Bigsby triple neck on ebay

Jack Mansfield · Post by **Jack Mansfield** » 21 Feb 2015 12:43 am

There is a bigsby triple neck for sale. Starting bid $4000.00 owner claims needs repair. Only description given.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 21 Feb 2015 4:36 am

This the one?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bigsby-3-neck-p ... 1781697350

Jerome Hawkes · Post by **Jerome Hawkes** » 21 Feb 2015 4:40 am

pretty cool to see these show up.

looks like this was originally a non-pedal someone converted to pedals at some later point. those aren't bigsby changers, pedals or pedal rack.
still a nice find that needs to be rescued. being a wood neck might make this an easy resto

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 21 Feb 2015 7:47 am

I wonder whose name was on the front.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 21 Feb 2015 8:15 am

I think I'd have popped that piece of wood off the front, it's uglier than glue and might hide a surprise.

DG Whitley · Post by **DG Whitley** » 21 Feb 2015 8:34 am

...looks like pedals 1 and 5 might need repair, and some cable hanging down from the underside. Charlie, it might be interesting indeed on what is behind that piece of wood, providing it can be done without inflicting further damage.

My 2 cents, YMMV.

Randy Hellstern · Post by **Randy Hellstern** » 28 Jun 2015 11:21 am

This is the guitar:
After clean-up and re-stringing it plays as it should. Currently in C6-A6-E13. Finding information on original owner seems a long shot. If anyone knows who might have played a wood necked T-8 in the mid fifties (probably Northern California), any information would be appreciated. Will go to Todd Clinesmith for additional work in the near future.
Randy Hellstern

Rick Barnhart · Post by **Rick Barnhart** » 28 Jun 2015 12:51 pm

Congratulations, Randy. I'm sure I'm not alone in wanting more photos....ðŸ˜Š

chas smith · Post by **chas smith** » 28 Jun 2015 1:46 pm

Wood necks are especially nice. Congratulations! What was the date?

Randy Hellstern · Post by **Randy Hellstern** » 28 Jun 2015 2:01 pm

Chas:
Thanks.
After removing thick coats of green paint from end plates the date became readable: 7-1-54
Originally non-pedal, seems to have been converted to pedal (necks 1 and 2) early on with Wright parts. Has signs of having had a headstock changer, although not Bigsby

Rick:
Thanks for the interest.
I have other photos. You could let me know what other views are desirable and I'll post more.

Rick Barnhart · Post by **Rick Barnhart** » 28 Jun 2015 3:27 pm

Randy Hellstern wrote:Rick:
Thanks for the interest.
I have other photos. You could let me know what other views are desirable and I'll post more.

Randy, it's a Bigsby ðŸ˜Š we wanna see it from every angle possible! Btw, you've made the right decision sending it to Todd. I own two Clinesmith consoles...he's a modern day master.

Randy Hellstern · Post by **Randy Hellstern** » 28 Jun 2015 4:14 pm

Here's a few more pics.
Shows the underside as it was when I bought it - pulleys, cables and changers in a polychrome paint scheme. Must've been the thing to do at the time...
The most unfortunate thing is probably the removal of the original owner's name from the apron.

chas smith · Post by **chas smith** » 29 Jun 2015 3:51 pm

These are some closeup pics of a Bigsby changer underneath, from Norm Hamlet's guitar which is also a 54. Springs look a little corroded.time for some metal work.

And a Bigsby finger

Randy Hellstern · Post by **Randy Hellstern** » 29 Jun 2015 8:58 pm

Chas,
thanks for the photos. That's what I wish the underside of my guitar looked like.
Interesting that Bigsby's changers accommodate both raising and lowering string pitch, whereas the Wright changers (at least the ones on my guitar) do raises only.

Randy Hellstern · Post by **Randy Hellstern** » 16 May 2016 9:45 am

Hi,
just wanted to share a couple of "after" photos to show Todd Clinesmith's handiwork. Absolute pleasure dealing with him. His expertise and skills speak for themselves, of course...

Rick Barnhart · Post by **Rick Barnhart** » 16 May 2016 10:00 am

Beautiful work, congratulations!

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 16 May 2016 10:04 am

Very nice find, and very nice work by Todd. You've got a prize. Might as well put your name in the slot, or else "your name here" might be appropriate.

Randy Hellstern · Post by **Randy Hellstern** » 16 May 2016 8:10 pm

Herb, Rick, thanks for your comments.
Herb, if my abilities ever come within shouting distance of those of players in the golden era of Western Swing, I might be tempted to put my name on the guitar. So it may never happen...
I'm following up a lead on who might have owned the guitar new though...

Bill Sinclair · Post by **Bill Sinclair** » 16 May 2016 8:27 pm

Beautiful! We'll stay tuned to see what comes of your lead.

Jim Palenscar · Post by **Jim Palenscar** » 17 May 2016 7:00 am

I have Chas' triple neck at the shop for sale- originally belonged to Norm Hamlet- what a find!!

Abe Levy · Post by **Abe Levy** » 18 May 2016 5:07 pm

Well Done Todd! Beautiful guitar. Jim - I didn't think Chas would ever sell the Norm Hamlet! That guitar has a very interesting undercarriage. Wish I could afford it, but I can't seem to convince my wife that I need two Bigsby triples...