The Bigsby® Story

Bigsby®. True Vibrato.
The Bigsby® Story
For over 50 years, Bigsby Vibratos have been adding
the expression that turns good songs into great ones.
Original equipment on many of the world’s best selling
instruments. Just a few of the companies currently using
Bigsby include Gibson®, Epiphone®, Fender®, Gretsch®,
Paul Reed Smith®, Squier®, Schecter®, Taylor®, ESP® and
many, many more!
It all started in California, with a genius inventor who
“could build anything”. Fortunately, Paul Bigsby would
branch out from building Crocker motorcycles into
music... and the world would never be the same.
Easy to install, hard to live without!
Once you get used to your Bigsby, you’ll find it hard
to play without it... but fortunately, installation is easy!
Especially with our new B50 & B70 kits... everything you
need to install your new Bigsby, all in one package! *
Comprehensive installation instructions are available at
www.bigsby.com/installation
In the years since fellow biker and“lightning fast”guitarist
Merle Travis first asked Bigsby to build “a vibrato that
works”, Bigsby’s True Vibrato has enhanced the playing
styles of guitarists the world over. They’ve been featured
continuously on Gretsch® guitars since 1955, and have
been heard on recordings in almost every genre, from
punk to folk, and country to rock. The Gretsch Company
is proud to offer the Bigsby True Vibrato tailpiece, the first
successful design of what is now called a whammy bar or
tremolo arm. Guitar makers of almost every style turn to
Bigsby to add the finishing touch to their instruments, a
beautiful, subtle and extremely functional statement.
Want to find out more about Bigsby?
The Paul Bigsby Story
*Some basic tools are required for installation. Please see the Bigsby website for
detailed installation instructions and links to installation demonstration videos.
Find spare parts at www.bigsby.com/parts
Gibson and Gibson SG, Les Paul Special, Super 400, Les Paul Standard/Custom,
ES-335; Fender and Fender Telecaster; Gretsch and Gretsch 6120, Duo Jet;
Epiphone and Epiphone Casino; Rickenbacker and Rickenbacker 325; Paul Reed
Smith, Squier, ESP, Schecter and Taylor are trademarks of their respective owners.
© 2011 Fred Gretsch Enterprises. Bigsby® and Gretsch® are registered trademarks of
Fred Gretsch Enterprises, PO Box 2468, Savannah, GA 31402
Most musicians are familiar with the famous Bigsby
Vibrato, but not as many know about the wonderful
guitars that Paul Bigsby built in the 1940s. Bigsby, who
was responsible for developing and refining the pedal
steel guitar, also built the first modern solid body electric
guitar for Merle Travis in 1948, predating Leo Fender and
Gibson’s Les Paul by a number of years. This book tells
how Bigsby influenced Fender and Gibson, as well as a
number of others, in building techniques and design.
This deluxe illustrated coffee table book contains over
300 color and black & white photos. The book also
comes with an audio CD of Paul Bigsby, recorded in the
late 1950s, telling stories of his business.
www.bigsby.com
Bigsby®. True Vibrato.
Original Kalamazoo™ Series
Lightning™ Series
Bigsby® Original Kalamazoo Series Vibratos are still Sand Cast by hand in the United States the old fashioned way. Molten
Aluminum is poured into Sand Cast molds, exactly as Paul Bigsby made the original Bigsby Vibratos in the 1950s. We know
how much your guitar means to you, and Bigsby Kalamazoo Series Vibrato systems are lovingly made to enhance your
instrument while delivering Paul Bigsby’s original vision in every way.
For players who want the Bigsby® sound and “vibe” but for a less expensive
instrument. Named in tribute to “lightning fast” Merle Travis who inspired Paul
Bigsby to build his first vibrato, the Lightning Series offers a high quality Bigsby
at a more affordable price. Made from Aluminum like their Original Kalamazoo™
Series brothers but constructed using less expensive Die Cast methods.
B3
B11
Designed for thin hollowbody and semihollowbody electric guitars such as
Epiphone Casino, Gretsch Duo Jet.
•Approximate weight: 296 grams / 10.4 oz.
•Overall Length: 7-5/8” / 193.7 mm
•Overall Width: 3-5/8” / 92.1 mm
Designed for thin hollowbody and
semi-hollowbody electric guitars such
as Epiphone Casino, Gretsch Duo
Jet. Like the B3, but featuring a more
“minimalist” appearance.
• Approximate weight: 286 grams / 10.1 oz.
