Fitting A Bigsby Tailpiece To My ES-330 (w/
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- Опубликовано: 28 сен 2024
- I first became aware of the Gibson ES-330 when I saw @GuitarDotCom's video of @WeAreLittleBarrie's 1962 ES-330 - and I absolutely fell in love with how it sounds. Barrie is a killer player of course, but his guitar really sings too. So I've tweaked my guitar (to my ears, at least!) to sound as close to his as possible. This has also recently involved fitting a set of Wizz P90s, which have been a revelation.
But there's one other part of Barrie's guitar that I thought brought it to life...the Bigsby. Coincidentally, I've had a thinline-spec Bigsby knocking about here for a few years now that I've always been tempted to fit to it...but have chickened out. I tried fitting a Bigsby once before and royally ballsed it up.
Eventually though, curiosity got the better of me - but I'd learned my lesson in not attempting invasive guitar mods myself(!) so I decided to take it to the legendary Matt Gleeson of @Montysguitarsandpickups to perform the surgery. He's the man for pretty much any job, at the end of the day...!
So on 29 February 2024, I spent a couple of hours with Matt doing the work, and this video documents the semi-delicate process of fitting a hulking chunk of metal to a thinline.
What do you think? Was it a good choice to fit it? Comment below!
Guitar is a Gibson ES-330 '61 VOS Reissue w/ Wizz P90s. Amp is a Vajra JTM45 clone running into a Zilla Studio Pro 2x12 cabinet loaded with Celestion AlNiCo Gold & G12M Heritage Greenback speakers. Track recorded through the Greenback with a '70s Sennheiser MD441 mic. Spring reverb is a Dr Z Z-Verb unit.
jp@joeperkins.co.uk
Vector images by freepik.com
I’m planning on having one fitted to my Casino. Would love a 330 - but couldn’t wait so picked up a cheaper Casino instead.
👍👍🍺. Looks good,
Why didnt you go with the Bigsby B3 instead? Did you need more break angle?
To be honest, it was an old Bigsby that I've had sitting around for a few years, so just used what I had! But I've heard the extra bar & increased break angle can help with playability.
Cool! I want to do the same thing but I am scared it willchange the sound of my ES-330. What did the Bigsby do the feel and sound of your guitar?
I think it tightened up the low end slightly, and also made it a little less prone to feeding back. But overall, no significant change 👍
Sup Joe! 👍✌👋
Can Bigsby be either lefty or righty?
You'll have to get a lefty/righty specific Bigsby - theoretically it'd work, but the bar would be on the wrong side of the bridge if you use the wrong version.
Looks killer!
I install Bigsbys on all of my guitars and I can’t live without them. I’d recommend giving the Reverend Soft Springs a try, in my opinion they make the Bigsby a lot more responsive and fun to use.
Will take a look! 🙂
100% agree. The Reverend Soft Spring is a MUST for the Bigsby. The regular spring is so stiff that it makes impossible to do nice vibrato.
Have you heard any sonic differences (tonality, sustain, etc.)?
Nothing huge, but I do think the whole top vibrates a lot more now. Could be in my head though!
Congrats! Looks great and sounds great. I see an ezg back there?
Aha well spotted!! Was a little purchase over Christmas...yet to feature it as I've been too busy to really make videos, but will do so soon! Killer sounding amp 🙂
@@JoePerkinsMusic I've been using mine lately with a z 2x12 with the cheapish Jensen Alnico's that I think you reviewed. Works well on that hyper clean side, not so good with dirt pedals though.
@@AdamGotheridge Ah nice - need to get myself a Z 2x12 someday!! Been running mine into my standard Celestion Gold + G12M Heritage Greenback cab and it sounds amazing...killer sounding circuit!
Nice. I can't let someone with power tools near my guitars though
I just started dremel polish all my frets. Incredible difference. Long live power tools!
It can be nerve-racking for sure - but if you find somebody you really trust (like Matt!) it's not too scary 🙂
What does smoking weed do to your dp?
Why do you assume I smoke weed...?