Bigsby brings back the original Telecaster Shim, as found on early Bigsby B16 equipped Telecasters from 1953 to 1954.
This aluminum neck shim raises the height of the neck by 3/16″, giving it an ideal angle to work with the B16 bridge.
The most common bridge upgrade that Tele guitar players look to have is the B16 Vibrato. It features the same pitch bending mechanism as Bigsby’s other vibratos, and it has the same vintage aesthetics – only this one is molded to specifically fit a standard configuration Telecaster.
The re-introduction of the Shim allows modern Tele owners to setup their guitar to the same specifications that Paul Bigsby wanted when the B16 was first introduced.
According to Bigsby, aside from adjusting the neck angle, the shim adds an additional contact point of wood and aluminum on the neck joint, which affects the tone of the instrument. Users who tried it suggest that the shim improves sustain and helps enhance the high frequencies. Note that since the neck angle is changed, adjustments to the pickup height will have to be done accordingly. The 1953 Original Telecaster Shim will be of interest for those that want their B16 equipped guitar to be period-correct.
Should you choose to retain the neck height to keep the setup simple, or if you want to utilize a 6-saddle bridge, you can opt to not use the shim. Without the shim, you retain original neck specifications as well as your guitar’s overall tonality, while benefiting from the vibrato mechanism.
Here is a video detailing the installation process for the Bigsby B16 Vibrato along with the 1953 Original Telecaster Shim:
The B16 Vibrato is currently retailing online for around $160, you can find out more about it by visiting Bigsby.
Related Articles:
Fender Custom Shop RSD Bridge for Tele and P Bass