How to mimic a pedal steel guitar using a B-Bender

Society · Published 8 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Achieving the weeping, sliding notes of a pedal steel guitar on an electric guitar requires more than just finger strength. By using a specialized mechanical device called a B-Bender, players can manipulate string tension to transform standard chords into lush, moving triads with a single motion.

The B-Bender is a mechanical string-pull device integrated into an electric guitar. It operates via a lever attached to the guitar strap. When the player pushes down on the neck of the instrument, the mechanism activates under the second string, raising its pitch by a full step. This mechanical movement replicates the characteristic pitch shifts found in a pedal steel guitar.

Mastering the device requires a specific approach to chord voicing. Rather than playing a standard note on the second string, the player must fret a note one whole step higher than the target pitch. For example, to achieve an A major triad, a player might start with an A note on the fifth string and an E note on the first string, but they must manually fret the second string at a higher position. When the B-Bender is activated, it pulls that second string back down to the correct note, completing the triad.

This technique is equally effective for resolving suspended chords. A player can hold a C suspended chord by fretting the fifth fret of the second string, then manually drop that note to the third fret. By using the B-Bender to pull the string further, the player can bend the note into a C major triad. This ability to transition between tension and resolution is a fundamental skill for those using this specialized hardware in country guitar styles.

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