Check out this lovely, early 60s Bigsby, Sand-Cast B6 Selmer licensed Vibrato, US Patent No. D-169,120”. These are as rare as hen’s teeth. The tail tab has been changed to a custom-made, solid brass 3-hole arrow tail tab, synonymous with the early ’50s models. It was likely originally fitted with the later 50s style 4-hole tail tab! Worldwide shipping available, please use the contact us for shipping rates.
For the nerds amongst us, here is an interesting history:
The original Bigsby US patent was granted in March 1953. There have been small design changes over the years, but most are difficult to date accurately. Wording on the front of the tailpieces varied over time. Original US castings stated “Patent Pending”, then around 1954 “Patent D,169,120”, until about 1960 when they went to “Patent No. D, 169, 120”. Early Bigsbys had a slotted head screw, changing to a Phillips head screw, holding the arm to the top of the spring compression unit. On newer models, starting around 1961/62 or so, the screw was changed to a rivet-style design. Arms are often lost and replaced with different style fixings. Earlier US models had three-hole tail tabs; this changed to a four-hole tab in the late 1950s. String retainer pins appear to have been originally threaded pins with an Allen (hex) head, drilled through the axle. This was later changed to straight pins forced into blind holes in the axle. US bearings are sometimes stamped KAYDON KN-060910. As usual, the above design changes were not implemented overnight, and often Bigsbys can be found with a mixture of features. In the early 1960s, Bigsby licensed production to Selmer for manufacture in the UK. These were originally intended for Hofner guitars but were also sold separately. There are subtle design differences between the Selmer units and the US units. It is reported that John Lennon used a Selmer-produced B5 on his famous Rickenbacker 325. It is unlikely that Selmer units followed the continuing design changes implemented in the US, such as the change of arm screw from Phillips to dome head. Selmer units were sand cast from original US Bigsbys, not the original moulds. Therefore, the Selmer Bigsbys are fractionally smaller, not that you would notice. There are a number of variations, suggesting that Selmer moulds were produced from a range of US Bigsbys with different features, often a mix, including three-hole tabs, usually associated with early US models. Most are stamped on the back “Made under Licence granted by Bigsby USA”. This is stamped into the metal after casting. The bearings are usually inscribed “B-610 Torrington, Made in England” Wording on the front face states “US Patent No …” Selmer string retainer pins are threaded with slot heads, drilled through the axle. Sometimes the pins are removed to allow stringing through the axle. Screw threads are imperial on both US & Selmer models.
Payment
Payment can be done via PayPal, bank transfer, cheque or cash on collection!
Very important: If paying by PayPal, please note that we will only ship to confirmed Paypal addresses! Please double check your address is confirmed with Paypal!
Feel free to drop us an email for our bank details for SWIFT/BACS transfers and for any international shipping costs.
If paying by cheque, or collecting in person, please contact us on 07932 074096 to arrange.
Shipping
Our shipping policy is simple: We ship Guitars, Amps and Accessories to the UK, Europe & ROW. We’ve been shipping items to the UK and abroad for many years without any issues, as we always use the best and most reliable shipping companies. All guitars and amps will be shipped insured and tracked. So you can check your shipping status anytime. We always package them to the highest possible standard.
Note: All amps are preferably UK shipping or collection only. We rarely ship amps internationally, due to potential breakage, unless this is agreed separately. If you are outside Europe and are interested in any of our guitars or amps please contact us for a special shipping quote.
Returns
We operate a 48hr approval period for on-line mail order purchases only. Customers who buy goods in the RGG showroom can fully evaluate them prior to making the payment, and as such do not have this return and refund option available to them. The 48hr mail order returns period offered is with regard to either a problem with the guitar upon receipt, IE, the goods appear to have a defect that was not outlined in the sale listing or clearly not sold as advertised. If the purchaser wishes to return the goods for any other reason, then there will be a re-stocking fee of 10% of the original sale value & return carriage must be paid by the purchaser, there are no exceptions to these rules.
If you want to return an item please make contact for a returns authorisation. You have 2 days to try the instrument. We offer a full refund minus our shipping costs (including our cost of free shipping if applicable) It is the purchaser’s responsibility to organise the return promptly to the company in the condition it was received, using the original packaging and with a copy of the sales receipt. (We recommend you insure the item in transit). The item must be shipped back via a service comparable with which it was delivered, within 24 hours (Excluding weekends) upon receipt of the return authorization. Goods that have been altered from their original condition in any way cannot be returned.
Any items returned after the 48hr agreed approval period, and not exceeding more than two weeks, are subject to a 10% re-stocking fee, based on of the original sale value of the goods. PayPal, Credit/Debit card refunds will be processed immediately upon receipt of the returned goods and normally take 3-5 working days to show on the customer’s account. Bank transfer and cash purchase payments will be refunded by Bank transfer to your nominated bank.
