Some of you may have seen my post about just recently getting a new Gretsch Tennessee Rose which has a Bigsby. I restrung it yesterday. I have never done one before and it was a bit tricky keeping the string from snapping out of the pin underneath while tightening to tune up. One did and I hope it didn't ding the top. I read somewhere that you can use one of those wedge shaped rubber door stoppers. After the first one snapped on me, I got a stopper. It does help to keep the string in place as I stretch it to the other end. I also used a capo mid-neck as I wound to the post.

Does anyone have any other tricks or techinque to make this an easier process? I don't mind taking time coz I like being careful with these things.

Comments/feedback are welcome. BTW - I love the guitar. Very versatile with a great feel. Thanks.

Ace
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When I restring a guitar that has a Bigsby I use a pliers to bend the end of the string (at the ball end of the string) so that the first few millimetres of string is curved like the cylindrical bar of the Bigsby that that area of the string will fit around.

The I also squash a small piece of sponge under the bar so that the sponge pushes against the string ball end and keeps it from coming off the pin.

Ace, I got some advice on re-stringing my National from the guy at VIntage Nationals. Masking tape. I re-viewed you picture of the Gretch, but I can't tell anything. But the ball ends have a tendancy to move around in the National's bridge while there is no pressure, and the masking tape holds them in place nively and simply.

Thanks S-T and David.
I did bend the ball end but probably not enough or not in the shape of the bar. I'll do that. I'll also use a sponge, which sounds better than the door stopper I used. At least it was a brand new one. I might do the masking tape to keep it from moving around. I noticed a couple of them stayed on the "pin" but as the string rounded the bar, it was not lining up properly as I started on the post end. The capo technique did help.

Thanks for the advice guys.

Ace
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Let me know how you keep the guitar in tune if you bend strings much at all. I had a ultra sweet mid sixties Gretsch Country Gentleman, ala Mr. Harrison, and it sounded and looked fab, but the $#%Y%$ thing would NOT stay in tune. Ever. I gave up on Bigsby equiped guitars right then and there. They sure look cool. Any trick to making them behave? I might rethink my bias if someone can tell me they can be tamed. I bend like mad, being a blues guy at heart. thanks tom

I had a guitar with a Bigsby in the late 70s and it put me off Bigsbys for many years. Tuning problems.

SInce then, I had a Gretsch for a while and, with a bit of care, it stayed in tune pretty well. Firstly it's worth considering the gauge of strings... for a lot of people, 11s work well on the models with a 24.6 inch scale length (eg a 6120)... 10s work well on models with 25.5 scale length (eg White Falcon or some 6122s) although 11s may give slightly better tone. If you use lighter strings, that can introduce tuning problems.

Another thing I used to do is, whenever I changed my strings, I lubricated areas where friction can cause strings to go out of tune eg the string slots in the nut (perhaps also the string slots in the bridge.... although on some Gretsch models the bridge is designed to rock on its base, so lubrication may not be required in the slots). Some people simply use graphite dust from a pencil, I used Big Bends Nut Sauce, which is quite easy to apply.

The other thing that's worth noting is that on most models the angle that the string goes through after it passes across the nut on its way towards the machineheads... is greatest for the 2 middle strings (ie strings 3 and 4). This means that there can be more friction at the nut for these two strings. Hence, if you dip the Bigsby while playing... this friction can be more likely to cause those strings to go sharp (as the friction prevents equalisation of the string tension on both sides of the nut)... so when that happens, one has a natural tendency to retune those strings... then one plays a little more... and the tension on both sides of the nut equalises... and suddenly the string is flat... so one tunes up... and the cycle repeats... until some people give up on Bigsbys.

Obviously, if the relevant friction points are lubricated, there is less likelihood of this happening... as the friction is reduced. However, if it does happen ie you dip the Bigsby and after you release it a string goes sharp... simply play a bend on the relevant string and it should come back in tune or thereabouts. When someone gave me that tip it changed my whole attitude to Bigsbys... nowadays I love them for adding a little shimmer or a subtle dip. (However, I would never use a Bigsby for extreme whammy type movement... and I tend to move it down only - or up and down a very small amount (for a shimmery sound). I would avoid lifting the BIgsby arm by more than a very, very small amount ... as larger upward movement can cause the spring to relocate - again introducing tuning issues).

Generally, I've found that guitars with Bigsbys are often not quite as stable with regard to tuning as guitars without vibrato arms... but used and set up correctly they can be fine and fun to use.

Strat-Tastic is right on. I play a Gretsch double-annie with a Bigsby and the tuning stability is great. I abuse the Bigsby Brian Setzer-style and don't have any tuning issues. When I bought the guitar it had a fixed tailpiece on it and I had some pretty bad tuning issues. I added a Bigsby, "pinned" the bridge, and added some locking tuners. I also keep the nut well lubricated and use .11 gauge strings. Now it's as solid as a rock. I love Gretsch guitars - the Gretsch discussion page is the electric guitar version of this forum. Everyone there is very laid back and helpful.

As far as restringing, I used to use one of the "pink pearl" erasers to hold the string in place. I also use my fingers to bend the ball end so it fits the curve of the Bigsby bar. Now that I've gotten used to restringing the Bigsby, I find I don't need to use anything to hold the string on the post. Usually it does look like the string isn't going around the bar perfectly aligned, but as it's tightened I line everything up.

Great information. On lubrication, it doesn't hurt and it's there if you need it. When I interviewed LJ, he was putting on a new set and he had pencil in hand and "wrote" on the nut slots. I do have 11s on the Gretsch and they seem to hold well. I only use the Bigsby very slightly and not that often. It looks great and nice to have it there when necessary. The eraser tip is a good one too. I might try it until I'm used to the whole process. Thanks.

Ace
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Thanks, all. Very helpful. Maybe I'll have a go at another Gretsch, just in memory of George if nothing else. A very underrated player in the best band, well, ever.

For Beatles fans (Tom?) - Get the "Beatles To A Tee" two disc DVD set. One of the best videos I have seen that broke down all the guitar parts (no bass and drums) in great detail. The guy used a lot of vintage model guitars similar to what the Fab 4 used, split screens, slow and then on tempo. You can see the 6 and 12-string Rickenbackers, the two Gretsch's, the rosewood tele, the strat, and the Epi's. The Gibson acoustics are present of course.

You can see how intricate some of the guitar work is on some of your favorite tunes. George had some killer voicings (lots of jazz chords). A must for the Beatle fan. The opening shot shows all the guitars used hanging on the wall. Of course, the Country Gentleman and the Tennessean were up there.

I'm not worthy....

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