What kind of Vibrato units did Chet use?
The Vib-Rola Is a vibrato unit was made by Rickenbacker and was purchased in 1943 and was used on all of his main guitars until Bigsbys came into his life via the Gretsch line. It worked by moving it across the face of the guitar as opposed to Bigsbys front to back operation The stationary handle on the Bigsby The Bigsby Chet handle/stationary bracket that Chet used since the 50’s is the second one Paul Bigsby made. Merle Travis got the first one. Chet would just take his out of the Bigsby frame and put it in the unit on the guitar that he was using at that time. The actual handle he bent himself and put the tip on it and had it chrome plated. This handle was eventually copied by the Bigsby people for those who wanted one like his. The original bracket and handle is still on the 59 Gretsch Country Gentleman that he played for so long. The difference (and advantage) with those stationary brackets is they stay in place and you don’t have to keep reaching for the handle Some folks find it
