Bigsby
Paul Bigsby's vibrato tailpiece arrived in the early 1950s and solved a problem nobody else had cracked: gentle, musical pitch wobble on a guitar that stayed in tune afterwards. The design barely changed. Seventy years on it is still specified by Gibson, Gretsch, Epiphone and Fender on everything from ES-330 reissues to Squier's Paranormal series, which is exactly how it appears in our archive — rarely as the headline, almost always as the detail that makes a hollowbody or a semi worth writing about.
Gretsch Unveils the Limited Edition G6134T-58 Penguin in Stunning Light Blue Pearl
Gretsch's Limited Edition G6134T-58 Penguin in Light Blue Pearl delivers late-50s authenticity with FilterTron tone and Bigsby vibrato. $3,799.99.
- Vibrato tailpieces
- Guitar hardware
- B3
- B5
- B7
- B12
- B16
- B50
Bigsby news
All Bigsby articles →
Bigsby deals
All deals →
Keep up with Bigsby.
Leaks, deals and reviews in your inbox, once a week. No spam, just gear.
Bigsby FAQ4 questions
What does a Bigsby do?
It is a vibrato tailpiece that gives a shallow, gentle pitch wobble rather than the deep dives of a locking trem. The range of movement is small by design, and that subtlety is precisely what people want it for, particularly in rockabilly, country and jangly indie.
What is the difference between a B5 and a B7?
Mostly the guitar they are designed for. The B7 has a tension bar and is intended for arched top instruments such as a Les Paul or an ES-335; the B5 is the flat top version used on solidbodies like a Telecaster. Fitting the wrong one causes string break angle problems.
Does a Bigsby make a guitar go out of tune?
It can, but usually the culprit is the nut rather than the Bigsby itself. Strings binding in the nut slots is the most common cause, so a well cut nut, a graphite lubricant and properly wound tuner posts fix most complaints.
Who owns Bigsby?
Bigsby has been owned by Fender Musical Instruments Corporation since January 2019, when it was acquired from Gretsch. Paul Bigsby built the original in 1951.