BIGSBYS DON'T STAY IN TUNE?! WRONG! Setup & Maintenance Tips for Bigsby Vibratos
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- Опубликовано: 10 фев 2025
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Bigsby vibratos look, feel, and sound great, but a lot of people seem to think they're tuning nightmares. In this week's video, we're going to look at the Bigsby vibrato and some tips on how to keep your guitar coming back into tune every time.
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My son bought me a Gretsch for Father's Day and I have been dealing with tuning stability on an otherwise great playing and sounding guitar. I have watched a number of videos on this topic, and your video was by far the most helpful. After smoothing out the nut slots, lubricating the nut and saddle, and going from 10's to 11's, - problem solved! I didn't have to spend any money or alter the guitar, and it plays wonderfully. Also loved the "penny" trick. Thanks!
I dropped to a lighter string and had some issues. I'm working it out. Love my Bigsby on my Godin Dorchester.
The presentation is unparalleled. Well done sir.
Agreed. I am using every bit of this video, the jamming at the end is impressive. Replay, replay, replay.....
Just bought my first Gretsch, used, and it's on the way. Getting a 2018 G5655TG Electromatic Center Block Jr. It's on the way. Reportedly, it's in great condition. However, in their pics, they have the strings on wrong - over and over instead of over and under before reaching the bridge. This is to be my first guitar, and even I knew it was wrong. No wonder they were getting rid of the thing. Meanwhile, I'm doing all my research to make sure I know how to master my new-to-me guitar, so THANK YOU for this video. Once it gets hear (and gets setup "properly"), my lessons begin. And whoever said a Bigsby is difficult has never owned a cello. With a 3.5-inch tall floating bridge, setting up a cello is like herding cats, and getting and keeping it in tune is a delicate dance, as every adjustment to one string throws the other three off. And those tuning pegs are pure friction - they essentially float too. This Bigsby ought to be a breeze. Guitarists are spoiled. 🙄
1. Demo was fantastic. 2. I seriously need to buy a notebook just for your epiphany-laden channel [insert angelic harps, choir, and blinding rays of light] 3. I, too, dream a world of mint-scented cases.
The mint scent makes me feel so at ease and calm. Opening cases makes me ready to create!
@@Puisheen Yes and yes!
i have played guitar over fifty years and i have owned alot of guitars with Bigsby's . I recently purchased a Gretsch with a Bigsby done every thing to it polished nut slots and saddles it just wouldn't stay in tune .I never had this problem before I worked on it for 3 days .... Then i watched you video took out plastic washer , replaced with a penny ..... perfect dive bomb it stays in tune , thank you !
This is my new favorite video. Not sure how I missed it for 2 months. But as a Bigsby lover, this has some great tips in it!
Thanks, Jef!
I’ve always had a bigsby and I always will. There’s always some brosauce dudeski playing a ParkerFly with a Floyd Rose trying to bronate on my Tele rig about tuning instability. I enjoy delivering them from their false brospeech. A bigsby is such a classic design from an awesome era craftsman ship that can’t be bro’d down by the unbelievers.
I legit learned something with the Burt’s Bees though.
this is gold! the trick with bending the end of the string with a pair of needle nosed pliers is one of the most useful tips I've ever come across. I have heard so many guitarists say how changing strings on a Bigsby is such a huge nuisance, so I was a bit concerned when I got my first Bigsby guitar. but with this trick changing strings is a breeze. thank you soo much!
I'm so glad to hear this, it really does save time during a string change
Oh man, just bought a used G5420T 2021 Gretcsh from Guitar Center that was a little rough to keep in tune.
Loosened the strings, put a penny under the exercised spring, lightly chapsticked the top and bottom of the spring then applied chapstick with a tooth pick on the saddle and nut slots.
Wow! 99% improvement!
Thanks so much for the tips!
I have a 60-year-old Hofner and a 20-year-old Gretsch, both hollowbodies, both with Bigsbys. They're well set-up guitars, and I've never had a problem with either of them staying in tune. I just got a secondhand 2019 Epiphone Riviera, also with a Bigsby, and it won't hold its tuning at all. I'm in the process of setting it up and messing with it - it's my new guitar, so I have to, right? - and your video has perfectly summarised all the stuff I knew about, and added some great tips that I didn't. I'm going to stomp on the spring 50 times, for a start, and I'm finally gonna learn that second string-locking technique, and use it instead of the up-and-under routine I usually follow. Oh, and I'm in Ireland, but I have a Lincoln penny somewhere.... Thanks so much for the video - enlightening, inspiring and entertaining!
