How I Keep My Bigsby Vibrato in Tune - Gretsch G5230T

Some Bigsby vibrato tips

[@davidcudlip6587]

Also, back off a hair on the Bigsby mounting screws. To tight into the body, can actually put torque on the Bigsby frame and put a bind in the lever axle,. If you take the spring out of the lever and the handle feels stiff or sticky, the Bigsby frame has to much torque. Ease off on the mounting screws and the lever will move more freely. Compton or Tru-Arc bridges work great with Bigsby's, too. They come in Stainless, Brass, Copper, Aluminum and Titanium. No moving rattley adjustable saddles and the top is compensated to the string gauge you use when you order it. They love Bigsbys.

[@ctcards2636]

I have a streamliner G2420T that I just got yesterday and after watching a few videos and using knowledge i have from my experience with other tremolo systems etc. I have it setup and staying intune. Luckily my bridge doesnt move when I press on the arm. I fixed the nut slots and added graphite and I used nail compound to stop the little saddles from moving. Other than that I just stretched the strings and i was done. You can keep these intune, but they take a little finessing at setup, but not anymore really then any other guitars with trems I own. Highly recommend these new streamline series Gretschs. Once setup they sound and play great !

[@CillBlintonOfficial]

You are not wrong. Amazing guitars

[@sh4rkbyt3]

I put a rollerbridge on my G5420t and added some Lizard Spit lube to the nut and I never have tuning issues anymore no matter how hard I play it! Also added a "squishy spring" to the Bigsby! Made all the difference in the world! Overall I think the rollerbridge was the best mod possible!

[@sebastianestrada1311]

Where can I get a roller bridge for my G5420T?

[@FrankJmClarke]

My standard Electromatic hollow body with licenced Bigsby stays in tune all by itself. It didn't come with individual saddles though.

[@snais3231]

Just bought same guitar and this made me sad and happy at the same time, genius and now i have to do the same, it just doesn't stay in tune as is. Thank you 👍

[@modscientist9793]

It's an easy fix thankfully

[@sebastianestrada1311]

Where you bough a roller bridge?

[@gamingguy1084]

I'm definitely going ro add these mods to my g5232t. I lube my nut and bridge with lip balm. Much cheaper that nut sauce and works a treat and much better than graphite.

[@SalmiRahman]

Simply genius

[@modscientist9793]

Amazing tuning stability..well.worth it without permanent mods

[@OliverOliveira-wn3ld]

Hello, mate. Is there any chance you post the link to the pieces you exchanged? Your video is amazing!

[@modscientist9793]

Yes the spring and roller bridge I purchased from Reverendguitars.com and the Vibramate string spoiler you can just get from Amazon, if you're interested in the Vmate. Hope it helps. Stay blessed.

[@OliverOliveira-wn3ld]

Thank you so much! Is the roller bridge enough to stop the out of tune? Or do we have to use a vibramate as well?

[@modscientist9793]

@@OliverOliveira-wn3ld the vibramate is not necessary

[@OliverOliveira-wn3ld]

Thank you so much!

[@modscientist9793]

@@OliverOliveira-wn3ld you're very welcome if you need anything else let me know

[@sal6307]

I made the same modifications. So much better

[@modscientist9793]

Yes indeed. These should come stock from the factory at least the roller bridge.

[@worshipgod4life540]

I can't hear anything except my dream, the Gretsch

[@seagull_king]

Hi. I bought a G5220 (still waiting for it to arrive) - its almost the same but without the bigsby. Do you have any idea which model is the bigsby on your guitar? I know its a stock one, but if I find the same bigsby, it will probably fit better. Thanks

[@modscientist9793]

It's the Bigsby B50 tremolo.

[@modscientist9793]

Enjoy the guitar..they're awesome.

[@kylefuqua2778]

Do you mind sharing exactly what the new bridge is? and where did you get it? I have one of these guitars on the way and already thinking about this mod.

[@modscientist9793]

Reverend guitars roller bridge..the spring as well.

[@kylefuqua2778]

@@modscientist9793 Thanks for the info. Really enjoyed the tones in your video. I assume the Reverend bridge dropped right in without any other modifications? They do have these on their website right now anyway. Is your nut on the 5230T stock? Did you have to do anything to the nut or was it cut well from the factory? My blue 5230T is coming Monday. I am going to try it out stock, but expect I may do the mods you have suggested. Thanks!

