Frequensator - I do not get it

[SamBooka]

Which might explain the Howard Roberts finger TP

[ruger9]

i don't get it?..which is it?...is it your post that the bigsby overtones drive you nuts or your post that bigsby with 11's is no problem??..

as i said..they work with tweaks...brian setzer eventually had tv jones as his tech!!!

but the original design by the great paul bigsby was based on heavy strings..they were invented when heavy strings were the only choice!!

no denying fact!

never said it couldnt be made to work..in fact i said it could!!!...just pointing out historical fact!!

cheers

2 different issues:

1) I was pointing out that Bigsbys also have the overtone problem. It has nothing to do with string gauge.

2) I was reporting that heavy strings are not required (nor is any "tweaking") to get them to function with lighter gauge strings. As long the nut is cut properly (and preferably, lubed), the Bigsby stays in tune as well as a "regular" (Fender) tremolo.

The "historical fact" that it was designed when heavier strings were used is not germane to either overtones or tuning, that's all.

[SamBooka]

BTW if you go to almost any hobby shop you can get brass rod for a couple of bucks. if you have a shop vise, an 8-32 or 10-32 die (a couple of bucks on amazon) and something to cut with (dremel, hacksaw, mill file .. just about anything will cut brass) you can make your own custom length forks in about 15 minutes.

I replaced mine (90s Korean Epi) to make the bass side shorter. I did that maybe 8 years ago and it still looks great. Even the brass hasnt tarninshed much!

[Danny W.]

since a thinline emperor is one of my irrational dream guitars, i now need to know everything about it, including how you dealt with a giant guitar as a non-giant person.

I've owned a number of 18" guitars, but I was never comfortable playing any of them.

Danny W.

[feet]

well, that's just great. especially considering my other irrational dream guitar was a hofner committee, also of the 18" variety. i've been smart (?) enough not to buy one yet, because of the size (and age, and price) concerns. but i have a byrdland that i just love and that gives me irrational hope. i want to believe that the thinline makes the 18" possible, but i should know better.

that aside, how was it? i love minis and i was always curious about them in a hollowbody. seems like a great idea, but you never see it. must be a reason why. though i'd prefer just two pickups. middle pickups scare me. also don't hate the knobs but think the old push button ones look really cool in a possibly dumb way.

[neatomic]

2 different issues:

1) I was pointing out that Bigsbys also have the overtone problem. It has nothing to do with string gauge.

2) I was reporting that heavy strings are not required (nor is any "tweaking") to get them to function with lighter gauge strings. As long the nut is cut properly (and preferably, lubed), the Bigsby stays in tune as well as a "regular" (Fender) tremolo.

The "historical fact" that it was designed when heavier strings were used is not germane to either overtones or tuning, that's all.

not at all accurate....string gauge does indeed have something to do with the overtone problem between bigsby and bridge...its all about tension and angles!

secondly, there are now quite a few different types of bigsby springs available...both length and thickness...this is exactly to accomodate different modern string tensions...

also neck angle & bigsbys comes into play...why a tele with a B16 bigsby needs a big neck pocket shim, etc etc

everything matters when it comes to guitars... whether you choose to pay attention to the smallest details is your prerogative...but please don't deny those that do...precisely why there are pro techs out here!



cheers

ps- for instance, are you aware that as late as 1969 all fender electric guitars came with pure nickel 12-52's?? 1969!!..that means hendrix was getting his strats with 12's!!..the trems were set up for 12's!!...

[ruger9]

not at all accurate....string gauge does indeed have something to do with the overtone problem between bigsby and bridge...its all about tension and angles!

secondly, there are now quite a few different types of bigsby springs available...both length and thickness...this is exactly to accomodate different modern string tensions...

also neck angle & bigsbys comes into play...why a tele with a B16 bigsby needs a big neck pocket shim, etc etc

everything matters when it comes to guitars... whether you choose to pay attention to the smallest details is your prerogative...but please don't deny those that do...precisely why there are pro techs out here!



cheers

ps- for instance, are you aware that as late as 1969 all fender electric guitars came with pure nickel 12-52's?? 1969!!..that means hendrix was getting his strats with 12's!!..the trems were set up for 12's!!...

[entresz]

I have a Frequensator on my 1983 Epiphone Emperor F.
It's not a nuisance in any way, but aesthetically I'd much rather a ES-175 or ES-350 style tailpiece. I haven't encountered a set of strings yet that didn't make it to the tuner.
Johnny Smith actually used two of the 'long' forks on his Epi Emperor "Concert".

[sgosnell]

I have a full-depth (3.5") 18" archtop, and though I'm not large, I can play it with relative comfort. But only in the Freddie Green style, tilted 45 degrees or more back. I can't play it with it positioned vertically because it's just too big. Tilted back, it's ok. But my 14.5" Bambino is way, way more comfortable.

[LtKojak]

Forget the frequensator; this is the non plus ultra of all tailpeces known to mankind. (Does it show that I'm a fan? LOL!)



As with all good things, it's NOT cheap, and it's made in Germany. Built to last at least two lifetimes. Really!

[feet]

I have a full-depth (3.5") 18" archtop, and though I'm not large, I can play it with relative comfort. But only in the Freddie Green style, tilted 45 degrees or more back. I can't play it with it positioned vertically because it's just too big. Tilted back, it's ok. But my 14.5" Bambino is way, way more comfortable.

to complicate matters further, I play on the classical position (but I play standing a lot, too). I also have horrible posture on the couch and often lean back. I wonder if any of those factors would help me.

I sometimes tilt back as you note, but it's weird on my wrist and limits what I can do cleanly and easily.

and if we are talking handsome tailpieces ( that still ring), it's going to be hard to beat this one:

[BeBob]

I have two guitars with the frequensator. I haven't noticed any of these problems. They haven't been a PITA or an issue of any kind. The guitars they are on play and sound wonderful, but I can't attribute it to the frequensator as far as I know. Maybe I"m doing something wrong here, but my frequensator equipped Epiphones are fine.

Are you referring to vintage Epiphones or the more recent ones?

I haven't experienced these problems either -- but then my point of reference is a modern (1990s) laminate top Korean Epiphone. I wouldn't expect the laminate top guitars to exhibit this problem, though I think it might be more likely to be an artifact on vintage carved Epis. They do sound different.