Two questions: b-bender? turning beat around?

Joe K · June 9th, 2003, 11:13 AM

Okay, I feel like a novice asking these after playing for years but here they are:

1) I know what a b-bender looks like, but what does it do and what is its purpose?

2) In a link from an earlier TDPRi post to a keith Richards interview, the interview asked Keef questions about some songs where they "turned the beat around." I only know this phrase from the old disco song. Will you please reply with what this means? change of (beats per minute) tempo?

Many thanks, gang!

Joe

Telecaster · June 9th, 2003, 11:41 AM

A B-Bender is a device that pulls the B string sharp. It is adjustable as to how sharp it will pull. Mine is set to pull the string a whole step (C#). I could adjust it to pull the string a 1/2 step (C). The mechanism is operated by a lever that is connected to my strap. Just pull down on the neck and it will pull the string. They also have a bender that pulls the G string. There are also the Hip-Shot type that mount on the front of the guitar. This type has a lever that rests near your hip when the guitar is in playing position. It is actuated by your hip. They come in handy for pedal steel bends or to add a little pizazz to regular playing. I am not a "Clarence White" with the thing but sometimes I forget it is there. I will say that the unit adds considerable weight to the guitar. Here are a couple links to help.

www.stringbender.com

www.benderguitars.com

Joe K · June 9th, 2003, 01:32 PM

Thanks. That clears it up a little. Still not sure of when you use it. Why pull the B-string? My guess is that it you play in the key of A, it pulls the second string up to the 3rd, is that right?

And do you use it BOTH after a string is sounded (alla bottleneck or trem bar, but for only one string) and before playing a lead line, like a general retuning?

If the later, I'd rather have a device to to pull standard tuning into open A, but I'm certainly not the first to think of that. To do that usually requires retuning #1,5 and 6 too so it's probably too involved.

The links were useful. Thank you.

BrianF · June 9th, 2003, 02:02 PM

on a standard guitar in standard tuning.

It's not the only string that could be used for this, but - bending the B string alone in combination with the many chord inversions up and down the neck on primarily the first three strings...yields some great country rock Tele twang and bending. Check out any of the latter year Byrds CD's with Clarence White and you'll get a better idea of what the B-Bender does.

owb3 · June 9th, 2003, 02:08 PM

Also check out:

http://www.clarencewhiteforum.com

For rapid changes to alternate tunings, people have used Keith/Scruggs banjo tuners, usually on the E strings, but on other strings too.

Info on the tuners can be found at:

http://musiconeworkshop.com/pegs.html

John Furphy · June 9th, 2003, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe K

Thanks. That clears it up a little. Still not sure of when you use it. Why pull the B-string? My guess is that it you play in the key of A, it pulls the second string up to the 3rd, is that right?

Joe, the idea is to use a standard 6 string but approximate the sound of a pedal steel. You can hold a chord and push down on the neck to bend one string while keeping the other notes stationary. THe B string is usually the best choice but many people have a bender on both the B and G strings. You are right, in A the idea would be to bend the B note up to C#, usually with the E note along with it. THat the usual use, steel type licks.

Monster Mike Welch · June 9th, 2003, 08:20 PM

"Turning the beat around" means dropping or adding a beat so the emphasis shifts (ie. one-TWO-three-FOUR becomes ONE-two-THREE-four).

jam · June 9th, 2003, 10:25 PM

Keef's prolly tawking 'bou th'intro to "Start Me Up", y'know how tha' snare drum comes in'n'all, roi, hmmmm....mmmmblmmmmblmmmmbl

JAM

PS Hey Monster Mike, Ronnie Earl dropped your name in the new Blues Revue! That was cool to see.

Joe K · June 10th, 2003, 12:29 AM

Thank you for the response. I have good answers now for both questions, and I really appreciate it. Give yourselves a pat on the back.

Mike, I also saw the artcile where Ronnie Earl mentions you. Very cool. BTW, I have his VHS tape and new new CD and am hoping to see him on a blues cruise scheduled for Annapolis MD this summer. I know he doesn't tour, so I hope this comes to pass.

