Bigsby On AS-200 Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Edit Profile

Ibanez Collectors World » Vintage & Custom Electrics (1970s Only) » Bigsby On AS-200 « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Shel
Username: Shel

Registered: 03-2003
Posted on Sunday, October 02, 2005 - 10:54 pm:   

Hi Everyone,
I'd like your opinions on whether or not to put a Bigsby on my '81 AS-200 or '76 SA-400 with a trapeze tailpiece. Am I affecting the guitar's playability,
desirability or value?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Bigmike
Username: Bigmike

Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Sunday, October 02, 2005 - 11:50 pm:   

Well as my guitar tech always chides me: If you modify the guitar in any way you do reduce it's resale value to someone that is looking for an "original" guitar. Gotta figure that sooner or later you will likely sell it (if guys would stop and think of all the guitars they've had over the years and then sold to get something else I think I could get a lot of "Amen BigMike" answers).

Doesn't the AS-200 have a stop tailpiece ?? I'd think you get better tone with a stop tailpiece... Right ??
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Johns
Username: Johns

Registered: 02-2001
Posted on Monday, October 03, 2005 - 8:37 am:   

Shel:

Anytime you modify a guitar, in an irreversible manner (including extra screw holes), you are going to affect it's desirabilty and value. Both of your guitars are desirable to collectors and players. The '81 AS200 is hot right now and will continue to be so, because of it's connection to John Scofield. I own two AS200s and would NOT modify them, at all.

The SA-400 may not be as popular as the AS200, but it is of great interest to Ibanez junkies. Collectors would consider it a shame if it was irreversibly modified.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Guitartim
Username: Guitartim

Registered: 04-2001
Posted on Monday, October 03, 2005 - 12:14 pm:   

Another vote 'NO' to the Bigsby add-on question.

I'm not aware of any of the AS models ever having a Bigsby option. So my concern would be with the structural integrity to the guitar's top once a heavy steel whammy is installed, and the pressures onto the laminated top as it is used.

Rather than deal with all of the potential negatives, why not look for an inexpensive alternative...such as an Epiphone Casino or Sheraton with factory installed Bigsby?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Bobzilla
Username: Bobzilla

Registered: 02-2005
Posted on Monday, October 03, 2005 - 12:29 pm:   

DO NOT put that thing on there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get another guitar that already has one.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Mr_roadstar
Username: Mr_roadstar

Registered: 06-2002
Posted on Tuesday, October 04, 2005 - 3:27 am:   

Shel,

It's your guitar. Do with it what you please. As for the Bigsby installation, it a "zero modification" item for many trapeze tailpiece replacements. There are many differnt Bigsby models. Make sure you get the one best suited for your application.

Steve
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Munch
Username: Munch

Registered: 02-2001
Posted on Saturday, October 08, 2005 - 6:20 pm:   

Hi,

AS200's do not have a trapeze tailpiece so if you proceed with the modification you will end up with additonal screw holes in the guitar.

I wouldn't do it. A better option would be to get yourself one of the new Gretsch Electromatic Projets with bigsby.

Cheers,

Mark
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Bobzilla
Username: Bobzilla

Registered: 02-2005
Posted on Monday, October 10, 2005 - 5:17 pm:   

p.s. - if you plan on keeping the guitar for the rest of your life, go ahead then, mutilate it. But you surely will find, if you ever try to sell it in the future, that you have DRASTICALLY reduced the value of your guitar. Matter of fact, there's a guy who has one on his, he's tried to sell it at least 3x that I've seen with my own eyes, and quite recently. Never a bid. Not one. Why??? You know why.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Shel
Username: Shel

Registered: 03-2003
Posted on Friday, October 14, 2005 - 12:31 am:   

Thanks for the useful feedback, everyone. I'm awaiting delivery of the sa-400, with a trapeze tailpiece. That's the one I'd most consider modifying, but I will think it over 10x before I do so. The as-200 is one I've had since
I bought it new in "81, so I'm not going to do anything major to it.

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Bold text Italics Underline Create a hyperlink Insert a clipart image

Username: Posting Information:
This is a private posting area. Only registered users and moderators may post messages here.
Password:
Options: Post as "Anonymous"
Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:


Thank you for supporting Ibanez Collectors Forum. Please help your favorite Ibanez guitar site as we endeavor to bring you the latest information about Ibanez custom vintage electric and acoustic guitars. Here you can discuss ibanez, guitars, basses, acoustics, acoustic, mandolins, electric guitar, electric bass, amplifiers, effect pedals, tuners, picks, pickups.