Can This Keep a Bigsby in Tune? - Guitar NutBuster Long-Term Update!

Keeping a Bigsby in tune? - This may be the impossible task!
For my long-term update on the NutBuster I thought I'd install it on a different style of guitar and give you my thoughts on this product after a few months..
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[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

Love me a bigsby - for better or for worse! Enjoy :)

[@williambratton2010]

Darrell Braun Guitar dude, you should get a vibramate string spoiler. 30$ and makes changing strings on bigsby a dream.

[@bruhitsseth7315]

That bigsby is a nice sounding guitar.

[@lucasafisher]

Hey Darrell, what is your opinion on a stetsbar, and how would you compare it a bigsby? Thanks

[@Hickeroar]

Would have loved to have a test before putting it on so we could compare.

[@AdrianDecaux]

Hey Darrell, how about comparing this with the string buttler you reviewed a couple of years ago?

[@lonnyhorowitzmd509]

If it were $20-30 maybe. For $175 USD I'll buy a roller bridge and replace the nut with a Tusq.

[@nickagervasi]

I think I would likely go that way as well.

[@kingbrutusxxvi]

Agreed. Plus it's pretty ugly, as well.

[@aymerick_]

i agree i would do the same thing

[@aymerick_]

@@kingbrutusxxvi true

[@WalkenDead]

I was kind of wondering why you just wouldn't use a roller bridge and at lest tweak the nut. You could also use a string butler to get a straight pull at the headstock

[@hchoe741]

at $175 NutBuster is an appropriate name

[@trystinheer6139]

that actually made me laugh

[@apple_with_a_human_butt]

for that money, you can get a quality roller bridge, a graphtech nut, a string butler and couple of cases of beer!

[@nelsonechevarria7009]

@@apple_with_a_human_butt I'm thinking the same as you my Brother although I don't drink alcohol.

[@nelsonechevarria7009]

@hchoe741 I could be wrong but this video makes me think that maybe poor Darrell has been hanging out in his shed for too long smelling too much of the lacquers and solvents that he uses on his guitar kits and now he's totally stoned out of his mind and hasn't got a clue.

[@paulgordon6949]

Yeah its very expensive. I mean if it works well enough though then perhaps its worth it. But maybe somebody else could make something similar and price it a bit more reasonably.

[@MrPeterbennett]

just run the strings over the bigsby roller bar instead of underneath the roller bar. it will stay in tune, make the trem more easy to move and takes a lot of pressure of the bridge which the standard way makes the bridge move when using the trem. this sipple mod works great on my gretsch

[@andyglamrock]

I'm gonna try that

[@jonallred6794]

I restrung my 5655 when I got it and, being a first time Gretsch owner, I ran the strings over the top as you described. It didn't work out very well. The strings don't stay in the bridge saddles and there was a ringing phantom tone when I played the top two strings. It is a little tricky keeping the string ends on the tiny posts of the Bigsbytoo. when you install new strings.

[@TheNeonRabbit]

That'll work great on some guitars, won't work at all on other guitars. The strings will be popping out of the saddles whenever you bend on some. it just depends on the original break angle. Definitely worth trying though. On the ones it works on it'll stay in tune better and the Bigsby will bend smoother. For the ones that DO need to go under the roller but not at such a sharp angle I recommend a "BiggsFix Tuning Stabilizer". It's a roller that replaces the original on a Bigsby but sits up higher, lessening the break angle. I have a dozen or so. Works great. Costs like $55-$65 , something like that.

[@xaphan8581]

@@jonallred6794lmao bro I read that comment and thought that would be funny if someone tried

[@Chino196]

Yep this is what i do. Use a number two pencil liberally on the nut and put the strings over that roller and you’re gonna have a good time😊

[@nickdryad]

I had a nut buster. We broke up about ten years ago. Really, she was a ball breaker.

[@Sally-uu3yt]

Yikes

[@rosswilkinson1022]

nickdryad did she cost 175 bucks though?

[@nickdryad]

More. She made me sell my guitar to pay for renovations.

[@nehemiahzo_]

nickdryad damn, how much was she

[@johnnyfreakinlove]

I've owned over 20 Gretsch guitars and have never once had a issue with any of the Bigsby springs, keeping it in tune, or the bridges. I've set each one up myself and other than a small tweak here and there, I've never had to go through that much of a mess. Yikes. Play it hard for a week and break it in.

[@b00ts4ndc4ts]

KZbin is always about selling crap to people. Companies find channels with lots of follower, send them crap to put out on there channel. This is why going to your music shop and trying before you buy is the best way and listing to KZbinrs telling you what's best.

