Gretsch Country Gentleman 2009 Frets

[Mike Nye]

If the bearing lubrication is not immediately addressed, the STUCK hardened bearing needles will eventually wear flat and gouge spots in the axis shaft.

Also, if you really want to stay DEAD NUTZ IN TUNE with a Bigsby, you should consider a locking nut . . .

[Norm]

Be that as it may but you first need to take all the strings off and rotate the string bar with your fingers to get a feel to were the problem is. The bit I mentioned about the main bearings being out of alignment was from a discussion I had with Micah Yandell telling me how his daddy sometimes had to "tweak" a Bigsby.

True the bearings could be dry but it doesn't take much error in a drilling to make a part not quite fit right. I had to send one statironary bracket back to Bigsby because it was just badly drilled. The first stationary bracket I got from PB himself didn't fit right and needed some sanding.

I'm just saying it isn't always lubricant that is the issue.

[Mike Nye]

Bigsbys are nothing more than a basic mechanical device. Nothing complicated about 'em at all, other than their tolerances are kept very close in order to maintain accuracy . . .

I'd assumed that this particular Bigsby hadn't always had a problem returning to pitch, at least Ted didn't word it as such. I've only seen one Bigsby that needed actual 'tweaking', (Tele that was dropped front-down onto a concrete floor) other than spring replacement/calibration & lubricating.

But, I've also read from posters here who had issues when changing from swivel to fixed type handles. I'm sure the days of hand-fitting everything prior to shipment, as did PA, are long since gone . . .

I've had alotta 'em apart over the years regarding this problem, and it's always been a case of either caked-up grease, rust/corrosion from perspiration, flaked-off plating fragments, build-up from overzealous use of guitar polish or all four causing the bearing's needles to seize, causing excessive wear or even galling of the axis shaft (inner race) if not addressed.

In the case of rust/corrosion, I'd recommend replacing both needle bearing cages. They're cheap, most bearing houses have 'em in stock, and they press out & in fairly easy. Also, if the axis shaft shows any sign of galling, order a replacement. If there's any wear or galling, REPLACE the axis shaft & both bearings, or you'll be doing the job over again if you don't.

FYI - The axis shaft's plating always shows some visual signs of wear, which has no bearing (no pun intended) on it's operation, so feel it with your fingers prior to condemning it. If you can't feel it -its OK ! ! !

If you do need to replace the axis shaft, you might consider a stainless one, as there's no issues with plating flaking off and jamming the needle in the bearing cage/outer race . . .

Either way -pack the bearing cages with silicone grease ! ! !

[BillB]

Mobil 1 does make a synthetic grease. I wonder if maybe that's what they are using.

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/Mot ... rease.aspx

Bill B.

[RandeDager]

Hey Bill !

I remember Chet introducing his guitar as an "electric guitar, as opposed to a gas guitar because it burns cleaner".
Maybe you have a point with the Mobil 1.......lol.

[Norm]

Be sure to report back on whatever you needed to do to get the Bigsby working right.

[Mike Nye]

Mobil 1 does make a synthetic grease. I wonder if maybe that's what they are using.

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/Mot ... rease.aspx

Bill B.

Just about every oil company's making a synthetic grease these days, and a tube sells for about $15-20 . . .

The stuff I reccomend comes in a small cup, like a camera lense filter, and sells for about $3.50 -enough to lube at least 10 or so Bigsbys. It also makes old, well-used, Grover Imperials work like silk again.

[Joeb]

Somebody just ripped you off if they said that a guitar made in 2009 needs new frets already I have a 1960 ES345 Gibson stereo that I used almost every day since I've own it since back in 1967 and I'm the second owner of it since it was made in 1960. I'll will admit it now needs a complete fret job but that's 52 years of playing out in clubs and home studio time. It stills plays like a dream with no flat or sharp tunings because of the frets. I also have a Nashville classic 2006 and play it everyday for a couple hours a day and my frets are brand new that's already 6 years of constant daily playing time on it. I hope you didn't fall for that phony story about the frets on your 2009 guitar.The only way the frets could need a fret job is that they where installed with faulty workmen ship at the factory. Just my take on this matter.All the best joe b

[Mike Nye]

Fret wire isn't all that hard compared to some of today's guitar strings, add aggressive playing styles and you have a trainwreck of metal on metal ! ! !

Anyone here ever use those German Maxima Gold-plated Strings; they'll tear up any fret fast, unless you play with an extremely light touch on an instrument with really low action . . .

[Ted Carroll]

They just called me and told me the guitar is ready he said the needle bearings were are gumed up and that it was working good and that the guitar played very good he said "I think your going to be very pleased" I will let you know tomorrow. Ted