The high cost of b-bender teles

[Sparky472]

I know B-bender Teles have increased in price over the years but I was surprised when I saw this on the Steel Guitar Forum. Two Teles listed, new Fender Professional II (retail $1699) with benders installed by Gene Parsons. Listed for sale at around $4k each.

I mean, yes it’s Gene Parsons. But that’s $2300 over the price of the guitar for a bender. I suppose there are folks out there for whom the money isn’t an issue. But wow!

 

[TwangerWannabe]

Just send your Tele to Joe Glaser and have him install one of his amazing benders in one of your Teles.

 

[Dostradamas]

Seems about right price wise.

 

[brookdalebill]

I got a gently used Matney recently for $2,250.
Great guitar, great smooth, quiet bender mechanism.
Just sayin’.
The Glaser is indeed a great option.
There’s also good ol’ Hipshots, too.

 

[Sparky472]

Seems about right price wise.

View attachment 1151498

Sure, I recognize that the price will line up with what Gene charges to install. I just didn’t realize how much that was! Not saying it’s not worth it or overvalued. It just surprised me.

 

[Dan German]

Looking at the mechanism, it makes perfect sense to me that it would cost more to make and install than the cost of a Fender Telecaster. I would guess the margin for the bender is somewhat less than it is for the Tele. Maybe that’s just me.

 

[Sparky472]

Looking at the mechanism, it makes perfect sense to me that it would cost more to make and install than the cost of a Fender Telecaster. I would guess the margin for the bender is somewhat less than it is for the Tele. Maybe that’s just me.

I’m sure you’re right on all counts. Even though I'm fully aware and have been throughout my adult life that everything continues to get more expensive, I’m still somehow constantly surprised. It’s some kind of defect in my brain. I still can’t believe decent shoes (or _____) for my kids cost so much more than what I expect to pay. Certainly not trying to knock Gene or his pricing, and I’m not even in the market for a bender (though as you all understand, with guitars I’m always in the market) I was just so surprised when I came across that.

 

[brindlepicker]

How much is an actual steel guitar compared to what you’re getting there? I know I could look it up on the steel forum.

 

[badinfinities]

I thought the same when I saw what Gene is charging these days. And then I compared his prices to what Dave Evans charges for his Pullstring ($1200 as of this past spring.) The Evans is a no-brainer in my opinion, because you can easily adjust the throw and the spring tension, neither of which can be done with the Parsons-White.

 

[brookdalebill]

How much is an actual steel guitar compared to what you’re getting there? I know I could look it up on the steel forum.

A high quality, new PSG is quite expensive.
Used ones range from $2,500 to 5,000.
Unless your’e an expert tinkerer/machinist, I’d avoid used ones.
New, high quality guitars run between $5,000-10,000.
PSG is a commitment, and not an instrument for dilettantes (like me), IMO.

 

[Sparky472]

How much is an actual steel guitar compared to what you’re getting there? I know I could look it up on the steel forum.

Pro-level pedal steels (new) start around $3k at the low end generally and go up from there.

 

[LostGonzo85]

How much is an actual steel guitar compared to what you’re getting there? I know I could look it up on the steel forum.

Sky's the limit, but for a decent modern used D-10 like a GFI or something, in the ballpark for sure.

 

[Sparky472]

A high quality, new PSG is quite expensive.
Used ones range from $2,500 to 5,000.
Unless your an expert tinkerer/machinist, I’d avoid used ones.
New, high qual guitars run between $5,000-10,000.
PSG is a commitment, and not an instrument for dilettantes (like me), IMO.

True words indeed. A very complex instrument in all respects.

 

[badinfinities]

A high quality, new PSG is quite expensive.
Used ones range from $2,500 to 5,000.
Unless your an expert tinkerer/machinist, I’d avoid used ones.
New, high quality guitars run between $5,000-10,000.
PSG is a commitment, and not an instrument for dilettantes (like me), IMO.

Yep - I remember when Carter Starters were under 1k in the early 00s. These days, I don't think you can get an adequate starter E9 for under 2k.

 

[Sparky472]

X

 

[Sparky472]

Yep - I remember when Carter Starters were under 1k in the early 00s. These days, I don't think you can get an adequate starter E9 for under 2k.

You can actually. GFI makes a nice student model that starts at $1550 from the factory. And Zum has one that is about the same maybe less, and a pro-level model just over $2000 that are highly regarded. But that’s about it.

There are good deals on used to have but as Bill mentioned, you really should be willing and able to get in there and tinker.

 

[badinfinities]

You can actually. GFI makes a nice student model that starts at $1550 from the factory. And Zum has one that is about the same maybe less, and a pro-level model just over $2000 that are highly regarded. But that’s about it.

There are good deals on used to have but as Bill mentioned, you really should be willing and able to get in there and tinker.

Yeah, i saw a used GFI 10-string e9 for $2400 cad last week. It was very nice and seemed to be a level above what i equate with a starter model.

The Carter Starters got pretty rickety towards the end. I owned one for a decade and while i never had any problems, i know they were prone to suffering issues.

 

[monkeybanana]

Just send your Tele to Joe Glaser and have him install one of his amazing benders in one of your Teles.

I didn't know if I wanted to do this permanently on one of my favorite teles so I'm putting together a nice partscaster and doing just that. Can't wait!

 

[Sparky472]

Yeah, i saw a used GFI 10-string e9 for $2400 cad last week. It was very nice and seemed to be a level above what i equate with a starter model.

The Carter Starters got pretty rickety towards the end. I owned one for a decade and while i never had any problems, i know they were prone to suffering issues.

Deals can definitely be had. I got a great deal on my current and final steel, a GFI Ultra keyless SD10 I got during the pandemic, barely 6 months old in perfect like-new condition.

But I also have dabbled in steel for 35 years. It’s easy to get something used that will be a massive spirit-crushing headache for a new player! I’ve never played a Carter Starter but they don’t seem well thought of these days.

 

[Sparky472]

Dang it, I just posted this to express my surprise but i am concerned it’s going to end with me sending one of my Teles to Glaser or Matney….