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It could also be caused by the bridge rocking slightly and not coming back to the same position - if the tuning sticks in the same direction as the last arm movement (ie arm down leaves it flat, arm up leaves it sharp) it's at the Bigsby/bridge end, and if it sticks in the opposite direction it's at the nut end.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
I may have one plus the super squishy spring for sale shortly...
I used a Towner when I had a Bigsby on my old Sheraton, worked a treat.
Exactly why is a bit baffling! But I think it’s possibly because with the arm tight, it vibrates slightly when you play, and the tiny trem movement that causes allows the Bigsby to settle back into the correct rest position more easily.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
You have the dreaded Bigsby B50. I love a Bigsby, hate these. The break angle from the bridge to the Bigsby can be severe, and often there is far too much string tensions between the tensions bar and roller to anchor point. Plus, the plastic bearing in the roller doesn't roll under that tension.
There is a fix, and it's pretty cheap. https://bricksbiggsfix.com/shop/
You need this, https://bricksbiggsfix.com/product/btsv3/
and I STRONGLY recommend that you need this: https://bricksbiggsfix.com/product/sss/
I've got a few of these. Here is my thread on fitting version 1 of this - version 3 is a doddle to fit, no need to retain and modify the tension roller pin. It's completely removed in V3. http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/29433/how-to-improve-a-bigsby-b50-b70-and-make-it-feel-more-like-a-b6
The end result is one of the best Bigsby's ever - easily as smooth and buttery in action as the Bigsby B6 on my Masterbullt Gretsch Anniversary. I hate the B50, but a properly modified B50 is a killer trem. Excellent in every way.
The other thing to note is the nut. The nut on pretty much all Gretsch Electromatics is hollow plastic rubbish that grips strings like a grippy thing. Spend some time opening up nut strings slots and, lube the hell out of it. Pay close attention to the points of first/last contact between string and nut. Open the slot at the back of the nut so the string doesn't hit an acute angle to the nut, same fro when the string leaves the nut for the bridge. It's those sharp angles that can cause high friction points.
Gretsch have done so much to improve the Electromatic line from the first solid lumpen Pro Jets to the underwhelming 5120. New Jets and 5420's (and your model) are killer guitars. Gretsch just need to learn to fit them with a better quality nut, that's actually cut for the strings they supply the guitar with.
Sort the nut (I like brass, adds a zing to the chime!), mod the Bigsby - make sure the pickups are adjusted properly, and deep joy.
https://www.tvjones.com/adjustments.html
Fab guitar.
Good luck
Marlin
There's something nice about the US ones looks though and V-cut ones (US only) just look cooler than a penguin's dangly bits on a Gretsch.
Would like to give @lincolnblue first dibs, as he needs it. But, if he doesn't want, I'm interested
Cheers
Marlin
Seriously: If you value it, take/fetch it yourself
Fitted it yesterday...now I have only the slightest break angle (it's *just* enough) but the Bigsby is incredibly responsive and stable. No regrets so far...it doesn't look as awkward as I thought it would either!