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Rocker Bar vs Space Control Question (here's what my tech told me)

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  • Rated: 6 ↑

  Aug 28, 2008 2:39 p.m. tedzepplin:

  I'm new to Gretsch. I brought my G6129T Double cut silver jet to my Guitar tech for switching out some pickups and to cut wider slots on the nut and a general set-up. He saw that I had a Rocker Bar bridge and that I had a Space Control bridge in my case. He told me I'd stay in tune better with the Space bar bridge since I use the Bigsby a lot.

  I really do use the Bigsby a lot. mostly smaller bends but a number whole step bends on one song.

  I took a look and it's not like the space control rolling dials actually rotate when I bend. The rocking bar bridge rocks when I bend. So I don't really understand what the advantage would be with the space control. So I'm wondering what gretsch players here think.

  Does the space control handle bigsby bends better than the rocker Bar? The Rocker bar I have is a new aluminum Tru-Arc rocker bar bridge.
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  • Rated: 47 ↑

  Aug 28, 2008 2:47 p.m. dmanlow:

  I'd say they both handle the Bigsby almost equally as well. Very little resistance occurs where the string goes over the bridge with both of those units because they are round. The Space Control has moving parts where as the bar is a solid mass. I'd stick with the Tru-Arc but I don't think either should give any Bigsby trouble. If you've got tuning issues, not that you say you do, I'd look elsewhere other than the bridge.
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  • Rated: 205 ↑

  Aug 28, 2008 2:48 p.m. Proteus:

  Are you having tuning troubles with the Tru-Arc?

  I don't think you'll hear much reinforcement for the notion that a Space Control provides greater tuning stability.

  My instinct is that they're about the same in that area.

  I had a Space Roller on my Jet back when I got it, for a few weeks. Till I got a Rocking Bar. I did NOT care for the tone with the Roller, and it didn't stand out for tuning stability.

  I think your guitar tech may not have deep experience with Gretsch bridges, and is operating on the logical (but not necessarily accurate) perception, possibly resulting from experience with Strat vs locking trem systems, that rollers are automatically better for trem use, and is applying that to Gretsch bridges.

  I think few here will agree with that assumption.
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  • Rated: 12 ↑

  Aug 28, 2008 3:04 p.m. sroux:

  Ted...I have a TruArc on my 6120, and I have no tuning problems whatsoever.
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  • Rated: 52 ↑

  Aug 28, 2008 3:07 p.m. bigalthethird:

  Your guitar tech is wrong.

  Bigsbies stay in tune fantastically well when the nut is properly cut and lubed, and the bridge saddles are properly smoothed. A Bar bridge has no moving parts, and very little to get snagged on. The string touches less material than almost any other bridge, and it's smooth. The Space Control is an awesome bridge in some ways, and it's cool as hell, but can't hold a candle to the Bar bridge. There's more metal touching the string, it's got movable parts, and by definition it's not as smooth.

  Now, I think both can stay in tune perfectly over long spans of time. It all comes down to the nut, really. But the Bar is my choice (of the two).
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  • Rated: 29 ↑

  Aug 28, 2008 3:21 p.m. Danman:

  You are right, there is no real difference in tuning problems between the two bridges. I use both (the vintage ones) and they basically are just as good (or bad, whichever you prefer). Tuning problems have (like Bigal mentioned) more to do with the way nut and bridge are cut and maintained.
  the guy just saw that the space control could roll and thought they would.
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  • Rated: 54 ↑

  Aug 28, 2008 3:25 p.m. Curt:

  I'm not a fan of the modern SCB but am of the predecessor. Usually you need to crazy glue the wheels so they don't sound like a loose lug in a hubcap so the tuning would be the same for both bridges.
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  • Rated: 6 ↑

  Aug 28, 2008 3:34 p.m. tedzepplin:

  I think my tuning problems are from the nut slots being too narrow. I'm using 12 - 52 strings and the strings had such a tight fit in the nut. I was getting pings as I tuned up. Pencil lead/graphite wasn't enough to lube it up. My guitar has a zero fret which is something else my tech said will add friction and contribute to tuning problems. I like the way the zero fret looks on my Gretsch, so I'm not removing it.

  I just got the guitar back from the tech. hopefully he cut the nut slots wider. I'll see how it plays and report back. Thanks for all the comments!
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  • Rated: 19 ↑

  Aug 28, 2008 3:36 p.m. DangerousMan:

  Hell... I'm thinking of getting shot of my SCB. I've had it on my jet over a year and, well, I need more sustain; I want to 'go and have a bite and still be hearing that one...'

  Listen, just listen, the SUSTAIN
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  • Rated: 205 ↑

  Aug 28, 2008 3:36 p.m. Proteus:

  You gotta post sound samples...a Jet with 12s, Filters, and the Tru-Arc ought to be lethal!
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  • Rated: 52 ↑

  Aug 28, 2008 3:39 p.m. bigalthethird:

  I'm not sure about this tech of yours dude...

