Questions about Bigsby Bars - please post pics

Matthew Carlin · From: Lake County, IL.

Hey Guys,

I'm on a mission to learn all I can about the elusive Bigsby Bar. After searching high and low, I can't seem to find any pictures or answers.

If anyone has pictures of a real Bigsby made Bigsby bar I would love to see them.

Also

Were these made by Paul himself ? Any historical info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
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Michael Lee Allen · From: Portage Park / Irving Park, Chicago, Illinois

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Brian Hunter · From: Indianapolis

I want that pedal.
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Brian

Matthew Carlin · From: Lake County, IL.

That's sweet Very Happy

Thanks Micheal
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"Just tryin to make some music in the money business"

Michael Lee Allen · From: Portage Park / Irving Park, Chicago, Illinois

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"Wisdom does not always come with age. Many times age arrives alone."

Michael Lee Allen · From: Portage Park / Irving Park, Chicago, Illinois

Deleted
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"Wisdom does not always come with age. Many times age arrives alone."

Matthew Carlin · From: Lake County, IL.

Good stuff! I've always wondered about the volume pedals and how to tell the difference. Seems like a lot more Kalamazoo ones sell as Cali made ones...

Any chance any one has a PDF of the bigsby tuning book, seems a reissue might be in order, I have no idea who has the rights to that, fender?

Matt
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Michael Lee Allen · From: Portage Park / Irving Park, Chicago, Illinois

Deleted
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"Wisdom does not always come with age. Many times age arrives alone."

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

When did Paul A. discontinue the swirls on the top of each guitar body and replace it with the elongated
BLACK fret board extension and silver pickup covers, like on the WRIGHTS? How long did he use the RAISED fret board markings/design.

My 1956 Quad has the swirls and the black covers.

Ron Whitfield · From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA

Doug Beaumier · From: Northampton, MA

It's interesting to see that Bigsby allowed the buyer to specify "left bass" or "right bass" when ordering a volume/tone pedal. Mine is left bass and it works excellent. I've owned a couple of other Bigsby V&T pedals in past years that didn't work all that well. It's hit or miss with vintage gear. Winking

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Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

Bigsby Bars ?
I'll drink anywhere. Laughing

Michael Lee Allen · From: Portage Park / Irving Park, Chicago, Illinois

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Doug Beaumier · From: Northampton, MA

I've never seen a Bigsby bar, but I've owned a couple of the Chase tapered bars and they didn't feel right to me. I never understood the reason for the taper on the front. The bar seems too light in front, off balance, etc. Just my opinion. Cool

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Todd Clinesmith · From: Lone Rock Free State Oregon

I have an original Bigsby Vol/Tone pedal that are bass right or ..... "high left" as it is written on the underside of the pedal.
Ray,
I think Bigsby just did the engine turned tops for a short time. I don't think it was "discontinued" just something he did for a spell. I had Maurice Andersons T-8 from '56 that had the engine turned top. I am pretty sure the aluminum pickup covers were on all his guitars. I would think your covers were painted black because the castings were pitted. Raised graphics went atleast to mid 54. The painted black fretboard extentions also were done thru out his building career. For some reason, ( maybe it was ordered or not) they appeared from time to time. I always like this look. The old raised graphic guitars had this feature.

Doug Beaumier · From: Northampton, MA

Here's my V&T pedal... it's beat up but it works better than any of the others I've owned in the past. It's bass-left. It could be an old one because of the paper capacitor and the A&B pot... but the plastic coated wiring would be 1960s or later. Unless it was rewired at some point. Bigsby or Kalamazoo... it doesn't matter to me as long as it works well. Winking

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Jussi Huhtakangas · From: Helsinki, Finland

My V/T pedal was bass right, because the original owner Eddie Gabbard was left handed. It's a very early one, has the big logo on the front, you don't see those very often. I also have his Bigsby bar, it's a pretty dinged up, so I don't really use it but it feels pretty comfortable.

John Bushouse · Posted 24 Sep 2011 5:52 pm

I have a Chase bar and as Ford bar (Frank Ford at Gryphon). The Chase weighs around 3.5 oz, the FF bar is 5.5 oz or so. I like them both, and tapered bars in general. I can't exactly explain why, but they work well with me.

Michael Lee Allen · From: Portage Park / Irving Park, Chicago, Illinois

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Matthew Carlin · From: Lake County, IL.

Very cool!

Thanks Micheal.
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Chris Lucker · From: Los Angeles, California USA

Ray, as far as I can tell the swirls you mention, the engine turns or or jeweled necks, were limited to 1956. My only 1956 -- Fireball Billy
Earle-- has th as did one of Maurice Andersons. But I have never had another year Bigsby, nor have I seen one other than 1956, with the swirls.
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Chris Lucker
Red Bellies, Bigsbys and a lot of other guitars.

Matthew Carlin · From: Lake County, IL.

Hey folks,

Does any one have any current pictures they can post?

Thanks
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Chris Lucker · From: Los Angeles, California USA

I am fishing but can post when I return. I have a Chase bar too. I also have a fly tying vise and an adult beverage shaker made by Chase, Battleborough, Mass. In a pinch you can use the shaker as a bar, I suppose.
Marty smith makes repro Bigsby bars. He also makes a larger diameter one as the original is light.
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Chris Lucker
Red Bellies, Bigsbys and a lot of other guitars.

Matthew Carlin · From: Lake County, IL.

Thanks Chris,

I've tried the shaker, just can't get the tone I'm looking for and I spill ice all over the guitar. I did try contacting Marty a while back, I need to try again.

Thanks
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"Just tryin to make some music in the money business"

Ron Whitfield · From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA

Talk is you can't beat the tone from a good fly tying vise, but slants are a real pain, especially if you forget to remove the hook.

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