Which Bigsby?

[Cletus]

If you don't like Bigsbys, don't say "none", because I've just preempted you and then you'll look pretty stupid.

Now, on topic, I'm doing a cheap project, similar to a Es355, but slightly smaller, and flat top (Long story!) and it's going to have a Bigsby of one kind or another. My question is is the http://www.bigsby.com/vibe/products/vibratos/bigsby-b5/ Bigsby B5 the only one you can put on a flat top guitar that isn't a tele? I'm hoping no because I prefer these ones: http://www.bigsby.com/vibe/products/vibratos/b3/

 

[DangerousR6]

I like these better than the Big's...

 

[Jusatele]

Cletus teh B3 has more of the vibe of the ES 335 look, the other is more of a flat top look

 

[swarfrat]

Is that supposed to look like a phonograph arm?

 

[NLD09]

I like the B3.

 

[Cletus]

Thanks chaps! So there's no technical reason besides, say, limitations of length of the guitar etc why you can't put the B3 on a flat top?

 

[NLD09]

I have no idea, but the B3 looks better.  :icon_jokercolor:

 

[OzziePete]

Thanks chaps! So there's no technical reason besides, say, limitations of length of the guitar etc why you can't put the B3 on a flat top?

The only things I think of Cletus, is that the B3 has a hinged anchor point at the end-pin and that plate might be too big for solid body/thinline flat tops, and the height the B3 would sit off the flat top body? :dontknow:

 

[Cletus]

Thanks chaps! So there's no technical reason besides, say, limitations of length of the guitar etc why you can't put the B3 on a flat top?

The only things I think of Cletus, is that the B3 has a hinged anchor point at the end-pin and that plate might be too big for solid body/thinline flat tops, and the height the B3 would sit off the flat top body? :dontknow:

That's the bit I'm concerned about too pete

 

[AutoBat]

none!

 

[DangerousR6]

none!

 

[Cletus]

So besides big heads (prettied up the thread gents ) can anyone tell me authoritatively  if there's any other option besides the B5?

 

[Damon]

Looking at the installation instructions http://www.bigsby.com/installation/docs/GG04_B3_Eng_low.pdf?phpMyAdmin=20sb1gSojWM1rYOugGhim8%2CDX-2

If you look at Figure 1 under step 3, it shows pretty clearly how it should sit on a flat top. I'd guess that unless your guitar is either substantially longer or shorter from the bridge to the bottom than most guitars you won't have any problems with just about anything around 1.75 - 2 inches thick and a flat top.

 

[-CB-]

If you don't like Bigsbys, don't say "none", because I've just preempted you and then you'll look pretty stupid.

Now, on topic, I'm doing a cheap project, similar to a Es355, but slightly smaller, and flat top (Long story!) and it's going to have a Bigsby of one kind or another. My question is is the http://www.bigsby.com/vibe/products/vibratos/bigsby-b5/ Bigsby B5 the only one you can put on a flat top guitar that isn't a tele? I'm hoping no because I prefer these ones: http://www.bigsby.com/vibe/products/vibratos/b3/

For a guitar similar to an ES355, you'd use the B7 or B70 or B700.  If the guitar is totally hollow, no center block, then you'd use the B6.

The B7 has forward attachement, and is made for lightly arched models.  The B6 has no forward attachment, and is made for models with deeper arch - which also typically have no center block for the attachment screws. 

FWIW, the B7 does a better job than the B6.  Being floating, the B6 tends to waver more, and you get some vibrato just from leaning on it.  The B7 is rock solid. 

And FWIW, the B7 also works on GIBSON SG's.... not sure about the Warmoth body.  With the B7 on a flattop - you gain the advantage of being able to shim the forward mounting screws raising the "pressure bar" and customizing the pressure on the bridge (which helps playability a LOT with the vibrato).  You cant do that with the B5, it has 4 mounting screws.  The B7 hinges in the back, and is solid in the front.  That hinging action makes it easily adjustable.