*WHAT* Have I Done To My LES PAUL??

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

The Ultimate Epiphone is back! This time I am doing a couple of hardware mods! Enjoy :)

[@ButWhatDoIKnow]

I bet adding a roller saddle will improve tuning stability, especially the b - bender. Then the strings won't bind on the tune-o-matic bridge.

[@moisttowlette123]

Definitely needed on it. Did you see the saddle moving when he used it?

[@mihailmilev9909]

right

[@mihailmilev9909]

Right

[@Jef-sj6zc]

@@mihailmilev9909 You must have a rollar bridge or saddle because the string will break in a short time ; you take measures for the string to go smooth by the headstock but with the bridge you do nothing. It is obvious that the string will break in a short time because it moves over the sharp edge from the tunomatic saddle/bridge .

[@RaccoonHenry]

perhaps they could engineer a version which switched between bending all the strings simultaneously or just the B, that would be very interesting

[@ThePandaAgenda]

Bending? on MY LP?? It’s more likely than you’d think

[@tomschrein417]

Sure is less complicated than any other B bender I’ve seen. Looks like a great product.

[@lyonsson6480]

So, I just installed this on my Gibson Les Paul Tribute. I also installed a string butler and a bridge with roller saddles. I also have a Rolling Benders B Bender on my Strat. I used Rolling Benders string system which connects the Bender through a hole in the body to my belt, and I can absolutely say I prefer that system. It’s just easier to use. Also, I had to double up the felt washers on the fine tuner on the Easy Bender to keep it from rattling out of tune, which seems cheap to me. This will do in a pinch, but I definitely prefer systems that are not activated by my picking hand.

[@Nick-ul2nu]

To avoid tuning issues I'd put a roller bridge on to avoid friction at the bridge

[@mattplummer14]

Honestly, this is the first time I’ve considered equipping one of my guitars with a B-bender. Thanks for using it in a way that’s more than just cliché Country/Western

[@codymosbey8620]

There is no other use or need for a B Bender than "country/western" as you say. It was invented to mimick steel guitar licks. "So, yeah!" It's for country licks or COUNTRY rock licks.

[@jeffgemm5080]

Darrell. I just LOVE the quilted top on that Epiphone. What a gorgeous finish…

[@fongy200]

Graph Tech Saddles just to sprinkle some Fairy dust on it. To hear use of a 'B' bender in a song, listen to Shoot you down by The Stone Roses. John Squire uses a B bender to great effect. Thanks Darrell.

[@joshvandruff1790]

The ultimate epi les Paul build is probably one of my favorites of yours. Such a versatile guitar.

[@jackp1351]

Interesting update to the string butler! Much simpler installation than the original.

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

I like that option better then routing a channel in the back of the body and having all that hardware installed and then hoping your strap doesn't break or slip off- very slick

[@lyonsson6480]

Having played both, this one isn’t nearly as easy to use. I own one and don’t really care for it at all.

[@JikoMuskato]

The string butler isn't centered perfectly. :D But it's a great idea!

[@grahamt33]

When you think of all that drastic surgery back in the say to get a b bender and its here no muss no fuss - it just works and looks beautiful

[@GrumpyOldGit60]

I never realised how much I needed this. Amazing!

[@MijailRC]

I've been loving that LesPaul for years! Beautiful!

[@mortonwilson795]

Never knew this thing existed! Really fun - would love one. The string manager thing also a thoughtful piece of work . . . great vid, thanks! The LP sounds great.

[@Krullmatic]

Hey, Darrell! You're a mad lad, and I absolutely love it!

[@j_freed]

This is a great idea, at first listen it doesn’t sound as smooth as a fully routed B bender, this is just a difference of it being a small lever. But maybe you’ll get used to it, musically…

[@Ray-ym3qr]

I have both Easy B-Bender and the new V1 String Butler and they are great well made. B-Bender super fun and you can play pedal steel type licks. It does take a little time getting use to it and understanding when to tastefully use it. Basically you can bend a major chord into a major 6th ( full tone ) You can also bend into a minor chord or a minor 6th chord. If you set it up to only go 1/2 step then you can bend into sus chords. Enjoy your vids D

[@PeterMoore350]

That string butler is a great product for that style of guitar and they look ok too and not out of place.

[@che2335]

Youre always reviewing the coolest new stuff, i was very interested in this thanks!

