In addition to a properly cut and lubricated nut, the break angle over the bridge is key. On both of my Telecasters, I removed the roller and installed washers under the Bigsby nearest to the bridge. Reduction of the string angle over the bridge is a must!
Thanks for the good explanation and walk through. Don't know why people would comment negatively...all you're trying to do is share information and help folks out. It is appreciated.
It sounds to me like there is not enough tension when the trem is at rest. A different spring may help. Usually... It's because string tension is too low overall. This can happen on a tele. Shim your neck with a layer or two of cereal box behind the back two neck bolts. Raise the saddles and redo your setup. This may also help.
Great video man. I've played with Bigsby for 35 years, and my trick is...from time to time, tiny bit of electric shaver lube on axis and spring, 3 perfectly aligned rounds on the tuner post, and Fast-Fret from nut to bridge, and beyond, all the time. It stays almost perfectly tuned for a whole gig without much hassle. Almost forgot. The newer the strings, the worst.
Hit or miss - I intalled on on an SG and it's great - very dependable. I installed another on a different SG and it's tuning nightmare - I took it off today as a matter of fact. So many little factors determine the love or hate relationship! Not to oversimplify but if it works from the get go you're in - if it doesn't - remove it while you still have your sanity.
Have you ever boiled old strings to bring the temper back in the steel? It works they will sound new for a few days. You can also boiled new strings to get the temper out of them for about 8-10 min. It makes the strings play & sound played in.
this helps a lot: IMPORTANT TIP: The bar your strings goes under to create the break angle of strings is not needed and it will stay in better tune IF YOU string it WITHOUT going under that bar. A break point is not needed.
I have a problem with the Bigsby B5 (USA original) on a Telecaster. There are no tuning issues with string bending. The B5 itself though doesn't return to pitch fully. If I pull up it returns to just a bit sharp, if I push down it goes a bit flat - all strings equally! I'm pretty positive the problem is in the spring area, because I can correct the problem by touching the bar gently helping it go back to "zero" position manually with very little effort. Could a stiffer/longer spring help? It's playable, but... I do use 3-barrel TUSQ compensated saddles. The B string sits all the way to the edge (i.e. pushing against the wall of its groove in the saddle) because the spacing on the B5 doesn't quite match the bridge's. no sure if that's a problem at all, thought I'd mention it.
How old is your bigsby? Maybe try buying a new spring (I hear the Reverend Soft Springs for bigsby’s are a great upgrade) or one from Amazon and compress and release it between two hard surfaces (foot on floor) about 30-50 times. Make sure your spring isn’t shooting your setup in the foot. Also, check into your nut and tuners. You want a bone or tusq nut with enough space for the strings to sit comfy, and preferably locking tuners or use a locking stringing method. I have this same problem, I’m gonna do all 3 and I expect that to fix that problem up. But your spring will absolutely kill your bigsby’s performance and ability to return to a consistent tension at rest.
For those recommending running over io under the bar i would say: it depends on the break angle. You need a decent angle to retain tension at the bridge but not too steep that the angle creates too much tension on a tom bridge.imo
My guitars , Ibanez & Bc Riches , all have Floyds or Kahlers ..... when I put on new strings, I wrap,starting at high E .... the Counts go like this ...... High E 60 wraps, B-50 , G- 40 , D 30 , A 20 and E Atleast 10-15 wraps. And ALWAYS hold firm tension when winding the string. Not hard, just firm. This method for me has gave me the best tuning stability Ive ever had. in 28 years
This is reassuring. I'm interested in a gretsch electromatic but was concerned about the Bigsby and tuning issues. Some reviewers state they have had problems but maybe it was one of the issues you mention. I doubt Gretsch would be fitting them to the majority of their models if they're problematic?
