http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005 by the authors Mon, 28 Jun 2004 12:18:23 EDT http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/04/29/021311.php#comment-71610 "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. 71610@blogcritics.org Mon, 28 Jun 2004 12:18:23 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/04/29/021311.php#comment-69679 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 69679@blogcritics.org Thu, 17 Jun 2004 14:15:07 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/04/29/021311.php#comment-63173 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 63173@blogcritics.org Mon, 10 May 2004 11:23:58 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/04/29/021311.php#comment-24324 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. 24324@blogcritics.org Mon, 20 Oct 2003 23:08:34 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/04/29/021311.php#comment-18386 One of my favourite guitar gizmos is the ebow. "hmmm, how can I make a guitar sound like bagpips, bowed strings, etc.?" 18386@blogcritics.org Thu, 11 Sep 2003 18:51:33 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/04/29/021311.php#comment-18380 I have one...I love it. I swapped out the pickups for some hotter ones and it is now my main guitar. 18380@blogcritics.org Thu, 11 Sep 2003 18:22:39 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/04/29/021311.php#comment-18061 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. 18061@blogcritics.org Wed, 10 Sep 2003 13:06:51 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/04/29/021311.php#comment-8764 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. 8764@blogcritics.org Tue, 29 Apr 2003 17:29:16 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/04/29/021311.php#comment-8738 Ed, I love these guitar history pieces - thanks! 8738@blogcritics.org Tue, 29 Apr 2003 11:38:38 EDT