Bigsby or Les Trem?

[Mr Twangy]

I'm on the verge of getting a V cut Bigsby B3 and a Towner bar for my Electromatic Jet but I'm hesitating because I've heard it said that a Bigsby can affect the tone of the guitar negatively. Should I just get a Les Trem instead? What do people think?

 

[Wayne Gretschzky]

I think... if a Bigsby vibrato "affected the tone of the guitar negatively", they wouldn't have survived 70 years of production, and most modern Pro-line Gretsch's wouldn't be designed to have one. Enjoy your B3!!

 

[radd]

Gotta love where ever that comment came from.

As WG said, enjoy your B3

 

[Mr Twangy]

What seems to get thrown around is that a Bigsby kills sustain to some extent. I have no personal experience with it. I'm really jonesin' for the Bigsby though!

 

[TSims1]

I like Bigsbys. I also like the Les Trem. That little unit really works well.

 

[guitarzan50]

A Gretsch needs a Bigsby. To me the Les Trem is just plain ugly.

 

[gretschbigsby]

I really like the Les Trem... I use it instead of a Bigsby w/vibramate whenever I have an archtop with stop tailpiece now. Less expensive and works as well. I know there are those who don't like the way they look-- I do. Some fine German engineering!

Bigsby is still my preference, but the Les Trem and Moseley/Shade vibrato would be the big three.

 

[mandobandit]

I have 3 Bigsby fitted guitars
2 Gretsch and a Nash tele
The Gretsch guitars came factory equipped
The Nash I added yes I believe it has some what less sustain but picked up some jangle.
I also want to have a guitar with a Les Trem maybe a Rivolta or Dusenberg

 

[Mr Twangy]

These look a little nicer in my opinion.
https://www.banzaimusic.com/goeldo-tlt2c-tremolo-lt2-chrome.html

 

[2groggy]

These look a little nicer in my opinion.
https://www.banzaimusic.com/goeldo-tlt2c-tremolo-lt2-chrome.html

The picture is a little grainy, but those do look nicer. They appear to be "licenced by Dusenberg", and the description mentions Les Trem.

I did a quick search and can't find a source in North America. Let me know if you have a source.

 

[gretschbigsby]

If I remember correctly, the original Les Trem arm came off the bridge nearer to the high e creating more of the Bigsby geometry. The goeldo seems to evoke that.

I think this was it... Reverend used to use them:



Looks aside, the Les Trem is very smooth and accurate to use.

I almost put this on my offset Tele-- the Moslike Vibrato. Ended up going with a B5.



Bob Shade sells the Shade Mosrite Vibrato on the Hallmark Guitars website. Smooth as butter.

 

[Highroller]

I think it's safe to say the Les Trem would be an easier install, less invasive, no drilling, etc.

I've got an older one on a Reverend I own and like it a lot. As far as playing it, it responds pretty much like a Bigsby. Very smooth, sounds great.

But on a Gretsch? Bigsby's the sure-fire traditional choice. Whoever said they have a "negative effect" on tone either doesn't like Gretsch to begin with, or only plays Floyd Roses.

 

[jfassett]

I like the action of the les trem, very smooth….I will say, if you like your palm around the bridge while playing, the les trem on a jet takes some getting use to.
I know the handle is reversed in this pic, here’s the look on a double jet though.
super easy install

 

[Mr Twangy]

The picture is a little grainy, but those do look nicer. They appear to be "licenced by Dusenberg", and the description mentions Les Trem.

I did a quick search and can't find a source in North America. Let me know if you have a source.

No I've never seen a North American seller.

 

[TV Nocturne Brain]

I'm on the verge of getting a V cut Bigsby B3 and a Towner bar for my Electromatic Jet but I'm hesitating because I've heard it said that a Bigsby can affect the tone of the guitar negatively. Should I just get a Les Trem instead? What do people think?

Who ever said that should be drawn and quartered!

 

[gretschbigsby]

I put a Les Trem on my Starcaster. I think it looks rad... but de gustibus non est disputandum

By the way, those new Fender Custom Shop CuNiFe WRHB pickups sound awesome.

 

[Ricochet]

I did a quick search and can't find a source in North America. Let me know if you have a source.

Thomann and Rockinger in Germany usually have very reasonable shipping fees. Not sure about the current...ehm situation though.

 

[rcboals]

I'm on the verge of getting a V cut Bigsby B3 and a Towner bar for my Electromatic Jet but I'm hesitating because I've heard it said that a Bigsby can affect the tone of the guitar negatively. Should I just get a Les Trem instead? What do people think?

Get the LesTrem since your guitar has the Dum @$$ stop tail bridge. Trust me been there done that a couple times! I am a slow learner, LesTrem all the way verses a Bigsby and a Towner Downer. Better yet save some money get rid of your Dum @$$ stop tail bridge guitar and get a model that has the B-3 with the floating or pinned bridge.

 

[Mr Twangy]

Get the LesTrem since your guitar has the Dum @$$ stop tail bridge. Trust me been there done that a couple times! I am a slow learner, LesTrem all the way verses a Bigsby and a Towner Downer. Better yet save some money get rid of your Dum @$$ stop tail bridge guitar and get a model that has the B-3 with the floating or pinned bridge.

Your last suggestion has been up for consideration but I am too bonded with this guitar!

 

[Lacking Talent]

V-cut Bigsby with a Towner bar is where it's at!