Does Bigsby make this?

[MyChemicalRomanceFan]

I'm looking for a bigsby tailpiece that you just put on underneath the bridge without changing it, do they make something like this? If not what is the closest bigsy to having the same bridge as an LP? And can you glue it on? and finally, do you think it would look good on a vntage sunburst flamed top LP? thanks in advance

 

[V!N]

Yes, any vintage looking Les Paul gets at least another 2 degrees Centigrade cooler when a Bigsby is added to it.

I'm not quite sure what you mean though. Do you want a Bigsby tremolo without drilling ? I recently found a whatchamadoohicky or two that lets you install one without drilling. The Vibramate and the ZZ Guitarworks EZ-Mounts.

Vibramate

EZ-Mount

 

[Ole'Lefty]

Apparently "EZ" formerly "ZZ" makes theirs from sterling silver and/or real gold- unless they now are aware of vibramate and have lowered their prices.mt

 

[V!N]

Current prices (March 21st 2009)

US$ 249.00 - ZZ Guitarworks EZ-Mount
US$ 59.95 - Vibramate

I had to choose between these two a little while ago, I found a guy on a different forum that actually tried both and he confirmed what I already suspected by looking at the pics:
The Vibramate makes the Bigsby sit too close to the bridge and the thickness of the material makes it sit very high. The feel and effect of the vibrato isn't at all like if you bolted the Bigsby on the guitar.
The EZ-Mount makes the Bigsby sit where it would sit if you bolted it on the guitar. Though it is still somewhat higher, this feels and performs much more like a Bigsby should.

Though the EZ-Mount has an outrageous price tag on it for what it really is (a bent strip of aluminium with some holes and screws) it's still what I've ordered. I have guitars that left the factory with Bigsbies installed and bolted them myself to keepers.
I'd rather not put holes in my "may have to sell once" guitars, but do want a good Bigsby on there.

I can see the tag on the ZZ EZ-Mount would send a lot of folks straight to Vibramate.

To each his own.

V!N

 

[Eric052492]

Here's my Epiphone Les Paul Custom with the vibramate. The back of it only rises off the guitar not even half an inch.

 

[lazz]

cool, had no idea they were that easy to install

 

[V!N]

Eric, do you have any experience with Bigsby vibratos mounted directly to the guitar in a different position and if so, how would you describe the difference in feel en function with the Vibramate ?

 

[Eric052492]

No, sorry. I've never played a guitar with the Bigsby screwed directly into it.

 

[joebonsai]

I love Bigsby
I've mounted it in the traditional way.
but customized it with the Rockinger Supertremola, easy string changing!!!
a very helpful tool
Rockinger Guitars - Webshop for guitars, guitar parts, supplies for making guitars, effects pedals, strings, and accessories for guitars and basses

 

[V!N]

Wow, thank you very much Mr. Bonsai !

I used to have a monstrous Warmoth Tele and it might still be somewhere in storage for me. I didn't change strings on it as often as I should, just because the bloody strings kept popping off the pegs. If I ever get it back, that's what I'm buying for it.

 

[Eric052492]

I eventually want to get a B7 bigsby on my les paul.. I think they look a lot better but at the time, I wasn't all that experienced with drilling..

 

[joebonsai]

Hey V!N
Killer!!!!!!
Take that Rockinger thing and string change is as easy as usual!!! When I had that normal Bigsby-string holder it took my nearly an hour to change the strings and two times the guitar was ready to fly (you know what I mean). And this tool is really great. Easy to install too, took me 20 minutes!!!

Hi Eric052492
if you have a 'real' Les Paul, I mean with curved top you should take a B7!!!
It looks BETTER!!!
....... but 2 holes in the Top and another 4 around the strap button!
But for me the result is beautiful!!! I love those 'little' Bigsby-whammys!!!