June 9th, 2003, 11:13 AM	#1 (permalink)
Joe K Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bethesda, Maryland Posts: 598 6 Photos	Two questions: b-bender? turning beat around? Okay, I feel like a novice asking these after playing for years but here they are: 1) I know what a b-bender looks like, but what does it do and what is its purpose? 2) In a link from an earlier TDPRi post to a keith Richards interview, the interview asked Keef questions about some songs where they "turned the beat around." I only know this phrase from the old disco song. Will you please reply with what this means? change of (beats per minute) tempo? Many thanks, gang! Joe

June 9th, 2003, 11:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
Telecaster Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 182	B-Bender A B-Bender is a device that pulls the B string sharp. It is adjustable as to how sharp it will pull. Mine is set to pull the string a whole step (C#). I could adjust it to pull the string a 1/2 step (C). The mechanism is operated by a lever that is connected to my strap. Just pull down on the neck and it will pull the string. They also have a bender that pulls the G string. There are also the Hip-Shot type that mount on the front of the guitar. This type has a lever that rests near your hip when the guitar is in playing position. It is actuated by your hip. They come in handy for pedal steel bends or to add a little pizazz to regular playing. I am not a "Clarence White" with the thing but sometimes I forget it is there. I will say that the unit adds considerable weight to the guitar. Here are a couple links to help. www.stringbender.com www.benderguitars.com

June 9th, 2003, 01:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
Joe K Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bethesda, Maryland Posts: 598 6 Photos	a follow up question. Thanks. That clears it up a little. Still not sure of when you use it. Why pull the B-string? My guess is that it you play in the key of A, it pulls the second string up to the 3rd, is that right? And do you use it BOTH after a string is sounded (alla bottleneck or trem bar, but for only one string) and before playing a lead line, like a general retuning? If the later, I'd rather have a device to to pull standard tuning into open A, but I'm certainly not the first to think of that. To do that usually requires retuning #1,5 and 6 too so it's probably too involved. The links were useful. Thank you.

June 9th, 2003, 02:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
BrianF Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Carlsbad, Ca Posts: 2,155 7 Photos	The B-String bender emulates pedal steel guitar licks... on a standard guitar in standard tuning. It's not the only string that could be used for this, but - bending the B string alone in combination with the many chord inversions up and down the neck on primarily the first three strings...yields some great country rock Tele twang and bending. Check out any of the latter year Byrds CD's with Clarence White and you'll get a better idea of what the B-Bender does.

June 9th, 2003, 02:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
owb3 TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 88	Benders and tunings Also check out: http://www.clarencewhiteforum.com For rapid changes to alternate tunings, people have used Keith/Scruggs banjo tuners, usually on the E strings, but on other strings too. Info on the tuners can be found at: http://musiconeworkshop.com/pegs.html

June 9th, 2003, 08:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
Monster Mike Welch Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 111	The beat "Turning the beat around" means dropping or adding a beat so the emphasis shifts (ie. one-TWO-three-FOUR becomes ONE-two-THREE-four). __________________ www.monstermikewelch.com

June 9th, 2003, 10:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
jam Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Philly PA area Posts: 274	Taeb Keef's prolly tawking 'bou th'intro to "Start Me Up", y'know how tha' snare drum comes in'n'all, roi, hmmmm....mmmmblmmmmblmmmmbl JAM PS Hey Monster Mike, Ronnie Earl dropped your name in the new Blues Revue! That was cool to see. __________________ The price of wisdom is paid in agility.

June 10th, 2003, 12:29 AM	#9 (permalink)
Joe K Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bethesda, Maryland Posts: 598 6 Photos	By George, I've got it Thank you for the response. I have good answers now for both questions, and I really appreciate it. Give yourselves a pat on the back. Mike, I also saw the artcile where Ronnie Earl mentions you. Very cool. BTW, I have his VHS tape and new new CD and am hoping to see him on a blues cruise scheduled for Annapolis MD this summer. I know he doesn't tour, so I hope this comes to pass.