EyeballKid
Joined: Mar 08, 2008
Posts: 4
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Posted on Mar 08 2008 12:56 PM
Hey guys, new to the site. I seem to be in the small minority of Tele players around here, but hey, I got a Nashville Tele in perfect condition for 200 bucks. I really love the guitar, but I'm looking to make some improvements. I'm thinking of putting a bigsby tremelo bridge on it, is there any reason not to? I've heard that the bridge sits much higher than the stock tele bridge. Can anyone confirm or deny this? If so, how big of a problem is that?
Also, if I was to replace one of the three pickups, which one would you recommend? Thanks.
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— www.myspace.com/surfthefluxcapacitors
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seafoam_johnny
Joined: Jul 27, 2007
Posts: 1099
4 faces. (Where the buffalo roam)
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Posted on Mar 08 2008 02:19 PM
EyeballKid
Hey guys, new to the site. I seem to be in the small minority of Tele players around here, but hey, I got a Nashville Tele in perfect condition for 200 bucks. I really love the guitar, but I'm looking to make some improvements. I'm thinking of putting a bigsby tremelo bridge on it, is there any reason not to? I've heard that the bridge sits much higher than the stock tele bridge. Can anyone confirm or deny this? If so, how big of a problem is that?
Also, if I was to replace one of the three pickups, which one would you recommend? Thanks.
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What kind of tones or sounds are you specifically after? Nokie Edwards of The Ventures proved that surf guitar can be acheived reasonably well from a Tele but it wouldn't be an ideal choice if you had another axe that you wanted to sink $$ into. But a Bigsby is a step in the right direction if this is your only guitar....(IMO) Wait and see what the more seasoned members have to say.
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estreet
Joined: Mar 17, 2007
Posts: 839
United Kingdom
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Posted on Mar 08 2008 02:54 PM
I have 3 Telecasters - I usually change the rear pickup for something with a little more midrange - but no high output stuff. SD Broadcaster or Vintage Stack.. that sort of thing.
— http://www.myspace.com/thepashuns
Youth and enthusiasm are no match for age and treachery.
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PhatTele
Joined: Jun 05, 2006
Posts: 445
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Posted on Mar 08 2008 05:27 PM
If you go with a Bigsby set up, don't get the Fender version with the big F. The bottom end of the unit is wider than a standard B5 Bigsby rig. The Fender unit pushes the bar too close to the bridge, which causes a really severe break angle and you won't get much tremolo action. The B5's bottom end isn't as wide which means you can set it further from the bridge and you'll get better wiggle action. Also, change out the spring for a 1" spring. You'll get more clearance over the knobs and more wiggle action.
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SURFmole
Joined: Nov 22, 2007
Posts: 901
Portland, OR
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Posted on Mar 09 2008 12:36 AM
PhatTele
If you go with a Bigsby set up, don't get the Fender version with the big F. The bottom end of the unit is wider than a standard B5 Bigsby rig. The Fender unit pushes the bar too close to the bridge, which causes a really severe break angle and you won't get much tremolo action. The B5's bottom end isn't as wide which means you can set it further from the bridge and you'll get better wiggle action. Also, change out the spring for a 1" spring. You'll get more clearance over the knobs and more wiggle action.
You can also retain more Tele tone by keeping the 3 saddle bridge and cutting slots on the bottom for the strings to pass through over the saddles from the Bigsby. If you use the 70's style saddles with the dual grooves in them for the strings it works well and the grooves are enough to keep the strings on the saddles even with a somewhat shallow break angle. There's a Bigsby Tele gallery you should check out (don't remember the URL right now).
— www.apollo4.com
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zak
Joined: Sep 24, 2007
Posts: 2728
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Posted on Mar 09 2008 01:11 AM
This post has been removed by the author.
Last edited: Sep 23, 2009 17:07:34
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Samurai
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2287
Kiev, Ukraine
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Posted on Mar 09 2008 12:31 PM
that's my tele with the bridge changed to B5
no problems at all, feels and works cool, my main concert axe 
— Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine
https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki
Lost Diver
https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin
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Fripperton
Joined: Aug 14, 2006
Posts: 270
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Posted on Mar 09 2008 04:06 PM
Here's what they look like in Sunburst. Mine has a set of Peter Florance VooDoo pickups in it and sounds amazing. My other Tele has a set of Fender Hot texas Specials and it sounds pretty good too.
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— There is Surf east of Sepulveda.
