Parsons/White B-Bender by Billy Penn 300guitars.com

[CadillacL]

The B-bender is one of the greatest inventions in country-rock.

[bravebelt67]

i want a b-bender too!!!!

[pitol678]

very nice picking! Sounds like some Buck Owens stuff. Do you know what kind of pickups are in the guitar?

[Romantase]

wow! I have never heard of the b bender. this is awesome

[300guitars]

@Romantase Yeah...it is very cool and can get some really great country/steel bend sounds. It takes some practice but once you get it the results can be awesome..!! -Billy

[comeperas]

i really wish i could play that kind licks

[cb18201]

when did Ray Liotta start giving guitar lessons lol? nice playing. someone said gram parsons installs these but its actually gene parsons, gram died a looooong time ago

[DisposableHero187]

one thing i would like to stress about this is it is NOT just good in country music.i play everything from the Byrds to Metallica style stuff to Psychedelic rock. it works wonderfully in many styles of music!i would recommend this to anyone who wants a different sound,is willing to get his tele messed with,and has a grand lying around so Gram Parsons will install it :D But if you dont want to spend that hipshot has one u install urself that ALSO has a low E-bender u can use by hand for bout $140

[300guitars]

The tone of the B string changes a little bit. The overall guitar tone does change a little as well. From what the good folks at Parsons/White told me is that the amount of wood removed is just about equal to the weight of the bender mechanism. Definitlely a cool gizmo...

[shearn666]

does it change the tone of the guitar at all? That's a lotta wood being carved out. Mind you, my 77 Tele is kinda heavy, could do with a trim maybe... NOT!! ;-)

[ricebowlranch]

i'm curious about the bridge and saddles on this guitar. on the fender nashville b-bender tele it has the modern-style 6-saddle bridge. but this one seems to have the vintage 3 saddles?

[300guitars]

It is stiff enough to play standing. There are different spring tension settings. The way I have mine set if I jump up and down it will activate the bender a bit. If you sway or sort of "bop" a little it will not activate it however.

[PooPoo2U]

i always wanted a b-bender that would bend all the strings, basically a no-hand tremelo. that'd be fantastic!

[warrencombs]

I own a '72 Deluxe, do you know if the system may be installed on it?

[bebopPete]

Pause at 00:19 for a clear picture of the works. Of course you CAN install it on any Telecaster, if you're willing to take a router and carve an enormous slot in the back of your guitar. It also involves replacing the entire bridge, and replacing the strap-peg with an actuator lever, and attaching a pivot and rod assembly in the slot which you've carved into the guitar. So, it's not a bolt-on upgrade.  It's a lifelong committment.

[300guitars]

I did not have to change the bridge on this guitar. I had to cut a narrow notch to allow the B string to pass through however. This is a major change to any Tele and it is definitely a committment. It is a cool gadget and it's fun to experiment with.

[taariqtaariq]

@warrencombs no Deluxe Teles are no good for it. Gene Parsons told me it must be Classic 50's style tele or forget it.

[Bowlcephus]

thats what im talking about

[Bowlcephus]

thats what im talking about.. and its even got my last name.. :D

[thehurricanesrock]

great tone!

[60skid]

thank you for this video! I have to ask you one question how much are b benders like whats their price range.

[steviebotss]

the ones like this one in the video are about 500 dollars with another 500 to install give or take but there are ones that require no routing that attach to the bridge and are activated by pushing the lever against your hip with as little as a pound of pressure, these range from about 150-250 dollars and fit on most strats les pauls too

[JimiJamesIII]

Nice licks...I hear how it sounds, but how does it work? How is it engaged? Power requirements?

Thanks

[300guitars]

Thank you! The B-Bender requires no power. It is a series of levers and springs that are actuated by the guitar strap attatched to the strap pin on the upper bout of the guitar. When you "pull" your guitar down the pulling action of the strap raises the pitch of the B string a whole step. You may find a bender equipped Telecaster at a Fender dealer because they make a model with the B-Bender installed. Please feel free to ask any further questions and I will try to answer them as best as I can.