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Post by Bill on Aug 25, 2005 8:58:32 GMT -7
Seems like a lot of Tele pickers around here. My wife handed me Dwight Yoakams "Blame the Vain" CD last night, with Keith Gattis giving his B bender a good workout. After several plays of the disc, I've gotta have one. Not willing to rout wood, or able to invest $600.00 for a McVay, I called a local legend and got his opinion on the $150.00 Hipshot which he's had for many years. After hearing a big thumbs up, I placed an order with Gayle Ray for the "lightweight" WR B bender only model. Anyone else use one or are interested in one? If not, give a listen to Keith...you'll probably change your mind
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Post by bluzsteel on Aug 25, 2005 11:25:43 GMT -7
or get real good at playing behind the nut
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Post by Curt on Aug 25, 2005 12:03:37 GMT -7
Had a chance to see Keith Gatis yank on his Tele through a SF Deluxe Reverb with a fella name Travis on acoustic...WOW a BUNCH of music from two guy's. Went straight out and bought his CD "Big city blues" the next day...talented fella...no bender that night ?!?! BTW, he was opening for Pat Green in a 600 seat club..way cool !!
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Post by Bill on Aug 31, 2005 8:32:31 GMT -7
Well the WR hipshot is a total blast. Doesn't look bad either (updated pic of it at "Gear Pic" below). Didn't take long too get the hang of it, in fact I had already PRE worked out some bends based on knowing where the b string would end up. The best thing will be to get the bend there super quick and nail the accuracy everytime, something not always easy when surrounded by a full band and noise.
I've had to order a set of graph tech saddles with a slot as the present set up lets the b string slide off the raised roller when manually bending from the 10th fret and above. Other than that a simple 5 min install.
Probably the most important thing I've picked up on is to hold back...too much use gets old and repetitive, but with careful choosing of when to apply it, it'll turn a few heads and you'll experience yet another little item to add to your bag o tricks without a lot of work;D
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Post by Tom the Guitar Guy on Sept 15, 2005 16:43:35 GMT -7
I played with the Hipshot for many a year. Loved Will Ray's video. I moved the B-Bender over to the G string and started using it as a G-Bender and after I got proficient at that, I had Charlie McVay put in the G-Benders.
Well worth the $$ if you ask me for the Hipshot units, especially if you're new to bending. They don't require a lot of pressure to activate and you can take off the bender lever when a "friend" borrows your guitar and doesn't want to accidently bend the strings.
You won't go wrong - but I do recommend you pick up Will Ray's video - or the one by Dan Schaffer (spelling?). Great stuff, and great teachers.
Hope this helps.
tomtheguitarguy
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Post by Bill on Sept 15, 2005 17:38:14 GMT -7
Tom, thanks for the advice. I do have Will's instructional video. Just tonight I decided the Hipshot was staying on the Anderson and commited the two extra screws. With only 1 screw the unit had a tendency to ride up and throw the B string tuning off.
After having some time with it now I've gotta say I really like this thing. Doesn't take long to get the hang of it. There is one cool standard country lick Will demonstrates that everyones heard, it's effortless to do with the bender...and the bends of course are very accurate, moreso than I can do manually.
The McVay has my attention, but $600.00 makes it a tough call. I'd love to put one on my new Am Deluxe Tele.
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Post by imyurhuckleberry on Oct 3, 2005 20:18:10 GMT -7
I will second the McVay motion. He has also recently upgraded his spring levers, they feel so smooth, and easy to control, you will love it...well worth the $.
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Post by ryman150 on Nov 11, 2005 9:04:46 GMT -7
Do you think you can get cooler sounds out of a g-bender or a b-bender?? I'm going to have McVay do one for me.
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Post by Bill on Nov 11, 2005 10:00:04 GMT -7
Do you think you can get cooler sounds out of a g-bender or a b-bender?? I'm going to have McVay do one for me. Hey ryman, congrats on the Lonestar gig ;D Go to TDPRI for some good insight into the benders. There's a room just for bender maniacs! The McVay is the dream bender on the market IMO. I find the G bender works better for chords, while the B bender is more suited to triads & soloing...my .02. Of course Brad Paisley may not agree.
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Post by squeallydan on Nov 16, 2005 15:34:07 GMT -7
What is TDPRI?
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Post by johnthigpen on Nov 16, 2005 15:48:43 GMT -7
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Post by ryman150 on Nov 20, 2005 10:37:17 GMT -7
Hey ryman, congrats on the Lonestar gig ;D Go to TDPRI for some good insight into the benders. There's a room just for bender maniacs! The McVay is the dream bender on the market IMO. I find the G bender works better for chords, while the B bender is more suited to triads & soloing...my .02. Of course Brad Paisley may not agree. Thanks man! I appreciate it. I checked out that forum. Cool stuff. I found a few threads. I think the B is for me. I need to learn how to play it once I get it anyways, so I'm sure I'll have plenty to do on a B-bender.
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Post by Gregg White (aka stratbrat) on Apr 19, 2006 17:38:22 GMT -7
Did you have any trouble modifying the Hipshot to a G-Bender. It looks to me that I just need to move the lever over by loosing up the clips and sliding it over to the correct position for the G.
Any tips or problems to watch out for?
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Post by Bill on Apr 19, 2006 19:01:45 GMT -7
Did you have any trouble modifying the Hipshot to a G-Bender. It looks to me that I just need to move the lever over by loosing up the clips and sliding it over to the correct position for the G. Any tips or problems to watch out for? Wow, this thread goes back to August! I've come a long way with the Hipshot...won't leave home without it. In fact, it's become an essential part of my country sound now. I even work it into the rock band on a couple songs. stratbrat, as for modifying from the B to G, I haven't done that, nor do I plan to. AFAIK, it's easy to adjust it over to the G, but I'd contact the tech at Hipshot. I emailed him last week, took a couple of days but he replied back.
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Post by Gregg White (aka stratbrat) on Apr 19, 2006 22:59:30 GMT -7
Madison,
Is see it was tomtheguitarguy that did this. I'll PM him for his input. Thanks for responding, though!
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Post by Gregg White (aka stratbrat) on Apr 19, 2006 22:59:47 GMT -7
Madison,
Is see it was tomtheguitarguy that did this. I'll PM him for his input. Thanks for responding, though!
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Post by Buzz Fretwear (Ignatius) on Apr 25, 2006 16:58:02 GMT -7
Cool, I'm thinking of doing the same (the G-switcheroo, that is).
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