Posted on Jun 20 2010 09:16 AM
ColtsSurf
I have never owned a guitar with a Bigsby. So I'm just going off of what I've read, nothing hands on.
Aside from the more involved process of changing strings, there is a viewpoint that there are tuning problems with them.
There is another school of thought that says there are no unusual tuning issues if the nut, bridge, and setup are right.
The reason that I am considering the floating tremolo on a Tele is that the Mastery bridge really made my Jazzmaster stable compared to its previous state.
The Mastery site also shows the bridge with a Bigsby installation on a Tele, so that's another option.
Yeah, the tuning problem thing is usually reported by people who just slapped on a Bigsby and didn't set up their guitar. Often the problem is binding at the nut. Also, some people with the rocking Jazzmaster bridge don't know to center it, and have tuning problems because of that.
Of the two vibratos I have, Bigsby and JM, the Bigsby is more stable - but that's because the tuners are nicer. Most vibratos are actually pretty stable, it's the miscellaneous other parts or poor setup that cause instability.
I can play for a couple of hours on my Tele, using the Bigsby often, and I don't need to retune. It will detune a little over night, just like any other guitar.
I've never tried a mastery bridge, so I can't comment on that. I've used Mustang, Jazzmaster, 3 brass saddle and Bigbsy Bowtie bridges on this thing. My favorite is the bowtie, but all worked pretty well. The ashtray/3 brass saddle bridge was the least stable, though, because it doesn't rock.
—
http://www.reverbnation.com/thedeadranchhands
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZEW74mHjQk
May Birthdays 
