Bigsby On AS-200

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Author 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?   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 ??   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.   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?   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.   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   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   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.   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.

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