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Messages - bholder

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Gibson Basses / Re: Dating a 70s Gibson SG guitar?
« on: March 25, 2017, 06:10:01 AM »
Quote from: Dave W on March 24, 2017, 07:04:01 AM
Isn't that bridge a replacement for an angled tune-o-matic? If so, it wouldn't work as a replacement for the harmonica bridge.
I bought it "on speculation", but it does fit perfectly, pics when I get a chance.  Quality isn't great, but then, wasn't so great on the original harmonica bridge either.

Quote from: gearHed289 on March 24, 2017, 07:16:02 AM
Graphite powder in the nut slots, or a whole new graphite nut would probably help. Maybe locking tuners too, but I wouldn't think those would be necessary as long as you use it as a "wiggle stick" and not an Uli Roth divebomber.  :o
Yeah, Bigsbys don't dive bomb so well and if you try, they never come back the same.  What I wish I could get rid of is the "wiggle" where the vibrato arm attaches to the tremolo - I might just remove that upper spring and replace it wish some washers - makes for a very uneven vibrato as the spring takes up some of the motion intended for the bridge.

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Gibson Basses / Re: Dating a 70s Gibson SG guitar?
« on: March 24, 2017, 03:47:48 AM »
Found this roller bridge from stewmac (overpriced, of course) that fits perfectly: 

http://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/All_Hardware_and_Parts_by_Instrument/Electric_Guitar_Parts/Electric_Guitar_Bridges_and_Tailpieces/Tune-o-matic_Bridges/Locking_Roller_Bridge.html
Fits perfectly, had to replace the studs too because the posts are different but they fit the bushing thread and spacing perfectly.

and as amptech and others predicted, doesn't seem to help much so far, perhaps a little.  Looks and feels better though (imho).

Thanks again for the help!

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Gibson Basses / Re: Dating a 70s Gibson SG guitar?
« on: March 17, 2017, 05:43:05 AM »
Quote from: amptech on March 14, 2017, 11:13:33 PM
If saddles are too deep or 'bites' the string no vibrato unit will stay in tune or work well. It's just a part of the setup. The bigsby is a good working unit when set up correctly. That said, tuning a guitar between songs is also a part of being a musician!

But I agree, you don't need a roller. Just make sure the bridge saddles and nut is set up for the bigsby.
So how does one properly set up a stock harmonica bridge to work with a bigsby?  Is there some setup trick I'm missing? Smooth saddle slots maybe?

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Gibson Basses / Re: Dating a 70s Gibson SG guitar?
« on: March 16, 2017, 11:07:28 AM »
Quote from: Dave W on March 14, 2017, 01:00:01 PM
The harmonica bridge does look a bit like the Evertilt, but it doesn't tilt like one.

Many people think that a Bigsby needs to have a roller bridge for better tuning stability, which may be why the OP is looking for one to replace the harmonica bridge. IMHO as long as the bridge is stable, it makes little or no difference.
Yeah, it's stable as long as I don't use the tremolo at all, even a light wiggle will throw things off.  I'll try a roller bridge if I can find one that fits with no mods, not doing anything irreversible.

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Gibson Basses / Re: Dating a 70s Gibson SG guitar?
« on: March 14, 2017, 08:31:34 AM »
Quote from: Highlander on March 13, 2017, 04:00:43 PM
The bridge/Bigsby combination on mine just does not work... instantly puts the beast out of tune... bridge wobbles on the studs...
Yeah, trying to find a roller bridge that will fit mine (may require a visit to a local machine shop for mods).  Even used very modestly, completely out of tune, worse than most Bigsby equipped guitars.

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Gibson Basses / Re: Dating a 70s Gibson SG guitar?
« on: March 13, 2017, 09:06:11 AM »
Quote from: Dave W on March 12, 2017, 11:46:08 AM
Right. That bridge was made by Schaller and is usually called the Schaller harmonica bridge. It hasn't been made by Schaller for years. Kluson makes a replacement that supposedly doesn't require any modification and seems to be more substantial than the original. I don't know if the Schaller roller bridge would fit the studs, and even if it did, it probably wouldn't align b/c the harmonica bridge mounting is straight across while the ABR and Nashville are angled.
Hey thanks for that Kluson replacement bridge link!  Excellent!  :)

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Gibson Basses / Re: Dating a 70s Gibson SG guitar?
« on: March 12, 2017, 07:33:49 AM »
Quote from: Dave W on March 11, 2017, 01:06:36 PM
The Guitar Dater Project has some flaws but in this case, it's correct.

With a dot neck and binding, yours is an SG Special from that era. With the black min-hums, I'd place it as a 70 or 71.

That bridge is not a Nashville bridge, which wasn't introduced until about 77, after Gibson opened their Nashville factory.
Thanks, so is there a name for this bridge type?  Looking to see if I can find a roller bridge replacement that will fit on the existing bridge studs...

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Gibson Basses / Re: Dating a 70s Gibson SG guitar?
« on: March 11, 2017, 12:39:39 PM »
Thanks, I think I'll hang out here some, since I'm mostly a bassist anyway. 

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Gibson Basses / Re: Dating a 70s Gibson SG guitar?
« on: March 11, 2017, 12:13:19 PM »
Thanks so much for narrowing down the years!  Searching for "1972 Gibson catalog", I found this '73 leaflet: http://www.vintageguitarandbass.com/gibson/catalogues/1973_solidbody_1.php




It's the 3rd one down, 1973 SG special, with the "optional Bigsby vibrato"!  Nailed it, thanks so much!   I've been wondering for 38 years! 

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Gibson Basses / Re: Dating a 70s Gibson SG guitar?
« on: March 11, 2017, 11:55:19 AM »
Thanks!  I tried that site, but didn't try the extended search (didn't notice it).  Excellent.  Still not very specific, but I know which year's catalogs to check.

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Gibson Basses / Re: Dating a 70s Gibson SG guitar?
« on: March 11, 2017, 11:32:08 AM »
A couple more pics

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Gibson Basses / Dating a 70s Gibson SG guitar?
« on: March 11, 2017, 11:30:29 AM »
Hi, new here - I tried on TalkBass and someone suggested I try here, so any of you Gibson experts:  I've been trying to date my 70s SG since I got it in '79, without any luck, I've been to all of the sites that show up on the first few pages of a google search still nothing. Serial number is 738265, stamped on the back of the headstock along with "Made in USA" so it's post 1970. The number would make sense if it had an S suffix, but it doesn't. Checked the control cavity too, no sign of anything there. Any ideas anyone? Anyone know of a good forum to ask on?

It's a fairly standard SG with except it has black minihumbuckers, and a Gibson stamped Bigsby style tailpiece, "Nashville" bridge (I think), small pickguard.


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