Christian J Towner

@westhemann: One or two of these LP guitars, without roller bridge, are Daniel Lanois's and he loves the kit. See them here https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.227626313919356.76795.185973554751299

@WezV: How about: A Bigsby B3/30/60 String Tension and Control Device... By the way, what do you think of the language on the web page now, since our last discussion. When are you going to buy one WezV!?! I am working on getting them made in a rose gold finish to match Bigsby's plating.

@westhemann: Thank you for your criticism, it is well received. The kit does not allow for individual string tension and it does not say anywhere that the kit does. it does allow for "variable" string tensions per the height adjustment of the studs. I have had 3 of my kits installed, recently, on Gibson Les Paul guitars without the roller bridge. And it seems that it is a success and the roller bridge is not necessary! This is exciting because I was concerned the drag on the strings when activating the vibrato would break the strings... See my facebook page for pictures of the Les Paul guitars with the kit installed.

I've invented a way to NOT DRILL HOLES in your guitar body when installing a BIGSBY B3, B30 or B60 vibrato bar. It's a very simple and inexpensive idea... Please visit and share this info with your fellow guitarists / guitar techs. Visit site here: Towner USA ~Thank You Kindly, Christian James Towner

WezV I really appreciate the constructive criticism, that is a valuable trait. Later on today I am going to sit with your comments and rewrite my approach. Thank You Christian i noticed your website uses that terminology. I would still say its inaccurate since the bigsby B3 does not need 2 holes drilling in the top of the guitar, but in a round about way it gives you the choice of a B3 over a B7 which does need those 2 holes drilling :? trying to be constructive here Strengths: 1) Allows the use of a Bigsby B3 on guitars with stop tailpieces. 2) Nicely fills those stop tailpiece holes 3) Allows control of the string tension when using a B3 (that has always been my problem with B3's so this is a big plus point for me)... 4) which will improve tone and tuning stability 5) not going to significantly increase the price of buying a bigsby (the way a vibramate can!) point 1 is a good one, i would have avoided and recommended avoiding a B3 at all costs before, so its nice to have a solution to their major flaw. That would have been for semi's and things like that. but I also think the B3 with your system will be a neater solution than a B7 for installation on a Les Paul style guitar. if i was you i would show a comparison pic of a Les paul with B3 and your system next to one with a B7 - i bet most people would prefer the look of the B3. Certainly work well for gretsh guitars too which always look better with a B3 style

I understand, my choice of words are used incorrectly because it's saying all screws in a Bigsby installation. I should say, have invented a kit that alleviates the guitar owner from drilling holes in the "deck" of the guitar when installing a Bigsby vibrato. This is what motivated me to invent the kit. To keep from drilling those two extra holes in the deck. this much is true, and the fact you can control the string tension does make it useful for retro fitting B3 style bigsby's and provide some real benefit's - that is how you should advertise it! thats is just it, i do know the options for screw free bigsby installations. simply put no you have not! To fit a bigsby B3 i would need to drill 4 holes in the end of the body - this is exactly the same number of holes i would need to drill whether i used your system or not. as you point out, the only way to avoid drilling these 4 holes would be to purchase a vibramate product which can actually be described as you have a potentially good product at a fairly reasonable price - sell it on its actual strengths!

What about the 4-holes needed to mount the Bigsby B3 (that your system is designed for) to the body of the guitar? i think you are misrepresting what you have here. It looks like a useful tool for controlling the string tension on the bridge when using a Bigsby B3 - why not just advertise it on that. when you say something like the quote above i immediately think of something like the vibramate (http://www.vibramate.com/index.php) which does exactly what you claim! Thanks WezV, Installing just a B3 does not work well without my kit. That's why, traditionally, they have installed a B7. The B7 has a down tension bar on it where two screws have to be drilled into the deck. Also, if you had installed just the B3 there would be not enough down tension on the strings to keep the strings on the bridge. Yes, you still have two put 4 screws around the button screw and vibramate has accommodated that with their own button plate you can purchase and you'll have to use the B5, I think, if you can't get the button plate separately. My kit relieves the guitar from having two empty holes and gives the option to use the traditional B3 or B60. BTW, I know the guys at vibramate and they make good products. You, the customer, should know all their options and make the best decision for yourself. -Christian

I have invented a kit that alleviated myself from drilling holes in the deck of my Gibson ES-335 dot series guitar, in conjunction with a Bigsby B3 vibrato bar. This challenge presented itself when I was up against the option to install the Bigsby B7 vibrato bar. During the development of my kit, I discovered the kit has the option of variable string tensions per the height adjustment of the studs. Thus revealing another option to CANT the kit, allowing it to rest evenly over the guitar strings, given that the strings are of different thicknesses. The third revelation in the development of my kit, I found the kit improved my guitar tone and tuning stability. This kit can fit any Gibson guitar because the tailpiece hardware is the same in all of Gibson and Gibson-like electric guitars. The kit mounts in place of of the stop tailpiece with the existing studs & holes. Rested over the strings, and applying the necessary down tension needed per the height adjustment of the studs. This kit can be adjusted to whatever height you want and or need to accommodate the action of your strings & bridge height. The CANT, per the adjustment of the studs, provides an even amount of down tension over the strings. http://www.townerusa.com

Thanks for the info Samba. My patent has been pending for 3 years now. In comparison to the other kits mine allows a ES-335 guitar owner to have the option of spending less and using the traditional Bigsby B3. Also, given the optional use of the Bigsby B3, you can install it on a Les Paul also.

Thanks man! Spread the word if you don't mind. I'm just begining to get this kit out there.

What do you think of my kit. http://www.townerusa.com/ I have invented a kit that alleviates the guitar owner from drilling holes in the body of the guitar when installing a Bigsby vibrato. The top part of this kit can fit any Gibson guitar because the bolt holes are the same in all of their electric guitars. This kit is mounted in place of of the stop tailpiece with the existing bolt holes. Rested over the strings, and applying the necessary down tension needed per the height adjustment of the bolts. This kit can be adjusted to whatever height you want and or need to accommodate the action of your strings & bridge height. It can be canted, per the adjustment of the bolts, so there is an even amount of tension over the strings. Other important information to know about this kit. I used a Bigsby B3 with a Tune-O-Matic Schaller Roller Bridge on a Gibson ES-335. It can accommodate Gibson, Epiphone or Ibanez Guitars: Les Paul models Archtop models SG models http://www.townerusa.com/ YouTube- Towner - Bigsby Vibrato Retrofit Kit Towner USA Bigsby B3 Vibrato Retrofit Kit Gibson ES 335 Les Paul SG Archtop Ibanez Epiphone Guitar Guitars