•Overall Length: 7-11/16” / 195.3 mm
•Overall Width: 3-11/16” / 93.7 mm
B12
B5
B6
B16
Designed for large hollowbody electric
guitars such as Gretsch 6120 or Gibson
Super 400®.
•Approximate weight: 311 grams/11 oz.
•Overall Length: 9-1/4” / 235 mm
•Overall Width: 3-5/8” / 92.1 mm
B30
B50
Designed for archtop solidbody and
semi-solidbody electric guitars such
as Gibson Les Paul Standard/Custom,
ES-335. Like the B7, but featuring a
more “minimalist” appearance.
• Approximate weight: 344 grams / 12.1 oz.
•Overall Length: 8-3/8” / 212.7 mm
•Overall Width: 3-5/8” / 92.1 mm
Designed for flat top solidbody electric
guitars such as Gibson® SG, Gibson Les
Paul® Special, Rickenbacker® 325, and
Fender® Telecaster®*. Sometimes referred
to as the Bigsby “horseshoe”.
• Approximate Weight: 286 grams / 10.1 oz.
•Overall Length: 4-3/4” / 120.7 mm
•Overall Width: 3-3/4” / 95.3 mm
*Requires 0495-0258 Bridge and
0495-0257 Bridge Plate.
Lightning Series I
Classic Bigsby® designs for the player who wants vintage style! Lightning
Series I Die Cast Vibrato systems offer the traditional Bigsby look, feel and
function at an affordable price.
The original 1950s design for the Fender
Telecaster.
• Approximate weight: 333 grams / 11.7 oz.
•Overall Length: 8-3/8” / 212.7 mm
•Overall Width: 4-1/4” / 107.9 mm
•Professional installation recommended.
B60
B70
For thin hollowbody and semi-hollowbody guitars. Based
upon the original B3 design.
• Approximate weight: 296 grams / 10.4 oz.
• Overall Length: 7-1/2” / 190.5 mm
• Overall Width: 3-3/4” / 95.3 mm
For flat top solidbody electric guitars. Based upon
the original B5 design.
•Approximate weight: 290 grams / 10.2 oz.
•Overall Length: 4-5/16” / 109.5 mm
•Overall Width: 3-13/16” / 96.8 mm
For large hollowbody guitars. Based upon the original
B6 design.
•Approximate weight: 308 grams/ 10.9 oz.
•Overall Length: 8-5/8” / 219.1 mm
•Overall Width: 3-7/8” / 98.4 mm
For archtop solidbody and semi-solidbody electric
guitars. Based upon the original B7 design.
•Approximate weight: 358 grams / 12.6 oz.
•Overall Length: 8-11/16” / 220.7 mm
•Overall Width: 3-3/4” / 95.3 mm
Lightning Series II
B7
Designed for archtop solidbody and
semi-solidbody electric guitars such
as Gibson Les Paul Standard/Custom,
Gibson ES-335.
• Approximate weight: 354 grams/12.5 oz.
•Overall Length: 8-3/4”/222.3 mm
•Overall Width: 3-5/8”/92.1 mm
Bigsby Vibratos continue to be made using original designs, molds and
methods, and therefore, incorporate markings or text associated with
patents that have since expired. Such markings are included only for the
sake of historical accuracy and are not intended to denote or imply live
patents or ongoing patent protection.
A slimmer, sleeker Bigsby, the Lightning Series II Die Cast Vibrato systems
are perfect for today’s instrument styles, while retaining the subtle and
flexible vibrato Bigsby is famous for.
B500
B700
Unless otherwise noted, all Original Kalamazoo Series Vibratos are available in polished Aluminum or Gold Finishes. The B7 is also available in an all Gold finish, Right Hand model
only. The Arm on all Bigsby Original Kalamazoo Series Vibratos adjusts with 1/8” Allen wrench and 5/16” socket wrench.
Lightning Series I Vibratos are available in polished Aluminum or Gold finishes, except the B60 which is available in polished Aluminum only. Lightning Series II Vibratos are
available in polished Aluminum, Gold or Black finishes. The Arm on all Bigsby Lightning Series Vibratos adjusts with 1/8” Allen wrench and 5/16” socket wrench..
For flat top solidbody electric guitars. Based upon
the B5/B50 design.
•Approximate weight: 279 grams / 9.8 oz.
•Overall Length: 4-9/16” / 115.9 mm
•Overall Width: 3-3/4” / 95.3 mm
For arch top solidbody and semi-solidbody electric
guitars. Based upon the B7/B70 design.
•Approximate weight: 345 grams/12.2 oz.
•Overall Length: 8-5/8” / 219.1 mm
•Overall Width: 3-3/4” / 95.3 mm