Anyone install a Brigsby Vibrato on a Tele?
Not sure what to do with the bridge or to get a Vibramate so I don’t have to drill into the body.
It’s a cheap Squier tele but I’m emotionally attached:)
Thanks
A Bigsby and a Vibramate are going to be expensive enough that just getting one of the new Classic Vibes complete with a factory wiggle stick becomes an option.
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Interesting, that’s exactly my guitar! Lake Placid Blue only I have the mint green pick guard.
Probably the best option you suggest, thanks.
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I think any Tele looks out of place when fitted with a vibrato, sorry, just MHO, cheers HEC
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Hi Roch
I have added a Licensed Bigsby B50 to my Squier 50s Tele. I am very happy with it and it is totally stable tuning wise. In the states you can buy it here
Here are 2 photos of my install
There is a good description of the install made by Kris Barocsi one of Thomanns Techs
Discussing kind of barrel saddle bridge necessary
Discussing Modifications to bridge
If your guitar has a trditional bridge with notched barrel saddles this will work
If you can afford it the squier with preinstalled bigsby looks wonderfull. Teles with and without bigsbys are very different inntruments so maybe 2 guitars is the best way to go
It is also a good idea to slightly shim the neck to increase break angle over the saddles a bit like with jazzmasters and jaguars
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Will, good info thanks, I will definitely watch the videos. I’ve been on the Stu Mac site but didn’t see those. Glad you’re happy with the install.
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Hec, understand where you’re coming from but this is a project guitar and a big part of the decision for me is the lure of the history between Paul Brigsby and Leo Fender.
These two guys were friends and both designed instruments that have withstood the test of time for over 70 years. Lore holds that Paul Brigsby is the one that came up with the in line tuner design on the headstock that Leo eventually adopted and made famous.
For me it’s more a piece of history.
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Hi Roch yeah I really understand, its just when I look at them I can’t get the feel if you know what I mean, nothing wrong with doing it at all its just my feeling for a Tele best of luck my friend and I hope it goes well and would love to hear you play it cheers HEC
Hec, you did get me thinking 
I have a 51 vintage II Tele that I will never tinker with.
Take care
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Cool Roch cheers 
I think a Tele looks great with a bigsby, especially when it’s red or white (black or white scratchplate) 
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Looks good to me
Liven, quick question. Did you do the install?
Looks like you used the Vibramate kit which installs either no holes in the body.
I’m debating using the Vibramate and installing a nice upgraded bridge or just using the standard kit which includes the bridge and requires screwing the vibrato on the body.
Pros for the Vibramate is I can return the guitar to its original state if I decide to remove the vibrato.
Then I think what would Paul Brigsby and Leo Fender have done and that would be screw it directly onto the body!
Thanks
Those arent mine, I just got these off the internet!
I had one guitar with a bigsby but had it installed by somebody; I have no knowledge of howthe Vibramate works 
Anything with a Bigsby looks great! 
(Even if it’s not a ‘Bigsby’)
Hell, I even wanted a pedal I wouldn’t use, just because of the looks… 
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Nice!
Lieven, the Vibramate is basically an extension on the end of the Brigsby that wraps around the bottom of the guitar allowing you to secure the vibrato to the body using the strap pin on the bottom of the guitar.
It requires however swapping out the bridge plate because the top of the vibrato hooks onto the bridge plate. The pictures you sent seem to have that system.
The other option which is probably simpler is to simply screw the brigsby to the guitar, which is no big deal since there are already many plates, pick guards etc. screwed on the body. The reason I see for the Vibramate system is if you think you may one day remove the Brigsby, you won’t be left with holes to fill, or not. Some people don’t have an issue with that.
Where the water gets murky is the bridge. Because most teles are string through body, most articles I’ve read and videos I’ve watched state you have to replace the bridge to get the proper string angle to the Brigsby.
Probably tmi and I’m probably making more of this than need be 