VIBRAMATE SPOILER STRING RETAINER

[Ray Bohlken]

Has any one tried one of these to help with changing strings on a Bigsby?
Ray

http://elderly.com/accessories/items/VSP-GLD.htm

[Norm]

This topic gets kicked around all the time at gretschpages and there is a standard list of "all you have to do is"

Examples: All you have to do is:

use needle nose pliers to prebend the string end

bend the end around a pencil first

have the wife hold the thing on the pin while you thread the other end through the stringpost

use a capo

use a Pink Pearl eraser (wedge end) to wedge under the pin after the string is on. (I used that one for years)

Best solution is to just get those pins out of there and drill and chamfer the holes. Paul did it and I and other guitarists have done it with no detriment to the use of the unit.

Short answer to the question...no, I never tried a forty dollar gadget to help me do this.

[Ray Bohlken]

I've read a lot of the info on this board and on Gretschpages about restringing with a Bigsby, too. I thought about drilling the pins out, too, but no one has ever remarked about how handy I am. I have visions of some blood and an emergency room visit, should I try to do that process. I have a little problem with my hands gripping small tools and stuff...they tend to get locked and won't let go. I don't have the problem when I grip a guitar neck while I play but I think I am to the point where I could use a gadget like this if it worked....or maybe I just like gadgets. Probably a little bit of both.
Ray

[Norm]

Gadgets are fun and not as drastic as a full modification of the Bigsby. People get touchy when straying from "original" because everyone thinks their guitar will quadruple in value down the road...

I believe the reason Bigsby made his vibrato using pins was because at the time of the unit’s design you could not buy strings singly.

If a guitarist wanted a lighter first and second string he had to use banjo strings which have a loop end instead of a ball end so Bigsby made sure that need was fulfilled for both string styles.

Once assorted single strings became available it never occurred to the makers of Bigsby to modify (and simplify the manufacture of) the unit.

There is absolutely NO advantage to using pins vs straight-through holes that I can see but The Suits can't seem to make that final modification. This ain't rocket science, kids. Refusing this simple, time saving, modification seems more based on superstition than logic.. _____________

Here's a gretschpages thread with photographs provided by Paul Yandell

http://gretschpages.com/forum/other-equ ... 260/page1/

But that gadget is not so drastic. And the eraser is a lot cheaper.