[@grandansmusic8659]

I just found this…I know I’ve asked for a B-bender show for years and I really appreciate you finally doing this. In Nashville, the bender is attached to the front strap connection and is activated by pushing the body down… This might be even better…and it’s definitely easier on the guitar. Thanks again…and everyone have a wonderful merry and safe Christmas

[@himusharbash1]

⬆️🆙thanks for commenting❣ INBOX ME 👉@DarrellBraunGuitar1

[@lyonsson6480]

Usually Telecasters are set up with the Bender connected to the strap button.

[@robertdonosobuchner3129]

These parts are a really good innovation. Thanks for the information.

[@markpell8979]

First thought that jumped into my head once I saw what this device does was "This is cool but if we're going to this level of tech why stop with just the B string?" I mean, I bend a lot on every string, and sometimes two at a time (as for a double-stop unison bend). I guess Dirk's reasoning is that with a typical trem/vibrato you're actually changing tension and therefore pitch of ALL the strings at once, even if you're only meaning to alter the pitch of one string at a time. So making this gadget strong enough to affect all strings at once would require much more net spring resistance to balance it and therefore it would need to be more complex, and there goes the beauty of such a simple, slap-on accessory that doesn't force you to drill or cut on your guitar. I bet this unit is not cheap to buy. If it was capable of working for say the G, B and E simultaneously then that's where I might start to be interested in buying one for my own Les Paul. But for one string only, chosen by someone else, it's a one-trick pony that seems like a solution in search of a problem. I'm not interested at all in a big ugly Bigsbee on my LP. If I need a trem for a particular song I'll play my Schecter w/FR. Now the universal quick-install String Butler? THAT is a genius idea and product.

[@palm444]

The String Butler is a nice piece!

[@robinbebbington7063]

Darrell you need to adjust the string butler as its clearly higher on one side compared to the other and the strings are showing that. At 7:00 you can see its pushing the A string down but doesn't touch the B string. Just some minor adjustments needed.

[@mikebri5274]

They should DEFINITELY make one of these for a Telecaster and also make a "G-bender" version as well.

[@Cryptonius420]

Duesenberg Multibender my friend👌🏻

[@alanbeck5518]

Certano make benders for Telecasters (G and B) strings.

[@markmiwurdz202]

And Jackson Steel Guitars/Sho - Bud.

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

I’m accustomed to thinking that the guitar needs to be extra big, since I think often f how it was pioneered in the 60s. The model it was first built into was the Telecaster owned by Clarence White and modified by Gene Parsons before both of them joined the Byrds. In an interview, Gene described Clarence’ ark of using the bender as overusing it, ignoring it and easing back into it. I think a one-time acquaintance of mine who graduated from my high school 3 years ahead of me and was primarily a rhythm guitarist had his own Epiphone Les Paul fitted with those pickups. He never explained the switching though.

[@OhGawdHesGotAGun]

I find the String Butler to be expensive, but it DOES improve stability, especially when you add a trem system to a Les Paul or similar. A GraphTech nut was the most effective thing that ever improved my tune stability (Gibson ES-339). String Butler helped, adding a quality roller bridge was good, and of course quality locking tuners with no more than one wrap around the post. I added a Les Trem 2 system to my ES-339and all these things together, I get moderate bend stability. I took Darrell's advice & installed a Floyd Rose Rail Tail to my 2018 American Performer Strat & a GraphTech nut & locking Fender tuners, and after I work the strings in for a few mins (Ernie Ball 9.5's) I can NOT push it out of tune!

[@markleadbeatter6196]

I fitted SD P Rails with the triple shot rings to my Agile AL-3200 MCC Gold Top and am super impressed with the tonal options they offer. For much less than the price of a decent spec Gibson, I have a beautifully made and specced neck-through LP style guitar with just about every tonal option I could ever need and it’s the one I pick up to play most of the time now.

[@PeterMoore350]

That is a stunning guitar Darrell.

[@boatmonkey]

Thanks for this excellent intro to two interesting options for upgrading a couple guitars I have! And at $119 for that B-Bender, it’s a lot less expensive than others I’ve seen. Again, thanks and best wishes for happy holidays!

[@chad1655]

Where did you find it for $119? Link says $225

[@boatmonkey]

I saw this on eBay…

[@boatmonkey]

How the heck do I add a photo? You can probably find it just by googling though…

[@GhostyFilms]

I love that rootbeer finish... Other rootbeer finishes don't look as good as that... In fact, most of them look ugly, but Darrell's looks so sparkly and beautiful.