[@nehemiahzo_]

Idk if I want my guitar to say nut buster lmfao

[@herbalgiles9468]

Nehemiah Zo 😳💀💀💀

[@jessiesratrods1210]

As a Punker. I think it matches the vibe and attitude of a punk rock Guitar perfect.

[@nehemiahzo_]

Jessie ' s Ratrods do you mean as a punk?

[@jessiesratrods1210]

@@nehemiahzo_ theres a difference between Punk and Punker out here. A punk is just into the style. A Punker is all about the attitude and music but might not dress like one.

[@nehemiahzo_]

Jessie ' s Ratrods maaan I don’t think the word punker even applies to punk attitude or style

[@TheChristafershawn]

BigsFix with a roller bridge works wonders!!!!

[@jim6442]

This right here is the answer. Put them on my epi wildkat, along with pickups and wiring, and it's perfectly in tune all the time.

[@gunsguitarsrccarz4131]

i have it AND WORKS WOUNDERFUL

[@TheChristafershawn]

@@Michael-fl9ge Agreed, it is a must for the steep break angles. I wish Trogly would get a clue about this upgrade as well as he is always bashing the Bigsby needlessly.

[@garylearo5301]

Very true.

[@artofnoly9754]

2:40 Hold the spring in place with a small ring of silicone rubber (believe it or not) at its base, and the spring stays put! This also helps when you change the strings, where the spring can go AWOL.

[@robinosborne266]

I have a beautiful Japanese made lefty Gretche 6120 and although I do tend to only use it for the sort of sounds a Bigsby was made for, I have found that the Bigsby behaves perfectly. Once you get used to it, even string changes aren’t (too) bad. Can’t have a Gretsch without a Bigsby!!! Another great video Darrell.

[@robinosborne266]

Damned predictive text!! I have a beautiful Japanese made lefty Gretsch 6120!!!

[@BarDog57]

Lip balm in the nut slots works great, saves a buttload of money. And guitars with angled headstock (Gibson, Epiphone, Gretsch), wind strings UP the post to decrease break angle, especially on the bass strings.

[@clarkbabin9799]

Everytime I see your intro it makes me think of a friend who has an acoustic that he left on the beach thinking it was safe from the tide. He found it later washing in and out with the tide. I learned this story when I went to his house with an applause that he wanted to try and offered to let me try his. Amazingly nothing came unglued but man that is the heaviest acoustic I've ever picked up. Must've weighed at least as much as a Les Paul.

[@THESHR3DS1324]

Idk how the actuall f this applies to his intro

[@clarkbabin9799]

@@THESHR3DS1324 that's not the point. It's just that he's doing all this crazy stuff to these guitars and sometimes they're okay as was the case of the friend who found his guitar washing in and out the surf. Only thing the guitar became quite heavy for an acoustic.

[@adinosauratemysock121]

This was really helpful for me thank you for uploading this.

[@MarcCoteMusic]

I really like the idea of the NutBuster and it seems to work well even with this Gretsch. I just can't justify a $175 US price. That's $235 Canadian... you can just about get a... not-terrible guitar for that.

[@Icantdrive55]

I agree, severely over priced. You could get a set of locking tuners and a roller bridge plus a Graph Tech nut for less than that to solve the problem.

A stupid price for stupid people. Probably costs like 5-10$ to make.

[@scottharris7222]

What is stupid about wanting to play your guitar in tune without having to modify it? You can install this yourself, no bench costs for a tech and still add a better nut and saddles if you want. Take it off and use it somewhere else if you want to trade your guitar or sell it For a removable locking system it isn't too expensive for what it is doing in my opinion.

[@grannypants9683]

@ suprised he didnt crank up the overdrive

[@islanderwinder]

That's why the string retainer is on the Floyd rose lock nut guitar . without it ,when you tune a floyd ,as soon as you lock the strings down it goes sharp .

[@TheEowli]

thats why there are finetuners on the nutbuster ;)

[@ronlight7013]

No, the Streamliner is Gretsch's entry-level guitar. While the solid body guitars are less expensive, the classic 5420 Electromatic semi-hollow is $800-900 and definitely not their entry-level guitar model.

[@nazmoking3171]

Totally accurate.

[@vaughanmacegan4012]

The Electromatic Jet w/ Bigsby and Pro Jet w/ Bigsby are both in the $800-900 and that's in Australia dollars. There is only $30 difference.

[@bjl1000]

Maybe Darrell doesn't know the cost, because he hasn't actually purchased a guitar in awhile.

[@telestrat060]

My Electromatic G5220 was $450.00. Not a high dollar guitar. And it shows.

