Opinions, advice? One problem I see is the location of the pickup switch... it may be a little tricky to easily access.
Would use a Vibramate, so I don't have to drill in the wood.
http://www.vibramate.com/vibramate-v5.html
Here is a mock up... (would use a rolling bridge too... not in the picture)
It is a Schecter S-1 30th Anniversary by the way. All other hardware is bright gold, and would match the Bigsby well (just looks dull in the picture compared to the Bigsby)
My Fingerstyle Guitar Blog:
http://fsguitar.wordpress.com
My Guitars
Ibanez Artwood AWS1000ECE-NT
Schecter S-1 30th Anniversary Edition
Ovation CS257
LaPatrie Etude
Washburn Rover RO10
there is a recent, related thread here: http://forums.guitarnoise.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=43607
I would swap the selector switch position with one of the rotary controls -- whichever you use least. that would be tone for me. you could probably find a shorter knob if clearance below the Bigsby is an issue. might end up swapping a couple around to get the best positioning for the switch and volume(s).
the Vibramate looks interesting, several things come to mind:
-the height will be raised, so the string angles over the bridge saddles will be shallower. could be better for trem operation, but might be worse for sustain.
- I'm betting the tone is better with the Bigsby direct mounted. no way to tell, but try it. and all that really matters is that you are satisfied
- ToM tailpieces and bridges come in different stud spacings. make sure the Vibramate is an exact fit. 'close enough' will be a big PITA.
general to the Bigsby:
- on your guitar, the sustain will probably be less with the Bigsby. I'm not a sustain freak, so wouldn't care as long as the overall tone/timbre is good. but what do you want? I'd noticed on the youtube vids for Bigsby, that the sustain improvement claims are usually for guitars that are not known for a lot of native sustain to(Tele Squier, Epi Dot).
-=tension & release=-
What about one of the stop tail trem units like this one from Stew Mac? I saw a guy playing at a local club with one like this on a 335 and it sounded pretty nice.
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