I have a Gretsch 5420 with a Bigsby. These are great guitars but they can be hard to keep in tune. They require all the stuff this guy mentioned. They are just a bit more delicate and need some TLC. Keep em clean, change the strings, a little graphite or Nut Sauce on the nut, you're fine. He's right tho, I do a lot of palm muting and my hands sweat a bit. My bridge is probably clogged with skin and salt. It's the little things that'll get ya! 😉
This is great stuff, bought a bigsby and debating whether to put it on my epi dot. My cij mustang with decent tremolo has never worked properly and all of my guitars go out of tune when i bend more than a semi tone so I figure nothings ever perfect. My only worry is I’ve ordered a high quality TOM replacement to go on with the bigsby, am I wasting my time without buying a roller bridge instead? Don’t particularly want to drill it for the bigsby if it’s going to be useless! Thanks a lot man
DylanTalksTone ah no really? The gotoh tom I ordered last week arrived today! Id read roller bridges killed the tone and were unnecessary, hoping the tom will work ok, if not will consider one. Hopefully my guitar tech will be able to sort something out. It seems like a good nut with a little lubricant makes the bigger difference. Thanks for the reply
Thank you... A common sense, cause and effect talk. If the path of resistance is clear, then there should be no problems. You could have addressed occasional issues that happen with the bigsby not fastened down properly, dodgy DIY upgrades where it's not in line with the guitars string path, loose or worn roller, locking tuners etc etc... But well done. I don't know why people are put off by bigsby's they have a certain sound that is plain useful. As long as your not trying divebombs all should be well.
Hi mate. I've recently installed a b5 and Vibramate on my 61 reissue SG. My question is (and you've probably seen this) there's a guy on RUclips that goes OVER the roller and swears it never goes out of tune? I see your bigsby is set up the "conventional" way, like mine....does he have a point? Cheers.
I use a TOM bridge on my Newport and I've NEVER gone out of tune. Going out of tune occurs because of a poor set up. No roller bridge needed if your setup is correct.
I don’t know what all the fuss about. I played on a Bigsby for years , I had not trouble with it n What so ever . If the nut is cut the right way & lubricated & so is the bridge is the same. Believe me, there should be NO PROBLEMS WITH SO EVER . I fined it mor difficult to set up a floating tremolo , like the once on a strat to work properly, stay in tune & not too hard to use it . You have to stuff around with different steel or brass blocks , to give you sustain, 2or3or4 springs , to play around with , & most of the time , you have to make the Cavity bigger to take the bigger block . I use to repair guitars , & most of the problems I use to have is , the floating tremolo on the strats .
EVERY guitar with a Bigsby should also have a roller bridge - otherwise all you're doing is dragging your strings back and forth across a knife edge. It should be a CRIME to sell a guitar with a Bigsby without a roller bridge...
Well - ice cream comes in more than one flavor for a reason - but the physics/mechanics are pretty indisputable - dragging a wire across something that doesn't move WILL give you more resistance than something that matches the movement of the wire - or cable - or log - or whatever. All the best to you...
Tablature Butler the trick is, some of the bridges I just mentioned DO move with the string so there is less friction than even a roller. Point being.... there are more options than just a roller.
Gibson have a problem with tuning on its bigsby. They make unwanted break points for a start and constantly go out of tune. Get a roller bridge and ignore wrapping your strings under the 2nd part of the bigsby, just let them sit across it. You can go to town with the trem and it never goes out of tune. Also I've realised my bigsby on my gretsch often comes loss from the nut I've tried super glue to hold the nut in place and it works very very well.
I don’t think the background music is needed. I work in loud environment and would be more of a distraction. I would suggest a better microphone to catch his voice cleaner, the room reverb makes it hard to listen to every now and then (in work place).
You need to run your strings over the TOP of that 'break bar' on the Bigsby, NOT under it. Running the strings under it will guarantee you'll have tuning problems. Check out Scott Grove's "String Your Bigsby Wrong, Beat It Up. IN TUNE EVERY TIME!" video and try it for yourself. That huge break angle is NEVER good !!! The original, OLD bigsbys never HAD that bar there, they only used the one that the strings pin on, then the strings just go straight over to the bridge.
If you have enough angle between the Bridge and Bigsby DO NOT pass the strings under the tension roller. And also replace the Bridge with Roller type Bridge. Thats all folks.
1.123 4 well... wake back up because all those small details matter to how a bigsby says in tune. Thanks so much for watching. If this video doesn’t have the exact answer to your question, there are a whole series of videos on our channel about bigsbys. If you still don’t find what you are looking for, feel free to ask and we can create some more content to answer your question.
Unless you must have it, dont buy a guitar with a bigsby. They are a nightmare to string and this video suggests, unless you have all the planets aligned, you're guitar will be out of tune every time you use it.
