On the positioning the Bigsby step, I would have used the same method you used for positioning the bridge. Leaving the 1st and 6th strings on, I would have added the 5th and 2nd strings through the Bigsby and then through the bridge to make make sure they both line up correctly.
I think that most guitars aren't finished without a tremelo arm. But I'm not sure about Teles. It's a stick and a slab of wood. It's yer bog standard model. No air con, no power steering, no servo, only available in beige. Basic. So that means no extras like tremelo arms.
I’ve been playing a tele as my only electric for a year. I enjoyed every part of it except itching for a tremolo. I would actually say that it would actually be perfect if there are more affordable tele models with bigsbies.
Every time I play my tele I always reach out and try to grab the tremolo, but nothings there 😂 I was tempting on tossing on a Floyd rose, since I had an extra, but I’m going this route. Thanks for the video!
You gained a subscriber! I used this video to help me when i put the trem system on my hollowbody Gretsch, i'm watchin this now to help me with my telecaster project, i built the tele with a kit. Now i am gettin the project done sometime in a few days, thanks for this video
@Manotick StringWorks Now i could use the modern six saddle bridge right? Later on the tele is going to get the three saddle ashtray in black. I aint sure how i'm going to do all that.
My Squier Affinity Telecaster is set up exactly like this one , except that I didn't install the arcade style kill switch and mine has fender locking tuners installed. One thing about these aftermarket Bigsby style tremolo setups is that the nut and washer tend to tighten themselves up to where you can't turn the arm. I think that some "thread lock" might be the way to go when doing this type of mod. Great job! I sort of messed mine up doing this😅, but I got it straightened out.
Thread lock would be good; another trick is to put the nut on something that can function as an anvil, and strike it gently with a steel hammer, so that it becomes *veeeeery* slightly oval instead of perfectly round; this will increase the friction on the thread. You need to be *very* careful with this trick, trying first a very light blow, fitting the nut on the thread, then if it needs a harder blow, going only slightly harder, etc. If you hit it too hard, it won't even go on the thread, or it'll damage the thread. I've never done that on a Bigsby, so I don't know the specifics, I just know this as a general trick with nuts and bolts/machine screws.
Great video, plan on doing this with my Partscaster, got it off E Bay here in the UK but was ripped off as the neck was useless, had a back bow and the truss rod nut was rounded off, got a new replacement neck (roasted maple), Wilkinson tuners, bone nut, brass compensating saddles, guitar already had a Wilkinson pickup in the bridge and a five way Strat switch, pretty sure the body is Squire as it's 40mm thick, Butterscotch and slightly relic'd, it now plays superb and is currently my favorite guitar. Was looking at a licensed Bigsby B5 kit, can only find them in the US (i'm over in Scotland), shipping and import tax is the killer. Will get one though.
I did this exact same mod to my 2018 Jazzmaster Affinity. I bought a dremel, a Wilkinson half tele bridge and a cheap Bigsby knockoff (I recently bought a locking nut because the arm would just loose very quickly), it initially had a strat-style 6 saddle hardtail bridge.
@@Pappysan Not mine. Mine is from the 2018 AFFINITY series, those were the low-mid range guitars from Squier. It had no trem system, just a hardtail bridge with 6 saddles (like a strat bridge)
@@Apo458 Oh, I didn't know that...I was just looking at Affinity Jazzmasters because they are going for about $280 (with a trem). Seems to me selling a Jazzmaster without a trem is kind of sacrilegious...
@@Pappysan Yup, pretty strange design decision. I picked it because it looked cool with black body and two humbuckers. Now I changed it all to gold hardware, I love it even more now
I love the look of these on a Tele and I’ll be doing the same on my Artist Tele shortly. Is there any reason you had to change the bridge? My guitar came stock with humbuckers so my bridge is different to the standard Tele. Add to that I’m a lefty, so I’ve bought a Chinese copy and I’ll pull it down and rework it so it suits a lefty. Fun. I guarantee I’ll never use it either lol. I like the kill switch you did too, nice bit of extra chrome!
Thanks for watching - I hope you have subscribed to my channel? I wanted to use the vintage style bridge with brass saddles and the original bridge had 6 block saddles that you cant run the strings over.
@@ManotickGuitarTech ah ok I see. I’ll have to change bridges also to use mine as my strings are retained in the bridge. I have a humbuckers in mine though so it might be awkward getting a bridge to fit. Maybe I should just wait until I buy a vintage style Tele with just a single pickup at the bridge. My Tele is one of the Artist ones so I will be doing a bit of experimenting on it, I’ll add a kill switch but mine will go on the control plate, I guess I’d call it like John 5. My biggest thing is I’ll be adding a black binding top and bottom to this one, I think it’ll really help with ageing it some, but then the two humbuckers burst the illusion lol.
I've seen another video where a guy had done a "bubba mod" to the factory bridge plate, which is when you CAREFULLY drill 3 holes in between the 6 factory holes and replace the block saddles with 3 brass saddles, but you only get one shot at doing it right, and it's definitely harder to drill straight through hardened chrome plated steel than you think, not to mention that the Wilkinson ashtray style bridge that I ordered was only like $25 on Amazon or something like that. I have the original bridgeplate in a plastic bag in my closet.
