RobertB
Well Spacey, I guess I did kind of start this.
I don't pretend to have the understanding of guitar construction that you do, and you have raised some interesting points.
What struck me about this Electromatic was the choice of a floating bridge.
What holds a floating bridge in place? Down pressure from the string tension.
What happens when you take the Bigsby(or any trem) to full swing? Significantly reduced down pressure.
Add to that the natural vibration of the face of the Hollow body structure. Bracing or not, it's a resonant surface.
Vibration tends to act as a lubricant between unfixed objects.
Picture for a moment a vibrating sander. When turned off, it is relatively difficult to move. However when you turn it on, it glides easily.
So we have a critical component (the bridge) subjected to forces which are conspiring to make it do exactly what we don't want it to do. We don't want it walking around. It needs to stay put.
Hence my preference for a bridge solidly mounted to the center block.
As always, I respect your views, and I hope this clarifies where I was coming from.
It clarifies your preferences Robert.
My intention was not to give an opinion of what I may think is better or worse but to mention that there are differences to consider when one is trying to find the guitar they are looking for.
Most know that archtop bridges have been fine for amazing guitarist for many years.
If one has trouble with them then they have a choice to choose a different type or make mod's that correct issues. ( I do think that Gretsch is working out a pinning system...probably catching on to what many players have been doing for many years...with or without a Bigsby. Not to mention working the base over to fit the top better which is not an uncommon problem with archtop bridges.)
Many differences aren't so easy to see and if one doesn't know about them they really don't have anything to compare...I mean if one doesn't know about the internal bracing or lack of when dealing with semi-hollow or hollow body guitars how can they know what they are comparing? How can they get answers when they don't know the question(s)? Knowing may help them in recognizing the sound differences or possible issues such as feedback. May help stop some unexpected surprises LOL.
I don't mention or share the few things I know with the thought of what's better or worse. I mention things so they are known with the thought that it will make it easier to compare...or that it's just something I prefer.
Much like Spacealfs post....he may want to compare the Epiphone Dot to the Casino. Both comparable guitars-one with a center-block and one without. Then he can make an informed decision about what is best for him.
Of course there are those that don't care to know. Sometimes I can't tell when that is when they don't have a "I don't care to know" attitude towards some but do with me. It's good to know. Easy to resolve. Sorry I joined in this thread and I won't be back to it. Peace.