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Up to Discussions in James Tyler Variax Guitars
2070 Views 17 Replies Latest reply: Jan 30, 2013 5:10 AM by Krontab RSS
battydan Just Startin'
battydan
7 posts since
Nov 19, 2006
Currently Being Moderated

Feb 3, 2011 10:06 AM

JTV-58 and Bigsby B7

I posted this question a couple of weeks ago on the "Trem vs. Hard Tail" thread.  I haven't seen any replies, but I'm guessing it's a largely dead thread since the previous post to mine was from August.

 

Like many of the posters on that thread I'm trying to decide between the JTV 59 and 69.  I don't have the money to buy both and just return the one I like less, so I'm waiting for them to show up in any of the retail stores in the Philadelphia area so that I can try them out (however long that takes - I'm not in any hurry).  My final decision is going to be based on how the guitars feel and how their mag pickups sound, but I've got to agree with the idea that certain guitars, when being used for certain types of music (i.e. Strats with surf, Gretsches with rockabilly) pretty much NEED to have a trem.

 

Anyway, here's my question: would it be possible to install a Bigsby B7 tailpiece on a JTV 59, using the Tyler-designed tailpiece just as a bridge?  I'm mainly concerned with dimensions (is there enough space behind the Tyler tailpiece to fit the Bigsby?) and how the strings feed through the Tyler tailpiece over the bridge saddles.  Obviously you would have to drill holes in the top to secure the Bigsby, and I'm assuming that even a well-installed Bigsby won't offer the tuning stability that the JTV 69's trem bridge is supposed to.  But if you like the vintage Gibson styling of the 59, this would seem the way to go.  Thoughts?

 

Dan

  • battydan Just Startin'
    battydan
    7 posts since
    Nov 19, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 3, 2011 10:09 AM (in response to battydan)
    Re: JTV-59 and Bigsby B7

    Oops!  Just realized my typo in the subject line.  Make that JTV-59.

    • laelamiles Just Startin'
      laelamiles
      377 posts since
      Dec 7, 2010
      Currently Being Moderated
      Feb 3, 2011 10:32 AM (in response to battydan)
      Re: JTV-59 and Bigsby B7

      Just go with the 69.  You're swimming upstream with the 59.

      • battydan Just Startin'
        battydan
        7 posts since
        Nov 19, 2006
        Currently Being Moderated
        Feb 4, 2011 3:39 PM (in response to laelamiles)
        Re: JTV-59 and Bigsby B7

        I'm hoping that by the time the JTVs start showing up in retail stores, that they'll have the issue with the pickup switch, plus any other glitches that turn up with the 59, sorted out.  I've been playing a Variax 600 for a few years now, so I don't need to be sold on the modelling concept.  It's still serving me well, but some of the new features of the Tyler combined with its overall higher quality really have me considering an upgrade.  Also, I love the modelled Strat sounds of the 600, but am not so thrilled with the Les Paul Standard.  That's why I'm really curious about how the mag pickups sound on the JTV-59.

         

        Dan

        • laelamiles Just Startin'
          laelamiles
          377 posts since
          Dec 7, 2010
          Currently Being Moderated
          Feb 4, 2011 6:09 PM (in response to battydan)
          Re: JTV-59 and Bigsby B7

          The mag pickups sounded very similar to the Lester model to me.

           

          I felt they were unremarkable as far as pickups go.  Fine but unremarkable... especially based on my memory of what the last Agile I had sounded like.

           

          I'm considering replacing the pickups with duncans, but I need a few weeks of play time with the 59 again before making the final decision...

  • Crusty_Old_Rocker Expert Line 6 User
    Crusty_Old_Rocker
    3,096 posts since
    Jan 24, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 5, 2011 2:48 AM (in response to battydan)
    Re: JTV-58 and Bigsby B7

    You will get a terrible result with the modelled guitar tones.

     

    The reason is the piezo pickups in the bridge saddles.  When operating a Bigsby trem, the strings actually move over the bridge saddles.  With magnetic pickups this works fine but having a string physically rubbing itself against a piezo pickup is going to be heard and the sound will be very loud and very nasty.

     

    I would suggest you look at the Stetsbar bridge.  http://stetsbar.com/

     

    Cheers,

     

    Crusty

  • Crusty_Old_Rocker Expert Line 6 User
    Crusty_Old_Rocker
    3,096 posts since
    Jan 24, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 5, 2011 2:50 AM (in response to battydan)
    Re: JTV-58 and Bigsby B7

    Just keep in mind that any modification including swapping out pickups could impact your warranty.

     

    Cheers,

     

    Crusty

  • shaker Just Startin'
    shaker
    7 posts since
    Jan 24, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    May 24, 2012 3:27 AM (in response to battydan)
    Re: JTV-58 and Bigsby B7

    I know where you're coming from Dan, the JTV59 definately needs a Bigsby!! I hate the look of the other 2 models

  • anthonylee Just Startin'
    anthonylee
    8 posts since
    Oct 14, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jan 3, 2013 8:56 AM (in response to battydan)
    Re: JTV-58 and Bigsby B7

    I installed a Bigsby B7 on the JTV 59 It Fits right to the tyler tailpice with one slight problem the Bigsby on theright side has a front screw and it's to thick so just took of a few milileters with a dremil nice 15 minutes work till it slides under the tailpice. screw the straplock to hold the B7 string it and no problem.
    No problems with the Models and great when using as normal electric guitar with shaller locking tuning machine heads
    Gibson Burstbucker Pro Neck HumbuckerIM59A-NH
    http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n528/Anthonylee2010/DSC09205_zps75ba3119.jpg

     

    http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n528/Anthonylee2010/DSC09201_zps46949e4c.jpg

    • michaelfleming1 Just Startin'
      michaelfleming1
      2 posts since
      Dec 25, 2011
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jan 20, 2013 12:48 PM (in response to anthonylee)
      Re: JTV-58 and Bigsby B7

      Sweet with the Bigsby !!!

    • toasterdude Just Startin'
      toasterdude
      745 posts since
      Oct 23, 2006
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jan 26, 2013 1:10 PM (in response to anthonylee)
      Re: JTV-58 and Bigsby B7

      Killer! I was looking into putting a bigsby on a JTV or an xplant but sort of dropped it after reading comments that said it would not work. I think Johnay did a bigsby on an older variax.

       

      Looks killer as well!!!!! Congrats.

      • anthonylee Just Startin'
        anthonylee
        8 posts since
        Oct 14, 2010
        Currently Being Moderated
        Jan 27, 2013 5:43 AM (in response to toasterdude)
        Re: JTV-58 and Bigsby B7

        Thanks

        Got the bigsby B7, a month ago. Because this is a Variax modeler Guitar wasn't sure if it wouldnt **** up the guitar . but it came out GREAT!!!

        Changed the pickup's. The G&B Pickup's are O.K - the same that they put on the PRS (same factory).  But i wanted character. So changed the Neck to a Gibson Burstbucker Pro Neck Humbucker IM59A-NH  & in the Bridge a Seymour Duncan custom custom SH 11.(not in Photo,Yet.) & Schaller Locking tuners.
        NOW ITS A GREAT GUITAR.

        • Krontab Just Startin'
          Krontab
          201 posts since
          Mar 15, 2006
          Currently Being Moderated
          Jan 27, 2013 7:17 AM (in response to anthonylee)
          Re: JTV-58 and Bigsby B7

          The guitar looks great! Without a roller bridge is their potential to wear down the piezo sensors and does it stay in tune with all of the friction points on the Tyler bridge?

        • toasterdude Just Startin'
          toasterdude
          745 posts since
          Oct 23, 2006
          Currently Being Moderated
          Jan 29, 2013 6:01 PM (in response to anthonylee)
          Re: JTV-58 and Bigsby B7

          anthonylee wrote:

           

          Thanks

          Got the bigsby B7, a month ago. Because this is a Variax modeler Guitar wasn't sure if it wouldnt **** up the guitar . but it came out GREAT!!!

          Changed the pickup's. The G&B Pickup's are O.K - the same that they put on the PRS (same factory).  But i wanted character. So changed the Neck to a Gibson Burstbucker Pro Neck Humbucker IM59A-NH  & in the Bridge a Seymour Duncan custom custom SH 11.(not in Photo,Yet.) & Schaller Locking tuners.
          NOW ITS A GREAT GUITAR.

          Since I am doing xplants of all my JTV 59s I will have 3 gutless bodies left over. Maybe I will slap a B7 on one of  those first to see how I dig it. The one that is currently gutless and at home is TSB like yours. Looks great!

           

          All of my JTVs and xplants have Prails in em and planet wave locking tuners. I use mags and models at the same time on every patch so need versatility. P Rails are great at versatility. If I was going with just 2 humbuckers I would go lollar or WCRs.

           

          I wish line 6 was less against customizing. These guitars rock and warrant being in a more unique axe. Life would be boring if we all liked the same body, finish, neck, pickups, tuners etc.

           

          The next xplant to be finished is a LP from warmoth in purple flame top, with pearloid binding, pearloid p rails etc etc etc.

          I did see a straight warmoth LP and neck on ebay and damn near bought it to do a bigsby LP. I am torn between doing that, which would require buying another donor guitar to raid the guts from, or just getting a goldtop p90 version and slapping a bigsby on that puppy.

           

          I wonder what a tele with JTV guts and bigsby would be like. I have some older lrbaggs bridges or could buy a graphtec one. I guess they would work with a bigsby. Time to do some research.

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