urgent !need help , wrong bridge for wrong bigsby?

[magicpauley73]

Hi all !
basically i put a lovely Guild branded bigsby ( without tension bar) on my starfire 4 , I realise they usually came with the other type of tremolo ( with tension bar ),
hence i haven't much down-force over the roller bridge ( muller , I think) , and it moves too easily , but is there any way i can make it playable , or i will have to put the harp tailpiece back on and sell it to buy something more suitable , i was thinking if anyone had a starfire 3 or 2 with or without trem , or even a X170 rockabilly to trade , i would rather stay with guild if at all possible !

 

[Jeff Haddad]

Unfortunately, you might be SOL as the break angle over the bridge from the Bigsby is too shallow as you've discovered. The SF V and SF VI came with the tension bar as seen here:

http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/guildStarfire5.php

With a semi-hollow you can screw down the Bigsby with tension bar to hold it in place.

 

[magicpauley73]

oh well , i like them without the bar , so they bounce better , especally for rockabilly stuff ! also i didn't fancy making any irrervisble holes in the body that i would have to do with the tension bar type !
I might be on the look out for a starfire 3 , i can keep the bigsby and put it on a 3 , and put the old harp tail back on .
If ther's anyone who fancies an original '73 starfire 4 in cherry as a direct trade if at all possible , my starfire is worth at least $ 1000-1300 i reckon and sounds the nuts!

 

[Jeff Haddad]

Good decision not to put any holes in the guitar. That sounds like a nice one; can't help you on the trades though.

SF III already comes with a Bigsby, the SF II does not.

 

[magicpauley73]

i've kinda decided i 'll et rid of my strat, i don't play it much , and when i do , iend up going back to the semi as the neck is better and the sound is full and fruity!
I might get another guild (x160 rockabilly , or SF 3 or a gretsch anniversary or similar , i like the two tone green one , makes a change from all the setzer 6120 wannabes!
see how much i get for the strat first