[@jacobbrown1690]

@@telestrat060 thats the 5230t candy apple. special edition. they are 549 US or 719 canadian

[@ldfox11]

Needs a Roller Bridge.

[@elvisparterre1742]

Or just bigger strings

[@godfreydaniel6278]

I put a roller bridge on my pickup-upgraded and rewired Epiphone Wildkat - and now it's BETTER than the Gretsch Tennessee Rose I sold to buy it and do the upgrades. Oh - and I had $1500 in cash left over...

[@jamesblackwell4965]

I’ve never heard of a Bigsby having tuning issues. I have a Gretsch Tennessee rose with a Bigsby and never had a problem.

[@AmbroseLiu]

First of all, he said he's talking about midrange to lower midrange guitars. Yours isn't that, though higher end guitars with Bigsbys can still have tuning issues. But despite your experience, many have tuning issues with Bigsbys. They make the string slide back and forth over the bridge and nut. Depending on the bridge, the nut, and strings, it can get caught causing tuning issues. Roller bridges and properly filed nuts can help a lot. But you must have a good quality one to avoid the Bigsby tuning issues.

[@thewolfden4680]

Well that's amazing .even with a high end guitar..kudos for u

[@mariushebnes5951]

The real ones stay in tune, but the import ones have worse parts, and they are not as smooth. There is a video on dylantalkstone

[@lynnmatsui]

I've had a lot of work done on my Epiphone Riviera P93 and tuning is still trash. It's in the shop now and I'm praying it's playable when the guy's done.

[@AmbroseLiu]

@@mariushebnes5951 It doesn't matter if it's 'real' or not. The issue isn't with the Bigsby so much as it is with the strings, nut, and bridge.

[@justinrayguitars6024]

A point I would like to make is a USA made Bigsby isn't much more than the import models. Definitely a big difference. Also a roller bridge is a must!

[@22DINGOS]

The bridge on that guitar is a “tilting” or “rocking” bridge design. It’s meant to lean and strings do not slide over the bridge saddles.

[@rosswilkinson1022]

$175 for a Nutbuster! I don't think so. A $20 roller bridge will get you 80% of the way there.

[@ericajohnson7535]

and that's what needs to happen! the bridge needs to rock back and forth. That's how the rocker bridge works!

[@Stratocus]

This might have been more interesting if you did a before and after so that we could actually hear the difference this Nutbuster makes.

[@patrickconwellmusic]

Thanks for this vid, it’s been great to summarise these issues into a concise 11 min link that I can flick to customers. I’m usually happy to explain but people sometimes have their egos bruised when we tell them that a more affordable guitar will have some limitations/ why the premium models are significantly more expensive.

[@RC32Smiths01]

These make me really want to try out Bigsbies! Really interesting. That red finish is quite stunning!

[@alextheguitarist7282]

Yeah it's a winner in my book!

[@musicbyclay4919]

Found you again...🤨

[@BricksJamRoom]

Great video Darrell, Funny how many guys have their own interpretation on how to keep a Bigsby in tune (based on what issue in particular is ailing them), Kind of like the 5 blind men describing an elephant. Seems like there are probably 3 big ones.... and YES, the nut is #1. Obviously, lubing is key, but not always the silver bullet (actually there is no silver bullet available that covers all the bases). Nut buster appears to hit this area on the head! (STA-TUNED is another that hits it). Bridge issues are a big one too, but as likely as it seems that a roller bridge is the answer (been down that road as well), most of the problem in this area comes from too much tension on the tension roller. Peterbennet (below) seems to be hard and fast about running the strings over the roller, but as many have found, this isn't for everyone, as the geometry of some guitars just won't allow it, because, for instance, a heavy handed player will knock the strings out of the saddles. If that were the blanket solution, a non-roller Biggs would have (or should have) been installed from the start. This is the reason for a tension roller Bigsbys in the first place. I chased this problem around on my Pro Jet for years. In my case it was the tension roller (everything else addressed ad nauseam). I tried B3 (non-tension roller model), and yes, the tuning stability increased (a big clue for me), but "Ham Hands" here knocked the strings out of the saddles. Enter Bricksbiggsfix. And certainly it is no silver bullet cure-all either. If you still have the other issues, you still have the other issues. But for me, it was the last piece of the puzzle. If you'd be willing to give one a test drive, I'd send you one (I'm the inventor and patent holder). As far as the other areas (tuners, string wrapping and such), they are less significant, but even if that's one's description of the elephant, that is what it is for them. Got to address them all! If you are one of the lucky one's that have a guitar like this that gives you no problems, YOU BETTER KEEP IT- you have some pure magic!!!

[@zannemack]

I have Bixbys on both my Gibson Epiphones; solid body, & hollow body. Love ‘em! Thanks for this video!