While I like the look of the vintage notched 3 saddle much better than the modern 6 saddle, you can do this conversion without changing the bridge. You can buy replacement saddles that have a pass-thru screw on them and a roller saddle that allows the string to go through. They're sometimes used for a B-Bender set up using a modern style bridge.
Absolutely, Jeff - I just wanted to show how you could modify something you might have on hand already. Thanks for watching and I hope you have subbed?
Sad to see the decline of the "Squier by Fender" brand. I really like Squier AND Fender string-through-body hardtails - and especially with the new saddles - because of their versatility. Here again we see the "cheap" "simplified" string-through-bridge manure! 🤔 A bit of historic top-level Bigsby construction. At the end of the 60s, the construction did not have a cylindrical string barrel, but 6/7 stepped ones with different radii - each string has its own depending on thickness and tensile strength. At that time, more attention was paid to the smooth alteration of a full-sounding chord. One mistake was revealed quite quickly - the accuracy of staying in tune depends largely from the strings caliber...
Ottimo lavoro! Complimenti! Sto effettuando il tuo stesso lavoro. Vorrei sapere la distanza, in cm, che devo posizionare la faccia esterna del ponte dal tremolo. Grazie
This is the exact set up I have to use on a Meteora tele build I’m doing. Does it work well after having it for a while? Any issues with the strings grinding the saddles? Thanks for all the info
im so glad i found ur channel im installing a flat bigsby on my semi acoustic and bow theres things u have show me that i must do to make sure it perfect i commend u on ur perfection ur guitar looks beautiful. i hope mine works out as well i will be watching this again when putting it on my guitar thank u rob from Coventry u have a new subscriber you deserve it for aure thanks u so much again i will update u when im done if u get my message.
Awesome work. I want to buy a knockoff bigsby for my Mexican telecaster I converted to an Esquire. Was curious about the tray. Seeing you grind solved that. Thanks.
@@ManotickGuitarTech Hack job, if I've ever seen one! I know, its your project guitar, but using the old bridge would have been a better fit and justified the hacking.
New subscriber in Maine here. I tend toward Fender/Squier guitars and basses for my projects rather than Gibson/Epiphone stuff. I think Leo's designs are just easier for the do-it-yourselfer. I was wondering if you have a preference and why? Love your channel! Thanks.
Thanks for watching and subscribing! Hands down the Fender/Squier products are easier to work on and more reliable in general. Gibsons look pretty but are not really made to be used and abused like a Fender can be.
I bought a couple of telecaster style guitars and tremolos for them similar to the one you installed. I didn't pay much for the guitars or the tremolos so I don't want to pay the cost of a vibramate install bridge.Do you know of another brand of bridge I could order that would not have to be altered that would allow the strings to pass through? The current bridges have four screws in them. Thanks for any help you can provide.
Great video! I also have a butterscotch Telecaster and I have been thinking of adding a trem. I love my tele but I don't play it as often as I like and that's only because it has no tremolo. I was looking at perhaps adding a Vega-Trem, which is great because it requires few, if any, mods at all. However, I really love the classic look of a Bigsby, so I am a bit torn - plus the Vega-Trem is way more expensive than a Bigsby. ...Also, maybe I missed it, but I don't think you mentioned exactly why you couldn't hang to the old bridge. If I went wit a Bigsby, instead of the Vega-Trem, it would be nice to just drill out the holes and slap it on with as few modifications as possible. I'm in no rush and I suppose that I will figure it out at some point. Either way, great video, so I will go ahead and sub! By the way, there are these bridge extension plates, I forget what they're called exactly, but they go from the end of the bridge and cover the old drill holes nicely; I have seen them on eBay. It looks like it is part of he bridge. You might have to drill out a couple of holes, but some of these plates come already pre-drilled. Hope that info helps!
I just wish we could get Fender to sell Teles with the old school internal B-Bender. Hip Shot...just not the same. With Fender owning Bigsby, its also weird that they dont offer it on more of their product lines and even weirder to get a Fender made Gretsch with a licenced Bigsby instead of an original. Seems like they are leaving money on the table for sure by omitting this bit of kit on the 400 dollar-ish Squires at least once in a while.
great video! am hoping to do this on a harley benton te62... kind of a project guitar too though i hope to keep it looking pristine. not quite sure why you changed the bridge AND the plate. can understand why you would different saddles but what's wrong with the plate??? I have a standard ashtray plate with a 3-saddle bridge. would that work? (assuming i use a dremel to route the strings in)
Hey great video. I’m doing the same modification to a tele of my own. I’m hoping to add a kill switch in the same spot as yours. Do you think you could do a video where you show how you wired it up?
Thanks for watching, Jake. I will what I have upcoming and if a kill switch is required - it is basically a ground interrupter. I hope you have subscribed to my channel?
Great video! I started searching for Tele bridge replacement because I just can't cope with the ashtray bridge I have on a otherwise great guitar. Will a Bigsby work with any top loading bridge?
You have to do your homework and take measurements before modifying anything. There are specialty roller bridges made for telecasters - check them out.
I just bought an Affinity Tele and have replaced the pups with Fender Tex Mex pickups and added a Wilkinson plate with brass saddles. It sounds and plays fantastic and was thinking of this mod, but I dont want to ruin a fine playing guitar if it not a quality mod. Question: Is that the Dopro Bigsby knockoff? How is tuning stability? I prefer to play with 9-42 strings due to my bending style and 10s are too heavy for me.
