Epiphone Elitist gold top or Gibson vintage mahogany?

[dcmey]

Originally Posted by diceman

They make a Bigsby that doesn't require using any screws - it just mounts to your strap button.

As for "if you're happy now, don't mess with it" - how will you know if you're happy with the ceramic caps until you try some PIO's? Do you know what the difference would be? I wasn't "unhappy" with the stock sound of any of my guitars - I bought them sounding that way - but I am MUCH happier after the cap upgrade.

I am a laid back person I find something I like and stick to it. I did try out a strat before I bought my VM and I liked the whammy bar, thats why I would I will probably get a bigsby. I preferred the tone of the LP to a Strat. Diceman it seems like you are a more particular with your guitars such as long neck tenon. If I am nor getting the sound I want from one of my guitars then I can get obsessive compulsive with it. I got up at 3 AM and worked on my bass for a couple of hours until I had fixed the problem with it. I am very happy with my VM. If I have a situation where I am not getting the sound I want, the caps would be a very good idea to try, but for now I am happy with the sound I get my my VM.

[overdriver]

[quote=dcmey;235401] I know the Bigsby would be putting screws in. It may be a better idea to try and find units without putting screws in.


Good idea!!, how about getting a STRAT or PRS that already comes with a better trem than a crap Bigsby. That way your VM will remain as is and you will stay happy. Why mess with it ( your words.)

IF you don't mind the tone changing on the VM and like tunning issues, then put a Bigsby on . So the Tech says why mess with a simple cap change but putting a Bigsby on is OK Whatever

[alpinestudio]

Originally Posted by diceman

If he thinks "nay" then he is leading you down the wrong path!

The Vitamin Q's are a fantastic upgrade for your Paul - I haven't heard anyone say that they put one in their Epiphone / Elitist / Gibson / Historic and say that it wasn't an improvement! I pulled the repro bumble bees out of my R8 for the Q's, and they are a definite improvement in tone! Paper In Oil caps are where its at, brother.

I wonder what the Vitamin Q's will sound like with EMG's. Would there be a difference?

[dcmey]

[quote=overdriver;236898]

Originally Posted by dcmey

I know the Bigsby would be putting screws in. It may be a better idea to try and find units without putting screws in.


Good idea!!, how about getting a STRAT or PRS that already comes with a better trem than a crap Bigsby. That way your VM will remain as is and you will stay happy. Why mess with it ( your words.)

IF you don't mind the tone changing on the VM and like tunning issues, then put a Bigsby on . So the Tech says why mess with a simple cap change but putting a Bigsby on is OK Whatever

Well my tech said about the Bigsby on tunning issues is it depends on who sets it up. With a good tech setting it up there won't be tunning problems.

[diceman]

I don't buy that.

It has little to do with who installs it, and much to do with the fact that there is a coil spring with an arm sitting on top of it that buggers your tuning. If the spring turns, then the portion touching the top of the pocket is a different height. There ya go.

I didn't mean to sound like I was bossing you around - do what you like - but the caps are a simple in and out cheap upgrade that improves upon the lifeless ceramic cap tone 100% of the time. Bigsby is up to you - they usually look better than they function, IMO (although many guys swear by them - thats another personal preference thing. Tuning issues should be expected, particularly when compared to the stability of the TOM and stop tail).

[Kuroyama]

A Bigsby that installs to your strap button? That big-assed piece of iron supported ONLY by the strap button screw? That doesnt sound right.

In any case, Ive done my time with vibrato-whammy in the 80s. I didnt help my playing any then. I figure since I dont use one anymore (no bar on a Les Paul) it DOES help my playing now by SIMPLIFYING Brotha!!! 6 strings is enough for me! Hammer-ons, pull-offs, Dont even get me started with the La Grange deal of guitar picking AND finger picking at the same time!!!!!!!!!!!

No thanks Brah, make mine no-whammy please.
It was good enough for Les, its good enough for me.

[needlespauls]

Yeah, I wouldn't do it man. If anything, just buy a Gretsch Pro Jet for $500.

[diceman]

Originally Posted by Kuroyama

A Bigsby that installs to your strap button? That big-assed piece of iron supported ONLY by the strap button screw? That doesnt sound right.

Yes, ONLY a strap button screw... and those 6 strings that you mentioned. String tension holds it in place!