[@MFachrizalR]

"So let's be honest. Who doesn't absolutely love a Bigsby?" Well Darrell, I don't 😂 I prefer a tune-o-matic or a classic 6-screws 😂

[@vaughanmacegan4012]

You might be in a minority. I love the look of a Bigsby and trying to buy a guitar equipped with one right now and it's a difficult thing finding one in Australia. Looking for an Epiphone ES355 or a Schecter Corsair this will be my first 6 six string guitar in oh, 20 years, been playing 7's exclusively.

[@mke7605]

Me neither. I prefer a fixed bridge over any whammy bar.

[@homefront3162]

🌈

[@scuffyplayramranch5256]

I Prefer A Floyd Rose Cause I Like The Style

[@vaughanmacegan4012]

@@scuffyplayramranch5256 Got three of those - and yes I like them, but, those Bigsby's have been calling me :)

[@johncooper9912]

I got a reverend guitars soft spring, it makes a massive difference- highly recommended

[@nazmoking3171]

Your timing is great! I just got a Gretsch Streamliner with Bigsby 50 and was looking at roller bridges to see what might be compatible. Never heard of this little Floyd Rose style device. Other suggestions are the Reverend squishy spring for Bigsby and I just recently learned try pulling the strings at the bridge completely OVER the roller bar rather than under it which causes the strings to catch on the tuneomatic bridge!

[@jacobbrown1690]

@@dasschaf2476 i put a 1/8" wooden spacer under the bridge and it solves the break angle problem.

[@nazmoking3171]

Das Schaf this is great to hear that confirmation and it lines up with what I have heard from other sources! So which roller bridge did you use for replacement? And were you able to use the Gretsch posts (i.e. Totally compatible roller bridge etc?)etc?

[@nazmoking3171]

Das Schaf so the Vanson is direct replacement. I'll have to see if I can get one here in the US. Sounds like an excellent mod!

[@fposmith]

I can buy a roller bridge, nut and upgrade my tuners for what they charge for this thing !

[@dereklong801]

I never had much trouble keeping my Gretsch with a Bigsby in tune. The G string and low E were the always most bothersome. I put a BigsFix on and haven't had trouble since. Goes right back in tune after using the Bigsby. Put on a BigsFix and put graphite in your nut slots.

[@ocbohemian6014]

Bricks BiggsFixx sorted the tuning issues on my Epi Wildkat for half the cost of the NutBuster. Works by reducing the break angle between the bridge and the roller bar on the Bigsby. Definitely worth checking out if you're struggling with a Bigsby related tuning issue. Cheers!

[@quintonsims9929]

I recently bought a guitar with a trem on it (not a bigsby) and it would go out of tune every time I used the trem system on it so I applied a drop of reel oil that I use on my bait casters on each notch of the nut and two months later it still stays in perfect tune even if I divebomb the crap out of it lol it might not work for everyone or every guitar out there but it’s definitely worth a try before dropping $175.00 on a little piece of metal

[@sethknarr4879]

graphite used to lubricate locks. 3.99 at Walmart. a dash in each groove, bit bridge, and nut. propper pre tune string stretch. BOOOM! NO tuning issues. les Paul, bigsby, fender, what have you. four bucks and all is solved. check out the sporting goods, or wherever you get keys copied, and you're good. most of this crap is just not proper maintenance.

[@SethPlaysBass]

I do the same thing. Not vey hard or expensive. I rarely use tremolo

[@MrMadtv123]

Bigsby lovers check out the Hartwood Charger Vibrato! Crazy specs for not alot of money, a roasted maple set neck, roller Bridge, locking tuners! Just got mine yesterday and had none of these issues luckily, thanks Darrell for uploading this

[@tuinhoofd1923]

This is good to hear, different model but I was thinking about getting the hartwood speedway vibrato

[@PaulyDTheKiwi]

Great video Darrell! Yay my T-shirt turned up today from your store, so stoked!!! Thanks man! Pauly D 🇳🇿

[@scottharris7222]

I literally just came upstairs from my studio ... swearing at this exact Cherry Jet Pro for not staying in tune. I just ordered the nutbuster. Please do a follow up video with this guitar showing the graphite saddles or bridge replacement which you briefly mentioned in this video. I love the tone and the look of this guitar. It is well worth doing a bit of work on it to address the tuning stability. Thanks Darrell.

[@DeeKeyLP]

how does it perform, man? worth it?

