B-Blender Source?

Bottleneck slide guitars, B-benders, etc.

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Tom Jordan
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B-Blender Source?

Post by Tom Jordan »

I've been searching for the source of the B-Blender but keep running into dead ends. I would really like to put one on on my Gretsch 5657T. I Have a Nashville Tele with a Parson-Green, and former HipShot user.

I was fortunate to be able to play a metal body "Dobrato" and the bender looks to be an exact representation of the B-Blender. I emailed the shop owner (also a PSG player) and he is not willing to sell the unit separate from his guitars.

I understand and I enjoyed speaking with him...but, where do I find the B-Blender? It is possible that Dobrato Guitars bought the rights or is even the original builder but I don't know.

Anyone have any insight?

Thank you,

Tom
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Greg Cutshaw
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Post by Greg Cutshaw »

https://b-blender.com/ (2021 status)

I was sure you meant Bender until I looked up Blander! And I'm pretty sure you've all the stuff I've posted below.

From here:

https://www.gretsch-talk.com/threads/th ... er.124355/

JIMBEND
Newbie · From Honeoye Falls NY
Joined Nov 20, 2014
Last seen Oct 11, 2018

B and g both?

I make the B-Blender, and in fact made a sample with holes for both B and G strings. The problem was that the much wider area at the point where the strings attach, blocked easy access to the normal attachment pin for whichever string was not being bent. Normally, this was the G string. It seemed more practical to make the vertical area as narrow as possible, and add the adapter plate for the G string, in case anyone wanted to bend the G. Actually, I haven't heard of anyone using the G adapter yet; if anyone reading this forum does use it, please let me know!
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Mike Auman
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Post by Mike Auman »

Tom, the B-Blender was manufactured and sold by Jim Alday, he closed up shop several years ago. I've got one that I'm not using, with the G-bender adapter plate, all the parts and the instructions. You can PM or email me if you want it.



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Long-time guitar player, currently being humbled by a lap steel.
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Tom Jordan
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Post by Tom Jordan »

Mike, PM sent.

Greg, it is a cool unit for a Bigsby. The lever still works up and down as it should (tremelo) on every string but B and the B is a "pinkypull" towards you. Spring/string loaded, left or lateral pull.

Tom
Last edited by Tom Jordan on 6 Jan 2024 1:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Jerry Overstreet
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Post by Jerry Overstreet »

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I got one of these on this cheap chinese import. I have mine mounted on the F Bigsby on a Vibramate adapter with threaded saddles. I also use a Zero Glide nut and a D drop.

Fun guitar. $500 worth of hardware on a hunnerd dollar donor guitar. 🤑 🤪

One thing I have to deal with is the hysteresis of the B string not coming back true which requires a little bump of the lever...not a big deal once you realize it and know how to deal with it.
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Tom Jordan
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Post by Tom Jordan »

Cool, Jerry 8)

Thanks to Mike, I've located a B-Blender! I'll be happy to install it on my Gretsch.

I mentioned "Dobrato" and should have included the link, as it is worth a look. A relative has one of the metal body round necks with the B- bender and it really is a great guitar. Built in Colorado!

I'm always interested in seeing a new string bending gadget.

https://dobrato.com/

Tom
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Mike Auman
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Post by Mike Auman »

Tom, I'm glad we connected.

Since the B-Blender installation and maintenance documents are no longer available, I thought I'd post them here for future reference. Mike


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Tom Jordan
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Post by Tom Jordan »

Thumbs' up, Mike!

Tom
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Cappone dAngelo
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Re: B-Blender Source?

Post by Cappone dAngelo »

I have a B-Blender on a Gretsch with a B3, but does anyone know whether there was a different B-Blender model for the Bigsby B5 vs. whether they all use the same model? I suppose I can try it regardless, but thought I’d ask in case anyone knows. Thanks!
Mullen G2 SD10 E9th 5x5
Gretsch 5715 with Multibender
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Mike Auman
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Re: B-Blender Source?

Post by Mike Auman »

Cappone, Jim Alday only made one model of the B-Blender, and said it was universal and would fit any Bigsby or Bigsby-licensed model, domestic or imported (see the "Introduction" section of his documents in my previous post.) Thanks, Mike
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Jerry Overstreet
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Re: B-Blender Source?

Post by Jerry Overstreet »

del
Last edited by Jerry Overstreet on 10 Mar 2025 9:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Cappone dAngelo
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Re: B-Blender Source?

Post by Cappone dAngelo »

Mike Auman wrote: 5 Mar 2025 9:41 pm Cappone, Jim Alday only made one model of the B-Blender, and said it was universal and would fit any Bigsby or Bigsby-licensed model, domestic or imported (see the "Introduction" section of his documents in my previous post.) Thanks, Mike
Mike - thanks for confirming!
Mullen G2 SD10 E9th 5x5
Gretsch 5715 with Multibender
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