[@AnimalJohn85]

They look very clever and the bender has a great effect. Only question (and its probably a daft one) is with a string butler would you have to re-cut your nut to make it straight as the slots are cut slightly angled? As i said daft question. Great vid as always n that guitar is ace!

[@WowIndescribable]

Another mod that would be great is the Zeroglide nut replacement! You should try it man. So good. Actually requires no ‘mod’ at all, just knock the nut and replace with the Zeroglide that has an integrated zero fret. If you don’t like it (not possible!), just put the old nut back!

[@taz3672]

The first B bender was invented by Gene Parsons and Clarence White. Jimmy page used the B bender on later Zeppelin albums. It was a lever mechanism installed into the back of the guitar. You had to route out a large portion of the guitar to install the linkage. The Dietrich was way better than the Parson White B bender.

[@lyonsson6480]

Having played both and as a current owner of this system, it’s kind of a joke compared to a real Bender. This was sort of a waste of money for me.

[@mikecarreca7864]

Very cool tones. Fun to play.

[@doctoribanez]

Not really my style of music but I can see a country guy making that sound amazing

[@johnherdman8241]

The B bender looks like an even easier mod than the bridge tremolo I fitted on mine.

[@wjfowler]

Maybe try a Peterson Pitch Witch G and B bender. Palm benders. Strongly recommend.

[@sumi_plays_games]

Very interesting I never heard of B bender before. Gives Les Paul some interesting character.

[@zeissig]

y recommend also roller bridge, i saw the "teeth" move while using the b bender... AWESOE GUITAR!!!!!!!

[@fuechse7848]

Never seen an epi with such a great looking top

[@lance134679]

Wow, compared to a Tele B-Bender, this is super simple. Note that because of Brad Paisley, some prefer a G-Bender, so perhaps we'll see that eventually.

[@voornaam3191]

Yep, this looks so simple, still, when you think about such things, there are several possible problems, which have been tackled. It should ALWAYS return to the home position, or B is not B anymore. How good can you tune the end position? If you want to hear a C, you want a tuned C. So, home position and end position must be goooood, dropping a pick or anything in that area should be impossible, or at least you should be able to simply shake the culprit out of harms way. Maybe I am way too afraid, but that is the way to find flaws. The cool thing is, THIS B-bender looks absolutely flawless. It works! Always!

[@dalgguitars]

It looks very clunky and sharp. Why wouldn't they machine the bass side smooth? And the big question is, B-bender on a Les Paul? That customer-base has to be like four or five guys in total. This might be the most useless thing I've ever seen. If anyone out there buys one, please let us know in the comments! Thank you Darrel for showing us this stuff. Your channel totally Rocks and this was really fun!

[@johnfrewin7717]

I got one three weeks ago!, totally agree that it’s unbelievably unlikely anyone would want one - reason for doing it was that I wanted a stage spare for a P90 , b bender equipped Tele I’d built myself, and my old LPJ (Gibson ) was getting little use as it’s humbuckers didn’t suit my country rig .Got some P90s and the bender & made sure to keep the original parts safe as that guitar is now totally unsalable 😳Beautiful German engineering, but I can’t see them selling many so I jumped on before they become an unavailable quirky piece of niche guitar history 👍🎸😀

[@dalgguitars]

@@johnfrewin7717 Sounds like you are the perfect person for this unique item. Good luck and keep on Rockin'!

[@Ray-ym3qr]

I have this easy b-bender installed for over 2 months and love it.. why people say things are useless if they never tried it before.. typical critic. It's useless if you have a closed mind

[@motorcyclemark2889]

I just Bought a dark honey burst quilt top 60s Standard from zZound looks just like your epiphone I love mine .

[@tomaslopez2940]

You should try the Floyd Rose FRX again. It turns your Les Paul into a killer vibrato guitar!

[@courier11sec]

I really want to end up with an frx to try.

[@virgiliovenditti6976]

Cool, man... IIRC, I've seen somewhere that there also is the full vibrato for Les Paul guitars. Completely reversible, no holes in the body or structural mods... just placed via the two strings of the retainer... (Schaller if I am not wrong?)

[@stubaker2574]

First time I heard/seen a B bender he made it sound like a steel guitar which blew me away but that was way way back and it was a complicated affair as he had to rout out chamber in the back to install things have changed so now maybe i can get one!! thanks for your work and great site..

[@stringedaz]

I love this channel and the crazy stuff you find and try out.

