I bought a 2005 Nashville Classic

[Ray Bohlken]

I found a 2005 Nashville Classic at a Guitar Center for $1599 the other day. I surf the net endlessly looking for things like this. I called and ordered it and it came yesterday and it and the case are in mint condition. I played it for quite awhile and the neck is just perfect for me. I also have a Gibson Tennessean, which has the same size neck, so it really fit my hands. It has a stationary Bigsby and I think I am going to like that. It is right by my hand when I play. It has a great tone and I just can't say enough good things about the guitar's neck and pickup tone and the great finish with all of the figuring. Color me happy!
Ray

[Norm]

The thing about stationary handles...once you understand the reason for it, it's just a matter of getting used to having it there. It's no big ordeal unless you do a lot of sweeping strums.

Having said that, when I see some people on YouTube copying Chet tunes they seem to avoid using the Bigsby at all or maybe just giving it a very light downward push at the end. When young Chet heard about the Vib-Rola he immediately knew it was something he wanted and from 1945 onward it figured heavily in his playing. I use mine intuitively much like he did... a quick quiver at the end of any extended note, just like a singer does whith their voice. To me it seems the natural thing to do after years of doing it. I remember craving my first Gretsch. Not so much that it was like Chet's but becauseit had a Bigsby and I knew what it was about. Getting used to my first starionary handle only took me a day because, again I knew why I wanted it.

blah blah
congrats on the buy!

[Tom Workman]

Congratulations, Ray... I'm happy for you. I got a 2006 model one year ago that was also in mint condition and just love it. I'm curious as to what amp you're using with it? -Tom W.

[Ray Bohlken]

Tom, I use a Crate GX 50 TT like this one:

http://www.activemusician.com/Crate-Int ... -t101i3708

I think they are a discontinued product. I really enjoy it and it has two sets of controls so I can my buddies and I can play together.

Norm, the fixed Bigsby seems to be working out. I have a "normal" Bigsby arm installed on a Les Paul and I kind of like that, too, but the position of the fixed arm is right where I want it. On my Tennessean, I have a Les Trem installed, which uses a spring mechanism and gives a similar sound and feel to the Bigsby. I play that one the most, so right now it is what I am used to.
I am having a ball playing this guitar.
Ray

Link to Les Trem photos
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/i ... em+tremolo