Bigsby B16 Bridge advice please

paulnb57

So, Ive just received a Bigsby B16 that will be bolted onto my Guitarbuild Thinline Tele, however there is no bridge at present, I think a roller bridge would make sense, but have no idea what to get to do the job!...Suggestions please from the wise....

paulnb57

Edit...moved to Guitar from Making and Modding...

Phil_aka_Pip

don't do it

paulnb57

@Phil_aka_Pip why?

Phil_aka_Pip

good way to spoil any guitar, despite what some people might tell you.

edit: even teles can be spoiled!

paulnb57

Fair point Phil

Phil_aka_Pip

purely a personal opinion, you understand

there are people around here who lurve Bigsbys - I just don't get it myself!

ICBM

They originally used a rocking bridge rather than a roller one - with a preset intonation ridge which won't suit a plain 3rd. If you want something adjustable, a Fender Jaguar/Jazzmaster bridge or some modern equivalent with the 'thimbles' in the body will work. But if you want a roller bridge that fits a tune-o-matic footprint, Schaller do one. The problem is that it looks very 'modern', which probably won't go with the very steampunk-styled B16.

I must admit I don't like the look of the B16 even though I love Bigsbys. Although if you cut them down to just in front of the string bar, they then fit on a Rickenbacker without drilling the top .