Better Tuning Stability With Bigsby | Guitar Tech Tips | Ep. 79 | Thomann

A Bigsby vibrato is great for that subtle, tasteful effect and it looks absolutely gorgeous too. That being said, it's a little tricky to make it stay in tune. Let's check out what you can do about it without swapping the original parts on the guitar. Enjoy Guitar Tech Tips!
Gear used: tho.mn/bp62t
Recorded and mixed with Universal Audio: tho.mn/uadx1
Monitors optimised through Sonarworks: tho.mn/sonar
Interesting bits and pieces:
0:00 Introduction
0:50 First important step: the nut
1:38 Second step: modify the bridge saddles
3:11 What's up with roller saddles?
3:30 Time for a test ride
4:15 Outtakes
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[@JohnShalamskas]

For the cost of that tiny syringe of nut sauce, you can get about a pound of Super Lube, a food grade white grease with teflon particles suspended in it. Remove any pencil lead before using grease. If you already have the nut sauce syringe, you can refill it with the Super Lube. Otherwise, just use a toothpick to apply it.

[@SashaWFAY]

really good to know. I used pencil lead and then added nut sauce and was really disappointed. Cleaned everything out and tried again with just nut sauce and had much better results.

[@troythompson1621]

It's nice to see and hear a tasteful use of a Bigsby during a video. Some of of really appreciate it.

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Thanks so much Troy! Cheers //Kris

[@guithawk-ij8is]

Thanks! Tried your advice with my Gretsch with TOM bridge and Bigsby and it really helped. I also switched from 10s to 11s and that also helps keep it in tune. Saved me from having to buy a new bridge 😊

[@josephhughes9490]

Kris, Awesome job as always. You are a professional tech now. Love Bigsbys on a guitar 👍👍👍

[@wandering_satellite]

You need to install a Roller Type Bridge (like the excellent ABM Roller Bridge), that you need to lubricated every now and then (with gun oil, for instance, applied inside each roller using the tip of a needle). You also need to REMOVE the "angle bar" (between vibrato and bridge) on B5, B7, B12, etc, and REPLACE IT with a 3mm bar on which you install 6 independent micro "V Groove Ball Bearings" (3x12x4mm) that you'll equally space on the 3mm bar using "shrink tubing" as spacers. And you need to lubricate these mini ball bearings too, every now and then. That's what is on my custom made TearDrop solid body guitar with a V headstock, and since the mid 80s, and it still works and PERFECTLY stays in tune, as this guitar was later upgraded with locking tuners and finally a Graphtech nut. I did the exact same "Bigsby ball bearings modification" on a friend's 1998 Epiphone SG, and it's still his favorite guitar to this day. Now, quite obviously, the Bigsby bridges which don't have the "angle bar" don't require any upgrade at all ... but still the Roller Bridge is necessary, and a high quality one. ABM Roller Bridge is my favorite ... for instance, I simply trashed the garbage bridge on my 2002 Gretsch 6120 JR to put the ABM Roller Bridge, I installed a White Earvana nut and locking tuners, and I've been happy with my Gretsch ever since.

[@jameswilson3554]

Great video

[@michaelreese9763]

Kris, I wish this video was available when I purchased a used Gretsch 2655T two and a half years ago. The tuning stability was terrible with or without the Bigsby being used. So I set out on a journey to solve the problem. I replaced the tuners with GraphTech Ratio tuners , partially because I just wanted to see how easily they were to place, and partially wondering whether they might hold the strings from slipping better. But that didn't solve the issue. So I replaced the tune-o-Matic bridge with a roller bridge. That helped more but still not enough. Being a neophyte in guitar tech I came to truss rod adjustment later than I should have. I forget now which way I had to adjust it but once it was fairly straight I had much better tuning stability. HOWEVER, the G string (and to a lesser extent the B string) had rattling sounds that bothered me. I took the guitar to a tech and had him replace the nut (which was bone) with a new bone nut thinking the previous owner might have adjusted the slots improperly. But that didn't solve the rattling either. Recently I tried fret wraps because the rattling seemed to be from the bridge area but that didn't totally help either but it did seem to help if I rested the palm of my hand on top of the wrap I had placed behind the bridge. So yesterday, thinking about he problem it seemed that the break angle behind the roller bridge might not be high enough to keep the G and B strings from producing that rattle. Now my action was the same as other guitars I own and the string gauge was .10 too. But I tried raising the bridge a quarter turn on both ends and, lo and behold, that seems to have eliminated the rattle. I have had a love -hate relationship with this guitar since I bought it because I have loved the pick-ups it has and the overall sound but hated the rattle. Now I love it. The hate part has been eliminated (I think). The action is a bit higher than my other guitars but not so much it is a problem plus the tone of the strings seems improved. So, IMO, beware of setting your roller bridge too low!

