A Bigsby for the Grandma Julie Tele

[mayfly]

Hi Folks,

A while back I made a tele using a small inheritance that I got from my Grandma Julie.  I used inexpensive but high quality parts and it came together for under $1000.  I use it around the house all the time.

For awhile I have been wondering what it would be like with a bigsby on it.  Then when VB put up a 'F' logo bigsby up for sale on the board I snagged it!

A week or so later, here it is:

More to come...

 

[rgand]

Very cool. I really like the feel of a Bigsby. That will be a good addition to the guitar. :icon_thumright:

Remember to get the Callaham main shaft or drill that one out.

 

[mayfly]

This one has the Callaham shaft already installed!  I'm pretty set.

 

[rgand]

Cool. You're all set, then. Be sure to post pics. :glasses9:

 

[Verne Bunsen]

Looking forward to seeing it come together!

 

[mayfly]

All right gentlemen!  Here are the bits:  One modified F-logo Bigsby, and one Callaham Bridge.  Let's go!

VB graciously included the Callaham parts in the package because he's a nice guy.  And the bridge has the clearance notches for the strings don't-cha-know.

Here's the bigsby laying on the guitar.  Looks pretty good!

 

[rgand]

That works. Going to look great.

 

[Logrinn]

Very cool! :icon_thumright:

VB graciously included the Callaham parts in the package because he's a nice guy. 

And not just VB. This forum is full of great people.  ccasion14:

 

[mayfly]

Step one - install the new bridge.  Check

 

[mayfly]

Step 2:  Line up where the bigsby will go using some old strings as guides.  Check:

 

[mayfly]

Now drill some holes...

and screw it down!!

 

[Sovereign_13]

Do you just eyeball that sort of thing (lining up the Bigsby) or is there more measuring involved that you can't actually capture in a photo?  Genuinely curious how that's done.

 

[mayfly]

I eyeballed it using the temporary strings as a guide.

 

[mayfly]

Don't forget about this screw:

No Pic:  the Bigsby is so close to the bridge that I was wondering how the heck I was going to adjust the intonation.  Fortunately, the folks at Callaham thought of this and cut screwdriver slots in the other side of the adjustment screws just for this occasion.  Worked like a charm and the thing is intonated.

Done!  Now excuse me for awhile so I can play the thing...

 

[swarfrat]

First he installs a trem. Next thing he's gonna be putting in a middle strat pickup. Where does it all end up? Invaders and Floyds!!! Just say no to tremolo!

Kidding. looks nice. Hope you enjoy it!

 

[Verne Bunsen]

No Pic:  the Bigsby is so close to the bridge that I was wondering how the heck I was going to adjust the intonation.  Fortunately, the folks at Callaham thought of this and cut screwdriver slots in the other side of the adjustment screws just for this occasion.  Worked like a charm and the thing is intonated.

This is a really nice feature of the Callaham bridge, nobody else is doing it. The intonation process is a real bear without it...

It looks great on there! I hope you are enjoying it!

 

[Tonar8352]

Pretty slick!

 

[rgand]

That's really cool. It's a nice installation. I wondered where the 4th screw was. I figured under the spring would be a good place for the last one

No Pic:  the Bigsby is so close to the bridge that I was wondering how the heck I was going to adjust the intonation.  Fortunately, the folks at Callaham thought of this and cut screwdriver slots in the other side of the adjustment screws just for this occasion.  Worked like a charm and the thing is intonated.

"Really?" I thought. I had to go check mine and sure enough, that's what they did. Now that's thinking things through.

 

[mayfly]

Been messing around most of the day:

[youtube]https://youtu.be/2LmsxFbrVkk[/youtube]

 

[TBurst Std]

:turtle: