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Alembic Club » Dreaming... for now » Archive through December 22, 2006 » Bigsby style vibrato « Previous Next »

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pace
Advanced Member
Username: pace

Post Number: 291
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Friday, December 15, 2006 - 1:22 am:   Edit Post

Im just curious if Alembic ever fooled around with the idea of milling a big brass vibrato unit~ ala Bigsby?!??

I know Alembic offers Flyod's, Khaler's, and Wilkinson's (never actually seen one on a 'bic).... Although the Bigsby design is far more subtle than any of the former, something of that nature wouldnt require any routing, and I imagine would add quite a bit of sustain... who cares if you cant do dive bombs?!??!?

Just a thought.... I figured a mustache or bird styled brass "Bigsby" would be something else!
adriaan
Senior Member
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 1188
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, December 15, 2006 - 2:15 am:   Edit Post

Both John Entwistle and Stanley Clarke had Bigsby-equipped Alembics.

Not sure that the big spring and the semi-tightened arm won't cost you any sustain you might gain from the additional mass.
kmh364
Senior Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 2055
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Friday, December 15, 2006 - 5:05 am:   Edit Post

FWIW, my luthier hates 'em. Actually he hates all vibrato's. He says when he gets a Bigsby, new or "used", he has to rebuild 'em from scratch because of all the slop in them. He's anal about everything, so I don't doubt him.

Personally, I've got two Fender Strats with the Fender whammy and Two Jackson/Floyd-equipped Charvels, and none of 'em stays or plays in tune for long (my Alembic basses are all hard-tails).

Just my $0.02.

Cheers,

Kevin
pace
Advanced Member
Username: pace

Post Number: 292
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Friday, December 15, 2006 - 1:40 pm:   Edit Post

I remember seeing a Bigsby on one of Stanley's basses, but not JE.... that's nice to know.

Im well aware of the inherent "slop" of an original Bigsby, and I would cringe at the thought of having an OEM Bigsby on an Alembic. But, with that said, I feel it's a design which could easily be improved upon by the folks in Santa Rosa~ just look at their take on the Tune-O-Matic!!!!!
bigideas
Intermediate Member
Username: bigideas

Post Number: 106
Registered: 1-2004
Posted on Friday, December 15, 2006 - 2:36 pm:   Edit Post

what about a Stetsbar collaboration?
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 1883
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Friday, December 15, 2006 - 3:00 pm:   Edit Post

"Stetsbar collaboration"

Isn't that what happens in watering holes all over Texas on Saturday nights - usually involving cowboys and long necks?

Bill, tgo
bigideas
Intermediate Member
Username: bigideas

Post Number: 107
Registered: 1-2004
Posted on Saturday, December 16, 2006 - 8:20 am:   Edit Post

No, that would be a Stetson/Bar collaboration. I believe it happens all over Alberta on the weekends as well.

I mean the Stetsbar tremolo.

(Message edited by bigideas on December 16, 2006)
pace
Advanced Member
Username: pace

Post Number: 294
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Saturday, December 16, 2006 - 10:12 am:   Edit Post

Thanks for that link Matt. I saw a similar unit a while ago (has Stetsbar been around for 15 years?), and I always thought that it would be a nice mod to my Firebird...
byoung
Senior Member
Username: byoung

Post Number: 446
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Saturday, December 16, 2006 - 5:27 pm:   Edit Post

A nice mod to my Firebird would be a new engine.

Like a 432CI twin turbo LS6. Sadly, she's going to a new home today. Besides, I bought an Alembic, which cost almost as much as the engine would've.

Bradley
PS- you did mean the car, right? :-)
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 1890
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Saturday, December 16, 2006 - 8:12 pm:   Edit Post

LS6 - that was a Gibson, right?

Bill, tgo
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 4635
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, December 17, 2006 - 6:02 pm:   Edit Post

There are some pics of Alembics with Bigsbys here.

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