[@boomerbassmeme]

Awesome tip! 😊👍

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Thanks a lot man! You can try it on your Gretsch if you have any issues with the tuning. //Kris

[@illegallystalked3119]

I drilled a hole in the handle and ran a drywall screw through it and into the wood on my les paul. Now it stays in tune.👍

[@skylineXpert]

I used pencil on nut of my Harley benton st62 and went all hendrix on it with the danish national anthem. Surprisingly stable. Would like to see converting left hand to right hand and vice versa

[@steveo44]

This is such a great series. Thanks for taking the time. I'm not a fan of the bigsby but love the way they look.... Very cool

[@22DINGOS]

Gretsch AdjustoMatic bridges are “tilting” or “rocking “ bridges and the strings are not meant to slide over each saddle. They are meant to stay put and the bridge tilts.

[@matthewbolduc2714]

Good playing. Groovy. I know that the guitar belongs to you, for sure. These are the best videos. When the presenter owns the item reviewed and you can sense that the person has really been into this item. The presenter has a deeper sense of the product obtained from actually using the item over a long period of time. The product has passed the test of time.

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Thanks so much and you are right. It's my guitar and I love it to pieces. :) I guess you can tell that. Haha! Cheers //Kris

[@matthewbolduc2714]

@@ThomannsGuitarsBasses Very cool review. Yes, the depth part really is evident when a guy does a review about something he actually owns and has used long enough to get a good idea of what is going on. Anyone can do an uninformed quick review of a borrowed guitar. Owning it and playing it gives you more and more insight into the item. And you are good at communicating your findings.

[@khan.tanvir]

WOW!!! Would you please post a review on Les Trem II in future? Will be looking forward to it.

[@stanislavmigra]

Pros: stays better in tune, easier restring, can change to hardtail easy Cons: dont look as cool

[@TheRealThomasPaine1776]

Thanks for that video. I enjoyed the playing at the end especially because I'm waiting for my ES355AW to come in! Mine has a bigsby vibrato and I'm want to be up to date on taking care of it. It's my first so I'm a little concerned. I've seen some of them that have some kind of a saddle, a heavy metal saddle, and it's tucked all the way up against the bridge pickup. I don't know exactly what that setup is called but I know that they don't all have that. So I wonder if that's bench to increase the sustain. Starting the 355 Journey!

[@xermanpequeno]

I have a Mexican player strat. Glossy fretboard and satin neck. The fretboard edges are quite sharp. Is there any way to roll them without messing up the gloss fretboard? Thanks in advance!

[@stanislavmigra]

+1

[@StormKingPNW]

Help - I put a Schaller roller bridge and a TUSQ XL nut on my ES-355 and still have horrendous tuning stability. It cost me a few hundred bucks between parts and labor, and I don’t think it’s the install. Only thing I can think of is the angle of the bridge defeats the gain from the roller saddles so the strings bind a little bit. I almost sold the guitar because when I do a big bend or use the Bigsby it’s no longer in tune… makes it fairly unplayable. Any helpful suggestions are appreciated!

[@PooNinja]

Bone is self lubricating??? Robot bones aka Tusq aside that was cool, I’d probably go for the Roller bridge, Bay City style 🤘🏽

[@boomerbassmeme]

Not touching that comment...

[@boskomshanti]

Kris. Great video there. I am thinking about mounting a Bigsby to my 335. Which one should I order? Thank you for the quick reply, Santa is waiting :):):).

[@markbass354]

COOL VIDEO

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Thanks Mark! You're the best! //Kris

[@eddierayvanlynch6133]

0:52 What is your opinion/experience with the Wilkinson roller nut? I have a nice old Yamaha Tele copy that's fairly stable, but I'd like to be able to go all Danny Gatton on it. (Who wouldn't, right?) I'd want a luthier to do the install, but is it worth the effort? Thanks again!

