Putting a Bigsby on a Les Paul Studio

If it has to be a Bigsby and for a studio, then is should be a B3 or B7, which are the arch-top Bigsby versions for solid body and thinline guitars. You will simply remove the stop-bar tailpiece and the end strap pin and mount the Bigsby in place of these. B3 requires no top holes but is may cause the sustain to suffer a bit. B7 requires the top holes. Not sure if you will need to remove the tailpiece inserts for the B7 -- hopefully not.

Bigsby trems:

http://www.guitarden.com/parts/others.html

A Les-Trem would be a lot easier, but costs a bit more. For this, all you have to do is remove the tailpiece from its studs and slip this into place onto the studs:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Guitar,_tremolo/Les_Trem_Stop-Tailpiece_Tremolos.html

One more comment ...

Bigsby trems often are used with Tune-o-Matic bridges -- the whole bridge assembly tends to tilt back and fort instead of the strings 'sliding' over the wedge-like ToM saddles. But, there are roller versions of the ToM bridge available. I suspect using a roller bridge would produce a smoother action, wider bending trem. Here's one:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar,_Tune-o-matic_bridges/Schaller_Roller_Bridge.html

ANother option would be to try to find a used Washburn Wonderbar 2001 flush-mount trem unit. It just attaches to the top of the guitar with 4 screws and you are goo to go. Would be perfect for a Studio LP with no carved top.

Here is a sample:

http://i16.ebayimg.com/01/i/07/a2/b1/b2_2.JP G">http://i16.ebayimg.com/01/i/07/a2/b1/b2_2.JP G">

ANother option would be to try to find a used Washburn Wonderbar 2001 flush-mount trem unit. It just attaches to the top of the guitar with 4 screws and you are goo to go. Would be perfect for a Studio LP with no carved top.

Here is a sample:

http://i16.ebayimg.com/01/i/07/a2/b1/b2_2.JP G">http://i16.ebayimg.com/01/i/07/a2/b1/b2_2.JP G">

A LP Studio has a carved top, not flat.

My mistake, I was thinking of "Special" not "Studio".

hey guys, thanks a lot for all the replys. i will look into your opinions, but i really like the look of the bigsby as well as its ability to bend notes up and down.