[@lfaf9509]

If he just added some thread tape to the post's on that guitar, he would improve tuning stability as the post's would not rock back and forth as much. I do this to any guitar with a TOM type bridge. Heck, I add thread tape, or plumbers tape, to the posts for a two point tremolo. I have noticed since I started doing it, guitars go out of tune a lot less often. I don't think it affects tone in any way, but if you are one of those "Tone wood" people, the tape causes the transfer of vibrations into the wood better.... Take that how ever you want. But thread tape makes the bolts more secure and they usually don't wobble when you bend your strings.

[@DMSProduktions]

I did it to my custom made SG! I took them out! PRails, while good in theory, aren't good in actual practise! They are a jack of all trades, but master of NONE pick up!

[@quigley4440]

I added a String Butler to my friend Les Paul. It would go out of tune about every 10 minutes and the group would stop and wait for those auto tuners to do their thing. The Butler fixed the problem as is worth every nickle. I also solved the problem by simply buying a different make of guitar.

[@quigley4440]

@Nicegram@DarrellBraunGuiter Darrell - received notification about winning a Flying Guitar. Fantastic, but being a geezer and not familiar with Inbox - what do I need to do?

[@RaxFx]

if you want a retrofit bender for a Strat check out the Duesenberg Multibender

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Very interesting mod. The string butler is very cool.

[@philipbeasley72]

Dude this sounds awesome. Little country twang. But sounds great. Could be the new strings for that country sound. I like it

[@philipbeasley72]

@Nicegram@DarrellBraunGuiter oh yeah. That's cool. Thanks

[@justinrayguitars6024]

Check out the Certano benders. Great quality and easy to install!

[@julianmetcalfe1070]

OMG that guitar is BEAUTIFUL

[@nj1255]

It's hilarious to see the over-engineered solution Leo Fender (or was it he who designed the Tele B-bender?) came up with, versus this dead simple and brilliant one! It's like comparing Gibsons stupid Robo-tuners and the genious Evertune system.

[@bretspangler8717]

I have that exact same Epi LP, I love the quilted top, it is my favorite to play, other than lining the cavities with copper tape I have not made any mods yet. I did remove the pickup guard, a real shame hiding that top.

[@proektrawwi]

Хорошая деталь !!! 😎😎😎

[@davidchavers1820]

That Paul is a monster!!

[@ericclark9770]

Am I crazy, or am I seeing the saddle in the bridge shifting when using the B-Bender @ 8:30 in the video? Either need a more stable bridge, or one with roller saddles as other have mentioned.

[@Anjohl]

Now *that's* cool! Much cheaper, and much, *MUCH* less invasive than a real B-Bender!

[@stewy4158]

Lap steel licks coming up 👍👍 lol beautiful guitar man👍

[@gboy1973]

still wanting to try that midi? whammy bar thingy one day... great videos and keep up the fun!

[@ALTDOK667]

Gotta say, awesome episode!⚡🤘

[@steveregotti8542]

Never heard of this-- interesting-- thanks again

[@lpoolck17]

When I saw the thumbnail I was worried that you had drilled into that fantastic Epiphone top for a minute there!

[@erickleefeld4883]

If you’re going to put any kind of string-bender or whammy bar on a Tune-o-Matic bridge, you should also use a set of roller saddles.

[@ShiningHourPop]

Super easy, barely an inconvenience! 😊

[@ezer0923]

Love the new string butler

[@Elisolstice]

Man, I love guitar gadgets. Also I love your videos. Also, dust your Audio InterFace man 😂

[@paulterry1921]

Hi Darrell... I've bought two 'artist guitars' les paul style guitars here in Australia from their 'bargain bin'... For 299 and 335 ozzy dollars an l59csb and an apricot burst 59....inc postage... I understand they're now available in the US.. So sure you could arrange something in Canada. The 'vfm'...or bang for buck is incredible IMHO.... See if you can review one.... There is an Ozzie's review already.... Interested to hear your thoughts. Cheers Paul from Perth.

[@jaimer744]

just use your PRS if you want those strings aligned better at the head stock :) Anyway, break out a lap steel for those bending feelings :)

[@joermnyc]

There’s a rare Gibson headstock that looks like a cobra (the Les Paul DC Pro has it, but that’s a Custom Shop model, so it’s expensive). That has straight string pull.

[@NoUploadJustComment]

Between this and the Hipshot kit I'd be surprised if anyone ever routes out a full back for a B bender again.

[@markmiwurdz202]

@Kevin Maryles. You may already know this. There are other B - Bender devices that can be fitted without major body routing. Have you seen the Joe Glaser B - Bender where the string pull lever works through the cover plate for the neck screws? And "Jackson Steel Guitars" have a B - Bender that mounts on/over the bridge which also offers a quick action lever to move the low E string to go to a drop D tuning as fast as you can move your hand. Plus they can also fit a G - Bender. Stay safe and well.