Soo, I've got a tele with the extended bridge plate. Soo I've got it for a drop tune guitar. Why did you change the bridge? I've been wanting to do this to mine but I need it to retain the extended bridge. Would it work?
Got a 72' re-issue deluxe. Is there a specific model bigsby? I have 2 chrome humbuckers on it though. That's why I question. Is it the same model bigsby as your using. I don't need the pick up plate so...just ignorant and curious.
I did the same mods to my Squier Affinity Telecaster about a year and a half ago and it's still an ongoing project. I just put the original bridge plate screws back in. They sort of help with the tone🤡🤪🤡. Naw , I just put them back in to keep the holes filled in, but they do sort of give me a reference point for whenever I remove the bridge plate for any reason. Btw, I used a hacksaw and a couple of cheap minifile sets ,(two of the files snapped in half lol!) ,to cut and grind my bridge plate. Do you have any videos showing the other mods that you have done to your Tele?
This video inspired me to install a B50 on my Tele, thanks. Did you find that you could get correct string alignment without notching those saddles? For me the strings are way off the pole pieces as the B50 has a much narrower string width than a Tele. Im hoping switching in some notched Gotoh saddles will do the job
James I highly recommend replacing the stock Bigsby front roller bar with a Callaham front roller bar. It has slots etched into it that give the correct string spacing coming off the roller bar already which also means the strings will have a strait shot across the saddles & not be fanned out crossing them at an angle & causing sideway pressure & friction on their slots. It's also a heavier more solid bar which may improve sustain. It's the best upgrade I've done to my Tele's Bigsby. Greatly improved the tuning stability. I have literally gone several days playing a couple hrs a day with frequent use of the vibrato without needing to retune. It literally holds tune as well as any & better than some non vibrato guitars I've had.
If I can add, The offshore Bigsby's work well. Thee only issues with them is fit and finish at the contact/bushing points can be an issue. You can take them apart, and polish up those points with some 000 or 0000 steel wool to smooth those areas that are often glanced over in the overseas manufacturing facilities, which is the main culprit if there's binding in the unit. Then prior to final reassembly, just add a bit of light clock oil (my personal choice for its resistance to "bulk up" with debris) or Nutsauce on the contact points, and it will perform well for many years.
You can buy bridges that don't have the back lip. They're kinda pricey though. You can also buy a Bigsby B5 telecaster kit which includes a bridge that is kind of like a plate with a countersunk bridge (think mustang, jazzmaster, jaguar bridge).
@@jorgehuamanmusic you sure can - I just wanted to show how you could do it by modifying parts you already had in stock or from another guitar. Thanks for watching and please subscribe if you haven't already.
Duesenberg tremolo is so superior to anything from Bigsby. Not only improved vintage looks, but improved modern functionality. I'm not talking about the little "les trem" I have no experience with that one
So how do you adjust saddle position since you can’t fit a screwdriver in there? I’m installing my second one tomorrow, and I heard they sell screws which are slotted on both ends.
@@ManotickGuitarTech Where the heck can I find that right angle screwdriver? I looked! Also, you said you used a 1/16” Dremel cutting wheel to make the cuts in the bridge, but I can’t find anything online with that spec. I assume that’s the width, and they don’t give that spec. Thanks for your help!
The arcade switch is a momentary switch which interrupts the signal- it is used as an effect. Look up some "Buckethead" videos and watch how he uses it. Thanks for watching and I hope you have subscribed to my channel?
@@ManotickGuitarTech I haven't tried it yet, but i'm going to. I have a B bender where the B string screw is hollow, it works thru the screw's nut end then thru over the saddle. But thinkin- run the string thru the hole just under the intonation screw on the bridge, might work. I'm going to put a huge C clamp on it to find out on a squier bridge like the one you had. Thanks for filming the mod that you did, quite awesome👍
I can't live without vibrato. My SG has a Maestro, Mastery on my Jazzmaster, and a B5 on my Tele. It is, however, just that...a vibrato. It is not a tremolo. Tremolo varies volume. Vibrato varies pitch.
Not a good modification in my opinion. Why would anyone want to disfigure a tele by putting a look alike Bigsby vibrato on it. Too many changes even if the client wants a vibrato fitted. I also don't like the strings passing over the top of the bridge like it is here. Check out Cort's Sunset Junior and the roller bridge it uses. So much better
Manotick StringWorks...In fact, that is not a ''Bigsby vibrato/tremolo''...It is just a cheap Chinese copy of a Bigsby with cheap white plastic bushings that will cause havoc with tuning in the long run...It is not made by or sold by Bigsby...Even the LICENCED BIGSBY B50 made in Korea have the cheap plastic bushings that cause issues...The LICENCED BIGSBYs are not made by Bigsby but the company the makes them in Korea pays a licencing fee to Bigsby to use the bigsby name and design... Only the USA made Bigsbys have all metal bushings and bearings and are made by Bigsby... just saying...
Nice video. Why do yo keep bouncing back and forth calling it a tremolo and a vibrato which are two completely different things? A Bigsby is a vibrato system nothing more.
