Anyone know a simplze way to adjust the action on a Bigsby tailpiece??

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yorolpal
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2012/12/29 17:16:31 (permalink)

Anyone know a simplze way to adjust the action on a Bigsby tailpiece??

I've a Taylor T3B which has only two small flaws.  The B string goes a bit out when using the Bigsby and the Bigsby itself is just too stiff for my wammy needs.  I suspect the B string is easily fixable...but I've never tried to adjust any of my Bigsby equipped guitars.  What say you, Porthos??

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    zungle
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    Re:Anyone know a simplze way to adjust the action on a Bigsby tailpiece?? 2012/12/29 19:36:51 (permalink)
    post edited by zungle - 2013/02/26 01:33:11
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    The Maillard Reaction
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    Re:Anyone know a simplze way to adjust the action on a Bigsby tailpiece?? 2012/12/29 19:42:21 (permalink)


    My wife has a Bigsby on her Ric 325 but I've never messed with it.

    I would think the action is dependent on each bridge design used... which often times isn't a Bigsby part.

    IRRC the spring tension is adjusted by swapping out springs or using spacers on most Bigsbys.



    best regards,
    mike






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    post edited by mike_mccue - 2012/12/29 20:29:17


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    ampfixer
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    Re:Anyone know a simplze way to adjust the action on a Bigsby tailpiece?? 2012/12/29 20:03:45 (permalink)
    AFAIK there are only 2 ways to adjust the required force to work a Bigsby. As previously mentioned you can change the spring to a different gauge or length. The other way is to increase the length of the arm. A longer arm has more leverage so it will feel easier to move it. I know that all the arms are not the same but I don't know where to buy one. If you can't sort it I'll call my guitar tech for you and find out.

    The bridge itself will have an effect on string pull but I'm assuming you don't want to go to a new bridge.

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    joakes
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    Re:Anyone know a simplze way to adjust the action on a Bigsby tailpiece?? 2012/12/29 21:04:45 (permalink)
    +1 for the spring and also get a decent "floating" bridge, to go with the tremelo.

    I put a Bigsby on a Stagg LS 400 (LP shape). A cheapo guitar BUT the neck is superb and with SD pups it rocks.

    I don't find it de-tuning even in a live situation, but what i do find is that after 3 or 4 songs, a re-tuning is necessary, even if i don't use the tremelo. And further, the intonation doesn't suffer


    But hey, isn't that part of the "appeal" of Bigsbies ???

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    yorolpal
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    Re:Anyone know a simplze way to adjust the action on a Bigsby tailpiece?? 2012/12/29 21:12:23 (permalink)
    Thanks all!  Yup, I like a rather stiff action (one reason I like Bigsbys) but this one is as hard as Calculus.  I need a softer spring.  Guess I'll contact Taylor and see what they say.

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    craigb
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    Re:Anyone know a simplze way to adjust the action on a Bigsby tailpiece?? 2012/12/29 23:19:55 (permalink)
    yorolpal


    Thanks all!  Yup, I like a rather stiff action (one reason I like Bigsbys) but this one is as hard as Calculus.  I need a softer spring.  Guess I'll contact Taylor and see what they say.

    Yes, I'm sure that a soft spring is integral to making a big differential in the action along with calculating the volume under the curve of the bar.  Of course, any real help I might be able to provide is, unfortunately, the same as the square root of -1 (i.e., imaginary).
     
    (Good luck none-the-less!)

     
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    Rbh
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    Re:Anyone know a simplze way to adjust the action on a Bigsby tailpiece?? 2012/12/30 00:19:04 (permalink)
    You'll want to keep the spring outer diameter and height the same. But you may be able to find the same configuration using a smaller wire diameter. Check with McMaster-Carr. They have lots of stock springs - you may find something to try out. http://www.mcmaster.com/#..ression-springs/=kt8w3p

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    Guitarhacker
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    Re:Anyone know a simplze way to adjust the action on a Bigsby tailpiece?? 2012/12/30 08:57:34 (permalink)
    you need one of those things Danny Danzi has on his git-fiddles.... 

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