any opinions on rollingbenders?

[electromatic]

Hello everyone,

Being a noob to the bending arts, I'm looking for a cheap bender solution, that doesn't require any serious mods. Has anyone had any experience with the rollingbenders? Haven't seen anything posted here yet (they seem to be a new-ish business).

here's the site

http://rollingbender.com/

and they've posted a few videos



It seems alright for a beginner

thanks

[electromatic]

sorry, noob at posting also

here's the video

[Chet Johnson]

I normally hate palm pedals. But this is a bit different. I'm quite curious but I can't find pricing on the site. How much are they? I'm especially curious about on a strat bridge

[bendecaster]

I can't tell how this works. Their site isn't very complete. Can't even find how much one costs.

If you are looking for a bender that is non-invasive and an easy install, you surely can't beat a Hipshot for around $150.

[Larry Mal]

I think it looks pretty cool. I wish there was more information about them.

[Chet Johnson]

I emailed him. He replies quickly. It seems cool. I don't care for the hipshot. I like this idea. I haven't played one yet of course.

[RollingBender]

I guess the cat is out of the bag. I wasn't ready to go public on this yet... seems like a good inspiration though.

The website is still being developed, that is why the lack of information. The projected "Launch Date" for having the website up, store front working, and product ready to ship is April 30th.

Price for the benders is $150.00 + Shipping USD. I have 2 styles right now, one fits a 6 saddle bridge and one that fits a 3 barrel bridge. The 3 barrel bridge version would be a B-bender on a right handed guitar or a G-bender on a lefty. Soon, I will have another 3 barrel bridge version that would be a G-bender on a right handed guitar or a B-bender on a lefty.

As the development of the website continues, it will likely be down completely for a week or two here very soon. You can follow us on Facebook for updates.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Ro...61024940608861

Stay tuned...

Kenny Rolling

[electromatic]

ok, great

looking forward to more info on what seems like a cool product

[coolbreeze475]

I'm interested. Looks like a good product. I've still got 2 strings on my guitars without benders on. I also e-mailed. The guy plays pretty good to I might add.

[jmiles]

Does it move the saddle? Are there other systems that move the saddle? I see intonation problems with that. Hope not! Cuz I'd like something that works with a Strat Trem.

[AlexArkansas]

When will the cat come out of the bag on the hands free accessory? I'm really curious about that one.

[RollingBender]

Originally Posted by jmiles

Does it move the saddle?

Yes, the lever IS the saddle. The lever pivots in the base which is mounted to the bridge.

Originally Posted by jmiles

Are there other systems that move the saddle?

Yes, steel guitars use a system that is, from a purely mechanical standpoint, the same as the Rolling Bender. A couple of the strap-pull benders also use a similar type of mechanism to pull the string... I know Glasers do. Mine is just out on top rather than being underneath.

Originally Posted by jmiles

I see intonation problems with that. Hope not! Cuz I'd like something that works with a Strat Trem.

No intonation problems because the point where the string goes over the saddle stays the same in relation to the free portion of the string. Think of it as the string running over a pulley at the bridge and you are turning the pulley a bit with the lever.

Check out the installation video on my YouTube channel. At 0:27 through 0:45, you can see pretty clearly how the string relates to the bender lever as it is used. It's a long, silent (mostly) video but it will probably answer a bunch of questions.

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheRolli...?feature=watch

Kenny Rolling

[jmiles]

I think I should have phrased my question in a more exact manner. What I wanted to know was if the saddle moved backwards, pulling the string, and changing the scale length for the string. That, I would think, would cause intonation problems on that string.
"Pivots" is great, and the best way to do it in my book! Having built pedal steels for the Performance Steel Guitar company, and having been restoring old Shobuds for a few years, I am very familiar with pedal steel mechanics. Currently own 4 Shobuds, '59, '63, '67, and '74, and an '84 Kline U-12.
Sorry! I shoulda been clearer! Your bender looks very interesting!
Best,
JB

[Silverface]

My initial question was what jmiles asked - it appears to change the scale length. I've seen similar attempts in the past and they never seem to really click, as anything that actually changes the saddle position WILL throw the intonation off.

No offense to the builder - it's just the nature of the beast if that's the design.

As far as playability goes, it's a reversed-direction Palm Pedal - meaning to use the bender you are locked into a single right hand position, losing all right-hand damping (unless you can figure out how to jump back and forth) and in the videos the picking position is very close to the saddles - that's a one-trick tonal pony, kicking out plenty of treble and bite but losing all warmth. You *can't* pick in front of the bridge to mellow the sounds for quieter or jazzy-like passages, and it simply HAS to change your pick attack to a one-position, one angle, one tone process.

For a low-cost, fairly non-invasive bender without the limitations of the right-hand actuated systems I strongly recommend the Higgins Peg Bender. It's easy to install, easy to use (anybody with one who has trouble with the cable, feel free to email me - it's essential to find the sweet spot and I'd be happy to help...and I have NO connection with them!), is a shoulder-strap pull system like almost all the professional quality benders and can get you started with B-bending at a low cost. You will be able to transition to an Evans, Parsons-White, Bores, Glaser, Shelton etc with almost no learning curve - in fact it's easy to move up as the throw is short on the Higgins and players who have moved up to a longer throw find it real easy to play.

I just do not see palm systems as practical. The limitations compared to a shoulder-strap system (which has none) and the deal breaker.

[braderrick]

Looks awesome to me. Who cares if the scale length is changed as long as it returns back to where it came from? Don't many tremolos do the same thing? Or I may be wrong I guess. Would it affect string intonation on a pre-bend maybe? Anyway looks like a neat idea to me.

[RollingBender]

There is absolutely no change in scale length or string height from "at rest" to full bend or anywhere in between.

[Larry Mal]

Looks like a good product to me. I only wish I had a guitar that I could try it on... good luck with it!

[jmiles]

braderrick,
"Who cares if the scale length is changed as long as it returns back to where it came from?"

Try this, "Hanging the 7th."
Play the 1st and 2nd strings open
Apply bender, gives you a partial A chord.
While the strings ring, Tap the 2nd string at the 8th fret, and release the bender.
"Hanging the 7th." Not much of a lick, but it illustrates my point, I hope.

If the scale length has been changed, the "tapped" note will be off pitch. Not sure by how much, but I can hear a few cents. Good to hear the Rolling Bender is not prone to this fault. But I did also ask; "Are there other systems that move the saddle?" (Thereby changing the scale length.)

[braderrick]

Yeah thats what I meant by it may affect a "prebend" string, probably not the correct term for that but its the best I could come up with. Anyway he says it does no such thing. I guess it just kinda stretches the string whille keeping the top of the saddle in the same position maybe? I'd like to try one, especially on one of my tremolo strats as they are all decked anyway and not used.

[Ed Miller]

It looks like it operates by pushing the string down behind the saddle. Kinda like pushing down on a Floyd rose saddle.