Which Bigsby for 1966 starfire 2/3?

[chrisvienna]

Greetings from Vienna, Austria. I´m new to this site, and first time Guild owner (better late than never...). It´s a 1966 Starfire 3, which had a neck reset, new frets etc, and was converted from a B7 to a harp tailpiece - obviously a previous owner was not happy with the break angle and tried to fix it with a B7 (there´s 2 holes in the top now). I´d love to have a Bigsby on this guitar (I don´t mind if it says Guild or Bigsby); since I can´t find a vintage one, which would be the most vintage correct for this guitar - B3? B6? is one of those new Bigsbies built exactly like the vintage ones, as far as dimensions etc. are concerned? Or do I have to accept some differences (also arm length etc.)? Thanks for advice.

 

[jp]

Congratulations on becoming a vintage Guild owner! The Starfire III is a fun introduction. You're lucky to have gotten one that has already had a neck reset and a refret. The newer Guild Bigsbys--the licensed versions--are machined aluminum while the originals are sandcast. They used to be available new via the Guild website, but with the recent acquisition of Guild by Yamaha (actually Cordoba Music Group, Guild's parent company), Guild's website doesn't currently show spare parts. We hope they start listing soon again.

The Bigsby B6 is the common size for the Starfire if you don't mind a Bigsby branded vibrato. If you want an original U.S.-made "Guildsby" (also called a B2), they do pop up from time-to-time on Reverb and eBay. You might also try posting a want ad in the Buy, Sell, Want forum, however, you do need to have at least 50 posts before you can place an ad there. You can also check with Hans Moust through his website email to see if he has any spares.

Welcome to the forum, and post pics if you get a chance!

 

[Walter Broes]

A guild B6, or a Bigsby B6 with a short hinge

 

[chrisvienna]

Thanks for replies. OK, I guess I´ll look for a vintage Guildsby - you are saying the vintage ones were sandcast? The new Bigsby B6 as well? Only the licensed new Guildsby not? Thanks again.

 

[Walter Broes]

USA-made Bigsbies were and are still sandcast, licensed ones are CNC'd out of aluminium I think

 

[chrisvienna]

Thanks

 

[mavuser]

I think you may need a Guild branded B-6 specifically, but I am not an expert. check out this old thread-

1958 T100D bigsby b3 or b6?

I have a nice 58 T100. I'm thinking about installing a bigsby but i don't know if it should be the b3 or b6 type. i can buy a b3. The thing is I already have a bigsby bridge on it and the action is great with the bridge turned al the way down. Will there be enough tension on the strings with a...

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