The Gretsch Pages: Discussions: Dan Duffy's Corner: Sticking sound on Bigsby arm

Sticking sound on Bigsby arm

- Rated: 4 ↑
Jun 22, 2009 12:41 p.m. Itchin_for_gretschin:

Hi there Dan, a quick question for you about the possible cause for a clicking sound that I get when I pull the trem arm up on my Electromatic 5127.

Before I raise any alarm bells I would like to stress that I pull the arm up very gently, and I'm not trying to pull any insane Hendrix-esque acrobatics with my guitar, just some nice vibrato.

I get the impression that the clicking sound is due to some kind of sticking at the top of the spring or something; I had this same problem a month or so ago (when I moved the arm in either direction, up or down), and after applying some WD-40 to the spring, the problem went away, but now it seems to be back (but only when I pull up) and I can't get rid of it.

Hope you can help me out; I often play the guitar at relatively low volumes or unplugged and the sound drives me nuts. I worry I won't be able to play Sleepwalk again! :)

Thank you sir!
- Rated: 27 ↑
Jun 23, 2009 5:20 p.m. Dan Duffy:

wd40 dries up fast.use a sewing machine oil. its very difficult to say what the trouble is with out seeing the guitar. Dan duffy
- Rated: 75 ↑
Jun 27, 2009 9:31 p.m. BillyZoom:

The bearing always rattles in the housing unless you glue it in. It makes a click when you raise or lower the arm. The click doesn't come through the amp, but it can be annoying. As far as I know, all Bigsby's have always made that noise.
BZ