Bigsby alters the tone. In my opinion it makes it worse. But that's just my opinion. Sorry. That's why you don't see many. If they were made for each other you would. Lot of people agree. Then a lot of people say the wood doesn't matter either
You could be right - lots of things affect the tone of a guitar... tone is subjective, anyways. Play what you like to play - that is the most important thing.
Save the sarcasm for when you look at yourself in the mirror guy.! We're all different, don't be so negative and judgemental. I love my Tele's, I have a few with different spec's and ONE of mine (a Cabronita) has been fitted with a Bigsby... Why ever not.?
A Telecaster without a Bigsby, is like a roast beef dinner without a roast beef dinner.
Or Yorkshire puddings and gravy!
@@ManotickGuitarTech that would be grave, indeed!
Amen!
I just purchased a squier paranormal nashville that I'd like to do this to. Thanks for the video.
On the positioning the Bigsby step, I would have used the same method you used for positioning the bridge. Leaving the 1st and 6th strings on, I would have added the 5th and 2nd strings through the Bigsby and then through the bridge to make make sure they both line up correctly.
I think that most guitars aren't finished without a tremelo arm. But I'm not sure about Teles. It's a stick and a slab of wood. It's yer bog standard model. No air con, no power steering, no servo, only available in beige. Basic. So that means no extras like tremelo arms.
I’ve been playing a tele as my only electric for a year. I enjoyed every part of it except itching for a tremolo. I would actually say that it would actually be perfect if there are more affordable tele models with bigsbies.
I wanna buy a tele Nashville but i deff would add a trem system i dont like strats tbh
I love you for uploading this. Totally doing this to my frankentele.
Glad you enjoyed! I hope you subscribed to my channel?
Every time I play my tele I always reach out and try to grab the tremolo, but nothings there 😂
I was tempting on tossing on a Floyd rose, since I had an extra, but I’m going this route.
Thanks for the video!
Glad you enjoyed! I hope you have subscribed to my channel?
You gained a subscriber! I used this video to help me when i put the trem system on my hollowbody Gretsch, i'm watchin this now to help me with my telecaster project, i built the tele with a kit. Now i am gettin the project done sometime in a few days, thanks for this video
Awesome!
@Manotick StringWorks
Now i could use the modern six saddle bridge right? Later on the tele is going to get the three saddle ashtray in black. I aint sure how i'm going to do all that.
@@ManotickGuitarTech few months later after the install on the B5, and it sounds amazing. next thing is an old school style ashtray, woohoo!
My Squier Affinity Telecaster is set up exactly like this one , except that I didn't install the arcade style kill switch and mine has fender locking tuners installed. One thing about these aftermarket Bigsby style tremolo setups is that the nut and washer tend to tighten themselves up to where you can't turn the arm. I think that some "thread lock" might be the way to go when doing this type of mod. Great job! I sort of messed mine up doing this😅, but I got it straightened out.
Thread lock would be good; another trick is to put the nut on something that can function as an anvil, and strike it gently with a steel hammer, so that it becomes *veeeeery* slightly oval instead of perfectly round; this will increase the friction on the thread. You need to be *very* careful with this trick, trying first a very light blow, fitting the nut on the thread, then if it needs a harder blow, going only slightly harder, etc. If you hit it too hard, it won't even go on the thread, or it'll damage the thread.
I've never done that on a Bigsby, so I don't know the specifics, I just know this as a general trick with nuts and bolts/machine screws.
I am going to to this to a project tele I have... I already did the reverse plate mod... it does feel more natural
@@albertosotelo9969 nice! Look for a roller bridge, that is what I would change.
Thanks for the instructions. Never done anything like this before but I got an old Tele that I never use.
Well, take it slow and easy 🙂 I hope you have subbed to my channel, too?
Hi gotta fit a Bigsby B5 on my Brothers squier the question being how far do set the Bigsby back from the bridge plate please 🙏🏻
Great video, plan on doing this with my Partscaster, got it off E Bay here in the UK but was ripped off as the neck was useless, had a back bow and the truss rod nut was rounded off, got a new replacement neck (roasted maple), Wilkinson tuners, bone nut, brass compensating saddles, guitar already had a Wilkinson pickup in the bridge and a five way Strat switch, pretty sure the body is Squire as it's 40mm thick, Butterscotch and slightly relic'd, it now plays superb and is currently my favorite guitar. Was looking at a licensed Bigsby B5 kit, can only find them in the US (i'm over in Scotland), shipping and import tax is the killer. Will get one though.
Sounds like a big project - good luck!
been planning to do this for a while for fun, thanks for the vid!
good to hear - I hope it turns out well!
I did this exact same mod to my 2018 Jazzmaster Affinity. I bought a dremel, a Wilkinson half tele bridge and a cheap Bigsby knockoff (I recently bought a locking nut because the arm would just loose very quickly), it initially had a strat-style 6 saddle hardtail bridge.
Why? The "Jazzmaster" comes with a trem, doesn't it?
@@Pappysan Not mine. Mine is from the 2018 AFFINITY series, those were the low-mid range guitars from Squier. It had no trem system, just a hardtail bridge with 6 saddles (like a strat bridge)
@@Apo458 Oh, I didn't know that...I was just looking at Affinity Jazzmasters because they are going for about $280 (with a trem). Seems to me selling a Jazzmaster without a trem is kind of sacrilegious...