Hey, thanks so much for watching and congrats on having such wonderful instruments. Love old Hofners!
I know this is 2 years old but I just got an lp special with a bigsby that wouldn't stray in tune. The different way of stringing it, the spacer trick and the spring trick fixed it and its awesome now, thanks man!!
Thank you. This was helpful. I added a Gretsch Baritone Guitar to my arsenal and you addressed my issues with the Bigsby on it.
Thank you. I've been fretting over the vibratto tailpiece of my hollow-body electric for years.
10/10 on the outro.
Great video. Several years ago, I got a new Memphis Custom Shop hollow body Les Paul, with a Bigsby. It would not stay in tune at all. I had never had a Les Paul before, so I had to learn the tricks on how to keep it in tune. I have always been big on stretching my strings when changing them. I learned about lubricating the nut. I used graphite, but now I will try the chapstick trick. I have cheated and put locking tuners and Wilkinson roller bridges on my Bigsby equipped guitars. I found locking tuners for the Les Paul that look just like the stock tuners. I found locking tuners for my Bigsby equipped Tele that are direct replacements for the vintage style Fender tuners, and Grover locking tuners for my Epiphone Wildkat. When I restring, I take the spring out and pull the string tight. Then when I put the spring back after the strings are all on, I have minimum turns around the post. Then I stretch the strings until they don't go out of tune. This can take a while, but it's time well spent.
Never had any tuning issues with Bigsby's.......With the right preperation and installation.....this video say's it all
This is a wonderfully helpful tech session on how to truly love and nurture your Bigsby Vibrato. I recently got my first Gretsch (a brand new G5410T Electromatic "Rat Rod" with a Bigsby B60) and it would not stay in tune as set up from the factory. I followed your tips shown here and - voila! - my Gretsch is now the sweetest of the sweet. The copper penny trick is just the coolest thing too.
Hey man the string trick worked awesome ,just some minor tuning after I do some deep dives ,I know this vid is 3 years but thank you so much I didn't know anything about bigsby ,I now live it
Great video. Just bought my first guitar with a bigsby. This video gave me all the information I needed.
On my Epiphone Les Paul with a Bigsby, I swapped in locking tuners, a graphite nut, a roller bridge, a taller spring... But for me, the biggest improvement in tuning stability came from using a TruGlide
After extensive trial and error I found the greatest tuning stability on my Les Paul with Bigsby was using domed thumbwheels on the bridge, which essentially allow the Tuneomatic to pivot like an offset bridge
That sounds interesting...What do you mean by "domed thumb wheels" ?
@@jeromewagschal9485 You can buy them from Crazy Parts in Germany. They are a copy of a part that Gibson used on Vibrola-equipped guitars in the 60s.
IME for a Bigsby to work properly with a Tuneomatic there needs to be some tilt at that bridge so that rather than the strings dragging across the saddles as you use the Bigsby the saddles move with the string.
Some guitars achieve this, either by accident or design, when the bridge post holes are drilled in such a way that allow the posts tilt back and forth ever so slightly as you use the Bigsby. I recently got to play two custom shop Les Pauls on which the posts did this, and the tuning stability was great.
Other guitars don’t, but this tilting effect is what the domed thumbwheels allow you to achieve. Alternatively, if you have machinist skills you could just round the base of the Tuneomatic to create the same effect.
@@colmkelly5524 Thank you so much 🙂🙂🙂 I'll go check Crazy Parts today...
I did notice from my (limited) experience installing them that the handcast US-made models often had the hinges at the rear at a slightly crooked angle which made aligning them quite a challenge (and misaligned they are a tuning stability nightmare). Or required substantial shimming if it was a free-floating one without rollerbar. The import Bx0-series all were spot on though.
This can definitely be true, and it can be frustrating for sure. Even this one had that just a little bit, but not so bad that I wasn't able to make it work.
Brilliant! The best discussion on friction and lube and tuning post technique ever done. Well done and thank you!
Thank you for the tips. very well communicated and much appreciated!!
Great trick with the penny. I already keep pennies in my toolbox for other things, now I’m gonna have to keep extra ones for the Bigsby.
Thanks for sharing.
(Awesome). I just set up my gretsch 5420T l could never keep it in tuned, after redoing the intonation and following your advice the tuning noticeably better. Its almost to my satisfaction. Just a bit more tweaking. To get it there. ( Great video) THANKS.
Awesome! ordered a brand new Gretsch B7G Gold Vibrato Tailpiece & Gold Vibramate V7-LP-G to modify my Peavey JF-1. Its become my favorite to play behind my Paul Reed Smith's...Awesome installation tips!
