Author Topic: Bigsby style vibrato (Read 256 times)

pace · « **on:** December 15, 2006, 01:22:38 AM »

Im just curious if Alembic ever fooled around with the idea of milling a big brass vibrato unit~ ala Bigsby?!??

I know Alembic offers Flyod's, Khaler's, and Wilkinson's (never actually seen one on a 'bic).... Although the Bigsby design is far more subtle than any of the former, something of that nature wouldnt require any routing, and I imagine would add quite a bit of sustain... who cares if you cant do dive bombs?!??!?

Just a thought.... I figured a mustache or bird styled brass Bigsby would be something else!

adriaan · « **Reply #1 on:** December 15, 2006, 02:15:38 AM »

Both John Entwistle and Stanley Clarke had Bigsby-equipped Alembics.

Not sure that the big spring and the semi-tightened arm won't cost you any sustain you might gain from the additional mass.

kmh364 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 15, 2006, 05:05:56 AM »

FWIW, my luthier hates 'em. Actually he hates all vibrato's. He says when he gets a Bigsby, new or used, he has to rebuild 'em from scratch because of all the slop in them. He's anal about everything, so I don't doubt him.

Personally, I've got two Fender Strats with the Fender whammy and Two Jackson/Floyd-equipped Charvels, and none of 'em stays or plays in tune for long (my Alembic basses are all hard-tails).

Just my $0.02.

Cheers,

Kevin

pace · « **Reply #3 on:** December 15, 2006, 01:40:58 PM »

I remember seeing a Bigsby on one of Stanley's basses, but not JE.... that's nice to know.

Im well aware of the inherent slop of an original Bigsby, and I would cringe at the thought of having an OEM Bigsby on an Alembic. But, with that said, I feel it's a design which could easily be improved upon by the folks in Santa Rosa~ just look at their take on the Tune-O-Matic!!!!!

bigideas · « **Reply #4 on:** December 15, 2006, 02:36:07 PM »

what about a Stetsbar collaboration?

lbpesq · « **Reply #5 on:** December 15, 2006, 03:00:51 PM »

Stetsbar collaboration

Isn't that what happens in watering holes all over Texas on Saturday nights - usually involving cowboys and long necks?

Bill, tgo

bigideas · « **Reply #6 on:** December 16, 2006, 08:20:47 AM »

No, that would be a Stetson/Bar collaboration. I believe it happens all over Alberta on the weekends as well.

I mean the Stetsbar tremolo.

(Message edited by bigideas on December 16, 2006)

pace · « **Reply #7 on:** December 16, 2006, 10:12:07 AM »

Thanks for that link Matt. I saw a similar unit a while ago (has Stetsbar been around for 15 years?), and I always thought that it would be a nice mod to my Firebird...

Bradley Young · « **Reply #8 on:** December 16, 2006, 05:27:56 PM »

A nice mod to my Firebird would be a new engine.

Like a 432CI twin turbo LS6. Sadly, she's going to a new home today. Besides, I bought an Alembic, which cost almost as much as the engine would've.

Bradley
PS- you did mean the car, right?

lbpesq · « **Reply #9 on:** December 16, 2006, 08:12:41 PM »

LS6 - that was a Gibson, right?

Bill, tgo

David Houck · « **Reply #10 on:** December 17, 2006, 06:02:54 PM »

There are some pics of Alembics with Bigsbys here.