@@Pappysan Yup, pretty strange design decision. I picked it because it looked cool with black body and two humbuckers. Now I changed it all to gold hardware, I love it even more now
Another great video. I have a kit guitar that I'll try applying this video to. Thanks Steve
Glad you enjoyed it!
Wow, great channel! You have some way cool tools! These in-depth videos are awesome! Maybe a little more playing and demo at the end. Thx!👍
I love the look of these on a Tele and I’ll be doing the same on my Artist Tele shortly. Is there any reason you had to change the bridge? My guitar came stock with humbuckers so my bridge is different to the standard Tele. Add to that I’m a lefty, so I’ve bought a Chinese copy and I’ll pull it down and rework it so it suits a lefty. Fun. I guarantee I’ll never use it either lol. I like the kill switch you did too, nice bit of extra chrome!
Thanks for watching - I hope you have subscribed to my channel? I wanted to use the vintage style bridge with brass saddles and the original bridge had 6 block saddles that you cant run the strings over.
@@ManotickGuitarTech ah ok I see. I’ll have to change bridges also to use mine as my strings are retained in the bridge. I have a humbuckers in mine though so it might be awkward getting a bridge to fit. Maybe I should just wait until I buy a vintage style Tele with just a single pickup at the bridge. My Tele is one of the Artist ones so I will be doing a bit of experimenting on it, I’ll add a kill switch but mine will go on the control plate, I guess I’d call it like John 5. My biggest thing is I’ll be adding a black binding top and bottom to this one, I think it’ll really help with ageing it some, but then the two humbuckers burst the illusion lol.
I've seen another video where a guy had done a "bubba mod" to the factory bridge plate, which is when you CAREFULLY drill 3 holes in between the 6 factory holes and replace the block saddles with 3 brass saddles, but you only get one shot at doing it right, and it's definitely harder to drill straight through hardened chrome plated steel than you think, not to mention that the Wilkinson ashtray style bridge that I ordered was only like $25 on Amazon or something like that. I have the original bridgeplate in a plastic bag in my closet.
@@spottedsaint957 pretty cool!
While I like the look of the vintage notched 3 saddle much better than the modern 6 saddle, you can do this conversion without changing the bridge.
You can buy replacement saddles that have a pass-thru screw on them and a roller saddle that allows the string to go through. They're sometimes used for a B-Bender set up using a modern style bridge.
Absolutely, Jeff - I just wanted to show how you could modify something you might have on hand already. Thanks for watching and I hope you have subbed?
I like your idea. You maintain the same bridge and you don't have to worry about the routed hole coverage.
Very good simple video, just the facts 👍
Thanks, very Inspiring and surprisingly calming
Thanks so much - I hope ou have sub
bed to my channel?
That Dremal sounds like I'm at my Dentist Office!! Excellent work on installation!!
It sure does!
Sad to see the decline of the "Squier by Fender" brand. I really like Squier AND Fender string-through-body hardtails - and especially with the new saddles - because of their versatility. Here again we see the "cheap" "simplified" string-through-bridge manure! 🤔
A bit of historic top-level Bigsby construction. At the end of the 60s, the construction did not have a cylindrical string barrel, but 6/7 stepped ones with different radii - each string has its own depending on thickness and tensile strength. At that time, more attention was paid to the smooth alteration of a full-sounding chord. One mistake was revealed quite quickly - the accuracy of staying in tune depends largely from the strings caliber...
Excellent job and excellent video!
Nice work. I'm thinking about doing this to a squier affinity telecaster.
That should work out well! I hope you have subscribed to my channel?
Must use a roller Bridge for better tuner and tremolo effects … 💕
I didn't have one in my stock -the next time I will order a roller bridge. I hope you have subscribed to my channel?
Le quedó bien, la verdad no arruinó nada del diceño, bien trabajo y gracias por darme la idea para hacer eso 👍
Me alegra que hayas disfrutado del video ... ¡recuerda dar me gusta y suscribirte a mi canal!
Haettest auch selbst draufvkommen koennen
Hab eine Jazzgitarre selbst gebaut
Aber eben mit so einen Vibrato
es obligatorio cambiarle el puente a una telecaster
si le quiero poner un bigsby?
puedo ponerselo con su puente
normal?
About to do the same, thanks for the lesson
Ottimo lavoro! Complimenti! Sto effettuando il tuo stesso lavoro. Vorrei sapere la distanza, in cm, che devo posizionare la faccia esterna del ponte dal tremolo. Grazie
This is the exact set up I have to use on a Meteora tele build I’m doing. Does it work well after having it for a while? Any issues with the strings grinding the saddles? Thanks for all the info
SO far so good - admittedly, I don't use this guitar everyday so saddles have held up well.
im so glad i found ur channel im installing a flat bigsby on my semi acoustic and bow theres things u have show me that i must do to make sure it perfect i commend u on ur perfection ur guitar looks beautiful. i hope mine works out as well i will be watching this again when putting it on my guitar thank u rob from Coventry u have a new subscriber you deserve it for aure thanks u so much again i will update u when im done if u get my message.
Glad you like my videos...keep me updated on your build
Awesome work. I want to buy a knockoff bigsby for my Mexican telecaster I converted to an Esquire. Was curious about the tray. Seeing you grind solved that. Thanks.