[@scottharris7222]

​@@DeeKeyLP - so a friend of mine talked me out of it and instead we restrung the guitar, filed the nut properly and used nut lube. After a good hour of stretching out the strings I can get my unmodified Gretsch Electromatic playing tune ... I can now push the tremolo arm toward the body about 50 times and it comes back in near perfect tune. I can bend strings with my fingers and it will stay in good tune even with aggressive play. Not Good... I can't pitch up with the tremolo arm on this guitar. As soon as I do the spring doesn't come back to the cup properly and it remains pitched sharp. If I dive bomb it will free up the spring and it snaps back in tune. So for me I won't need the Nutbuster or the roller bridge but I may try the roller bridge anyway. I'll keep you posted if you are interested.

[@DeeKeyLP]

@@scottharris7222 yes please! my issue is a les paul with adjustable titanium nut which is great for everything but tuning stability. i can't really replace it with something else because of the measurements. also it is titanium so good luck with filing it down. so i decided to order this device should i have enough money. also i will give it to guitar tech/luthier to try and cut this nut properly. but it's a les paul so no guarantee it wil solve the tuning stability issues. this nutbuster probably will. i'll update ya if you want.

[@vaughanmacegan4012]

Thanks for the timely vid. I have been looking at getting me a Bigsby! This and the roller bridge advice is greatly appreciated.

[@marc8vino]

Have a great luthier set it up for $175. I have a go to guy that burnishes the saddles or puts a roller bridge in. Only one time he could not get the original bridge to work perfectly so a roller bridge always works with out so much effort. He always wants to redo the nuts with a bone and he gets them dialed in perfect. Even on high end Gretsch guitars that had tusq XL nuts. I thought the Tusq nuts or graph tech nuts would be better than bone but I guess he likes bone better. He knows how to get a bone nut perfect for tuning stability. no catching or hang ups. All my guitars that had graph tech and tusq etc have bone nuts cut and filed by him. Gibson to gretsch they all stay in tune great now. Love all my guitars with Bigsbys. No need for the NutBuster if you find a great luthier. I thought I could dial in bigsbys my self but but they would just end up OK. After many many years I now just take them in. Also I use 10's or 11's on some and most have locking tuners.

[@zannemack]

Years ago on a strat, I had one of those nutbusters, but didnt know thats what it was called…but it was great at keeping in tune!

[@ModestMike963]

I started stringing it over the little bendy bar so its straight going to the bridge. Stays in tune, still bends

[@ces69]

That’s the “Scott Grove” method which apparently works!

[@keithklassen5320]

From what I've heard, that works with some guitars, not so much with others. Which makes sense; the break angle is different on different guitars, and on some of them if you go over that bar, the strings pop off the saddle or just don't have good sustain because they aren't held as strongly into the saddles.

[@Death.ByShred]

Keep up the killer work mate. I love these tidbits of power

[@Ohio_Motonaut]

That Nut Buster is a ball buster on the price... Geezus.

[@fuddyduddy9950]

Excellent presentation...I have a 5420 with Bigsby... and never knew the Tremolo was as intricate as you described it..... and the "nut-buster" sure seems like a remedy for problems at the nut. Sincere thanks for bringing these problems to our attention.

[@maomao180]

If the issue is the string binding at the nut why not just open up the nut slots slightly and lubricate it?

[@Budphrey]

When I got a bone nut installed on my 2016 Electromatic the tech told me that Gretsch nuts, except for the top-tier models, tend to be pretty soft plastic and lubricating doesn't help much if at all. Turned out that $35 investment resolved 7/8 of the tuning trouble that guitar was having (yes, even with the Bigsby), so I'm happy now.

[@kiksik.digital]

Keeping with the funny names there is "Big Bends Nutsauce Guitar Lubricant"

[@johnm3152]

My Schecter Corsair has been an ultra wonderful and reliable guitar. Only problem (B50) Bigsby, was recently, a roller bridge popping a low E roller - great tutorial - Thanks!

[@tyrssen1]

Back for a new look, a year later. Yeah, I could get used to a Bigsby. Sounds like the Bigsby and Nut Buster are a natural pair.

[@GRBAquatics]

Very Cool. Thankyou. I have Gretsch G5248T and do not have any noticeable tuning issues as I don't do big bends I suppose, but found this very interesting and informative. Cheers

[@Drunken_Hamster]

heavymetalATC is doing a custom guitar build called "The Mythbuster" and he installed a $5 Chinese roller saddle on it, as well as a roller nut. Now in "as is" format, that saddle was ASS, indeed, but the man took it apart, put the rollers on a finishing nail, then chucked that into a drill and used an old set of strings to cut exact grooves in the rollers so the strings wouldn't slide and buzz on them. Then he went and either squeezed or spread the ears of the bridge to set tolerance on the rollers so there was simultaneously zero binding and zero play. After doing the same thing to the roller nut and installing it all, he had plenty of sustain, and ZERO tuning issues even after several severe dives and stretches that would be reminiscent of a Floyd Rose player. *EDIT:* I'm surprised at how well something this simple works. Neat. *Double Edit:* Bruh. Just found the price in the comments. What a joke. Double roller for the win.