[@JohnShalamskas]

I would recommend TonePros locking roller bridge. It stays adjusted and in place when changing strings, and is easy to adjust intonation. I believe the Wilkinson roller bridge is a pain to adjust intonation on.

[@eddierayvanlynch6133]

@@JohnShalamskas My reply vanished 🤔 Anyway, thanks for the info, John

[@JohnShalamskas]

@@eddierayvanlynch6133 Oops, you were asking about a roller nut, not bridge. I have no experience with roller nuts.

[@ArturBrzozowski444]

It's really that simple? Gosh, I need to get myself a Bigsby!

[@iochisono97]

a video like this for floyd bridges would be helpful

[@jimmygubbins]

I thought the point of a floyd was great tuning stability lol, with a locking nut anyway

[@iochisono97]

@@jimmygubbins the point is bending strings beyond what's humanly possible; hopefully staying in tune. tuning stability is the point of the evertune, thus the name

[@GeorgeHeil-gg6wv]

Feeling gauge nut file ? Is that what you said to use on the bridge ?

[@rhiwderinraytube]

I have a Chinese Gretsch copy with an imitation Bigsby. I modded the nut, installed a roller bridge, updated the tuning pegs and it still loses tune! The problem with fake Bigsby is the bearings which have nylon inserts. I have lubricated these but can’t prevent detuning especially 1st and 3rd strings!

[@alidabirnia2882]

I'm wondering if it's still in tune after using the Bigspy

[@hearpalhere]

Kris, as a follow up to this, could you please check out the video below and give your thoughts? I've never seen someone put a Bigsby through this type of abuse and have it stay in dead on tune. Thanks for the tips!

[@hearpalhere]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIarXnaFntp6n9k

[@myronsamuels8798]

where is the vid?

[@hearpalhere]

@@myronsamuels8798 If the link isn't visible, search for the title - "String Your Bigsby Wrong, Beat It Up. IN TUNE EVERY TIME! By Scott Grove".

[@Charlie_Underscore]

Ill say it again, I fucking love this guy.

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Haha, love ya too buddy! 🤘 //Kris

[@yetimatzenightcat8702]

Die bigsby probleme hab ich mir erst gar nicht angetan, hab mir damals gleich die hagstrom deuce f tremar geholt mit rollerbridge und graphtec sattel. Der vorteil der rollerbridge ist ja das man bendings machen kann wie mit einer normalen gitarre trotz bigsby und das ding ist Stimmstabil wie bedongggg. Am besten ist aber, ☝der sound der 58er custom alnicos haut einem direkt weg 🤷‍♂️😄

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Das war eine kluge Entscheidung mit dem Sattel und die Brücke. Sicher ist sicher, gell? 😜 Übrigens, Hagstrom Deuce... hmmm, lecker. //Kris

[@yetimatzenightcat8702]

@@ThomannsGuitarsBasses 😄👍

[@TheRealThomasPaine1776]

Is. Your 355 in stereo?? What are your thoughts on that?

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Hi, this is a 330L which is a full-hollow 335. It's wired like a Les Paul so no fancy stereo stuff. I kinda like it this way to be honest. The stereo wiring of some higher end hollow bodies makes it a bit more complicated to amplify which isn't really necessary if you ask me. :) Cheers //Kris

[@TheRealThomasPaine1776]

@@ThomannsGuitarsBasses Aahh, I didn't look close enough. I know, a lot of guys took out the stereo and went to mono. I have a Roland JC-40, and its wired for stereo, I bought it hoping that some day I 'd find a stereo 345/355, but its still a good amp and it will still produce good sound. I can imagine, having a stereo guitar also affects the routing of the pedals as well.

[@Chancebledsoe388]

What year 335 is that?

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Hey, it's a 2016 ES-330L. So full hollow like a 330 should be but with PAFs and the body-neck-joint situation exactly like a 335. It's a wonderful guitar. Cheers //Kris

[@jeffrobodeenyehcmon5925]

Mine stays in tune but I have an expert tech at guitar center. Yep guitar center.

[@MAX96MENDES]

Instead of always showing Fender and Gibson guitars in your fix-demos and tutorials, it would be good to also show your viewers some in-House instruments from Harley-Benton (Thomann).

[@miner49er79]

uuuhhhhhhhh,,,,,,,,,,where's Julia ??? :]

[@Fksu]

roller saddle -> no no no