[@modscientist9793]

@@kylefuqua2778 thank you for the kind words...I love putting out content that may help with common issues that I've experienced myself. Yes, the Reverend bridge drops right in with modifications to the guitar..just use the bridge mounting studs that come with the bridge..the Gretsch pins will fit the reverend bridge but they're a hair smaller and the bridge will rock. You don't want that. But the new studs will also drop in. If you can't find the Reverend bridge, you can use another roller bridge as long as the stud to stud measurements are the same.

[@weightlessfilms5651]

@@modscientist9793 Did you have to make any mods to the guitar so that the new bridge studs fit properly? I'm eventually getting a Compton or a Tru-Arc, but if the Reverend drops in without any irreversible modifications, I think I might add that in the meantime. Without taking the string spoiler into consideration, what improvements did you notice from swapping the stock bridge with the Reverend? Thanks so much!

[@modscientist9793]

@@weightlessfilms5651 the bridge dropped in without any modifications including the posts that came with the bridge..just make sure you use those. The Gretsch stock ones look are close in spec but not exact so the bridge will rock. Not good. Completely reversible and non invasive. For those that are curious about the string spoiler...it's also not permanent and just rests on the Bigsby pins and held under tension. Rock solid devices. The noticeable change and what I was going for and noticed right away was the rock solid tuning stability that a stock Bigsby will never give you..it's too stiff and hangs up in its stock form. The feel also stinks stock so grabbing the Reverend soft touch spring for $10 was a priceless uograge to bring a lighter touch and great feel back into the vibrato. It was worth every penny. Good luck.

[@2PunishAndEnslave]

What exact model/brand of a roller bridge do you use?

[@modscientist9793]

@@2PunishAndEnslave Reverend guitars roller bridge

[@2PunishAndEnslave]

@@modscientist9793 is there only one rollerbridge model and this one fits? I have the airline silver version of the gretsch g5230t. Thanks again!

[@modscientist9793]

@@2PunishAndEnslave there's only one roller bridge on their site and it fits the 5230t. Id get the soft touch spring too. The stock spring is so stiff that there's no feel in the bar. If you get the spring just take out the washer that sits in the recess holding the spring, that's if you find the bar to sit too high which I did. Don't lose it i case you ever want to go bac. But i don't think you would want to and take feel out of the be. Have fun.

[@2PunishAndEnslave]

@@modscientist9793 great thanks for the great advice 👍

[@modscientist9793]

@@2PunishAndEnslave you're very welcome

[@SPHAEROS]

hi @modscientist how do you get this amazing sound out of this guitar?it sound insane, like a 1960 gretsch,whats your effect or equaliseur?thanks

[@modscientist9793]

Wample Pinnacle deluxe distortion, Joyo Aquarius and Joyo Atmosphere pedals on my board for reverb and delay.

[@SPHAEROS]

@@modscientist9793 Thanks a lot!

[@MattGabel]

I just bought a streamliner g2655t. at first I loved it, it sounds great. I figured because it was brand new the strings just needed to be worn in. this guitars tuning stability is awful (Even though I was assured by the sales rep it had great tuning stability.) its really bothering me since I spent 750$ on it. which is very disappointing. My 150$ Yamaha stays in tune way better than this guitar, no joke. I can't bend the strings or even do vibrato without it instantly going way out of tune. Not to mention the tremolo is completely unusable for the same reason. If this can't be fixed I don't think I'll ever buy another Gretsch guitar

[@modscientist9793]

Don't give up maybe I can help.

[@MattGabel]

@@modscientist9793 I will definitely try the things you mentioned in this video and see if it helps. Thank you for posting this

[@modscientist9793]

@@MattGabel you're very welcome...there's a friend of mine that posted a really good video on how to string a Gretsch up so it stays in tune. I will grab that for you as well.

[@modscientist9793]

Matthew..here's the video i was referring to..give this a shot... kzbin.info/www/bejne/anfKZpd4Zcunp9k

[@MattGabel]

@@modscientist9793 ok will do thanks so much