Will adding a Bender change my guitar's sound?
Players do not report any change in their instruments' sound but, probably, everything you do - even changing a knob - makes a difference, just not one that's audible. The necessary wood removal is minimal and, while it is possible that some bender types that require routing away much of a guitar's back may even improve the instrument's sound, our object has been - from the very beginning, 40 years ago - to have no audible impact.
How much weight will this Bender add to my guitar?
This Glaser Bender is very lightweight. The neckplate mechanism is made of a very strong alloy and, even with 2 small bearings and stainless lever arm, it weighs only slightly more than a typical Fender steel neckplate. Likewise, the Bender saddle and Pull Finger assembly adds only a slight amount of weight. Though wood removal is very minimal, what is removed typically weighs a bit more than the spring and therefore, the Bender, as installed, is virtually weight neutral.
Where can I get a new Glaser Bender installed?
There are a few authorized Glaser Bender Installers including Glaser Instruments in Nashville. Others will be added to this website as they get up and running. To maintain our history of extremely low issues with Benders, great attention is paid to correct installation and having this done on the accurate jigs, fixtures and tooling that is part of authorized installation.
Can I do the installation myself or can my regular repair person?
Only authorized and trained installers can install the Glaser Bender. This policy is to assure that all machining is precise and the setup is up to our stringent quality standards. These standards are in place to assure that the Bender is free of friction or other functional issues and returns to pitch as expected and that no damage is done to your instrument.
Is there any warranty on the Glaser Bender and what does it cover?
While there is no specific warranty on the Bender, historically we have had less than 1/10 of a percent returned within 10 years and we have always covered any repairs as long as the owner schedules or calls ahead and covers any shipping and insurance. This version of the Bender has less moving parts and is even more solidly built.
As an improvement, the pulled string no longer has its ball end loaded below the bridge surface and broken strings will not end up inside the guitar. Other improvements also reduce any need for adjustment or maintenance.
How do I get my guitar to Glaser Bender?
If you are unable to drop-off, we recommend you ship us your guitar so that we can better check/tweak the final setup as needed and assure that it is optimized when you get it. Once we receive the guitar, the turnaround is 1-3 days.
How do I ship my guitar?
You can find good instrument shipping boxes at your local music stores. Make sure that nothing in your guitar case is loose that could scratch your guitar. Please include a note with your name, address, email, and phone number as well as your preference on B or G pull and short, medium, or long-throw - medium is most popular by far. We also ask that you include a fresh set of your strings for final setup. We won't change your action but will go through the nut t-rod and intonation if needed. UPS or FedEx Ground are preferable to the post office and insurance is pretty cheap to add though we have had very few issues ever.
Can I ship the body of my guitar without the neck for a Bender install?
We highly reccomend shipping the whole guitar so that we can do the full setup and ensure the guitar is returned to you with the best sound possible.
We've found that several of the non- Fender necks we've worked on are a bit longer between the highest fret and the end - the edge of the neck pocket or shorter between the neck pocket and bridge hole compared to the traditional Tele.
Either of these variations pushes the saddles further toward the neck. This means we end up moving the two very small slots - under the B and G - forward by about 1/16-1/8". These guitars also require a slightly shorter tension spring/cable to work best after intonation. If we get a body-only shipping, we can't check this and optimize the install. Shipping the entire guitar guarantees that we can return it with the Bender working at it's best when intonated to the fretboard/neck layout.
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Can I have my single Bender upgraded to a double? What is the cost?
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Yes, it is no problem to add a second pull to the current Bender version Adding a double to a Glaser Bender starts at $600. Depending on what type of saddles you have and neck-plate the installation may cost more.
What is the turnaround time and cost for installation?
We now offer same-day turnaround for drive-in Benders by pre-scheduled appointment. For shipped-in benders, the turnaround time is typically 1-3 days. The cost for the standard 3 saddle Bender is $650.00 and cost for a standard Double Bender is $1150, not including taxes, shipping, and new strings or other requested work. Some non-traditional saddles and neck plates may be more.
Can you acommodate a guitar with a non-traditional neck or saddle?
Absolutely, we offer a 3-bolt neck plate version, contoured and or slanted neck plates, and a variety of saddle options. We can accommodate virtually any tele bridge except a 6 saddle barrel because they float and tend to drift to the treble side. We are happy to substitute for different saddles and bridges if needed. If you are unsure of what would work best for your instrument, please shoot us an email at JOE@glaserinstruments.com or call the shop at 615-297-4687
Can you put a Glaser Bender on a Thinline Tele or a Strat?
Yes we can; the Glaser Bender is very non-invasive and works seamlessly with Thinlines. We routinely install our Benders into bodies with contours, F holes, and routed weight relief. We can put Benders on a Strat as long as it has a hard tail bridge. Anything with a Fender style neck-plate can get a Bender installed-see the above answer for more info on the neck-plates we accommodate.
How do I take the neck off my guitar after the Bender install?
When removing the neck of your guitar after the install, we would reccomend you keep one or more of the neck screws in place through the neck plate.
How do I take the bridge off my guitar after the Bender install?
You can take the bridge off as you normally would. Make sure to lift straight up when removing the bridge and lower straight back down when reinstalling. This will ensure the finger stays on the correct side of the spring.
What tools do I need to change my pulled string?
Hint: leave your mouse on the picture for tool names.
Tuner
Saddle height screw driver or wrench
String winding tool
Small Pliers
Phillips screwdriver
for tension
adjustment
Long screwdriver for intonation
Tuner
6 Steps to Change your Pulled String:
1. Loosen the top 4 strings
2. Remove the Saddles - e' thru G
3. Change the Finger axle pin to the correct hole
4. Reverse the height adjustment set screws
5. Reinstall the saddles in the preferred configuration
5. Restring and intonate
6. Adjust the tuning thumbscrew and tension, if necessary
For answers to more frequently asked questions such as:
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How do I change the pulled string from B to G or vice versa? How do I restring? How do I adjust the stop?
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How do I adjust the resistance?
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How do I attach the strap lock to the strap?
