While guitarists have been hotrodding their guitars from time immemorial, certain modifications designed by musicians stand out more than others. There was Les Paul's original "log", the first solid-body electric guitar, which led directly to his design efforts with Gibson. Then there was Jimi Hendrix's flipped over, restrung right-handed Stratocaster, which radically affected his sound and technique. Another intriguing and long lasting guitarist invention was the B-Bender, originally designed and built by Gene Parsons and the late Clarence White of the Byrds for White's Fender Telecaster electric guitar.
Guitar.com recently assembled a list of albums that featured the Parsons-White B-Bender on at least one song. For fans of rock and roll, Led Zeppelin's "All My Love" from their mega-selling In Through The Out Door album of 1979, is probably the most frequently heard example of a B-Bender in action, since it still gets frequent airplay on AOR stations. All of those sweet-sounding bends were played by Jimmy Page on his B-Bender-equipped Telecaster (the instrument he's playing in the photo above). Another popular tune with lots of B-Bender action is "Peaceful, Easy Feeling", by the Eagles.
The B-Bender, popular since the early 1970s amongst Nashville's hottest guitarists, was originally designed by Parsons and White in 1966. It's a series of cams and levers that run through the body of the guitar from the strap holder above the guitar's neck to under the tailpiece of the guitar, where it manipulates the guitar's b-string. It allows a guitarist to bend one note while holding others, and it also allows him to bend notes faster in succession than is possible for most players using only their fingers. For chordal playing, a chord can be strung and held and a note in the chord bent higher.
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
Ed, I love these guitar history pieces - thanks!
2 - Hazy Dave
A couple weeks ago, my local PBS station ran a show called "Guitar Notes". I couldn't find any info on the web, but check your local listings in case it turns up. Marty Stuart (who bought Clarence's Tele from his widow) demonstrated the B-bender and explained its function and genesis briefly. I felt like I was looking at a holy relic. Marty also played Mother Maybelle's guitar in the Carter Family style, and another segment focused on Chris Isaak and his brother. Recommended viewing.
3 - Pat
In early 1967, I was at a recording session in L.A. with James Burton, and he had a primitive b-bender on his Tele, and it blew me away when he made those pedal-steel sounds. BUT...it was not a Parsons-Greene. I don't know who made it, he just said, "A guy I know rigged this up." The b string was anchored below the bridge on a machined-alum. cam block, and James had to use his right hand to activate it, similar to using your hand to move a Strat whammy bar or Bigbsy tailpiece. I will have to ask J. about that early b-bender sometime.
4 - Tele_Thon
I have one...I love it. I swapped out the pickups for some hotter ones and it is now my main guitar.
5 - Jim Carruthers
One of my favourite guitar gizmos is the ebow.
"hmmm, how can I make a guitar sound like bagpips, bowed strings, etc.?"
6 - daryl skancke
great b-bender story but to not mention will ray of the hellecasters? the will ray b-bender is simple, affordable and requires very little modification when installed on telecaster type guiars, among others. also can be fitted with a g-bender and drop d for low e string. versatile, functional, affordable and dependable. installed mine in less than 30 minutes.
7 - Mike Breen
Ed, Great piece. I'm a b and g bender nut and have just released a CD of b and g bender instrumentals. It's called "Mescal Mary & Other B Bender Guitar Instrumentals." It's on ebay now and will be on CDBaby soon.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3722947785
Mike Breen
8 - matt tripp
i am a tele nut and builder. i install benders on guitars. I have a very unique design that allows you to change the pitch of your pulled note and the amount of pressure required to pull the note in seconds. It is designed and manufactured by a friend of mine in springfield, MO i am confident it is the best bender on the market and so are my customers. i would be happy to send anyone pictures or answer questions. Matt.
trippo@mo-net.com
9 - Mike Breen
"Mescal Mary and other B Bender Guitar Instrumentals" is out and available at CDBaby.com http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mikebreen3
I hope that this contribution of 10 originals and 2 covers pays tribute to this wonderful invention. Thanks Gene and Clarence.
10 - Jeff Roberts
I have a b & g bender that my tele that I believe works as good as a Parsons White but when installed he did not have to tear up the back of my tele. I got it from B & W Benders. The attached website is his new website. Bill Warford the owner was telling me that Forrest Lee Jr. had him install one on his owm guitar and then used it in one of his videos. Mine works great and it took less than a month to get it installed.