I know you thought of that!

BIGSBY B3 NICKEL TREMOLO - Elderly Instruments

(I've read about these, never used them - looks like there are 4 screws around the strap button, and none in the top - I'm pretty sure that Dennis here uses them without the 4 screws, and just relies on string tension and the strap button)

[Kuroyama]

Dice

OK the strings hold it... but HOW can you keep that thing in tune??? You TOUCH the bar and the whole thing goes hey-nani-nani.

Seems unstable like the Fender... is it Mustang? hard to tune, hard to keep in tune...

But I could be wrong.

In any case, like I said, Ill leave the trem/wham/vibrato to you gunslingers. Im just a cowpoke a pluckin my 6string. Ill get back to you when Im ready to tackle some "Eruption".

[diceman]

Originally Posted by Kuroyama

Dice

OK the strings hold it... but HOW can you keep that thing in tune??? You TOUCH the bar and the whole thing goes hey-nani-nani.

Seems unstable like the Fender... is it Mustang? hard to tune, hard to keep in tune...

But I could be wrong.

In any case, like I said, Ill leave the trem/wham/vibrato to you gunslingers. Im just a cowpoke a pluckin my 6string. Ill get back to you when Im ready to tackle some "Eruption".

I really don't know. I've never had good luck with tuning stability on my Bigsby's that were mounted to the guitar's top - I'm sure that one would be just as bad or worse!

I don't use the whammy... ever. I have an Ibanez Talman that came stock with one, and an Epiphone Casino that also came stock w/ the Epi version of the Bigsby - I don't like either one, although they both look great.

A Tune-O-Matic and a Stoptail are requirements for me on a guitar, now!

[overdriver]

[quote=dcmey;237065]

Originally Posted by overdriver

Well my tech said about the Bigsby on tunning issues is it depends on who sets it up. With a good tech setting it up there won't be tunning problems.

Bull Shit! and I guess he doesn't feel the playabilty and tone will not change either. I don't get you you say why mess with your guitar because you like the way in works and then go out and put a big piece of junk on it. have fun!

[dcmey]

[quote=overdriver;238484]

Originally Posted by dcmey

Bull Shit! and I guess he doesn't feel the playabilty and tone will not change either. I don't get you you say why mess with your guitar because you like the way in works and then go out and put a big piece of junk on it. have fun!

I am still in the research phase and haven't done anything yet. He did say one guy thought the guitar got to brite with one on. The VM is all Mahogany and has a ton of bass in it. So it might balance it out better. I actually have to back off the bass a little bit on my amp when I play. If I get a Bigsby it would be the easy mount system where no drilling or new screws are needed that way it could be changed back. Online the price for an easy mount system for a Gibson is $250 which I won't do it for that. Hell for $500 I could get a Gretsch with one on it. So if I can get a for a good price then I would be more likely to get one.

[diceman]

Dennis said somewhere that there is an import version that is cheaper - its still Bigsby, but made overseas. If I'm not mistaken.

(Don't forget the caps. )

[dcmey]

Originally Posted by diceman

Dennis said somewhere that there is an import version that is cheaper - its still Bigsby, but made overseas. If I'm not mistaken.

(Don't forget the caps. )

Diceman you said that you have 2 guitars with them on it, does a Bigsby effect a bend? I do like playing blues and there are alot of bends in blues.

[diceman]

Originally Posted by dcmey

Diceman you said that you have 2 guitars with them on it, does a Bigsby effect a bend? I do like playing blues and there are alot of bends in blues.

Not that I've noticed. I haven't touched my Bigsby guitars in years (like... haven't seriously played them for about 8 years) - but it shouldn't effect bending at all. Tuning, some, bending, no. Restringing = nightmare.

[overdriver]

[quote=dcmey;238880][quote=overdriver;238484]

The VM is all Mahogany and has a ton of bass in it. So it might balance it out better.


WTF happened to WHY MESS WITH IT Make up your mind , Your funny !

[dcmey]

[quote=overdriver;241339][quote=dcmey;238880]

Originally Posted by overdriver

The VM is all Mahogany and has a ton of bass in it. So it might balance it out better.


WTF happened to WHY MESS WITH IT Make up your mind , Your funny !

