Bigsby, a legendary name in guitars, has unveiled a very limited run of prototype guitars, embodying the innovative spirit of Paul Bigsby himself. These Bigsby prototype guitars are not just instruments; they are unique pieces of guitar history, each with its own distinct specifications and design nuances. Reflecting the original craftsmanship and forward-thinking ideas of Bigsby, these guitars offer a rare glimpse into the brand’s creative process and legacy.
Bigsby Prototype Models: A Closer Look
Each model in this limited edition series showcases unique features, making them highly collectible and sonically diverse. Here’s a detailed breakdown of each prototype Bigsby Guitar:
BY50 Prototype
The BY50 model presents a striking birdseye maple flat top with a warm amber finish, complemented by elegant black binding along the sides. Its single florentine cutaway design, paired with a rounded opposite shoulder, provides a comfortable and distinctive aesthetic. Notable features include a rosewood tailpiece, pickguard, and decorative piece on the lower bout, alongside a scrolled rosewood bridge base. The headstock, crafted from walnut birdseye with a 12° pitch, is equipped with vintage-style in-line tuners and proudly displays the BIGSBY logo. Mother of pearl playing card inlays adorn the bound rosewood fretboard, set upon a set neck with 21 frets. Electronically, it features two rosewood control knobs, a 3-position selector switch, and a chrome tun-o-matic style bridge. Two Bigsby single-coil dog-ear style pickups deliver classic tones, with strings terminating through the body for enhanced sustain.
BYWT Prototype
The BYWT model boasts a vibrant birdseye maple flat top with an amber finish and a double florentine cutaway, offering excellent upper fret access and a visually stunning design. The headstock mirrors the BY50 with birdseye maple, a 12° pitch, and vintage-style in-line tuners, complete with the BIGSBY logo. The bound rosewood fretboard features mother of pearl inlay designer blocks on a set neck with 21 frets. It’s equipped with a polished Sorkin bridge base, a tun-o-matic style bridge, and two chrome control knobs for volume and tone, managed by a 3-way switch. This model features two Bigsby single-coil dog-ear pickups and is distinguished by a Bigsby B3 vibrato tailpiece, adding expressive capabilities to its tonal palette.
BY48T Prototype
The BY48T model shares the attractive birdseye maple flat top and amber finish, this time with a single florentine cut. It features a walnut birdseye headstock with a 12° pitch and vintage-style in-line tuners, adorned with the BIGSBY logo. A scrolled black pickguard and mother of pearl playing card inlays on the rosewood fretboard enhance its visual appeal. The set neck holds 21 frets, and the guitar is built with a polished Sorkin bridge base and a tun-o-matic bridge. Two chrome control knobs control volume and tone, with a 3-way selector switch positioned on the upper bout. Like other prototypes, it includes two Bigsby single-coil dog-ear style pickups and is equipped with a Bigsby B3 tailpiece.
BY48NR Prototype
The BY48NR prototype elevates the design with a carved birdseye maple top and amber finish, maintaining the single florentine cut. It features a walnut birdseye headstock with a 12° pitch, in-line vintage style tuners, and the prominent BIGSBY logo. Mother of pearl playing card inlays decorate the rosewood fretboard on a set neck with 21 frets. A polished Sorkin bridge base and tun-o-matic bridge are included, along with two chrome control knobs and a 3-way selector switch on the upper bout. The guitar is powered by two Bigsby single-coil dog-ear style pickups and offers versatility with either a rosewood or Bigsby B3 tailpiece option.
BYS50 Prototype
The BYS50 model presents a flat maple top with an amber finish and a single florentine cutaway, coupled with a rounded opposite shoulder. A black pickguard and walnut birdseye headstock with a 12° pitch, along with vintage in-line tuners and the BIGSBY logo, define the headstock. A black scrolled adjustment rod cover plate and dot inlays on the bound rosewood fretboard offer refined details. Featuring a set neck with 22 frets, it includes two chrome control knobs, a 3-way selector switch on the upper bout, and a chrome tun-o-matic style bridge. This model is equipped with two custom pickups designed by TV Jones, known for their exceptional tone, and features a stop tailpiece.
BYSW Prototype
The BYSW prototype features a flat maple top with an amber finish and a double florentine cutaway. It includes a black pickguard, a walnut birdseye headstock with a 12° pitch, vintage in-line tuners, and the BIGSBY logo. A black scrolled adjustment rod cover plate and dot inlays on the bound rosewood fretboard add to its aesthetic. With a set neck and 22 frets, it has two chrome control knobs, a 3-way switch near the knobs, and a chrome tun-o-matic style bridge. Like the BYS50, it is fitted with two Custom Pickups designed by TV Jones and a stop tailpiece.
BYS48 Prototype
The BYS48 prototype features a flat maple top with an amber finish and a single florentine cutaway, complemented by a black pickguard. It has a walnut birdseye headstock with a 12° pitch, vintage in-line tuners, and the BIGSBY logo. A black scrolled adjustment rod cover plate and dot inlays on the bound rosewood fretboard are included. Built with a set neck and 22 frets, it features two chrome control knobs, a 3-way selector switch on the upper bout, and a chrome tun-o-matic style bridge. This model also utilizes two Custom Pickups designed by TV Jones and a stop tailpiece.
BYS48A Prototype
The BYS48A prototype distinguishes itself with an arched maple top and amber finish, along with a single florentine cutaway and black pickguard. It shares the walnut birdseye headstock with a 12° pitch, vintage in-line tuners, and BIGSBY logo. The black scrolled adjustment rod cover plate and dot inlays on the bound rosewood fretboard are consistent with other models in the series. Featuring a set neck with 22 frets, it includes two chrome control knobs, a 3-way selector switch on the upper bout, and a chrome tun-o-matic style bridge. This model is also equipped with two Custom Pickups designed by TV Jones and a stop tailpiece.
Acquire Your Piece of Bigsby History
These limited edition prototype Bigsby guitars represent a unique opportunity to own a piece of guitar innovation and history. Given their prototype nature and limited availability, these guitars are highly sought after by collectors and discerning players alike. To inquire about availability and potentially acquire one of these rare Bigsby guitars, please use the form below.
