Official Luthiers Forum!

I'm planning a new SG style build.
I ordered an import Bigsby B50 vibrato and a ABR type roller bridge.
I think the string angle from the bridge to the vibrato will be pretty steep.
I wonder if I should mount the vibrato close to the tail to decrease the angle and increase the string compliance?
Can I use a standard bone nut, or is something else better?
My big worry is ending back in tune after wiggling the bar.
Any advice is welcome.
Thanks,
Dan
Here's the vibrato I ordered.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012BS ... ge_o03_s00

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Dan I haven't installed a Bigsby yet but if I were to I'd be looking and listening to what Callaham http://www.callahamguitars.com/index.html#whats_new
has.

I have many Strats and Strat styles with original/vintage (6 screw) and 2 point and also Callaham vintage all with bone nuts- I don't have tuning issues with any of them...not only because I know what it takes to set them but I don't try to use them like FR.
I think the way I use them is much like players would use a Bigsby so if the bone nut is made correctly it'll work. Sounds to me like there is more of an issue with the design of the Bigsby and Callaham knows the fix(es).

Yep a well made bone nut where the slots don't bind, the bone is quality and not soft or porous will work fine.

The break angle is usually not as much as we would like to see so more is actually better to a point here.

Regarding staying in tune Bigsbys are one of the only trem systems that actually works well IMO in terms of not throwing the ax out of tune.

Back in my day when I was a kid and those pyramids were being built Bigsbys were legendary for being quality trems. With this said has there ever been a trem that did always return perfectly to being in tune - not sure there is one. Because trems or some of them were never ready for prime time it's not uncommon for a very large percentage of say strats to have the trem set flat to avoid tuning stability issues. We do it all of the time when setting up strats and it's a pretty common request. Not to mention how many trems have been blocked after the current steward got fed up....

Now that was funny stuff Hesh....'bought spewed me coffee...and now I know that Beck and Blackmore did come after the pyramids...had they only known.

In my experience, the Bigsby itself is not an issue, it's what happens when the strings pass over the bridge.
You have the options of having the bridge rock (mustang/Jaguar/ original Bigsby bow tie bridge)
Or having the strings slide over the saddles (like Neil Young's old black= never in tune)
Or having roller saddles on the bridge

For the last two options, they will work best if you keep the break angle over the saddles to a minimum consistent with the strings staying in place. If you put a hard kink in the string here it will hang up.

Thanks, fellers!
Well, it's 50-50 on a sharp or shallow break angle.
I'll probably install it where it looks good and feels right.
Thanks,
Dan

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