Mike, you are a creature of habit. Every Thursday a new video. 🔥 Waiting for the Bigsby relic process video 👀
Lol this is me attempting consistency!
I use chap-stick on metal to metal threads too, like bridge studs to body inserts. It's good to lubricate screws going into freshly drilled holes too.
Thank you my friend! Very, VERY helpful!
I’m installing a Chigsby on a Tele right now!
Straight dropping knowledge kid.. a copy of this should be given out to anyone who plans on doing anything string related on a guitar....you have a great way of saying this is how I do things and since I'm able make a living doing it this way it just might be correct lol
Sharing that Big Mike energy. You are the Ro to my Laren.
And you, the Sonya to my Gomez.
Mate, I’ve been waiting for this one!
Awesome tips and info. Thanks!
The lip balm tip is absolutely genius and has helped a lot. Need to break in my spring but might go for a soft spring. Thinking of going for a roller bridge too as there is still movement on the bridge with use of the bigsby arm.
Cherry Chapstick is what I always use. Read years ago it actually has more ‘oil’ in it than the regular. It’s also an old school trick to use it on carburetor gaskets to keep them from sticking 😀
I saw this and I am delightfully happy with the video. Thanks for the lip balm tip!
I have another tip for restringing a Bigsby, use a capo. I did this with my Ltd Viper that I added a Vibramate and Bigsby on. I have a Vibramate Spoiler on it too and that definitely helps.
With Bigsbys there are a few differences between Licensed and the US made models as well as other models like the Ibanez Vintage Vibrato unit. Yes they had to pay royalties to Bigsby in the US on those. First off I will admit I do not have a guitar with a US made Bigsby, they definitely feel and function smoother than the Licensed ones. The string posts on the Licensed models are short, like they barely go past the ball end on a string. I do bend the string but if I am using post and not a Spoiler they still flop off. The posts on the Ibanez are acually longer and easier to work with in my experience. They slide off far less than the Licensed models I have on my Viper and my Gretsch Electromatic. I bought Spoilers for both of them and they do work.
I can recommend everything on this video. On the Viper I capo my string around the 12th fret because I use the over/under method of string winding. I will also point out that as you get to the skinnier strings you want more wraps. Two to three wraps work for the E and A strings but really the ideal point is to get the string close to where the tapper on the post flairs back out so one or two milimeters or an eighth of an inch from the washer. This provides more downward pressure and tuning stability. I used to have guys at an old job I had, have me restring their guitars because they only had a wrap or two on a regular string post. Yeah, no wonder you Strat won't stay in tune and it sucks!
I have nothing but good things to say about the Ibanez Vibratos as long as you properly string the guitar at the machine heads. They are closer in feel and sound to the Licensed Bigsby models. Also the Vibramate, it is a cool product. It does keep the Bigsby itself about an eight of an inch higher than would be if you direct mounted it. Right now my Viper is having a little tuning stability issues and I am also considering just deck the Bigsby on the guitar top and moving it further back. For whatever reason the string length behind the back of the bridge to the post ends, the longer it is, the more subtlety you get from the unit. Not sure why other than perhaps physics. Anyways, the Vibramate is a great product if you want to try a Bigsby before mounting it or giving your guitar a snake bite.
Hope this helps.😉👍✨
Where man where did you go ?? Your videos are always awesome and so Informative. You saved me when it came to setting up my jazzmaster and now it’s my favourite guitar. Came across this bigsby vid thinking about buying an epiphone es355 with a bigsby but I was reluctant as I’ve heard about tuning issues. This has reassured me a little thanks again !
I have a se cond roller replacing the solid rod the strings go under works great.
Wow!!! thanx broth to share all these iluminated ways to make a better set up and maintenance for my bigsby!!! holy god what kind of horrible mistakes I was doing!!!!
Good video and brico-advices dude!!... As you say,problems with Bigsby use to be really most problems of friction of nut an saddles ( in addition to the incorrect tying of strings).Another problem I’ve noticed is the pronounced angle of strings in the saddles,this happens in the variety that has the secondary roller, the solution is to pass strings above the roller instead of below,even remove roller if necessary.I think the roller is something appropriate with telecaster type bridges, but it is an inconvenience for the TOM bridges increasing string's angle on saddles.
Good video 👌😉
This is a great channel! I love these tips! I have been wrapping my 3+3 guitars very similar to your method, but making it way harder on myself than I should have been (wrapping it two or three times, then feeding the end through the top two wraps to get the string to hold itself). Your method is SO much easier. I feel like an idiot for not realizing this! Thank you for sharing your insights!
