Add Bigsby B5 to Standard Tele or hold out for 60s Custom Tele w/Bigsby?

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Unsprung

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At Musician's Friend, the Fender Standard Telecaster is priced at $399.99, while the Fender 60s Custom Tele with Bigsby is priced at $879.99. I'm already planning to buy a Bigsby B5 ($99.99 @ Musician's Friend), to add to my Epiphone Les Paul Jr. 90 (that I've ordered Gibson upgrade parts for), and after poking around at the Fender and WD Music web sites, earlier today, I realized that the Bigsby B5 that I'll be adding to my Epi is the SAME Bigsby used on the Fender 60s Custom Tele.

I figure if I buy another Fender Standard Telecaster, upgrade the hardware and pickups, and add a Bigsby B5, I should have a guitar every bit as good as the Fender 60s Custom Tele with Bigsby, but at half the price. I'm not sure what replacement pickups I'd go with, but I'll for sure upgrade the switching to 4-way, the same as I am with my 2005 model Standard Telecaster that's also getting a set of DiMarzio Twang King pickups.

In a way, this mode of thinking ain't all that far off, from when I posted the poll about modifying cheaper guitars, or buying exactly what ya want. In the case of my Epiphone Les Paul Jr. 90, I figure that with the Gibson upgrades, it'll sound every bit as good as a Gibson Les Paul Melody Maker (doubtfull it'd sound as good as a Gibson Les Paul Jr.), and I'm only adding the Bigsby for surf guitar stuff. I just don't really see me wanting to spend $879.99 for a guitar, when the most expensive Fender in my Musician's Friend Wish List (after the Fender 60s Custom Tele w/Bigsby) is $699.99 (several models).

Matt in Indiana
 
Standard Telecaster = Mexican
60's Telecaster = Japanese

I usually like the way the MIJ Fenders play better than the MIM ones. Make sure you try before you buy. Bigsby's are one the greatest things ever created.

Also, the 60's tele has body binding that I think really looks awesome on a Telecaster. I wish they made one with block inlays and a bound neck, that would be the sweetest.
 
60's RI has a nicer neck than the std.
As for pickups I've tryed the original Bill Lawrence, Texas Specials, ans SCN.
I did prefer the SCN until I tryed the BL is a new Fender tube amp and find
the BLs sound incredible thru it.
I'm a fan of hot rodding guitars but I would check and see what the RI has for pickups and tuners it might be worth spending a extra hundred to buy one with the Bigsby already installed. I bought a special edition MIM Ash tel and have about $800 into it and about 5 hours work into it.
 
So it may actually be worth the wait, to save up until I can buy the real deal Fender 60s Custom Telecaster, rather than modify a Standard into a look alike? Hopefully Guitar Center North, in Indianapolis, has a 60s Custom available, when I'm in Indy on November 6th. If they don't have a Peavey TransTube 258 EFX available, I'll have to try it through the next best, similarly configured combo. It's too bad my most local guitar source don't carry FMIC guitars, or I'd consider a lay-away, which happens to be 90 days, versus 30 days at GC.

Matt
 
Unsprung, I have a better ideal! why don't you order through American Musical Supply? They let you spread it out on 3 or 5 payments on a CC. I find them to be about the fastest shipping around these days. I use to go through MF but AMS is at least twice as fast getting it out the door these days.

It don't look like they have one at the moment but you might give them a call and see if they can get you one.
 
Make sure to try before you buy. That CIJ 60's Tele with the Bigsby is one of the heaviest guitars I've ever picked up. Sounded nice, but just way too heavy to gig with (at least the one I tried).
 
Your saying your main amp is a 258 efx little practice amp?

If so, you might wanna consider buying a new amp before spending any more cash on a guitar. imo, the amp is equally, if not more important than the guitar. they are two instruments.

Adam
 
wildflower soul said:
Stetsbar - www.stetsbar.com is a great alternative to bigsby
Click to expand...
I may look to go used, or try to "scare up" another 2005 model Standard Telecaster, as the Stetsbar costs nearly as much as a current Standard Tele. I guess I shouldn't complain, though...I just spent twice what I paid for my Epiphone Les Paul Jr. 90, for Gibson upgrades, so I'll stop sniveling, now, and just wait patiently until greenbacks and opportunity for another Tele happen to coincide. :) I do love their idea, however.

Matt
 
Matt-I believe you will also need a new bridge and bridge plate for the Tele to make this bigsby work for you. See the link to Elderly instruments, its shows what else is needed.
http://www.elderly.com/accessories/...r-and-reg;-bridge-plate-and-bridge--B5TBG.htm

------------------------Antone





Unsprung said:
At Musician's Friend, the Fender Standard Telecaster is priced at $399.99, while the Fender 60s Custom Tele with Bigsby is priced at $879.99. I'm already planning to buy a Bigsby B5 ($99.99 @ Musician's Friend), to add to my Epiphone Les Paul Jr. 90 (that I've ordered Gibson upgrade parts for), and after poking around at the Fender and WD Music web sites, earlier today, I realized that the Bigsby B5 that I'll be adding to my Epi is the SAME Bigsby used on the Fender 60s Custom Tele.

I figure if I buy another Fender Standard Telecaster, upgrade the hardware and pickups, and add a Bigsby B5, I should have a guitar every bit as good as the Fender 60s Custom Tele with Bigsby, but at half the price. I'm not sure what replacement pickups I'd go with, but I'll for sure upgrade the switching to 4-way, the same as I am with my 2005 model Standard Telecaster that's also getting a set of DiMarzio Twang King pickups.

In a way, this mode of thinking ain't all that far off, from when I posted the poll about modifying cheaper guitars, or buying exactly what ya want. In the case of my Epiphone Les Paul Jr. 90, I figure that with the Gibson upgrades, it'll sound every bit as good as a Gibson Les Paul Melody Maker (doubtfull it'd sound as good as a Gibson Les Paul Jr.), and I'm only adding the Bigsby for surf guitar stuff. I just don't really see me wanting to spend $879.99 for a guitar, when the most expensive Fender in my Musician's Friend Wish List (after the Fender 60s Custom Tele w/Bigsby) is $699.99 (several models).

Matt in Indiana
Click to expand...
 
Hey Matt

So when are you going to be in town?

I might try to be over there if the timing is right. You know about the Sam Ash, IRC and Reno's too, right?

If you're looking for something specific, I could call around. There are a several smaller stores around. I'll porbably be in Terre Haute this weekend, I could check at the GC there. If you're into used, they have a killer store there(well, it used to be, haven't been there in a long time, maybe I need an excuse), called the Music Shoppe.

Yes, Beason, I just recommended you. I can't believe it either. :p
 
Another thing to consider is that you will also need to shim the neck. I'd save up for the Bigsby Tele.
 
I've given up on the adding a Bigsby to a Telecaster idea, now that I'm trying to decide between an Ibanez Artcore AFS75T, or a Peavey JF-2 EXP.

Matt
 
Ohhhhhhhkaaaaaayyy....

whatever floats your boat.

Just for the record, not that surf isn't doable on a Tele, or an Artcore, I pretty much associate surf with single coil Strats. If what you wanted was a Tele, and the Bigsby was just for added versatility, then fine.

Just my .02


So, are ya still comin' to town?
 
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