process, right at the moment, of launching a telecaster version?!
http://www.vibramate.com/vibramate-v5te-install.html (http://www.vibramate.com/vibramate-v5te-install.html)
Yes, I read that website from "cover to cover" last week!
It looks quite neat, I like the way they've used the 4 mounting screws and the strap button to hold it in place. Not sure about the three little tabs that are left to hold the saddles though, they look a bit flimsy but they'd probably work well enough.
I ordered a standard Vibramate last night, and the roller bridge is on the way. Now I just need the Bigsby! :)