Aw you're not an idiot! Everyone's got a different way, but I'm glad this info helps! I will say that the way I present in the video is also easier to remove when you change, so that's a bonus.
@@Puisheen I will try it on my next string change. Loving your videos, man!
I have a Gretsch Electromatic that has been giving me tuning stability issues even after roller saddles. I followed some of your tips. The penny, stomping the spring, and a little graphite on the nut went a long way.
So funny! Burt's Beeswax to lubricate the nut and saddle on a Bigsby tremolo (and no lube on a Jazzmaster which is designed to move back/forth - point taken if I can ever afford one of those).
I have seen so many other Gretsch tuning videos to replace a ton of items to improve the tuning issue, especially an Electromatic (but Phillip McK has some good points to probably improve overall tone as he mentions a change in nut among other things).
Back in 2019, as I moved into my new neighborhood, I discovered that a famous rock musician lived down the street. As I was in the market to buy my next electric I was steered to purchase a guitar that "looked" just like his (maybe a potential signature of this new guitar). Well, I should have known that his custom Gretsch White Falcon was nothing like the
Amazing video. Thanks. And that song at the end was awesome!
lol thank you Blake I'm really hoping Miller hires me for beer tunes
Thank you! This really is informing. I wonder if there are anyone skilled in Paris for helping me out with this.
Torres, Janeway, BTTF, Bigsbys? I'm in!
Seriously well thought out & explained video.
New sub!
I will definitely give it a shot because my Bigsby always go out of tune after some heavy bending.
Can highly recommend the Reverend soft spring as a replacement for the stock Bigsby spring
I wish I liked that but I really don't care for the feel at all
The best thing I ever did for my Bigsby was buy the Callaham slotted roller and drilled string tree upgrade kit. Makes setup and string changing so much easier!
Great info, I have 4 guitars with Bigsbys and will use your tips. Thank you. Nice shredding at the end BTW!
Handy tips. Accidentally put 11. strings in Les Paul with Bigsby. Tuning stucked to nut. Then 9. set was still not stay in tune when using Bigsby. But finally adding lubricant saved the day. Will still see if needing to take guitar to adjusting. Seems like much more trouble with gibson nuts and bridges while fenders been worked right away.
I wish you made all the guitar repair videos on RUclips. I'm watching a 335 rewiring video right now and it's dreadful but Im doing my due diligence before I mess something up with the soldering iron later.
335s can be tricky, and I imagine it would be tough to explain. I'm sure I'll need to extract a harness soon enough, so I'll keep the camera ready for such an occasion!
@@Puisheen followup from this antique comment: I messed it up. 😂
Burts lube and standing on the spring were a revelation - thank you sir.
Honestly the Burt's thing is such a quality of life improvement for me. I use that stuff on strings, squeaky vibrato arms, and so many other places
I have an American Professional Telecaster I bought new in 2020 and installed a Vibramate TEAS Bigsby. I’ve had problems with string wandering so I installed Gotoh Brass Intune compensated saddles and it was an improvement but there is still a problem with the high E string slipping out of the groove. The guitar is playable but I would like to eliminate the problem if possible. I’m thinking of trying the Rutters tuning saddles as I’ve “heard” those saddles eliminate the string wandering problem but don’t want to spend the money unless I’m positive it will stop the problem.
Man what a great video!! thanks so much for sharing
I have a Gretsch G5420T and the biggest problem I had with tuning was the saddles. First, right from the factory they rattled. Then there was the loss of tuning and the open tuners suffered from creep. The fix for me was roller saddles and a set of locking tuners. fixed everything. I even get a better sustain.
I tend to use Bigsby's with aftermarket Rollerbridges... they go together like a charm.
I am new to Bigsby and in the market for a Baritone. Likely will be the Gretsch G5260T Electromatic w/ Bigsby. Great well informed video sir. I like your jam at the end...impressive. Glad I came across your channel. Thank you
So one thing you can do, and its funny you bring of the jazzmaster, is do a rocking TOM like Gibson did with their vibrola equipped guitars in the mid to late 60s. Unfortunately they no longer do it. Essentially the thumb wheels on those guitars were not flat but had a domed shape that allowed the bridge to rock. Crazyparts makes reproduction thumbwheels for tremolos. I can attest that those style of wheels allow the bridge to rock and keep tuning much better.
About to string my first Bigsby on the Schecter PT Fastback my wife bought me yesterday.
Valuable tip and tricks, thank you for sharing.👍 from Canada Mtl.
Great video! Thank you by the tips. Greetings from Brazil.
I also use graphite to help the strings slide through the saddles.