  A) Don't ever even think of removing the Zero fret. Your intonation will never recover (you'll have changed the scale of the guitar)

  B) The Zero fret shouldn't add appreciable friction

  C) The nut slots should be pretty fantastically wide to accommodate those strings and to let them sit happily on the zero fret

  However, you made a great choice in guitar!!! And welcome to the Gretsch family. It's an addiction - be careful.
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  • Rated: 6 ↑

  Aug 28, 2008 3:49 p.m. tedzepplin:

  oh, yeah, he would have moved the nut up to where the zero fret was - not just remove the zero fret.

  The new pick-ups I just got put in are TV Jones Magnatrons. I know they won't have the same sound as a good set of Dynasonics, but I wanted to see if I'd like them better than the stock pickups. I figured I can always put the stock or other pick ups in if I don't like the magnatrons.

  I have to break away from the computer so I can go try it out.
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  • Rated: 17 ↑

  Aug 28, 2008 3:53 p.m. arm1151:

  I replaced my Space Control with a Rocking Bar on my 6118 T, Annie w/bigsby. I am totaly happy with the switch. The way I play - muting the strings with my right hand on the bridge, I find the RB to much much more user friendly. Although I must admit that with the SCB I can adjust my strings along the neck much more gooder, I think this maybe what the Space Control thing is all about.
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  • Rated: 52 ↑

  Aug 28, 2008 3:55 p.m. bigalthethird:

  Ok good (about the nut). Those Magnas may surprise you! They're pretty awesome. They don't sound the same as Dynas, but I wouldn't go so far as to say they're 'not as good.' Just different.
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  • Rated: 30 ↑

  Aug 28, 2008 4:47 p.m. JazzBoxJunky:

  Bigsby's were never meant to do extreme bends, they were designed for subtle use, and work extremely well in that aspect. If I was going to do LOTS of heavy bends, I would use something different.

  Both bridges should work well if the setup is good, and the Bigsby is used within it's capabilities.
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  • Rated: 56 ↑

  Aug 28, 2008 5:37 p.m. yettoblaster:

  I like the modern space control bridge better'n the old ones. I haven't had sustain issues with the new ones. They're tighter tolerance. That said, I like the mass of the bar.
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  • Rated: 29 ↑

  Aug 29, 2008 2:40 a.m. Danman:

  There were good and bad space control bridges. You are right about the tolerance. Some just have wiggley wheels and they don't really work, but others had a tighter fit and they are fine.
  I have a space control on my 6120 from 1960 and it is great. Would never think of replacing it.
  I put a bar bridge on my 1957 Jet firebird because the space control on that wasn't as good. I liked the sound of the Space control (sounded a bit tighter) but the slightly added sustain is nice.
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  • Rated: 17 ↑

  Aug 29, 2008 3:25 a.m. Dr Nyl:

  12-52s, thats almost in Malcolm Young territory.
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  • Rated: 6 ↑

  Aug 29, 2008 1:34 p.m. tedzepplin:

  The last few years I've been playing 1960s japanese guitars with crazy shapes and lots of knobs and cheap whammy bars. I used the heavier strings to help stay in tune and I got used to them. Here is a link to my band: www.laundromatvacation.com

  Dr Nyl: said: 12-52s, thats almost in Malcolm Young territory.
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  • Rated: 41 ↑

  Aug 29, 2008 4:17 p.m. J(esse James)D:

  bigal said it, so I won't repeat. However, anyone who's "been around" Gretsches knows that most tuning stability problems are in the nut, and not the bridge.

  I've used Space Controls and Bars with equal success, tuning wise. I prefer Bars for the tone, and I'm totally amazed with the Tru-Arc aluminum bars that Proteous offers.

  Good luck
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  • Rated: 3 ↑

  Sep 2, 2008 8:33 a.m. mad dog:

  Some good advice here. The nut is the usual culprit. And the bar bridge is perfect with a Bigsby. I got one that didn't even rock. It played as well or better than the Bigsby metal bridge that came stock on my Gretsch, and definitely sounded much better. At least on that guitar, the bar bridge gave much improved sustain, blended tones together. Must be the mass of that bar.
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  • Rated: 25 ↑

  Sep 2, 2008 5:16 p.m. Shuie:

  Taking a Gretsch to a guitar tech is like taking a Citroen DS to Kwik Fit.

  Both machines break every accepted industry standard. Both will, if accepted as the quirky exceptions to the rule that they are, will excel in their arenas.

  Think 'I' before 'E'

  Except if your name is Keith Moon.

  Know what I mean?
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  • Rated: 6 ↑

  Sep 3, 2008 9:18 a.m. tedzepplin:

  wider nut slots seem to have done the trick. I'm rocking the True Arc bar bridge!

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