Just keep a steady hand...it worked pretty well!
@@ManotickGuitarTech problem is I only have a large grinder. That small one you have is perfect. A cutting wheel might work.
@@ManotickGuitarTech Hack job, if I've ever seen one! I know, its your project guitar, but using the old bridge would have been a better fit and justified the hacking.
@@flintdavis2 I couldn't use the existing bridge because it had block saddles... the strings can't ride over them.
New subscriber in Maine here.
I tend toward Fender/Squier guitars and basses for my projects rather than Gibson/Epiphone stuff. I think Leo's designs are just easier for the do-it-yourselfer.
I was wondering if you have a preference and why?
Love your channel! Thanks.
Thanks for watching and subscribing! Hands down the Fender/Squier products are easier to work on and more reliable in general. Gibsons look pretty but are not really made to be used and abused like a Fender can be.
Hi there, I love this video Thanks a lot! I am wondering how I would install a bigsby on a Squier Affinity tele with the humbuckers?
You could buy a telecaster roller bridge and then modify the bridge to fit.
I bought a couple of telecaster style guitars and tremolos for them similar to the one you installed. I didn't pay much for the guitars or the tremolos so I don't want to pay the cost of a vibramate install bridge.Do you know of another brand of bridge I could order that would not have to be altered that would allow the strings to pass through? The current bridges have four screws in them. Thanks for any help you can provide.
Need a little more of the playing demo 😢
Hi Steve, looks like a fun project! What kind of Dremel and Apex are you using it look like it was powered by air.
Not air powered, just an electric Dremel with a flex shaft.
Great video! I also have a butterscotch Telecaster and I have been thinking of adding a trem. I love my tele but I don't play it as often as I like and that's only because it has no tremolo. I was looking at perhaps adding a Vega-Trem, which is great because it requires few, if any, mods at all. However, I really love the classic look of a Bigsby, so I am a bit torn - plus the Vega-Trem is way more expensive than a Bigsby. ...Also, maybe I missed it, but I don't think you mentioned exactly why you couldn't hang to the old bridge.
If I went wit a Bigsby, instead of the Vega-Trem, it would be nice to just drill out the holes and slap it on with as few modifications as possible. I'm in no rush and I suppose that I will figure it out at some point. Either way, great video, so I will go ahead and sub!
By the way, there are these bridge extension plates, I forget what they're called exactly, but they go from the end of the bridge and cover the old drill holes nicely; I have seen them on eBay. It looks like it is part of he bridge. You might have to drill out a couple of holes, but some of these plates come already pre-drilled. Hope that info helps!
There is a new VT2nd model that uses existing bridge mounting holes for the fulcrum plate. ND - no drillin'
@@glendoggett9670 Yes! I just installed on of those on an old Tele of mine. Thanks!
I just wish we could get Fender to sell Teles with the old school internal B-Bender. Hip Shot...just not the same. With Fender owning Bigsby, its also weird that they dont offer it on more of their product lines and even weirder to get a Fender made Gretsch with a licenced Bigsby instead of an original. Seems like they are leaving money on the table for sure by omitting this bit of kit on the 400 dollar-ish Squires at least once in a while.
That would be nice - you are right.
Hi.
Is it necessary to change the neck angle when you add a bigsby ? Does this bridge plate does the job ?
It wasn't necessary in this case
great video! am hoping to do this on a harley benton te62... kind of a project guitar too though i hope to keep it looking pristine. not quite sure why you changed the bridge AND the plate. can understand why you would different saddles but what's wrong with the plate??? I have a standard ashtray plate with a 3-saddle bridge. would that work? (assuming i use a dremel to route the strings in)
What’s the potential purpose of the video game button? Will it be used as a single coil/humbucker switch?
No, it is a momentary kill switch. Check out Buckethead on RUclips and you will see how he uses it. I hope you have subscribed to my channel?
Hey great video. I’m doing the same modification to a tele of my own. I’m hoping to add a kill switch in the same spot as yours. Do you think you could do a video where you show how you wired it up?
Thanks for watching, Jake. I will what I have upcoming and if a kill switch is required - it is basically a ground interrupter. I hope you have subscribed to my channel?
@@ManotickGuitarTech yes I have, i didn’t realize but I think I also bought the same bridge as you for my tele build
I have a schecter Dimond series Pete dee signature telecaster with a bigsby
Nice!
Great video!
I started searching for Tele bridge replacement because I just can't cope with the ashtray bridge I have on a otherwise great guitar.
Will a Bigsby work with any top loading bridge?
You have to do your homework and take measurements before modifying anything. There are specialty roller bridges made for telecasters - check them out.
@@ManotickGuitarTech
Thanks, I'll look at that.
What are those shims used to check the gap between the fret and the string? What are they called? Where can I buy em?
I make them and they might be for sale soon...
I just bought an Affinity Tele and have replaced the pups with Fender Tex Mex pickups and added a Wilkinson plate with brass saddles. It sounds and plays fantastic and was thinking of this mod, but I dont want to ruin a fine playing guitar if it not a quality mod. Question: Is that the Dopro Bigsby knockoff? How is tuning stability? I prefer to play with 9-42 strings due to my bending style and 10s are too heavy for me.
