There’s no two ways about it: are really cool. Stick one on practically any , and – at least in my books – its aesthetic appeal will skyrocket. This observation is especially applicable to .
The Keefburst? Stunning. Jimmy Page’s Black Beauty? Say no more. Of course, there is much more to guitars than simply how they look, and the Bigsby also brings with it a distinct tonal and performance functionality.
Beloved by trailblazing country and rockabilly pioneers, championed by ‘60s psychedelic blues experimentalists, and revered by contemporary indie artists, the Bigsby works by mounting to the body of guitar via a long (or short) metal plate, attached to which is a spring-loaded whammy arm. It’s a simple design, replacing a guitar’s existing tailpiece in favor of a no-nonsense vibrato mechanism. There are also potential tonal ramifications, with a Bigsby supposedly bringing with it some unique sonic quirks.
Since I’m such a sucker for the sight of Bigsbys, I decided to finally stick one on my Gibson Les Paul Studio – documenting everything from selection, installation, and performance in the process – to see just how the cherished accessory performs. Ever since its arrival in 1951, Paul Bigsby's vibrato system has remained largely unchanged. Sure, there are a handful of variants suitable for different guitar models, but the function between them is the same.
When it comes to selecting the correct Bigsby for your guitar, you have a bit of leeway. They come in .