[@DoppelgangerShockwave]

Wouldn't a good set of locking tuners do the same thing, Darrell? I'm fairly certain there are gold locking tuners out there that would do the same thing. Especially if you replaced the nut with a tusk self-lubricating nut and a rolling bridge. Nothing against the nutbuster. Glad it works. Just kinda ugly to me.

[@georgearagon2546]

Exactly what I was thinking. I thought the device itself is problably inI the fifty to seventy five $ range so this is why he's doing it insyeaf of some nice locking tuners but some one quoted $175.00 for the Nut Buster!!! PASS!!

[@danterosales9392]

Not at all. Locking tuners werent really designed for tuning stability, other than preventing slipping in the winds by eliminating them, theyre more for easy stringing, especially in gigging/live settings. What this is is essentially a locking nut that you can just slap on any guitar. Try using a Floyd rose guitar with only locking tuners. Then try using a floyd guitar with normal tuners, but an actual locking nut. Its a huge difference, because the nut clamps down on the string and not just on the end, maintaining tension on it that will force the string to constantly come back to pitch. Locking tuners keep tuning pretty alright but if you go railing on your trem they will usually be off some, simply because they werent ever designed to do the same job as a locking nut.

[@GenesisMuseum]

Essentially the difference is that the nutbuster locks all 6 strings together. So 1 string slipping or moving will be counteracted by the other 5 to keep it where it was, in tune. Locking tuners do not do this.

[@shawnawesome7770]

Beautiful guitar

[@PatrickquintonOwens]

NOTE TO SELF USING A BIGSBY TYPE BENDER ARM ATTACH GAMES CONSOL FIRE BUTTON AND A TRIGGER BUTTON BASED ON OLD JOY SICKFOR COMMODORE AMIGA, WITH TRIGGET BUTTONS FOR EVERY FINGER!

[@BackToTheBlues]

The trem that Hofner used to make for their semi acoustic Verithins is a thing of beauty. The strings load up so easily compared to a Bigsby, the action of it is light and smooth, and in conjunction with their rocker bridge it stays in tune perfectly. I love the look of the Bigsby on my Gretsch, but the Hofner type works better.

[@arkram_68]

Is This The New Generation of Floyd Rose Trem System

[@Clayton-vn6pe]

I thought the bigsby was older. Oh well 7/10 on the truth scale.

[@markworley8971]

Just love your videos Darrell :-)

[@mustardtiger1482]

no roller bridge that is your problem i never have problems EVER ..... HOW MUCH DO YOU GET FOR USING THE BALLBUSTER , INSTEAD OF JUST TELLING FOLKS GET A ROLLER BRIDGE FOR 30 BUKS

[@rickwarda2671]

I recently bought a ES-335 with a Bigsby, real cool looking but It had a serious rocking issue on the bridge. I can’t see how it would ever work without roller saddles. The extra 12 plus ounces of weight was a deciding factor so I put a tail piece on it before I put a nut buster on it. Thanks for another interesting video.

[@scottreynolds6317]

Great vid!!! Now I think I might get a bigsby equipped guitar one of these days!!!

[@crowmanblue9094]

Not related to the nut buster, but you did turn me onto obsidian wire for an SG wow worth every penny to not sit there and burn my fingers and tear apart the vacuum cleaner for wire thanks again

[@rocknrev]

If your strings are binding on a Gretsch with a Bigsby you need to make sure the nut is cut correctly. You should use some sort of lube/Big Bends Nut Sauce on the places where the string binds: at the nut and at the bridge. If you wish to dive bomb, the Gretsch/Bigsby is probably not your optimum choice for a vibrato.

[@GospelBluesMan]

I think a TusQ nut would go a long ways to help the issues. Maybe review that.

[@olavjorvik94]

I have a Streamliner G2420T and the Bigsby is STABLE! I love that guitar. I might have been lucky though...

[@georgeasimakos1744]

I've heard so many people talking about tuning issues with a Bigsby and it's always been obvious, to me at least, that the nut sticking is the cause of 99.9% of them. If the grooves are smooth and you've lubricated them with pencil lead, you'll have absolutely no problems with tuning.