I wouldn't mod the new bridge you just bought - look for a roller bridge version and swap it out.
Soo, I've got a tele with the extended bridge plate. Soo I've got it for a drop tune guitar. Why did you change the bridge? I've been wanting to do this to mine but I need it to retain the extended bridge. Would it work?
It had 6 individuals saddles
If you tighten those trem screws all the way you will probably have problems getting it to return to 0. That’s what the felt is for.
Good job
Got a 72' re-issue deluxe. Is there a specific model bigsby? I have 2 chrome humbuckers on it though. That's why I question. Is it the same model bigsby as your using. I don't need the pick up plate so...just ignorant and curious.
This one I used was a replica and it fit the dimensions of my guitar. Check the websites carefully for specs.
Where’d you get the 4/64ths feeler gauge from?
you can buy my String & pickup height gauges at www.manotickstringworks.com Thanks.
I did the same mods to my Squier Affinity Telecaster about a year and a half ago and it's still an ongoing project. I just put the original bridge plate screws back in. They sort of help with the tone🤡🤪🤡. Naw , I just put them back in to keep the holes filled in, but they do sort of give me a reference point for whenever I remove the bridge plate for any reason. Btw, I used a hacksaw and a couple of cheap minifile sets ,(two of the files snapped in half lol!) ,to cut and grind my bridge plate. Do you have any videos showing the other mods that you have done to your Tele?
No, the mods I did were several years ago before I started on RUclips. I hope you have subscribed to my channel?
I’m not sure if I missed it if you mentioned it…
What kind of ashtray bridge is that?
Why not using roller bridge?
@@halidharis didn't have one o hand and I wanted to see if I could modify a regular telecaster bridge
You sound like my math teacher.
This video inspired me to install a B50 on my Tele, thanks.
Did you find that you could get correct string alignment without notching those saddles? For me the strings are way off the pole pieces as the B50 has a much narrower string width than a Tele. Im hoping switching in some notched Gotoh saddles will do the job
James I highly recommend replacing the stock Bigsby front roller bar with a Callaham front roller bar. It has slots etched into it that give the correct string
spacing coming off the roller bar already which also means the strings will have a
strait shot across the saddles & not be fanned out crossing them at an angle &
causing sideway pressure & friction on their slots. It's also a heavier more solid bar which may improve sustain. It's the best upgrade I've done to my Tele's Bigsby. Greatly improved the tuning stability. I have literally gone several days playing a couple hrs a day with frequent use of the vibrato without needing to retune. It literally holds tune as well as any & better than some non vibrato guitars I've had.
Does the tele stay in tune with the bigsby? Thinking of doing the same with my squire tele baritone.
Yes, it would be better with a roller bridge, though.
I think this will be one of my first tele mods. Thanks!
Nice, I would recommend ordering a roller bridge meant for Bigsbys... better tone and strings bend easier
@@ManotickGuitarTech thanks!
I'd want to install this but my affinity tele is already really heavy itself lol. I l'd probably want to make contours before installing that.
What parts did you get for this? I've seen the official bigsby kits go for $200, and I'd rather save a few dollars.
Tim, just search up Bigsby on Amazon - the parts I used were offshore knockoffs. The bridge was from Wilkinson, though.
If I can add, The offshore Bigsby's work well. Thee only issues with them is fit and finish at the contact/bushing points can be an issue.
You can take them apart, and polish up those points with some 000 or 0000 steel wool to smooth those areas that are often glanced over in the overseas manufacturing facilities, which is the main culprit if there's binding in the unit.
Then prior to final reassembly, just add a bit of light clock oil (my personal choice for its resistance to "bulk up" with debris) or Nutsauce on the contact points, and it will perform well for many years.
Great vid! can it work without grinding the string holes ok the bridge? 🙃
You will have to grind the back of the bridge to allow the strings to pass through
You can buy bridges that don't have the back lip. They're kinda pricey though. You can also buy a Bigsby B5 telecaster kit which includes a bridge that is kind of like a plate with a countersunk bridge (think mustang, jazzmaster, jaguar bridge).
@@jorgehuamanmusic you sure can - I just wanted to show how you could do it by modifying parts you already had in stock or from another guitar. Thanks for watching and please subscribe if you haven't already.
Duesenberg tremolo is so superior to anything from Bigsby. Not only improved vintage looks, but improved modern functionality. I'm not talking about the little "les trem" I have no experience with that one
So how do you adjust saddle position since you can’t fit a screwdriver in there?
I’m installing my second one tomorrow, and I heard they sell screws which are slotted on both ends.
I have a right angle Phillips screwdriver- you could also use a long neck screwdiver
@@ManotickGuitarTech Where the heck can I find that right angle screwdriver? I looked!
Also, you said you used a 1/16” Dremel cutting wheel to make the cuts in the bridge, but I can’t find anything online with that spec. I assume that’s the width, and they don’t give that spec.
Thanks for your help!
@@Ira88881 lol- l had one in my tool drawer...think it came from Ikea 😁
@@ManotickGuitarTech You’re my hero:
My long neck screwdriver just arrived and works perfectly.
I didn’t even know the dang thing existed.
What Do You Mean By "Arcade" Switch..? What does it replace.How does It work..?