I just rub it in the slots and it helps the strings slide better.
Excellent video, tips, production. My Xtone is a great guitar but the Bigsby is a little unpredictable. Thanks.
Very informative video, as per usual. Also, great performance at the end!
Great playing.
To a new vibrato owner, this info is genius. Thank you.
My personal favourite way of winding tha strings is your #2, except I don't wrap 3 turns, as far as I notices it is way less stable than... no wound at all ! If there is no issue in the string angle behind the nut, I prefer not having strings that have more room to move than necessary. So, if fact, I am close to a normal locking tuner. Thanks for your video !
Awesome video and you seem to be a great guy as well! Thank you!
There was a ton if information in here I didn't know so thanks!
Great video, great information, easily understandable and very good audio quality. Great job. Subscribing.
Also, don't forget to put your new spring in before, not after...
Great video, glad I didn't lubricate the bridge on my new Custom Tele (Jazzmaster bridge)
Wow great tip for the jazz master
I like the lip balm idea.
Texas is HOT, and no one I know wants to have to prep a guitar two three times a week.
We'll see how it works out this summer.
Thanks
Very worthwhile video, thanks.
Very well explained.
I just purchased a Gibson Johnny A. These tips are really great. I also have a Gretsch 5150? That this info will do wonders for as well. Thanks.....A penny a.......
This video couldn't have come at a better time, someone gave me an old 1970s Univox Coily which could definitely use a set-up (and a refret tbh)
Oh FUN guitar right there, that's rad! Love gift guitars
Great tips. I have a Floyd rose vibrato rn, but I’m looking to buy a bigsby ASAP. It just has so much class too it.
A very intelligent presentation.
thank you mate, buying my first guitar in about 10 years and leaning toward a gretsch streamliner and this makes me feel a little more comfortable in my purchase! still hesitant as ever ttho
New to your channel and enjoying all this great info!
Another great video Mike! This is channel is quickly becoming one of my favourite! I loved the final solo, great tone, feel and playing. Did you write it before or was it improvised?
Thanks! I wrote it intentionally like background music for a beer commercial, but for the guitar solo I had a beginning and an end in mind and left the middle mostly open
@@Puisheen Wow! Well done, I will definitively learn it using my Gibson 2014 Trini Lopez :-)
I pre bend my strings with my finger, I hold the ball flat and rap it around my finger and make a crimp in the string and it hooks on the pins very easy.
Been waiting for this. Thanks brother.
This video was awesome 👏🏼 thank you sir!
Great Job, Great ideas. Congrants!
Cool tune at the end. Sounds like old Wilco or Uncle Tupelo.
I got myself a roller bridge for the Bigsby.
Thank you for this video!
Great video with excellent advice, I liked your video at the end I just wish you used the Bigsby vibrato a lot more. I need more Bigsby, and Cowbell.
Well prepared presentation. Kudos.
I love endings that Rock!
Idk what impressed me more...the fact that there may be hope for my Gretsch or your chops..holy smokes man..
Bless you!
@@Puisheen Any recommendations for fixing buzz at the bridge with a fixed TOM bridge?
@@ThatOtherRaccoon Might be due to sloppy fit between the various parts? Tough to diagnose or suggest a course of action without the guitar in hand
@@Puisheen Hmm..well I did mess around with it's height so that could have something to do with it. What about a way to do a setup on TOM bridges? I'm watching your videos but haven't come across one yet.
@@ThatOtherRaccoon There's really nothing more to it than any other bridge, I'm afraid!
Pro advice! Subbed❤
I have a 'directions' sheet from a late 50's B6. Operationally Paul Bigsby designed the unit to function as a "depression actuated" unit within the parameter of up to a quarter tone. I know we've all seen Neil Young pop bridge saddles by wanking the arm out to a 60 degree angle, but this is definitely NOT within the design limitations. I.E. You cannot play "Strato-bomber" with these things, just think Chet Atkins subtlety daubing and weaving the notes using only downward pressure. (never saw HIM go outta tune!)
Great tips on here and expertly presented, but I always made the nut bass string slots E A D flat at the bottom, less string contact rather than matching the curve of the string, seemed to work for me.
Thanks for the help.
Severe break angles are your worst enemy. On a Gibson style 3x3 I wrap the strings UP the post to lessen the break angle at the nut. At the Bigsby end, with some guitars the break angle can be rather severe from the bridge to the tension roller. In this case I put spacer/washers under the Bigsby at the front attach points to raise the unit, thus the tension roller, for a much shallower break angle to the bridge.
I actually run the low E, A and D strings OVER the tension roller.
Great tips....Thanks!