What about the Bigsby Trems that were stock on 60's LP's?

[C-1st]

How did they affect the tone?

 

[bluestein]

The Bigsby's attached to the top of the instrument, so major modifications were not required. I suppose that in the 60's, they targeted the country guitarists that were looking to emulate a pedal steel. I recall them sounding fine, but there were some tuning stability problems with the Bigsby.

I suppose that many on this board avoid mods that change the Les Pauls in a physical way...such as removing the wood necessary to install a locking tremolo. I am among that group.

I would also be concerned about the neck modifications needed for a locking nut - the neck/headstock is the archilles heel of Gibson.

From your posts, it sounds like you want a tremolo.....The bigsby is accepted as a "normal" variation to a les paul, and would not affect resale as much as a locking trem.

Lily has a beautiful burst with a Bigsby...maybe she can help you here.

However, it is YOUR guitar, and your should do whatever is necessary to make it right for YOU. Forget the "investment" factor....these are instruments, not bank notes. (50's bursts excepted)

On the other hand, why not consider guitars that are designed from the outset to accomodate locking trems? There are dozens of instruments from the 80's/90's out there.....

Many are outfitted with humbuckers, and are very playable.

 

[Winston]

If you dig the bigsby, you can also get the 57RI customs with one installed from the factory. I've had no problem with tuning. Here's a pic...

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=1796222&a=13925927&p=56212622&f=0

 

[Lily]

I absolutely love the Bigsby on my guitar. HOWEVER, I wish Cosmo were around to present the other opinion on this. (He's had bad experiences with Bigsbys and removed his.) He claims that typically they rob tone, sustain, the guitar won't stay in tune, etc. I think mine might be an exception, because I've certainly experienced none of those problems with my Bigsby. But as you can see, it wasn't a typical install either. Dan Erlewine decided to install it further back on the body than Gibson recommends. (Hence the horseshoe type Bigsby.) He thought that this install would eliminate many of the typical tuning and tone problems since it would eliminate the sharp string angle coming off the roller bar (which he removed from the Bigsby.) and also wouldn't rob string length...

Whatever his reasoning, it worked. I am totally happy with the results...
:dude