[@Enzoheavenly]

At $175, i can get gotoh locking tuners, a graphtech bridge (or a tonepros roller bridge) and a tusq nut + a beer

[@jacobbrown1690]

u need a gold nut buster for that guitar, a gold vibramate, and a gold roller space bridge from gretsch. maybe grover gold locking keystone tuners also.

[@joeygutierrez8930]

i bought a cheap one on amazon and put it on a telecaster i built myself. all you need to do is set the trem system when you change your strings. just do about 3 or 4 dive bombs and tune. by the 5th time you should for sure have "set" the trem system by then. edit: by this i mean i never had any tuning issues due to the bigsby style trem after setting the strings in this way.

[@blueskyredkite]

Darrell, you get a great tone out of that guitar.

[@Cyndaquills]

Had one on my Gretsch and it worked great. I don’t have that guitar anymore but if anyone wants the nutbuster for cheaper, hit up reverb

[@beaglegod1]

Glad I watched this, I was on the fence about a Gretsch G5655 center block Jr. Now I know I don't want the hassle.

[@JohannesLabusch]

That NutBuster is an eyesore of epic proportions, not only because it clashes with the gold hardware (which is a no no for me by itself) ... but come on. It destroys that Gretsch's look with a touch of 1980s Floyd Rose axe. Unacceptable. Looks matter! I have 3 guitars with Bigsbys or Bigsby-like systems: 1. An Epiphone 335 pro that I equipped with a B7 myself. It had tuning problems until I did the most simple thing in the world: I no longer feed the strings under the second roll. I just attach them to the pins, run them OVER both rolls, hold them in place with a capo while I tune up. I promise, this solves Bigsby tuning problems. 2. An Eastman T64, which has a wonderfully cut bone nut, and also a B7. NO problems ever, 'cause these people did the nut right. I don't have to pencil grease or nut sauce it, it just works, because it's well built. 3. A Hagstrom Tremar Super Swede, which has a Bigsby-inspired system with the following important improvements: grooves in both rolls that tell the strings exactly where to go, and a roller bridge. The most buttery, smooth, WORKING trem on any guitar I've played. Those crazy Scandinavians have figured it out, I tell ya. Check out those Hagstroms, they look like a million bucks as well! (they don't make them anymore, but you can find them for around 700 bucks used.)

[@adiiqbal8010]

I have a gretsch electromatic with a licenced bigsby. The damn thing never stayed in tune until I applied a tiny bit of vasaline to the roller. Once it was lubed it stayed in tune much better. Only thing with cheaper bigsbys is there kinda squeaky so I just put some wd40 on the nut around the arm and its fine.

[@luiseduardomiranda6807]

Would it have the same effect if you changed your tuners for locking tuners? I'm brazilian and it's hard to find the NutBuster here (also, it would be VERY expensive importing that, might as well buy some locking tuners). Great video, btw :)

[@longlivegarybusey6409]

Locking tuners always help when using a trem system but to answer your question, no it wont solve the same issues. Because the strings are binding up at the nut and at the bridge saddles. Only way to fix that without the SpermShooter is to get a bridge with roller saddles or install a higher quality self lubricating nut to replace the cheap plastic ones some models come with.

[@luiseduardomiranda6807]

@@longlivegarybusey6409 Actually makes a lot of sense, thanks for the info! :)

[@longlivegarybusey6409]

@@luiseduardomiranda6807 No problem my man.

[@nazmoking3171]

Those damn things cost $175!! Looks like it should be about $35-40. I'd try all your other options like roller bridge first to avoid this ripoff price😱

[@FretLevelMidnight]

I use the Bill Edwards tuning system, uses cam locks, lets you tune up with your regular tuners, and I like the system overall much better than the NutBuster tbh.

[@toddtech404]

Pretty cool product. I use locking tuners and a graphite nut up top. On the bridge I machined the bars with grooves for the strings to ride so they stay in the "zero" position along with graphite saddles on my 1999 flamecat. The nut buster from your vid did a awesome job and way easier than what I did.

[@lfaf9509]

The funny part is, with a different headstock design you drop tuning stability issues by somewhere like 80%+, with little more than a old set of strings and a mechanical pencil and some dirt cheap sand paper you can fix the bridge and nut issues as well.. Though a little lube on both would improve the situation a lot as well.. Those fixes would cost the customer a heck of a lot less than buying a nutbuster to try to compensate for the failures of guitar manufactures.

[@budsodalsky]

Good demo dude! Thanks!

[@marcellostoppini3308]

I have the same guitar but it stays in tune pretty well as is

[@funfreq9282]

For the money a good setup with a well cut nut and if you had to, locking tuners and you don't have a chunky piece of metal at the head stock.

