B5 Bigsby Advice

[Rick]

I'm thinking about using this ...

Bigsby B5 – BIGSBY VIBRATOS

www.bigsby.com

And this ...

Callaham Vintage Guitars and Parts (Callaham Vintage Hardtail Bridge with Enhanced Brass Saddles Specialized for Bigsby Flat Mount styled Vibratos)

We also sell most of the parts used on our vintage Strat reproduction guitars. ie. Callaham Tremolo Blocks, Lindy Fralin Pickups, etc.

www.callahamguitars.com

On my next build, and was wondering if you folks knew of any incompatibility issues. (String spacing? Break Angle? Neck pocket angle?)
Never had a bigsby before ...

 

[Spud]

I see no problem using a B5 and that bridge, should work great! Make triple dang sure you center the trem when installing. Cool Rick!

 

[mayfly]

I've got a B5 on a telecaster. Works very well - stays in tune and I can do pedal steel licks and it does not bend flat. I did not find any string spacing issues.

However - mine has the various B5 hot rod parts on it, like the roller bearings and the easy string change pivot. My bridge is very similar to the one you've picked out, except it's got the tele pickup mount.

 

[Spud]

I drilled mine out to make string changes a snap, and I ditched the tension bar and just use the axle itself, works great.

 

[Rick]

I now see a bigsby being sold sometime in the future. Next gotta daydream about the neck and headstock shape. Mmmh.

 

[TBurst Std]

My Bigsby on a Tele is using a Mustang type bridge. Works fine.

If I was to build one, I’d go with the Callaham string through.

 

[Rick]

Ordered the bigsby from Sweetwater today ... they were having a bigsby sale!!!!. I viewed that as a sign that i must have a bigsby.

Tomorrow will call Callaham and get the bigsby upgrade parts and the Bridge

 

[Rick]

I ordered from Callaham:

Vintage Hardtail Bridge with Enhanced Brass Saddles Specialized for Bigsby Flat Mount styled vibratos_2 1/8 spread

Upgraded Main String Shaft for Bigsby Vibratos

Front Roller Upgrade Kit for Bigsby B5

360 Arm Bracket for Bigsby Vibratos

Stainless Steel Neck Plate Screws set of 4 (saved $1.25 from regular price on other webistes)

Ghs strings 10-46 x2 (Callaham says they helped develop them, so I'll check them out) I guess I gotta start a build thread. Hopefully there will be no need for a shim. Not exactly sure what the body will be, but I know I'll need solid wood for the Bigsby. Probably a solid body jazzmaster.