 

[dennistruckdriver]

Current prices (March 21st 2009)

US$ 249.00 - ZZ Guitarworks EZ-Mount
US$ 59.95 - Vibramate

....Though the EZ-Mount has an outrageous price tag on it for what it really is (a bent strip of aluminium with some holes and screws) it's still what I've ordered.....I can see the tag on the ZZ EZ-Mount would send a lot of folks straight to Vibramate.....

I believe the EZ-Mount includes a Bigsby B-50 vibrato unit, doesn't it? At least this eBay seller's does:

LES PAUL GIB/EPI JR./SPECIAL BIGSBY ALUM. EZ-MOUNT SYS - eBay (item 350059991545 end time May-08-09 16:10:27 PDT)

"THIS EASY MOUNT KIT COMES WITH A BIGSBY B-50 VIBRATO ALREADY MOUNTED TO OUR PATENT PENDING EZ - MOUNT PLATE"

 

[joebonsai]

Do you really like those mounting plates on a curved top?
.....or is it just the fear for the two holes on the top??

 

[dennistruckdriver]

I love Bigsby
I've mounted it in the traditional way.
but customized it with the Rockinger Supertremola, easy string changing!!!....

I wonder if any company here in the USA has those....

 

[joebonsai]

I don't think so, but try Duesenberg guitars, it's the nearly the same company. They use that tool with their tremolos
Rockinger does intl. sales, just send a mail

 

[Mr. 335]

I've tried both the ZZ and the Vibramate on my ES-335. The ZZ lasted only about a month, because of a tonal change to the guitar, that I didn't like. Also, when I removed the ZZ, I noticed that its little cushions left marks on my 335's finish that won't come out. I like the Vibramate much better. Sounds good, looks good, and puts the lever right where I want it. The Vibramate creates a nice string angle from bridge to roller bar. And the lower price didn't hurt any, either. It's a keeper.

 

[V!N]

I found the large pic of your avatar and all I can say is Wow ! Awesome guitar !
That Bigsby does sit really, really close to the bridge. That work great for those that
are used to the stop tail, rather than a trapeze tailpiece or the far-away Bigsby, or
are looking for a more subtle shimmering effect. Check out the difference in the
length of string behind the saddle on the Vibrabate and the traditional way.

Thanks for the heads up on the marks that the little cushions left. I'll have to be
careful when I get mine then. Did you send an e-mail about this to ZZ Guitarworks ?

 

[V!N]

Here's a review of a bloke who has tried both the Vibramount and the ZZ Guitarworks EZ Mount. It sounds like he's familiar with a Bigsby installed the traditional way as well. Though I was already leaning towards the EZ Mount, his review confirmed my suspicions about the Vibramount and made me go with the EZ Mount.
Mind you, this is an earlier model and they dropped the cheesy "ZZ" stamped out of the material !

Vibramate for Bigsby installation? - SG - Gibson Forums

I put a Vibramate and Bigsby on my Les Paul Special a couple months back. It's not bad, but it's not what I was hoping for. The Vibramate mounts the Bigsby a little too close to the bridge, and it elevates the tailpiece a little too much off the top of the body. The result is that the break angle isn't enough for truly effective vibrato. It's there, but it's too subtle for my needs. I may take it off with the next sting change, I don't know.

I bought this setup originally for my SG Standard, but I didn't realize that it would require a cutout of some of the SG's (bat wing) pickguard so I put it on the LP Special instead.

I also have a ZZ Guitarworks Bigsby assembly on one of my Les Pauls, and it works much more effectively. It works and sounds more like a Bigsby should.

 

[Mr. 335]

I get more than shimmery effects with my Vibramate. I get the full drop-down that I've come to expect after playing Bigsby-mounted guitars for 44 years. The break angle is just right for my ABR-1 bridge. Not too sharp and not too shallow. After all I don't want the strings binding on the saddles from being pulled down too sharply. Anyway, enjoy your ZZ, I didn't mine.
Long Live Bigsby Vibratos!!!!