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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »

Vibramate v5-te: surf-up that tele with a Bigsby - easy!

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goon Joined: Apr 06, 2009 Posts: 81	Posted on Dec 03 2009 10:28 AM Anyone know when/where these are coming out? I REALLY want to surf-up my tele without drilling for a bigsby. www.vibramate.com/vibramate-v5te-install.html — As an alienated institution, the market is neither hostile nor friendly, simply detached and cold. Top
bmsurfcaster Joined: Oct 29, 2009 Posts: 271 Dallas	Posted on Dec 03 2009 11:15 AM Now that is cool !!! — Top
Guy_Incognito Joined: Nov 18, 2009 Posts: 54 Rochester, NY	Posted on Dec 03 2009 11:28 AM Already out... http://cgi.ebay.com/Bigsby-Vibramate-V5-Chrome-B5_W0QQitemZ300373885186QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar_Accessories?hash=item45efadc102 — Reverb, man! [http://roarshark.com] Top
davidphantomatic Joined: Oct 12, 2008 Posts: 580 San Antone, TX	Posted on Dec 03 2009 11:56 AM Guy_Incognito Already out... http://cgi.ebay.com/Bigsby-Vibramate-V5-Chrome-B5_W0QQitemZ300373885186QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar_Accessories?hash=item45efadc102 That's for a Les Paul or a guitar with a stopbar tailpiece. — The Phantomatics on Facebook The Phantomatics on Instagram The Phantomatics on Bandcamp Top
remora1 Joined: Jan 04, 2008 Posts: 1275 San Pedro, CA	Posted on Dec 03 2009 12:10 PM Definitely the way to go on my Thinline. I sent the company an inquiry so I hope I get a reply. — Bill S._______ HELLDIVER on Facebook Top
mad_dog Joined: Sep 23, 2008 Posts: 349 Montclair, NJ	Posted on Dec 03 2009 12:44 PM I used the original one, for flat top electrics, on a Dearmond M-72. Easy mod, works perfectly. A well-designed product. Top
synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4427 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on Dec 03 2009 02:45 PM That is cool. I'm always a bit squeamish about drilling holes in guitars as well. This seems like a great idea. — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Top
LHR Joined: Aug 23, 2006 Posts: 2123 The jungle	Posted on Dec 03 2009 05:24 PM Years ago I had an idea similar to this. But I thought it should be built on to the Bigsby itself; that is, a special Bigsby model that used Gibson TOM post spacing for its mounting holes. I had seriously considered approaching Bigsby about this but at that time they were a real mess of a company. I probably should have... The Telecaster kit looks fantastically simple. — SSIV Top
JakeDobner Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle	Posted on Dec 03 2009 06:40 PM But how does it sound? Top
remora1 Joined: Jan 04, 2008 Posts: 1275 San Pedro, CA	Posted on Dec 05 2009 11:36 AM Got a response - "Thank you for your note and interest in Vibramate systems. We are currently back-ordered on the Vibramate V5-TE mounting kit for installing a Bigsby B5 Vibrato on a Telecaster guitar. We anticipate availability in the next 6-8 weeks. Thank you again for your interest in Vibramate!" — Bill S._______ HELLDIVER on Facebook Top
EricB Joined: Dec 16, 2007 Posts: 193 Newport, RI	Posted on Dec 08 2009 12:27 PM I bought my first DiPinto Mach IV before they started making them with the vibrato option, and now never use the thing because the lack of a whammy bar. I had bought a Bigsby B-5 but backed out from installing it because I didn't want to drill holes in the guitar. Buying just the mounting kit without the Bigsby looks fairly inexpensive, so seeing how I already have the Bigsby, I might have to end up giving this a shot. I'll post a review as soon as I do. Top
mad_dog Joined: Sep 23, 2008 Posts: 349 Montclair, NJ	Posted on Dec 10 2009 08:54 AM The Vibramate and B5 on my Dearmond M-72 work just about perfectly. The Vmate elevates the Bigsby by the thickness of the mounting plate. At least on this guitar, it results in what sounds and feels like a just-right angle off the bridge. An unforseen side benefit is a little extra room under the mounting pins for strings ... easier to change strings on this guitar than other Bigsby equipped ones Ive tried. Top
bmsurfcaster Joined: Oct 29, 2009 Posts: 271 Dallas	Posted on Dec 10 2009 09:12 AM Does it work with the "F" logo bigsby? — Top
