PRS Starla Bigsby Help

[GavQuinn]

Hey guys, :hello:

I'm looking at a Starla I'm thinking to buy, but I only will if I can disable the bigsby.

Now, I know that the spring can be removed, but will the string tension not pull the arm onto the top without it? Will the arm still be able to move? I'm not considering putting a stoptail on, that would be too far for me, and I won't do that.

If anyone can shed light onto how to do this reversible modification with the spring/arm removal, and if it really does work 100%, then please advise?

Pictures will be very helpful and appreciated..

Gav

 

[carpincowboy]

After a quick google search
You get a piece of copper pipe. Cut it and sqaure it and insert where the spring goes.
You could also use a telecaster style knob. Hope this helps

 

[GavQuinn]

Thanks for the reply!

I bought a used Starla today, and it's amazing, it's really the only USA PRS that I can realistically afford, even used, but that's alright. My SE Singlecut got me into PRS outright. I'm very happy with it, it plays better than any of the VOS Gibson guitars I've played, which are the price of a decent car. Funny that.

Anyway, I loosened the strings, pulled the arm back all the way, then pulled out the spring. the string tension pulls the arm's pivot point onto the trem's roller, and holds it there. Then I just tuned up, and it's perfect.

Most important, it's totally reversible, I may even try the trem next time I change the strings, but I don't think that I'll gravitate towards it. The techs in the store were telling me to drill out the body to take a tune-o-matic tailpiece. :goodnight: They weren't really seeing how I didn't wanna cut into a perfectly good expensive guitar. Shows how some tech's aren't actually really worth listening to, if you think you know better, SOMETIMES you are. This technique works perfectly, is free, takes >10mins and is totally reversible. :top:

 

[strat63]

Tuning stability can be a bit difficult with a Bigsby but it is so worth it. They can be so much fun to play with. In case you didn't know, pictures are necessary when you get a new guitar. Can't wait to see your Starla. Enjoy!

 

[AaeCee]

Just a thought.....

Although you say you don't use the trem, Bigsby's stay put like few others when you're not using them. They're nearly as stable as a hard tail, unless of course you hit the arm. I also have a Starla with a Bigsby (they just look so good with them after all!) and rarely use it, but it's still nice to have the option.

 

[Mikegarveyblues]

Congrats on the Starla and welcome!

 

[Mnoble]

There is a Starla stop tail. Get that. I have the Starla with the Bigsby. Never had one before. I love it. If you don't, the stop tail is for you.

 

[AP515]

There is a Starla stop tail. Get that. I have the Starla with the Bigsby. Never had one before. I love it. If you don't, the stop tail is for you.

Bad photo, but here's the stoptail...

Starlas are fun guitars

 

[GavQuinn]

Nice stoptail, If I had more money to spend then maybe I can consider buying another?


:wink:



:goodnight:

Yeah, the string tension pulls the arm down onto the main bridge mast, so it's effectively hardtailed.

And it's reversible, but a thicker, stiffer spring is a must. The guitar vibes well with the arm, but it don't always tune back to E, but never all outta tune. Confusing and annoying. A thicker spring would put more backwards tension there and be stiffer feeling, plus floatier and nicer.

Amazing mahogany honk, rosewood, classic setup. Bridge humbucker is a bit weak of output, a Classic '57 or '59 would be nicer, and have more bottom end maybe. Neck pickup amazing, coil tap is great. Effortless to play, but not like a strat to me, defo feeling closer to a singlecut SG type. Sustain.... Rocker.

 

[GavQuinn]

I'm not sure if these pictures are allowed yet, maybe I'm still too new?

Anyway, this is my much used and gigged Starla, I use 80% of the time in studio, live, all kinds of sessions. It's great, the bigsby is disabled, by removing the spring, it's totally reversible, but I don't use a trem, so it stays like this. The bridge pup is a JB, it's perfect, gave the tone much more fullness, and bottom end, which the original was lacking big time. Still got the coil split or tap, whichever is correct today. :wink: The tone knob is a Gibson style speedknob, as it's bigger, easier to grab, quicker to split the coil. That makes a difference live, trust me. Eventually, I'd like to cover the JB, and put ivory surrounds on the pups, but I don't know if it'll fit the neck pup. I think they'd look cool.

I also had a 25th ann CU24, all mahogany. I also currently have a see through black sc250, but this is the best PRS in my opinion. I prefer the look of the DC models, but in using and playing, I seem to go to the SC models time and again, I just prefer them for some reason.

Thanks for the view, and forgive the late reply!