Mastering the Gibson Vibrola

Here I am sharing some tips on how to take the most out of this vibrato system, so overrated and hated by some, but hiding some truly amazing possibilities.
Check it out!
Guitars: 1968 Gibson SG Special, K-Line strat
Amp sim: Scuffham S-Gear

[@nasticanasta]

Frank Marino is the master of the Maestro Vibrola, Last time I talked to him he told me about the angle of the spring, but he didn't have time to tell me much else. SO this is the missing piece of the puzzle...I got rid of my 74 STrat I don't like the scale length anymore...I almost made a mistake of buying a Dussenberg, thank god I do lots of research before I buy anything. SO I'm going to make my SG my Strat since it is the STrat of Gibson's, kind of do something like Frank did with 3 single coils

[@doctor7music91]

Let me know how it goes! Cheers,

[@hectorfarias960]

Nice explanation Panchito, works Nice.

[@doctor7music91]

Gracias papá, besos!

[@petemccarry2326]

So, you wrap around the E, A, and D strings, but run the G, B, and high E strings through the Vibrola? Or was it just the B and E strings through the Vibrola? Will it work with a compensated tailpiece, or just the wrap around tailpiece? You gave me some ideas. I recently restored my ‘66 SG Jr. to stock, because of Link Wray.

[@doctor7music91]

@@petemccarry2326 hi, if you have a wraparound bridge tailpiece you can engage any strings you want. I have tried several different ways but my preferred way is to only have the b and g strings connected to the Vibrola. Your SG Jr should be perfect for this, unless you have modified it by incorporating a tune-o-matic bridge.

[@PageandPlant4Life]

Do the strings not move around on the bridge when doing big bends? I cant see there being much pressure to keep the strings in place. And a wraparound bridge doesn't have deep slots to keep the strings in place

[@doctor7music91]

You can make deeper slots on the wraparound bridge if you want, but I don’t see the need as it never got out of the slot while bending, and I have done so pretty wild bendings on this guitar.

[@frantisca]

Interesting how you use the Vibrola as a G and B bender. Stays well in tune. Was it flexible from the beginning, or did you have to do something to make it less stiff ? Mine is pretty hard to bend… cheers

[@doctor7music91]

It was, so am not sure why is it stiff for you. Perhaps the fact that less strings are adding counterforce makes it easier?