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Waxhead
Joined: Oct 07, 2007
Posts: 43
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Posted on Mar 10 2008 10:00 PM
Hey Eyeballkid,
I put a Bigsby B16 on my tele, cost around $150 US. It does sit up a bit but a friend shimed up my neck and adjusted the angle and it plays fine. It stays in tune really well. It may not have a wide range of trem action as some tremolos, but I find it pretty good. The bridge pick up should sit straight into the unit. I put in a Di Marzio fast track (humbucking bridge pickup) around the same time and have been pleased with it also another humbucking alternative would be Seymour Duncan Hot Rail (Bridge).
Waxhead
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RumorsofsurF
Joined: Mar 10, 2007
Posts: 286
Margaritaville, OR
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Posted on Mar 11 2008 01:09 AM
Bigsbys rule! 
I love my CIJ....
They can be a pain to set up, but they really are great. If you are trying to keep that Tele tone, I agree that the 3-saddle bridge would be best. Mine is the "F" stamped model (B5 I think), with the Jag/Jazzmaster bridge. I really like it, and it does sound a lot like a Jaguar with both pickups on. It still has the Tele spank with the bridge only...
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EyeballKid
Joined: Mar 08, 2008
Posts: 4
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Posted on Mar 11 2008 01:11 PM
RumorsofsurF
Bigsbys rule!
I love my CIJ....
They can be a pain to set up, but they really are great. If you are trying to keep that Tele tone, I agree that the 3-saddle bridge would be best. Mine is the "F" stamped model (B5 I think), with the Jag/Jazzmaster bridge. I really like it, and it does sound a lot like a Jaguar with both pickups on. It still has the Tele spank with the bridge only...
Sounds like a Jag huh? Just because of the bridge? Please, tell me more?
— www.myspace.com/surfthefluxcapacitors
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SURFmole
Joined: Nov 22, 2007
Posts: 901
Portland, OR
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Posted on Mar 11 2008 08:11 PM
EyeballKid
Sounds like a Jag huh? Just because of the bridge? Please, tell me more?
If you use the existing 3 saddle bridge the sound isn't perceptively different from a stock Tele IMO.
— www.apollo4.com
Last edited: Mar 12, 2008 02:25:40
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Ben
Joined: Feb 11, 2007
Posts: 591
Encinitas, Ca
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Posted on Mar 11 2008 10:06 PM
I have a question for the guys with Bigsby's....What do you do for a case? Does the arm fold enough to put the guitar in a regular case or do you use a gig bag?
Thanks, I'm just curious...
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SURFmole
Joined: Nov 22, 2007
Posts: 901
Portland, OR
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Posted on Mar 12 2008 02:26 AM
Ben
I have a question for the guys with Bigsby's....What do you do for a case? Does the arm fold enough to put the guitar in a regular case or do you use a gig bag?
Thanks, I'm just curious...
Yeah, it folds enough to fit in any case (or gig bag).
— www.apollo4.com
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Samurai
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2287
Kiev, Ukraine
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Posted on Mar 12 2008 04:13 AM
Ben
I have a question for the guys with Bigsby's....What do you do for a case? Does the arm fold enough to put the guitar in a regular case or do you use a gig bag?
Thanks, I'm just curious...
use a gigbag - very thick and warm:)
— Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine
https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki
Lost Diver
https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin
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Spud
Joined: Jul 23, 2007
Posts: 666
Oz
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Posted on Mar 12 2008 06:21 AM
I saw a picture not long back of somebody's Tele with a Jazz/Jag trem fitted...
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Sonichris
Joined: Mar 06, 2006
Posts: 1907
Wear gloves - I'm in the Rockies
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Posted on Mar 12 2008 09:14 AM
Stormtiger has a Tele he had a jazzmaster trem put on - His is very cool looking.
here's mine - i had the body built just for the tremolo.
image
— "You can't tell where you're going if you don't know where you've been"
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Mar 12 2008 09:20 AM
Ben
I have a question for the guys with Bigsby's....What do you do for a case? Does the arm fold enough to put the guitar in a regular case or do you use a gig bag?
Thanks, I'm just curious...
Always use a case when you can.
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Stormtiger
Joined: Dec 12, 2006
Posts: 2687
Ventura, CA
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Posted on Mar 12 2008 10:44 AM
image
I have a Tortoise shell pickguard on mine now to to match my Jaguar. The buzz stop is gone too. I've been using it a lot lately.
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KingKahuna
Joined: Mar 06, 2008
Posts: 21
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Posted on Mar 18 2008 06:10 AM
Hi EyeballKid
Just a thought have you considerd a pedal to bend notes and chords I had one for my Tele and it saved me the cost of a Bigsby unit .
Have a good day
Rich
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