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Post new topic Great vibrato tailpiece for 335, SG, or Les Paul guitars....
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Author Topic:  Great vibrato tailpiece for 335, SG, or Les Paul guitars....
Jerry Hayes


From:
Virginia Beach, Va.
Post  Posted 2 Apr 2011 10:41 am    
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I just bought this from a fellow Forumite as I wanted to try out a vibrato tailpiece for one of my Les Pauls. This is called the "Bowen Handle" and is the easiest thing to install I've ever seen!

I was due for a string change on the guitar so I just took off the old strings, slid off the stud tailpiece and slid the Bowen Handle right on the guitar and strung 'er up, less than ten minutes from start to finish. The stringing took up most of the time.

Stewart/McDonald also sells another brand which is basically the same thing. I was surprised how well the device worked. I just took a #2 pencil and graphited the bridge and nut slots for lubrication and it stays in tune incredibly well....Here's some shots of it............JH in Va.


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Ron Whitfield

 

From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
Post  Posted 2 Apr 2011 12:30 pm    
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Can't find the StewMac version on their site...

I'm interested in these Bowen's, so please keep us up on your opinions as you get used to it.
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David Mason


From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
Post  Posted 2 Apr 2011 6:33 pm    
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http://www.freedomguitar.com/products_bowen_handle.php

Wow! Quite reasonably priced, too. Now if all my guitars weren't either Fenderish Warmoth/USACG homebrews, or seven stringers.... Oh Well
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Jason Hull

 

Post  Posted 3 Apr 2011 2:01 am    
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Stew-Mac used to carry the "Les Tremolo", but they stopped when they started to carry Bigsby.
Here's one at Allparts:

http://www.allparts.com/ABM-5600-G-Les-Tremolo-Gold-Tailpiece-p/tp-5425-002.htm
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Jerry Hayes


From:
Virginia Beach, Va.
Post  Posted 4 Apr 2011 3:29 am    
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I have both the Bowen handle on the guitar pictured and a "Les Trem" on another. I see that the Les Trem is much higher priced but I really prefer the Bowen handle and it seems like it's more heavy duty. I just checked the Stewart McDonald catalog and they don't seem to carry it anymore. When I bought my Les Trem about three years ago it was only around $150 or so I believe!....JH in Va.
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Don't matter who's in Austin (or anywhere else) Ralph Mooney is still the king!!!
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John Groover McDuffie


From:
LA California, USA
Post  Posted 4 Mar 2017 5:06 am    
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I just saw this thread and I'm interested in this!

What does that little set screw on the bass side do?
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Barry Blackwood


Post  Posted 4 Mar 2017 9:02 am    
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According to the ad, it may do one of two things -

1. The Positioner(tm) set screw for personalized vibrato arm positioning.

2. Vibra-Loc(tm) secures The Bowen Handle(tm) when not in use.


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