VIBRAMATE™ FAQ's

Where do I get a Vibramate?
You can order Vibramate from most Music Stores, Guitar Repair Shops and Guitar Parts Resellers. You can also Order Online Here.

Will Vibramate fit my guitar?
Vibramate is designed to fit most guitars with a Stop Tailpiece and a Tune-A-Matic style bridge. This is a very common setup and has become an industry standard today.

Do I need a professional to install a Vibramate?
The Vibramate kit is very easy to install and can be completed in matter of minutes with just a Phillips-Head screwdriver. Vibramate is designed to fit the existing inserts in your guitar without any special tools or layout. If you have any concerns though, you should contact your local guitar repair professional.

Will Vibramate scratch my guitar?
Vibramate comes with soft felt-pads on the bottom of the mounting plate for a soft touch to the top of your guitar.

Does the Vibramate plate flex?
The Vibramate plate is made from heavy gauge Aircraft Grade aluminum and will not bend when secured to your guitar.

Will Vibramate work on my carved top or arch top guitar?
The Vibramate V5 kit was originally designed for flat top electric guitars but will also fit most carved and arch top models. The back of the unit may appear raised depending on the angle of the top. Additional product designs are scheduled for mid-year.

Will Vibramate fit a Les Paul Classic or Custom?
The new Vibramate V7-LP is designed to mount a Bigsby B7 Original model vibrato to a carved top Les Paul style guitar. Also, the Vibramate V5 kit will fit most Les Paul style carved top guitars. The back of the unit may appear raised depending on the angle of the top.

I have an SG with the large pickguard?
We designed the Vibramate V5 Short Tail model to accommodate guitars with tighter mounting locations such as the SG Classic.

I have an ES-335 style archtop guitar?
The Vibramate V5 kit will fit most 335 style arch top models. The back of the unit may appear raised depending on the angle of the top. Additional product designs are scheduled for mid-year.

Will Vibramate work with a Flying V?
We have 2 options for Flying V's. You can use the Vibramate V5 Short Tail for standard Flying V models. Some pickguard modification may still be required to clear the the front leading edge of the Bigsby and Vibramate mount. The Bigsby will hang off the back of the V but this is standard for this type of mount. We also have the Vibramate V7 Flying-V Kit for the Bigsby B7 that includes the Wing Bracket for mounting the tail of the B7.

Will Vibramate fit a Fender Jaguar HH Special?
Yes, the Standard Vibramate V5 Mounting Kit is designed to fit the Fender Jaguar HH Series guitars that feature a Standard Tune-A-Matic and Stop Tailpiece bridge configuration.

Who puts a B5 on a Les Paul?
One of our favorite players put a B5 on a Classic Les Paul sometime before his untimely death in 1976 - check out Tommy Bolin.
Some current Players using Vibramate:
* Randy Bachman - Les Paul with Vibramate V5
* GE Smith - Les Paul with Vibramate V5

Will Vibramate work with a Bigsby B50 or a B70?
NO. The Vibramate V5 is designed to work with the Bigsby B5 Original model vibrato only. The Vibramate V7 is designed to work with the Bigsby B7 Original model vibrato only. Other models may be available in the future.

What's the difference between the Short Tail and Original kit?
The Short Tail Mounting Kit is designed for guitars with tighter mounting situations such as the SG Classic that has a larger pickguard. In most cases the Original Vibramate would be used.

What about the string angle?
Vibramate is designed to locate the Bigsby vibrato in a proper orientation for most guitars. The string break over the Tune-A-Matic should be sufficient unless your guitar has very slight neck angle.

Will Vibramate effect the sustain or tone?
The Vibramate's Patented design also functions as a tone-enhancer similar to an open ended tuning fork. The Vibramate provides increased sustain over traditional mounts as it is secured deeper into the guitar body through the factory tailpiece inserts with large diameter mounting screws. Performance feedback from professional musicians has been very positive after the Vibramate/Bigsby installation. Vibramate is a heavy gauge aluminum plate designed to mate with the aluminum cast Bigsby vibrato. Vibramate is secured to the existing tailpiece inserts in the gutar body creating a very cohesive mount.

Will the Bigsby stay in tune?
The Bigsby Vibratos has it's own idiosyncrasies just like other vibrato systems will require a proper setup and use of some of the adjustments and tweaks for the vibrato to work at optimum performance.

Will Vibramate fit an old Gibson Bigsby vibrato?
Vibramate is designed for the Bigsby Original B5 only and was not intended to fit older proprietary or licensed vibratos.

Do you have a Vibramate for a Telecaster?
Yes, the Vibramate V5-TE Mounting Kit is specifically designed for Telecaster guitars that have a vintage style "ash-tray" bridge with 3 bridge saddles and 4 mounting screws. It is a self contained unit that replaces the existing bridge and designed to fit the Bigsby Original B5 Vibratos.

How about a Left Handed model?
Vibramate V5 is now available in Left Handed models for both silver and gold.

How about a Left Handed V7-LP model for Carved Top Les Paul style guitars?
Here is what we know about the Left-Handed Bigsby B7: The Left-Handed version of the Bigbsby Original B7 Vibrato almost fits our existing Standard "Right-Hand" Vibramate V7-LP kit. The mounting hole under the spring on the Bigsby B7 is about an 1/8" off of proper alignment with the Vibramate Dogbone. This would require making the hole under the spring on the Vibrato a larger diameter and using a washer to secure the unit to the Vibramate V7. This modification would be hidden under the spring of the Vibrato arm while still not requiring any holes drilled in your guitar. We suggest consulting a qualified guitar technician.

Is Vibramate available in Gold?
Yes, a Gold Anodized Vibramate Kit with Brass plated mounting hardware is available in the same high quality aluminum.

I lost some of the mounting screws?
You may contact us for replacement hardware - please use our online contact form or send us a letter via standard mail. Be sure to include you contact information and return address.

What else do you guys make?
Vibramate has several new products in the development stages and expects to release them throughout the upcoming year.

Vibramate reviewed in The Tonequest Report.
Guitarist extraordinaire, G.E. Smith, tipped The Tonequest Report to the elegantly simple and inexpensive Vibramate!

Thanks for your support!
Your input and feedback is very valuable to us. Please feel free to send us any ideas, installation issues, photos of your guitar with a Vibramate kit or additional guitar models to add to our expanding install list.

This website and FAQ are a work in process. Thank you for your support!

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