[@Ilovepeanutramen3278]

Neat les paul man

[@rico387]

Thus, launching a new generation of Eagles cover bands.

[@thebuck1152]

That string butler being not centered on the nut bothers my OCD....cool mod. The b bender is not my style, but looks well made and sounds very functional

[@Ray-ym3qr]

Just the camera angle OCD man that makes it look this way. Once the 3 screws are in it is automatically centred as it uses the existing screw holes. I think Darrell is more than capable to centre it correctly...

[@akinatronic8946]

good video, you could also test stetsbar they dropped the v3 recently it's a killer vibrato !

[@ardakaya682]

You should learn the intro clean riff from unforgiven 2 by Metallica

[@Mattube1983]

I came here hoping that would happen 😂

[@ArkRed1]

Would a graphite saddle on the B string help to save the string?

[@rickhunter-wolff]

Cool. Peddle steel sounds on a guitar 🎸

[@jamesmiller8299]

I wish you could try out the seymore Duncan preamp. I cant decide between active emgs or my factory Jackson pickups with the Duncan preamp and nobody on KZbin has a good video on the preamp.

[@PaulCooksStuff]

The butler makes truss rod adjustment a bit of a faff?

[@michaelbajorek1972]

I have what i assume to be the older string butler. It does not interfere with truss rod.

[@PaulCooksStuff]

@@michaelbajorek1972 yeh, I'm more familiar with the one that sits across the first pair of tuning pegs. Out of curiosity I had a Google. It looks like this one is actually the oldest version-1 butler. V2/3/4 are all up at the tuning pegs, presumably to solve the truss access. V1 isnt the end of the world, just a small inconvenience.

[@WilliamHaisch]

I was hoping this was the Erector Set for guitar. Oh well. Maybe next time. 😂

[@gatorgrass3]

Hi guys welcome back to the channel and hope you’re having a great day 👍, thanks Darrel , I’m loving it dit-dit-dit-ta-doooo 😂

[@hmoen]

Darrell, could you please review Stetsbar Tremolo and the Easy Rider V-Twin Tremolo ? Thanks

[@robbaskerville253]

No comment on th B bender, but that string butler should be standard on all Les Paul's, or, better yet, a better headstock design.

[@sixsledges5474]

You should either get a roller bridge or string saver saddles for the one you have

[@leovan83]

Hi Darrell! Quick question, the lever seems to have a life of its own hehe. Sometimes it’s perfect, sometimes it’s really loose and sometimes very very tough - I’m talking about the arm in terms of ROTATION.

[@lyonsson6480]

I have one of these. You can tighten the nut to keep the arm from moving around.

[@fuzzcous]

Sounds very cool.

[@JChalant]

Never have I ever gone so fast from , "what is this gimmicky thing"...to ...shut up and take my money! LOL...now ill cool off for a couple days and revisit it later ;)

[@joermnyc]

Those extra tailpiece posts might be because some Epiphones have locking tailpieces and maybe the posts for that interfere with the bender tailpiece. My one issue with the string butler, truss rod adjustments get complicated since you can’t just take that off like the original truss rod cover.

[@j_freed]

But you definitely could fully set up the guitar and truss with the string butler taken off. Then just install it again.

[@Ray-ym3qr]

Actually you can remove the String Butler just slacken the strings and pop it off to adjust trust rod then pop back on and remeasure the neck relief. Just an extra step. Considering you only may adjust the truss rod 1 or twice a season this is hardly an inconvenience compared to the benefits

[@CaptainRon1913]

Look up Clarence White playing his b-bender tele. He was the originator of the b-bender

[@place_desjardins]

Nice review. Although the B-Bender appeared to be made with solid parts, it didn't have an attractive design.

[@user-hn2wc3fy7y]

what timing. I just looked up mods for my epi lp some twenty hours ago because I was curious what was out there suddenly.

[@Dug6666666]

The string butler looks like it needs centering better. The A string looks like it is pushing the string off centre of the nut slot too far the other way and the B string getting all the string bending action is not pushing the string in line with the nut slot at all. Backing off the screws might allow it to self centre.

[@onkelpool]

Is it a Canadian manufacturer? I noticed that the assortment elsewhere is somewhat meager?🧐

[@KainzMusic]

Locking tuners and a graphite nut and pow!