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My SG w/ Bigsby Options

jholcomb

New member
Joined
Sep 10, 2003
Messages
269
OK, I was originally jonsing for a SG w/ a Maestro, but now have decided I really want a SG with a Bigsby. I know I could buy a high ticket Historic, but I'd prefer one with a slightly chunky neck. The big problem is that I hate the way aftermarket Bigsbys look because I hate the look of the damn tailpiece hole, and don't really dig the "Custom Made" sticker, either.

Any options out there that don't include taking out a second mortgage on my house? I'm fairly sure my usually patient wife would be against that one.
 

jholcomb

New member
Joined
Sep 10, 2003
Messages
269
I have been thinking about that. How much does the Vibramate mess up the break angle? I could actually live with that look, I think.
 
L

loufed52

Guest
I have a cheap solution for you if you like black SGs.
Get a gloss black Standard, or Special.
Pull the tailpiece studs and fill holes with mahogany plugs.
Cut them as close as possible without going over the top of the hole, protect the surrounding area with low tack painter's tape, and glue them in securely.
Use a little wood filler if necessary and sand smooth- if very slightly recessed that's okay too.
Touch up the plugs with gloss black lacquer nail polish using thin coats.
Sand/buff smooth, and if you take your time doing this you'll hardly see the plugs.
Install the Bigsby wherever the break angle looks right to you, and if you're lucky you'll mostly cover the plugs, and you won't even notice them.

You can do this to cover Nashville bridge holes too, and on a large pickguard SG you won't even know it was plugged.
Or you can convert to ABR by one of the methods out there.

When you're out looking at SGs, don't pick one with a neck angle that puts the bridge up high.
I believe that a shallower neck angle stays in tune better, especially when using a vibrato, and is more durable too.

It looks cool when done right, but I don't have any pictures.
They got lost a couple of years ago.
 

jholcomb

New member
Joined
Sep 10, 2003
Messages
269
I have a cheap solution for you if you like black SGs.
Get a gloss black Standard, or Special.
Pull the tailpiece studs and fill holes with mahogany plugs.
Cut them as close as possible without going over the top of the hole, protect the surrounding area with low tack painter's tape, and glue them in securely.
Use a little wood filler if necessary and sand smooth- if very slightly recessed that's okay too.
Touch up the plugs with gloss black lacquer nail polish using thin coats.
Sand/buff smooth, and if you take your time doing this you'll hardly see the plugs.
Install the Bigsby wherever the break angle looks right to you, and if you're lucky you'll mostly cover the plugs, and you won't even notice them.

You can do this to cover Nashville bridge holes too, and on a large pickguard SG you won't even know it was plugged.
Or you can convert to ABR by one of the methods out there.

When you're out looking at SGs, don't pick one with a neck angle that puts the bridge up high.
I believe that a shallower neck angle stays in tune better, especially when using a vibrato, and is more durable too.

It looks cool when done right, but I don't have any pictures.
They got lost a couple of years ago.

Thanks for the tip. I was thinking cherry SG but I might reconsider.
 

zombiwoof

Active member
Joined
Feb 22, 2003
Messages
3,565
I have been thinking about that. How much does the Vibramate mess up the break angle? I could actually live with that look, I think.

I put a B5 with a Vibramate on my SG Classic, and am generally pleased with the results. The plate raises the B5 up about 1/8", so even though the Bigsby sits a little closer than it would if mounted normally, the break angle is fine. I only have two complaints about the Vibramate, they should make them nickel finish (also the screws) instead of that brushed aluminum so they match the Bigsby finish closer, and I wish they used better screws, they seem sort of cheap to me, you have to be careful not to strip the heads when installing them. Also, a minor point, the screws that attach the B5 to the plate are flat head instead of the panhead screws that are normally used to attach the B5 to the body. Other than that, the setup works great and it seems to me it actually improved the sound of the guitar, maybe the extra mass of the Bigsby has something to do with that. And the best feature is that if you decide in the future that you don't like the Bigsby, you can remove the whole thing and put it back to stock with no holes in the body.

I would add that I would use the shorthorn version of the Vibramate for any guitar over the regular version, because it fits the shape of the B5, the extra flange sticking out on the regular version looks weird to me and doesn't add anything. They should have only made it in the shorthorn version in the first place IMO.

Al
 
B

bigsby'd

Guest
I only have two complaints about the Vibramate, they should make them nickel finish (also the screws) instead of that brushed aluminum so they match the Bigsby finish closer, and I wish they used better screws, they seem sort of cheap to me, you have to be careful not to strip the heads when installing them.

Al

For what its worth, Bigsbys aren't nickel plated...they're simply polished aluminum. You could probably get the Vibramate to match by polishing it. If its anodized, oven cleaner will remove it. (I use sand paper and then rubbing compound to get rid of file marks on the pieces I make.)
 

lpdeluxe

New member
Joined
May 15, 2005
Messages
417
The Vibramate is polished aluminum and invisible. Here's the one I installed:

SG-2.jpg


SG-3.jpg


SG-4.jpg


http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p362/lpdeluxe1
/SG-5.jpg

If you have the SG Special pick guard, be sure to specify the "short leg" model (that clears it) when you order.
 

jholcomb

New member
Joined
Sep 10, 2003
Messages
269
That looks sweet. I could definitely live with that look! Much better than leaving a hole and having the option of putting it back to stock is great!
 

Litcrit

New member
Joined
May 9, 2002
Messages
5,990
Some early 70's SG's came with Gibson Bigsby's stock. I've had a few of these, some were quite decent guitars. They don't cost a fortune and they play fine. Looks-wise, the main thing is to get rid of that harmonica bridge.
1973gibsonsgstandard040.jpg
 

zombiwoof

Active member
Joined
Feb 22, 2003
Messages
3,565
The Vibramate is polished aluminum and invisible. Here's the one I installed:

SG-2.jpg


SG-3.jpg


SG-4.jpg


http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p362/lpdeluxe1
/SG-5.jpg

If you have the SG Special pick guard, be sure to specify the "short leg" model (that clears it) when you order.

It may be polished aluminum, but it isn't as shiny as the Bigsby and doesn't looked matched to me, it's rougher in finish, unless they've changed them lately. And as I said, I'd use the short leg version no matter which model you have, as the extra leg on the regular version sticks out from under the B5, and isn't really necessary. But that's just my opinion.

Al
 
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