Taking out Bigsby B70 spring question

scarry67

How? Do you simply lift and pull the arm or is there anything specific you need to do. I’ve just got a lovely Gretsch Streamliner but the trem is stiff. I thought I’d do the recommended trick of stepping on the spring a few times before buying a Reverend “soft” spring...

roberty

You've got to take the strings off really. Then it'll just drop out. Fwiw the reverend soft spring was too soft for me. Ended up with a longer spring from thomann, 1" or maybe more can't remember

scarry67

Thanks. Did you find that the original spring softens over time or is that unlikely? 

roberty

Don't think they soften. I find bends easier with a stiffer spring but the stock ones can be a bit much for me

axisus

I absolutely love the Reverend soft spring. Couldn't do without it on mine.

I can't see stepping on the string doing anything at all, springs are resilient!

ICBM

Stepping on it will do nothing - even with the coils closed up fully it won’t pass the point where the metal permanently distorts.

Personally I can’t stand soft springs in Bigsbys, but if that’s what you want then you’ll need to get one.

scarry67

Would a soft spring lead to adjacent strings being bent out of pitch as can happen on a Strat if you’re clumsy  like me? 

roberty

scarry67 said:

Would a soft spring lead to adjacent strings being bent out of pitch as can happen on a Strat if you’re clumsy  like me? 

I did find that with the Reverend soft spring. Don't know how it compares to other trem systems but it wasn't a big deal. I hardly ever do those double stops with one string held and one bent in practice

scarry67

Mine’s quite noisy, metallic clicks and squeaks. Wouldn’t be amplified but sounds a bit “unsmooth” for want of a better word. I presume it’s spring moving but do other parts of the trem warrant lubrication or something?

ICBM

scarry67 said:

Mine’s quite noisy, metallic clicks and squeaks. Wouldn’t be amplified but sounds a bit “unsmooth” for want of a better word. I presume it’s spring moving but do other parts of the trem warrant lubrication or something?

Yes. It’s motorcycle engineering . Lightly grease all moving parts...