ZoukBoy Joined: May 04, 2008 Posts: 80 Lubbock, Texas	Posted on Dec 14 2009 09:09 PM mad_dog The Vibramate and B5 on my Dearmond M-72 work just about perfectly. The Vmate elevates the Bigsby by the thickness of the mounting plate. At least on this guitar, it results in what sounds and feels like a just-right angle off the bridge. An unforseen side benefit is a little extra room under the mounting pins for strings ... easier to change strings on this guitar than other Bigsby equipped ones Ive tried. Are those Vintage Vibe humbucker-sized P90s? Top
drumuitar Joined: Feb 28, 2006 Posts: 813 Boise, ID	Posted on Dec 14 2009 09:53 PM mad_dog The Vibramate and B5 on my Dearmond M-72 work just about perfectly. The Vmate elevates the Bigsby by the thickness of the mounting plate. At least on this guitar, it results in what sounds and feels like a just-right angle off the bridge. An unforseen side benefit is a little extra room under the mounting pins for strings ... easier to change strings on this guitar than other Bigsby equipped ones Ive tried. Nice. I'd like to get the same one for my Epi LP Ultra, rather than the usual B7 tailpiece. The drag is that it has gold hardware and it's $110 more for the Bigsby and the plate — Shawn Martin http://www.drummerman.net http://www.youtube.com/GKacedrummerman http://www.facebook.com/drumuitar Top
MrSpaghetti Joined: Nov 11, 2008 Posts: 91 Detroit, MI	Posted on Dec 14 2009 11:27 PM that kit looks remarkbly sweet, i cant wait to pick one up for my tele... wonder how well it performs and sounds? — Knarle Tide http://www.facebook.com/knarletide http://www.reverbnation.com/knarletide Top
remora1 Joined: Jan 04, 2008 Posts: 1275 San Pedro, CA	Posted on May 29 2010 08:05 PM Well it took a while but I finally got a Vibramate for my '69 Thinline RI. I'l try to get it put together this weekend and maybe post some pics and first impressions sometime next week. — Bill S._______ HELLDIVER on Facebook Top
remora1 Joined: Jan 04, 2008 Posts: 1275 San Pedro, CA	Posted on Jun 03 2010 12:39 PM Well here it is - I've been wanting to put a trem on my Thinline for a long time and always resisted just because of all the routing and drilling involved. I had finally decided to send my guitar off to TremKing and let them install one when I found out about the Vibramate (thanks goon!) and decided to give it a shot. I found a seller on Ebay and ordered it and it was out of stock (naturally) but I told the guy I'd wait. I don't know if it's a production issue or just high demand but it took a good 4-5 weeks for the seller to get his shipment and then get it to me. I have to say this is one of those "Why didn't I think of that?" products - it took all of 20 minutes to remove the old bridge plate and install it using the original screws and saddle hardware. The instructions are clear and easy, the only thing I would emphasize more is be sure and take careful measurements of your current saddle positions and try to match them as close as possible on the Vibramate, because it's nearly impossible to get to them after the install is finished. Performance and soundwise, it's everything I could have wanted. I've never owned a Bigsby-equipped guitar but I've played a couple and this setup is perfect for me. I'd highly recommend the Vibramate to anyone who wants to "surf up" their Tele, and the fact that the mod is completely reversible is just a bonus. I strongly doubt I'l ever be removing it! — Bill S._______ HELLDIVER on Facebook Top
estreet Joined: Mar 17, 2007 Posts: 839 United Kingdom	Posted on Jun 03 2010 03:21 PM I presume the strings went through the body on this Tele previously, and that's quite a big part of the Telecaster sound ... how do you feel the basic guitar sound has changed .. sustain, bite etc. ? Quite fancy one I must admit, but frightened of losing the character of the guitar - after all, I have Jaguars/SGV/Strats - I need my Tele to sound like one. — http://www.myspace.com/thepashuns Youth and enthusiasm are no match for age and treachery. Top
remora1 Joined: Jan 04, 2008 Posts: 1275 San Pedro, CA	Posted on Jun 04 2010 08:59 AM To my ears it doesn't seem to have affected the tone too much, being a Thinline it had its own character anyway. If I need true Tele tone I've still got my stock '69. Someday when I'm feeling ambitious I might try the Vibramate on that one - being a non-invasive mod it is easily un-doable. I would say if you're curious try it, if you don't like it you could sell it on Ebay and get most if not all of your money back. For me and my Thinline it's worked out just fine. — Bill S._______ HELLDIVER on Facebook Top