I made a phone call to a couple of music stores in the area and they were supposed to call me yesterday on pricing for a Bigsby easy mount system for a Gibson LP. They didn't call. I haven't made up my mind on the Bigsby. It does seem like the more I think about it that I probably won't get it. I am happy with my VM like it is. The talking about modifying my guitar got me thinking to much about it. Before you use my words against me overdriver, I would say I am 99% positive that I won't get one. The reasons are cost at $250 online price, I could get a new Gretsch guitar with one on for $500. Possible problems such as tunning and tone changes, plus I am happy with my VM like it is WHY MESS WITH IT

[overdriver]

[quote=dcmey;241625][quote=overdriver;241339]

Originally Posted by dcmey

I made a phone call to a couple of music stores in the area and they were supposed to call me yesterday on pricing for a Bigsby easy mount system for a Gibson LP. They didn't call. I haven't made up my mind on the Bigsby. It does seem like the more I think about it that I probably won't get it. I am happy with my VM like it is. The talking about modifying my guitar got me thinking to much about it. Before you use my words against me overdriver, I would say I am 99% positive that I won't get one. The reasons are cost at $250 online price, I could get a new Gretsch guitar with one on for $500. Possible problems such as tunning and tone changes, plus I am happy with my VM like it is WHY MESS WITH IT

I didn't use your words against you , you do that on your own, was just wondering . One post you and your tech say nah to a simple cap change and yeh to a !!!!!!!!!! Bigsby . whatever IMO you will not be happy with a 500. Gretch with a bigsby . a 500$ Gretch is no better than a reg. Epi. why not buy a Epi LP with a bigsby if a bigsby is the thing ya want ?

[dcmey]

[quote=overdriver;242905][quote=dcmey;241625]

Originally Posted by overdriver

I didn't use your words against you , you do that on your own, was just wondering . One post you and your tech say nah to a simple cap change and yeh to a !!!!!!!!!! Bigsby . whatever IMO you will not be happy with a 500. Gretch with a bigsby . a 500$ Gretch is no better than a reg. Epi. why not buy a Epi LP with a bigsby if a bigsby is the thing ya want ?

Something else I haven't mentioned that I have been thinking about which is giving me second thoughts about the Bigsby, I have a herniated disc in my neck. Every once in a while it acts up. It has been acting up lately and anything strapped on my shoulder or neck and I get numbness. Extra weight on the guitar wouldn't be a good idea.

[overdriver]

[quote=dcmey;243367][quote=overdriver;242905]

Originally Posted by dcmey

Something else I haven't mentioned that I have been thinking about which is giving me second thoughts about the Bigsby, I have a herniated disc in my neck. Every once in a while it acts up. It has been acting up lately and anything strapped on my shoulder or neck and I get numbness. Extra weight on the guitar wouldn't be a good idea.

IMO a sg with trem may just be what the doctor ordered in your case, needing a light weight guitar and a trem. They had nice black with gold ones out Epi a while back still do ? a used one would leave room for a pup change.

Sorry to hear about the disk problem bad stuff man good luck with that.

[dcmey]

[quote=overdriver;247427][quote=dcmey;243367]

Originally Posted by overdriver

IMO a sg with trem may just be what the doctor ordered in your case, needing a light weight guitar and a trem. They had nice black with gold ones out Epi a while back still do ? a used one would leave room for a pup change.

Sorry to hear about the disk problem bad stuff man good luck with that.

I have gone to physical therapy for it and almost had surgery on it once. The therapy worked and was able to avoid surgery, but every once in while it acts up. I fixed a ceiling fan last week, and moved my neck in the wrong position so it has acted up for almost a week. My playing guitar for the last week has been sitting. I can lift whatever I normally can but when something is strapped to my neck then it bothers me. My VM is 8.5 LBS it is pretty light. I am having 2nd thoughts with the trem. I think my wife would have a fit if I got another guitar right now. I have 3. I have a Samick acoustic guitar it has an LR Baggs pickup in it, A Tacoma acoustic bass with Fischman pickup, and my VM. I play mostly my VM since I have owned it.

[diceman]

Have your wife drop by the forum and show her how "tame" your collection is compared to other guys! I think I have just over 20 guitars - only 10 of them here at the house, and another 10 or so at my parents' house for storage. I think that Boleskinehouse has something like 9 Gibson LP's! Give her a "see honey, I'm not the only one - and some of these guys have a bunch more guitars than I do!"