Author Topic: Fitting a Bigsby to a Les Paul, can it be done? (Read 16411 times)

Ratrod · « **Reply #15 on:** October 01, 2005, 10:42:33 PM »

Mostly that lump of metal will add sustain. The custom bridge plate I had on my Tele was bigger and heavier than the stock one. It gave the guitar more sustain and made it sound beefier. I have two guitars with a Bigsby. I don't know how they sound without it because they were on it when I got them.

The Reverend never has any tuning issues, the Dean does ( a little bit), maybe the new strings have to settle a bit. No problem with heavy palm muting. Other trem systems tend to go sharp when you go ape on the palm muting. If you really want to avoid tuning issues, get a graphite nut, a roller bridge and locking tuners.

RGX · « **Reply #16 on:** October 01, 2005, 11:07:16 PM »

Quote from: Ratrod

Mostly that lump of metal will add sustain. The custom bridge plate I had on my Tele was bigger and heavier than the stock one. It gave the guitar more sustain and made it sound beefier. I have two guitars with a Bigsby. I don't know how they sound without it because they were on it when I got them.

The Reverend never has any tuning issues, the Dean does ( a little bit), maybe the new strings have to settle a bit. No problem with heavy palm muting. Other trem systems tend to go sharp when you go ape on the palm muting. If you really want to avoid tuning issues, get a graphite nut, a roller bridge and locking tuners.

I need a nut replacement actually, the D string slot is cut too low and rattles open. :(

Locking tuners are another upgrade on the horizon, by the time I'm finished with this guitar all that will be original will be the wood. :D

Currently i want:

Mule or Riff Raff in the bridge
Mule in the neck
Bigsby trem
Graphite Nut
Locking Tuners
Upgraded Caps and Pots

Damn lack of funds. Thanks for the info, sounds like a worthwhile upgrade especially if it boosts the sustain. As long as it doesn't change the fundamental characteristics of the guitar too much I reckon I'm going for it.

_tom_ · « **Reply #17 on:** October 01, 2005, 11:51:18 PM »

Quote from: RGX

by the time I'm finished with this guitar all that will be original will be the wood. :D

Thats the way my Epi is gonna be eventually :lol: Its all worth it though :D

The amazing Phil · « **Reply #18 on:** October 02, 2005, 10:13:49 AM »

Actually string stretching with the Bigsby when you first restring it is a lot easier and less painful than running your hands up and down under the strings and pulling them up.

Ratrod · « **Reply #19 on:** October 02, 2005, 11:37:05 AM »

You might want to add this to your list of upgrades: Schaller rolling bridge, $39,36 @ Stewmac.

RGX · « **Reply #20 on:** October 02, 2005, 12:38:35 PM »

Ooooh sweet, yep that's on the list, should help with inotation/tuning as already mentioned.

This is getting expensive! Any other suggested upgrades for the Les Paul? I've been wanting to upgrade the wiring but I have no idea what I'm doing, handy with a soldering iron though.

Going for a hard rock, Slash meets punk meets New York Dolls tone.

Thanks for all your help, I posted this in a few forums and none of them were half as helpful as you guys. 8)

The amazing Phil · « **Reply #21 on:** October 03, 2005, 01:30:45 PM »

To be honest, I always felt graphite was better than rollers because there's no moving parts to impare vibrations.

5F6-A · « **Reply #22 on:** October 16, 2005, 10:29:02 PM »

My Bigsby retrofitted LP:

Ratrod · « **Reply #23 on:** October 17, 2005, 10:48:45 AM »

Wow, that looks so cool. What a classic!