@@DylanTalksTone Doesn't change the fact that the video could be shortened. Just because you can get around a problem, doesn't mean it isn't a problem.
@@spark-e lol. Comments and conversation help the algorithm. Truthfully I do this stuff for fun and I dont care if every person doesnt like it. We have over 500 videos... I ain't scared of a comment or two ;)
It's not like he opened it and then responded to whatever it was. Drink some milk or tea if you're too easily distracted by that. Nothing was rude about it.
In addition to a properly cut and lubricated nut, the break angle over the bridge is key. On both of my Telecasters, I removed the roller and installed washers under the Bigsby nearest to the bridge. Reduction of the string angle over the bridge is a must!
That is gay.
Fender has least break angle and still goes out.
Also less break angle equals less sustain. It is a fact. Dont be gay.
Thanks for the good explanation and walk through. Don't know why people would comment negatively...all you're trying to do is share information and help folks out. It is appreciated.
I've discovered that flat wound strings work better on a bigsby as far as keeping tune. use graphite on the nut and bridge and all is well.
It sounds to me like there is not enough tension when the trem is at rest. A different spring may help. Usually... It's because string tension is too low overall. This can happen on a tele. Shim your neck with a layer or two of cereal box behind the back two neck bolts. Raise the saddles and redo your setup. This may also help.
Great video man. I've played with Bigsby for 35 years, and my trick is...from time to time, tiny bit of electric shaver lube on axis and spring, 3 perfectly aligned rounds on the tuner post, and Fast-Fret from nut to bridge, and beyond, all the time. It stays almost perfectly tuned for a whole gig without much hassle. Almost forgot. The newer the strings, the worst.
Really loved your patience, very calm explanation even for a beginner, thanks a lot!
Hit or miss - I intalled on on an SG and it's great - very dependable. I installed another on a different SG and it's tuning nightmare - I took it off today as a matter of fact. So many little factors determine the love or hate relationship! Not to oversimplify but if it works from the get go you're in - if it doesn't - remove it while you still have your sanity.
New subscriber here from Kenya Africa 🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪
My Bigsby has been awesome..3 years still excellent
Have you ever boiled old strings to bring the temper back in the steel? It works they will sound new for a few days. You can also boiled new strings to get the temper out of them for about 8-10 min. It makes the strings play & sound played in.
this helps a lot: IMPORTANT TIP: The bar your strings goes under to create the break angle of strings is not needed and it will stay in better tune IF YOU string it WITHOUT going under that bar. A break point is not needed.
I have a problem with the Bigsby B5 (USA original) on a Telecaster. There are no tuning issues with string bending. The B5 itself though doesn't return to pitch fully. If I pull up it returns to just a bit sharp, if I push down it goes a bit flat - all strings equally! I'm pretty positive the problem is in the spring area, because I can correct the problem by touching the bar gently helping it go back to "zero" position manually with very little effort. Could a stiffer/longer spring help?
It's playable, but...
I do use 3-barrel TUSQ compensated saddles. The B string sits all the way to the edge (i.e. pushing against the wall of its groove in the saddle) because the spacing on the B5 doesn't quite match the bridge's. no sure if that's a problem at all, thought I'd mention it.
How old is your bigsby? Maybe try buying a new spring (I hear the Reverend Soft Springs for bigsby’s are a great upgrade) or one from Amazon and compress and release it between two hard surfaces (foot on floor) about 30-50 times. Make sure your spring isn’t shooting your setup in the foot. Also, check into your nut and tuners. You want a bone or tusq nut with enough space for the strings to sit comfy, and preferably locking tuners or use a locking stringing method. I have this same problem, I’m gonna do all 3 and I expect that to fix that problem up. But your spring will absolutely kill your bigsby’s performance and ability to return to a consistent tension at rest.
For those recommending running over io under the bar i would say: it depends on the break angle. You need a decent angle to retain tension at the bridge but not too steep that the angle creates too much tension on a tom bridge.imo
My guitars , Ibanez & Bc Riches , all have Floyds or Kahlers ..... when I put on new strings, I wrap,starting at high E .... the Counts go like this ...... High E 60 wraps, B-50 , G- 40 , D 30 , A 20 and E Atleast 10-15 wraps. And ALWAYS hold firm tension when winding the string. Not hard, just firm. This method for me has gave me the best tuning stability Ive ever had. in 28 years
This is reassuring. I'm interested in a gretsch electromatic but was concerned about the Bigsby and tuning issues. Some reviewers state they have had problems but maybe it was one of the issues you mention. I doubt Gretsch would be fitting them to the majority of their models if they're problematic?
