The New B5, B7 and B50 🐝 Benders
- Wade B.
- Oct 27
- 4 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
*****Announcement*****
We did it again! Wade Black, owner and creator of 3Bender, has created another new family of string bender products. This newest string bender product line is a nod to Paul Bigsby: The B5 🐝 Bender™️, B7 🐝 Bender™️ and B50 🐝 Bender™️.
What is this new family of a 🐝 Bender™️ products?
It is a stringbender that can be mounted to your B5, B7 or B50 vibrato front roller.
Where can I buy a B5, B7 or B50 🐝 Bender™️?
We have stock inventory of the B5 🐝 Bender™️ and a few of the retrofit kits. You can buy here:
https://www.3bender.com/b5-b7-b50-b70-bender
or check our store on Reverb:
https://reverb.com/shop/3bender
You can also contact us via this website to send your Bigsby B5, B7 or B50 to us and we will retrofit it. You will be charged for a kit + $15 and return shipping.
*If you don't see what you need, reach via the contact form on this website.
Do you sell them as complete assemblies already mounted to a Bigsby or can I buy them as a kit?
Both. You can buy it in a complete assembly with the stringbender already mounted or you can buy a kit and mount the stringbender to your existing B5.
Can I still use the vibrato if I mount the bender lever?
Yes, indeed. This is one of the coolest features. We hope you do.
How do I adjust the tightness of the lever arm (paddle) that is attached to the bender lever?
You must first loosen the set screw on the bender lever and then loosen/tighten the 6-32 phillips head screw on top of the bender. Retighten the 6-32 phillips after retightening the set screw.
What are the recommendations for mounting a Bigsby B5 with a B5 🐝 Bender™️?
Use this video as an installation guide to mount it: https://youtu.be/DOCjQpRU4ak?si=-dQVk4b-eCDnyC9M
If you are mounting a new Bigsby B5 to a T style guitar, we recommend that you use a mounting template. I used one sold by GuitarsByDesign in Macks Creek, Mo. (No affiliation.) It is sometimes difficult to mount the unit straight and this template will save you time. Additionally, the template helps ensure you have plenty of room for the stringbender lever arms behind the bridge. Here is a link to the template on Reverb: https://tinyurl.com/yk8fpws7
If I already have a B5 mounted to my guitar, should I check any dimensions before I buy and mount the B5 🐝 Bender™️ Kit?
The B5 needs to be mounted approximately .9375” from the bridge as specified in the attached pic. A single or a double will probably work fine if it is a little closer…but you might have to point the front end of the bender lever upwards to keep it from hitting the back of the bridge.
Will these work with the Vibramate®?
None of these benders will work with the Vibramate. We will have a new "no drill" adapter plate soon that works with these benders and stoptail (Gibby style) guitars soon. Subscribe to our newsletter and watch this blog for updates.
Can I use the B5, B7 or B50 🐝 Bender™️ on guitars with alternate tunings?
Yes, Open D sounds great. We expect you will find tons of alternate tuning possibilities and we look forward to hearing the music you make. Please note that string gauges may need to be adjusted as you tune to alternate CoBendEnts.
Bigsby® is a registered trademark of Fred Gretsch Enterprises.
Vibramate® is a registered trademark of UE Corporation.
Introductory Pricing for the B5 🐝 Bender
If you have a Bigsby B5 already and just want the retrofit kit:
$159 for a single lever
$239 for a double lever
$319 for a triple lever
*What is in the kit? Assembled bender lever(s), a precision machined axle, roller bars and sleeve bearings for the strings that do not have levers, alternate length bender lever paddles, allen wrenches, shim...everything you need to do the retrofit.
If you want a fully assembled Bigsby with the B5 🐝 Bender™️ installed:
$319 for a single lever
$399 for a double lever
$479 for a triple lever
Recommended: If you want a fully assembled pinless Bigsby with the B5 🐝 Bender™️ installed:
$339 for a single lever
$419 for a double lever
$499 for a triple lever
The pinless Bigsby's are so much easier to string than the old style. Highly recommended!
Introductory Pricing for the B7 🐝 Bender
If you have a Bigsby B7 already and just want the retrofit kit:
$159 for a single lever
$239 for a double lever
$319 for a triple lever
*What is in the kit? Assembled bender lever(s), a precision machined axle, roller bars and sleeve bearings for the strings that do not have levers, alternate length bender lever paddles, allen wrenches, shim...everything you need to do the retrofit.
If you want a fully assembled Bigsby with the B7 🐝 Bender™️ installed:
$349 for a single lever
$429 for a double lever
$509 for a triple lever
Recommended: If you want a fully assembled pinless Bigsby with the B7 🐝 Bender™️ installed:
$429 for a single lever
$509 for a double lever
$589 for a triple lever
The pinless Bigsby's are so much easier to string than the old style. Highly recommended!
Introductory Pricing for the B50 🐝 Bender
If you have a Bigsby B50 already and just want the retrofit kit:
$159 for a single lever
$239 for a double lever
$319 for a triple lever
*What is in the B50 kit? Assembled bender lever(s), replacement roller bars for the strings that do not have levers, new washers, new E ring to replace the snap ring that must be removed, alternate length bender lever paddles, allen wrenches, and shim. You will need a snap ring tool to remove the snap ring on the roller bar axle. The tool will not be supplied in the kit.
If you want a fully assembled Bigsby with the B50 🐝 Bender™️ installed:
$309 for a single lever
$389 for a double lever
$469 for a triple lever
*Shipping is not included in the price above.
**Wholesale pricing is available. If you are a retailer or a guitar tech, please reach out via the website contact info.
***Artist pricing is available. Please reach out via the website contact info.
****If you prefer to send your Bigsby to us and have us complete the retrofit, I am glad to do that for you for $15 upcharge.
