While we’re on the subject of “Twang!” I’ve got to tell you that I’m becoming increasingly intrigued by Fender’s uniquely customized Nashville B-Bender Telecaster — though unfortunately, I have yet to get my hands on one.
Fender apparently got the inspiration for their B-Bender Tele from the custom instruments used by some of Nashville’s most popular guitarists, and its stand-out feature is an innovative string-bending mechanism that allows for surprisingly realistic pedal steel-type effects by way of bending the high-B string.
If you don’t believe me, listen to their sample.
To top-off that steel guitar sound the Nashville B-Bender sports a pair of American Tele single-coil pickups matched with an extra-twangy Texas Special Strat pickup — all tied together with Fender’s 5-way Strat-o-Tele switching system.
The American Nashville B-Bender Telecaster Features—
- Poplar Body
- Maple Neck
- Maple Fretboard Wirh 22 Frets
- Dual American Tele Single-Coils
- One Texas Special Strat Single-Coil
- Master Volume & Tone Controls
- 5-Way Strat-o-Tele Pickup Switching:
- Fender/Schaller Deluxe Staggered Tuners
- Pearloid Pickguard
- Rolled Fretboard Edges
- B-Bender String Bending System
This one comes with an included molded case, and is available in black or 3-color sunburst finish - though the sunburst will set you back an extra $50.
- Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster
- Fender Unveils G.E. Smith Signature Telecaster
- Price Drop! Fender’s Telecaster Blackout HH
- John 5 Gets Another Signature Guitar: Fender’s J5 Triple Tele
- Twang With A Bit Of Punch: Fender’s ‘72 Custom Telecaster
- Sparkle & Slide: G&L Introduces Will Ray Signature Model
- Sleek New Look: Fender’s Aerodyne Telecaster
- A Rare Beauty: Fender Introduces Special Edition Koa Telecaster
- A Truly Versatile Telecaster - Fender’s American Deluxe
- Fender ’60s Telecaster With Bigsby – Twang With A Twist
- Fender To Produce Limited Release Rosewood Telecaster
- EGR’s Great Tele Relic Experiment: Heavenly Body
October 29th, 2006 at 10:24 am
I have had one of these since early 1999, bought new as my main guitar. Although I was told then as now that the bridge and neck pickups were standard Amrican Tele ones, they have a significantly higher output than a standard Tele. They appear to have been overwound to match the Texas Special pickup in the middle position. This is the only one of these I have played, so may be odd in this respect I suppose. The snappy or twangy tone is just my bag, the combination of tones in the 5-way switching and the unique B-Bender finish it as the perfect country and blues guitar for me! Play one if you get a chance.
October 31st, 2006 at 9:33 am
Hey, thanks for the great input on the B-Bender––I find this guitar endlessly fascinating. Even without the string bending I would think those hot pickups would make for really amazing tone. I was wondering though, is the string-bender itself very easy to get the hang of?
I’m going to have to see if I can get one of these in for review, but so far the big boys (Fender & Gibson) have been fairly elusive… still, looks like a gorgeous Tele.
January 3rd, 2007 at 9:23 am
I bought one of these (sunburst finish) from a local Guitar Center a couple of weeks ago. I suffer from GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome), and consequently have quite a few guitars….amps…pedals…etc. Be that as it may, I’ve already found myself returning time and again to play the B-bender!
There’s a technique to be developed here – pushing down all the way to raise the 2nd string a whole step, or part way to raise it a half step (for suspended 4ths in the “A†position, up the neck). It adds so much to my playing, I’m started to wonder how I’ve played so long without one!
Be forewarned however: It appears as of this writing (Jan. 2007), the backorders won’t be filled until May! I suppose Fender makes several of these in a batch (due to the addition routing), and haven’t scheduled another run for several months.
If you’re lucky enough to find one of these for sale – GRAB IT!
Note: If you do get a ‘bender’, you might consider buying the instructional DVD for B-benders by Will Ray of the Hellicasters. He uses a Hipshot B-bender in the video (on his signature model G&L), but the idea is the same. While I think G&L make fantastic guitars, I opted for the original B-bender in a Telecaster because it seemed more compact and easier to use.
January 3rd, 2007 at 9:28 am
Hey, thanks for all the great info, Dan : ) I get a lot of questions about the B-bender, and I have to admit I’ve been highly tempted to pick one up for quite some time.
Uh oh… I can feel my GAS flaring up again ; )
March 12th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
I find the guitar too heavy. Do you think the back steel plate could come off and a plastic or aluminum one could be used???
April 16th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
I just Ebayed the one I have owned since last summer. VERY heavy- around 9 lbs, and has newer style bridge. I had to put a 500K volume pot in to get some twang. Not a real telecaster sounding, although the bender is cool. Gene parsons (the Parsons in Parsons/Green, etc) at: http://www.stringbender.com/bender/fenderb.html is currently installing them in existing guitars of all types that come out the same weight as the original guitar.