The arcade switch is a momentary switch which interrupts the signal- it is used as an effect. Look up some "Buckethead" videos and watch how he uses it. Thanks for watching and I hope you have subscribed to my channel?
why couldn't you just run the strings through the holes in the original bridge ? would they snap ?
...just thinkin.
The original bridge was a 6 saddle design and the strings would not move freely with the bigsby
@@ManotickGuitarTech I haven't tried it yet, but i'm going to. I have a B bender where the B string screw is hollow, it works thru the screw's nut end then thru over the saddle.
But thinkin- run the string thru the hole just under the intonation screw on the bridge, might work. I'm going to put a huge C clamp on it to find out on a squier bridge like the one you had. Thanks for filming the mod that you did, quite awesome👍
eh, c clamp over the trem I have ( the old Chinese Teisco type )
does this bigsby fit on vibramates for bigsbys?
I am not sure - it is a copy of a Bigsby so the dimensions would have to be checked against Vibramates website.
I really want to do this on my harley benton tele
That would be a good candidate for this installation. I recommend buying a replacement roller bridge- works better with the bigsby.
I hope you have subscribed to my channel?
@@ManotickGuitarTech I am now if you can guide me through this process ,
Just own two telecasters one with one without
How much did this mod cost
Probably about $45.00 for the vibrato... all the other parts were on the guitar already.
Yikes… maybe you could add Gibson self-tuning tuning machines and a Floyd Rose bridge too.
Good ideas! Lol
8:43 what exactly is he doing here?
Cutting slots in the back of the bridge so the strings can pass thur form the bigsby roller
Nice. Can you let me know the brand of your capo?
SHUBB Special Partial Capo in brass model #SHUBB-C8B... I bought mine about 25 years ago.
you can find them on Amazon
@@ManotickGuitarTech Thanks.
I have Special Telecaster made in USA. What type of Bigsby i need?
Try this one from Stewmac
www.stewmac.com/parts-and-hardware/bridges-and-tailpieces/bridges-and-tailpieces-for-electric-guitar/bigsby-vibrato-tailpieces-for-electric-guitar/bigsby-b5-with-vibramate-v5---polished-aluminum/?pref_currency=H&shipcalc=CAN&gclid=CjwKCAjwmK6IBhBqEiwAocMc8sOb5OQyl1vUeUEbJXFtFwLbLTFkMc4xh69tMGKgKd67mYPVDz_wtBoCWbcQAvD_BwE
Please like and subscribe to my channel if you haven't already...thanks!
4/64ths.
Or 1/16th for the rest of us.
Better have one tele with and one without a bigsby.
Two teles are better than one, for sure...
I can't live without vibrato. My SG has a Maestro, Mastery on my Jazzmaster, and a B5 on my Tele. It is, however, just that...a vibrato. It is not a tremolo. Tremolo varies volume. Vibrato varies pitch.
Reverse the control plate,
Not a good modification in my opinion. Why would anyone want to disfigure a tele by putting a look alike Bigsby vibrato on it. Too many changes even if the client wants a vibrato fitted. I also don't like the strings passing over the top of the bridge like it is here. Check out Cort's Sunset Junior and the roller bridge it uses. So much better
Manotick StringWorks...In fact, that is not a ''Bigsby vibrato/tremolo''...It is just a cheap Chinese copy of a Bigsby with cheap white plastic bushings that will cause havoc with tuning in the long run...It is not made by or sold by Bigsby...Even the LICENCED BIGSBY B50 made in Korea have the cheap plastic bushings that cause issues...The LICENCED BIGSBYs are not made by Bigsby but the company the makes them in Korea pays a licencing fee to Bigsby to use the bigsby name and design... Only the USA made Bigsbys have all metal bushings and bearings and are made by Bigsby... just saying...
Bridge cut, coating gone, welcome rust.
Maybe - a quick spray of clear laquer would prevent that. It's been almost 2 years and no rust so far...
Nice video. Why do yo keep bouncing back and forth calling it a tremolo and a vibrato which are two completely different things? A Bigsby is a vibrato system nothing more.
Old brain doesnt always work all the time...
Bigsby alters the tone. In my opinion it makes it worse. But that's just my opinion. Sorry. That's why you don't see many. If they were made for each other you would. Lot of people agree. Then a lot of people say the wood doesn't matter either
You could be right - lots of things affect the tone of a guitar... tone is subjective, anyways. Play what you like to play - that is the most important thing.
All you did was RUINED thar squier affinity tele man.
"congrats"
Not really it is a project guitar that I bought used for $100.
Save the sarcasm for when you look at yourself in the mirror guy.!
We're all different, don't be so negative and judgemental.
I love my Tele's, I have a few with different spec's and ONE of mine (a Cabronita) has been fitted with a Bigsby... Why ever not.?
Don't worry, there's MILLIONS of them out there, hardly a Picasso.
Awful work
Scheiß Werbung
No, never, ever.
😢/😂 Очередной способ испортить гитару и бридж, ради тремоло, которым пользоваться не будешь. Leo Fender -гений, он придумал Телекастер не для этого.
Tasteless people
No, that thing looks hideous, only gretsch should have a bigsby cause both look tacky af, they match each other.
No
NO, Bigby's are not accurate, but it's an afinity squier so no one cares, finity's are junk, that Bigby is worth more than the guitar