Callaham Bigsby B7 Upgrade Parts

[Dothedew]

Has anyone had any experience with the string-thru roller that Callaham offers as an upgrade for B7 Bigsbys? Just scratched the s*** out of my R7 when the E & A string ball ends kept slipping of the Bigsby posts and then found that. That Callaham part just looks smaller than whats on the B7, maybe its just my eyes.

 

[Texas Blues]

No experience with the Callaham.

I use a Vibramate Spoiler to solve that problem.

Love it.

 

[Elhorch]

Looks interesting, I had not seen it. Might try it on my 335. If you do get it please post a report.
Thanks.

 

[Big Al]

I haven't had any problems with using my many Bigsby'd guitars the old fashioned way, but I also haven't broken strings much at all in decades. I grab onto the flat part of the ball end of the string with a small set of needle nosed pliers, not real small but not real big either. I then pre bend the string by bending it around the jaws of the pliers while still gripping the ball end, this puts just the right amount of curve in the string that I can easily slip the ball onto the peg of the the string bar, I sometimes keep the ball end on the bar wilt the same plies while I lay out the string and wind it up.

The Vibromate spoiler, spoil all the fun by offering a butt simple way to securely and easily attach the strings. Wheres the fun in that??:teeth

 

[rockabilly69]

I haven't had any problems with using my many Bigsby'd guitars the old fashioned way, but I also haven't broken strings much at all in decades. I grab onto the flat part of the ball end of the string with a small set of needle nosed pliers, not real small but not real big either. I then pre bend the string by bending it around the jaws of the pliers while still gripping the ball end, this puts just the right amount of curve in the string that I can easily slip the ball onto the peg of the the string bar, I sometimes keep the ball end on the bar wilt the same plies while I lay out the string and wind it up.

The Vibromate spoiler, spoil all the fun by offering a butt simple way to securely and easily attach the strings. Wheres the fun in that??:teeth

I do the same trick with the plier but I hold the string to the fretboard with a capo until I've got it wound on the peg.

 

[montesada]

I do the same trick as Big Al, but have Sperzel locking tuners, so you just run the string through, pull it tight and lock it. Sperzels feel like pure quality while tuning too.

 

[duaneflowers]

4 Bigsbys here... 2 with spoilers and 2 get the pre-bend treatment... I haven't really had any issues with either. That Callaham shaft does look interesting though. I 've been meaning to give the Callaham roller kit a try for a while now so I might have to try them both and see how it effects the tonez... :hmm

 

[Dothedew]

Usually prebending the strings around a tire pressure gauge (using the pocket clip to anchor the ball end down) works for me, I'll have to try using pliers. I'm up for anything that makes restringing more efficient!

 

[duaneflowers]

I ordered the Front Roller Kit and Main String Shaft. They already shipped and should be here within the week... soon as they get here I'll be able to offer my impressions.... :salude

 

[Brent13]

Just installed a Callaham String Thru Roller on the Bigsby B3 on my Gretsch Billy Bo this afternoon. Beautiful, quality made piece. Only gave it a quick workout but it seems to work like a charm. Only minor hiccup was having to run to the hardware store to buy a metric hex key wrench to remove the trem arm.

 

[gmann]

I wish they has these parts in gold. I have a Bigsby on my LPC.