[@thehowlingjoker]

Pretty sure you could buy a new spring, roller bridge and a tusq nut then have it all professionally installed by a luthier/tech for less than $175. I mean, even if it were an entry level guitar you would be spending like half the cost of said guitar on this gadget alone. It just seems foolish to spend that much money on a temporary fix rather than addressing the actual issues for cheaper.

[@allanmakela3011]

Just bought a 335 copy with a Bigsby,Big Bends Nut Sauce was made for this bridge

[@apistosig4173]

Bigsby B5 - awesome

[@teerexness]

I put one of these Guitar NutBusters on my Electromatic Double Jet, and the difference in tuning stability is like night and day! They are a bit overpriced, but they do what they are supposed to do and they do it well.

[@StringsOfCrossroads]

Big bends nut sauce on Nut and saddles!! Sorted my Korean made gretsch electromatic 5655t! Could never keep it in tune before i tried that, actually had it up for sale I got so fed up with it! Now it’s smooth and in tune!

[@zoomankat]

First strings go over the roller not underneath,maybe try some locking tuners that cost a quarter of this ludicrous price. You could also try some inexpensive violin fine tuners but wait for just a couple of Quid You could try a suitable electrical terminal block that can be adapted for both locking and fine tuning.

[@ze-ce.cra_]

- Locking tuners - Nutbuster - string butler - tusq nut - roller bridge saddles - bigsby string spoiler (just to make strings change easier) Which combination for maximum playibility, sustain and tuning stability? Should I get all of them? Or maybe I should add a full-blown locking nut?

[@nickdryad]

Some players don’t pass the string under the bar, reducing the break angle at the bridge. It looks wrong but I believe it’s an effective solution.

[@nationtimesecurityinc.82]

Love the show all the show not have a time trying to purchase a t-shirt I tried four times.

[@bldallas]

The Nut Buster holds the strings in tune on the tuner end of the guitar. It can’t make any difference in the spring issue, on the Bigsby itself, or the tilting bridge. Do they make any mods for the Bigsby spring? I envision a cylindrical “fitting” at the bottom to keep the spring from jumping out of place. Also the roller bridge is a no brainer. I wouldn’t put a Bigsby on a guitar without one.

[@michaelwilsford7097]

I know this is from a year ago but I’m just catching up on some of your videos Darrell, I’ve searched for this and can’t find it. Are these still around? I’d really like to try it. Thanks for all you do, I’ve learned so much from your videos and you are hands down the most enjoyable and informative guitar/tech teacher out there. Hopefully you you see this and can answer my question. Thanks,

[@NicholasReguin]

I’ve had a Gretsch Streamliner for a little over a year now and have never had tuning problems 🤷‍♂️

[@EdVanMeyer]

I'd dump that Bigsby for a B6C and a roller saddle bridge, helps mine stay in tune.

[@soulassasin10]

Ok here's an idea for a future video Bigsby vs Duesenberg Les Trem II 😁🤘 Great video as always Darrell 😁

[@SkeeterDigs]

Thank you, great info!

[@jeffd8597]

If the point is to see if the guitar returns back to pitch after you use the tremolo why did you not have an electronic tuner to show that the guitar return to pitch

[@silverwings1843]

Way more to it that that!!! Smooth out the nut grooves and graphite it. Def have a roller bridge. Remove the Bigsby roller barrel, put some dry silicone on the perpendicularly all over. Now look at it from the back and make sure the roller barrel

[@silverwings1843]

is even and level with the bridge.

[@paparuffy406]

This is my one and only electric guitar I have at the moment and love it. That’s not to say I don’t lust for other guitars, but until the time I can afford more guitars, it’s my do everything. I use my Bigsby for mild Tremelo effect but have never been a player that would play music with deep dives so even when I get a Strat eventually, I would probably just leave it as is if I were having tuning issues or just block it off. As for this guitar, I guess I don’t use the Bigsby hard enough to force it out of tune much if any. I don’t gig, just play to enjoy myself and it suits my fancy without any upgrades. I’m sure a roller bridge as others have said would be even better, but I guess it wouldn’t make much difference for my mild playing. As for the nut buster, I thought it was pretty cool and thought it was gonna be like 20-30 bucks, and thought that would be cool for some. But the crazy money they are asking for that! And it makes the guitar (which is a beauty by the way) fugly. Good review as usual, but I’ll pass.

[@marcellostoppini3308]

I have this guitar too, and it's a very good piece

[@paparuffy406]

Marcello Stoppini Definitely. I love mine.

[@benjaminking3677]

Hey Darrell, there's a new guitar model out by Supro out that just happens to have a bigsby. You should check it out!

[@davidportnoy3237]

I don't even play the trem system. I just like the look of it.