I have a Gretsch 5420 with a Bigsby. These are great guitars but they can be hard to keep in tune. They require all the stuff this guy mentioned. They are just a bit more delicate and need some TLC. Keep em clean, change the strings, a little graphite or Nut Sauce on the nut, you're fine. He's right tho, I do a lot of palm muting and my hands sweat a bit. My bridge is probably clogged with skin and salt. It's the little things that'll get ya! 😉
had one impossible to keep in tune impossible!!
Hey, this ain't bullsht. How refreshing! Face it though, trems are more work. And some people won't do the work required. But the sound...my oh my...
This is great stuff, bought a bigsby and debating whether to put it on my epi dot. My cij mustang with decent tremolo has never worked properly and all of my guitars go out of tune when i bend more than a semi tone so I figure nothings ever perfect.
My only worry is I’ve ordered a high quality TOM replacement to go on with the bigsby, am I wasting my time without buying a roller bridge instead? Don’t particularly want to drill it for the bigsby if it’s going to be useless!
Thanks a lot man
A Roller is killer! also, spend some time on the nut! You will get it!
DylanTalksTone ah no really? The gotoh tom I ordered last week arrived today! Id read roller bridges killed the tone and were unnecessary, hoping the tom will work ok, if not will consider one. Hopefully my guitar tech will be able to sort something out. It seems like a good nut with a little lubricant makes the bigger difference. Thanks for the reply
Thank you... A common sense, cause and effect talk. If the path of resistance is clear, then there should be no problems. You could have addressed occasional issues that happen with the bigsby not fastened down properly, dodgy DIY upgrades where it's not in line with the guitars string path, loose or worn roller, locking tuners etc etc... But well done. I don't know why people are put off by bigsby's they have a certain sound that is plain useful. As long as your not trying divebombs all should be well.
i notched my compensated tele saddles for my bigsby. works great.
What is recommened for lubricant of all the friction points once these issues have been fixed?
Hi mate. I've recently installed a b5 and Vibramate on my 61 reissue SG. My question is (and you've probably seen this) there's a guy on RUclips that goes OVER the roller and swears it never goes out of tune? I see your bigsby is set up the "conventional" way, like mine....does he have a point? Cheers.
I Dont like going "over" because Because there is not enough downward pressure. With a Vibramate this would even be less
It might rip the Bigsby off the guitar. Eventually...
He does have a point. Proven by experience.I use a Chinese Bigsby and on myguitar goes OVER the roller. Everything is O.K
Hi anyone reading this :)
I tried going over roller and got some unpleasant overtones that are quite prominent! So I reverted back to original setup.
good advice on this video.. I got a B5 giving me issues..- dani bandolier
I have a custom guitar in college with a b7 and don’t have problem with it, i don’t even use rollers
I use a TOM bridge on my Newport and I've NEVER gone out of tune. Going out of tune occurs because of a poor set up. No roller bridge needed if your setup is correct.
Excellent!!
Thank you
I have a tele with a bigsby,,,, never go's out unless I really dig in to it
I don’t know what all the fuss about. I played on a Bigsby for years , I had not trouble with it n
What so ever . If the nut is cut the right way & lubricated & so is the bridge is the same. Believe me, there should be NO PROBLEMS WITH SO EVER . I fined it mor difficult to set up a floating tremolo , like the once on a strat to work properly, stay in tune & not too hard to use it . You have to stuff around with different steel or brass blocks , to give you sustain, 2or3or4 springs , to play around with , & most of the time , you have to make the Cavity bigger to take the bigger block . I use to repair guitars , & most of the problems I use to have is , the floating tremolo on the strats .
EVERY guitar with a Bigsby should also have a roller bridge - otherwise all you're doing is dragging your strings back and forth across a knife edge. It should be a CRIME to sell a guitar with a Bigsby without a roller bridge...
Tablature Butler meh. I disagree. It depends on the setup. Tele style guitars with barrels, sorkin bow ties, and a few others work well also.
