Comments on: Vincent’s Guitar Workshop – issue 11

By: Matthew C. Wilder

Matthew C. Wilder — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 04:15:14 +0000

A small eraser also works great for holding string ends onto Bigsby pins. Basically, all you do the first time is put your ball end over the pin, push the eraser onto the pin, and voila! Afterwards, you’ll already have a hole in the eraser, so it becomes much easier. However, if you find you can’t get the eraser to push over the pin the first time around, a small brad or nail works wonders for making a starter hole. Just don’t make a hole in yourself, because I won’t be held liable for any such incompetence.

By: Frank Konopski

Frank Konopski — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 09:34:27 +0000

Whether you are stringing a guitar with a Bigsby or not, it’s much easier to use a capo. Thread the ball end through the tailpiece hole or mount it on the pin on the Bigsby. Pull the string through to it’s full length along the fretboard, until it’s taut, then clamp a capo over it. This will hold the string in place while you are attaching it to the tuning pegs.

By: John B

John B — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 17:39:39 +0000

Nice article, I recently bought an Eastwood that had been modded with a proper Bigsby, it’s nice but I hate the up-pitch when using it, and find it difficult to control – is there a way of blocking them to stop up-pitching?

By: Stroker

Stroker — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 17:29:37 +0000

I use those little foam triangles that the ladies use to apply makeup to hold the string end on the Bigsby pins. They provide enough support and don’t mar the finish.

By: DeWitt Burton

DeWitt Burton — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 16:09:56 +0000

When installing a Bigsby, I’ve found it’s best to put expandable brass inserts into the top and use machine screws to fasten rather than wood screws — for strength and sustain. The inserts are threaded on the inside and have ribs or tangs that expand out when you thread the machine screw in. They are available from: http://www.mcmaster.com/#brass-inserts/=uf5p58