Duesenberg Multibender on Gretsch G5700

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Ken Dangerfield
Posts: 9
Joined: 8 Aug 2025 5:30 am
Location: Vancouver Island

Duesenberg Multibender on Gretsch G5700

Post by Ken Dangerfield »

I purchased this bender and the GeorgeBoards roller nut to go on my Gretsch. I'm about to take it in to have them installed by the fellow who does all the work on my guitars.

The roller nut raises the strings a bit at that end. Out of the box, the Duesenberg's bridge saddles are completely down and just eyeballing they look to be at about the same height as the stock Gretsch bridge so raising the saddles with the set screws should bring the strings up enough.

Anyone have experience with this? Was it necessary to shim the Duesenberg bridge plate? Thanks.
"I play the damned things, I don't worship them" - Pete Townsend
Andy Fekete
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Joined: 12 May 2011 8:28 pm
Location: Florida, USA

Re: Duesenberg Multibender on Gretsch G5700

Post by Andy Fekete »

I installed a Duesenberg Multibender and Georgeboards roller nut on my Gretsch G5700 and they work great. You'll love it.

I also installed a slightly wider Fender Deluxe 6 string fingerboard and a Seymour Duncan Phat Cat Silencer P-90 Bridge pickup (the stock PU hummed too much). I bought both of them on Reverb.

I really like the end results because it's smaller and lighter than my Asher Electro Hawaiian and easy to take for gigs or jam sessions.
Ken Dangerfield
Posts: 9
Joined: 8 Aug 2025 5:30 am
Location: Vancouver Island

Re: Duesenberg Multibender on Gretsch G5700

Post by Ken Dangerfield »

Good to hear that it works out well. Did you find that you needed a shim under the bridge plate?
"I play the damned things, I don't worship them" - Pete Townsend
Andy Fekete
Posts: 8
Joined: 12 May 2011 8:28 pm
Location: Florida, USA

Re: Duesenberg Multibender on Gretsch G5700

Post by Andy Fekete »

No shims were needed. Worked fine without...
Ken Dangerfield
Posts: 9
Joined: 8 Aug 2025 5:30 am
Location: Vancouver Island

Re: Duesenberg Multibender on Gretsch G5700

Post by Ken Dangerfield »

Thanks Andy. I have an appointment booked for installation next week with the guitar tech I always use and will report back.
"I play the damned things, I don't worship them" - Pete Townsend
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Peter Funk
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Joined: 30 Jul 2012 6:43 pm
Location: Germany

Re: Duesenberg Multibender on Gretsch G5700

Post by Peter Funk »

I did the same some years ago. As far as I remember, not even extra holes had to be drilled. As easy, as that.
Very satisfied with the result:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt2OD2JZZ5I
Ken Dangerfield
Posts: 9
Joined: 8 Aug 2025 5:30 am
Location: Vancouver Island

Re: Duesenberg Multibender on Gretsch G5700

Post by Ken Dangerfield »

Very nice playing Peter. I will have a lot of practising to do :)
"I play the damned things, I don't worship them" - Pete Townsend
Ken Dangerfield
Posts: 9
Joined: 8 Aug 2025 5:30 am
Location: Vancouver Island

Re: Duesenberg Multibender on Gretsch G5700

Post by Ken Dangerfield »

The Multibender (2 levers) is being installed on my lap steel on Thursday which brings up the question of how I want to adjust the detuning. Recall that the Multibender can raise or lower the pitch by as much as 3 semitones (probably only 2 in useful practical terms).

I'm using C6 tuning currently. Any suggestions or experience as to which bends have been most useful?
"I play the damned things, I don't worship them" - Pete Townsend