Well - ice cream comes in more than one flavor for a reason - but the physics/mechanics are pretty indisputable - dragging a wire across something that doesn't move WILL give you more resistance than something that matches the movement of the wire - or cable - or log - or whatever. All the best to you...
Tablature Butler the trick is, some of the bridges I just mentioned DO move with the string so there is less friction than even a roller. Point being.... there are more options than just a roller.
Tablature Butler just bought a 335 and some dipshit put a bigsby on himself and put it on wrong and also forgot to buy s roller bridge
Gibson have a problem with tuning on its bigsby. They make unwanted break points for a start and constantly go out of tune. Get a roller bridge and ignore wrapping your strings under the 2nd part of the bigsby, just let them sit across it. You can go to town with the trem and it never goes out of tune. Also I've realised my bigsby on my gretsch often comes loss from the nut I've tried super glue to hold the nut in place and it works very very well.
good vids man thx
I don’t think the background music is needed. I work in loud environment and would be more of a distraction. I would suggest a better microphone to catch his voice cleaner, the room reverb makes it hard to listen to every now and then (in work place).
Good content nonetheless 👍🏽👍🏽
Roller bridge and just string over not under the front roller behind the bridge. That front bar is for ectreme break angle. It's not needed.
You need to run your strings over the TOP of that 'break bar' on the Bigsby, NOT under it. Running the strings under it will guarantee you'll have tuning problems. Check out Scott Grove's "String Your Bigsby Wrong, Beat It Up. IN TUNE EVERY TIME!" video and try it for yourself. That huge break angle is NEVER good !!! The original, OLD bigsbys never HAD that bar there, they only used the one that the strings pin on, then the strings just go straight over to the bridge.
Hoof Harted lol nah. This was the way it was designed and it works great. No tuning problems here
I also watched this video the guy is a legend.
I tried that method and it didn’t work on my LP ES. Seemed like it worked for the guy in the video.
Bigsby's never go out of tune, they just convert your tuning to bagpipes. Chord out Scotland The Brave.....see, told ya!
my edge lll seem like has two zero points , how can i fix it?
hey man, you should put some background music in your videos, just to make it that much better! great video buy the way, really helpful!
If you have enough angle between the Bridge and Bigsby DO NOT pass the strings under the tension roller. And also replace the Bridge with Roller type Bridge. Thats all folks.
Vibrato
Hmmm... sounds like this dude knows what he's talking about... Thanks!
DustyCowdog we try. Thanks so much
I have a Gretsch and never have I had a guitar that is so hopeless at staying in tune...
Best way to keep it in tune is to buy a new one when you need to change strings.
Tuning is overrated!!!! Just kidding, great explanation, thanks!
I know dont put a bigsby on a teli there thats easy
Thanks, this video convinced me to not buy a guitar with a bigsby
can someone point out the time he actually explains "how to keep a bigsby in tune"? i fell asleep after 5 minutes of lame and trivial shit talking.
1.123 4 well... wake back up because all those small details matter to how a bigsby says in tune. Thanks so much for watching. If this video doesn’t have the exact answer to your question, there are a whole series of videos on our channel about bigsbys. If you still don’t find what you are looking for, feel free to ask and we can create some more content to answer your question.
Unless you must have it, dont buy a guitar with a bigsby. They are a nightmare to string and this video suggests, unless you have all the planets aligned, you're guitar will be out of tune every time you use it.
Lol wrong
@@DylanTalksTone wow, intelligent response.
For the first four minutes of the video you established one thing. This video could've been way shorter.
We also established... you could use the fast forward
@@DylanTalksTone Doesn't change the fact that the video could be shortened. Just because you can get around a problem, doesn't mean it isn't a problem.
@@spark-e guess what.... I dont care.
@@DylanTalksTone Obviously you do care since you replied to my comment on a four year old video.
@@spark-e lol. Comments and conversation help the algorithm. Truthfully I do this stuff for fun and I dont care if every person doesnt like it. We have over 500 videos... I ain't scared of a comment or two ;)
Your head is big
That's all you got out of this video? Really You must be a wee lad.
It's called wide angle camera
and drunk hes a big time degenerate alcoholic so excuse him
The cell phone ringing was rude! Stop watching the video!!
Mark D ?
It's not like he opened it and then responded to whatever it was. Drink some milk or tea if you're too easily distracted by that. Nothing was rude about it.