3 bender questions

[ruger9]

1) what is the average cost of having a bender installed?

2) is the procedure something that is tackle-able DIY? I'm a contractor/remodeler, and I already work on my own amps & guitars, altho this would be my most complicated mod to date on a guitar.

3) does the McVay G-bender have a lockout feature of some kind?

Thanks!

[cbnutt]

depending on where ya go, the B bender could be mabe around 600.00 give or take complete install, just a guess, but id want to be realy good with a router before i tried it.

[JDC]

cbnutt has questions #1 and #2 covered.

As for your third question...

I don't have a McVay, I have a Glaser. I think they're pretty similar in design. though, from what I've seen.

The Glaser doesn't have a "lockout", as such. However, there is a adjustment for setting the spring tension just about anywhere you want it.I have mine tightened just enough so that it actually takes a purposeful effort on my part to actuate the lever.

[ruger9]

Thanks for the info guys. Before I spent $600 on an install, I'd save up & buy a Crook with a bender in it already. I would also attempt a DIY, I'll have to do some googling & see what I can find on the DIY front...

[JDC]

FYI.. you might want to speak with Bill Bores (he's a member, here). I've heard he does excellent work and installs many types of benders.

[J. Hayes]

He can do you a great job with one of the best prices..........JH in Va.

[BrianF]

thanks Jerry..but Bill can do a Glaser style if thats what is desired..

[ironweed]

Manual lockout for bender = 2nd strap button

[ramseybella]

My friend built me this one smooth sealed bearing action!

[Charlie McVay]

Hey Ruger9 !

In reference to your 3rd question...

The McVay bender does not have a lock out system.The strap arm has a spring tention adjustment that is set tight enough so that it will hold and return to pitch.The spring tention adjustment can be tightened or loosened depending on the player's preference.

To my knowledge none of the neck activated benders have a lock out system and they all work fine, but I could be wrong.

Charlie

[BrianF]

One easy way to accomplish a 'lock out' means is to attach an extra strap button on one of the neck plate bolt screws. Most players though ...once the get hooked on a Bender...won't bother with a lock out means.

[Stuco]

too much!

[Charlie McVay]

Once most guitar player's get used to a bender it becomes an addiction and they don't want to play without one.

There's really no need for a lock out system, but it is a good question.

Charlie

[ruger9]

Wow. Charlie McVay- thanks for stopping buy!

My whole question regarding the bender "lockout" was simply for playing certain gigs- like rock gigs- where I might be thrashing around a bit more than if I were doing alot of chicken' bending (chicken picken + bending! LOL!)

The 2nd strap button sound like a good, cheap, albeit UN-attractive, "lockout".

So Charlie- could recommend or NOT recommend someone doing a DIY on one of your G Benders? I'm pretty handy, have done my own amp, pedal, and guitar mods-but this "mod" won't just have function involved, it'll also have aesthetics involved... wouldn't want to uglify my Tele through poor workmanship.

[J. Hayes]

That's so simple, I wish I'd thought of it. I play guitar behind the jam session for the Va. country music assn's monthly jamboree. This past Sunday afternoon one of the vocalists asked if her husband could play my guitar behind her. I let him play and the first song was terrible and he couldn't figure out what was happening. I'd forgotten to tell him about the bender and he'd never played a guitar with one in it. I showed him what it did and we decided he'd just set on a bar stool with the guitar on his lap without the strap. That worked great. The same thing had happened a few months before and I'd forgotten about it. I think I'll just install that second button and if anyone wants to play my guitar I'll just slip the strap over to that extra button...............JH in Va.

[Charlie McVay]

Ruger 9

Thanks for having me !

I try to stay away from forums since they can be addicting and take up lots of work time.

This forum is such a great one with a wealth of information from a lot of talented people who are willing to help.

As far as my bender it is very complicated to install, thats why I do all the installs myself.

Out of respect for the TDPRI forum and members I can't go in-depth with details.

Thanks for asking anyways! I will PM you.....

Charlie