This 1996 Fender American Standard B-Bender Tele puts a unique twist on the classic, thanks to its factory-installed system for pedal steel–style bends.

In the ‘90s, Fender offered the B-Bender Tele as part of their standard production lineup—before it eventually moved into Custom Shop territory. That makes these earlier models a bit of a hidden gem: vintage-inspired tone, classic American Standard feel, and a built-in trick that pedal players only wish they could pull off with one foot.

If the whole B-Bender concept sounds a little out there, chances are you've heard it in action without even realizing it. Clarence White's masterful use of the device is on full display on The Byrds’ Live at the Fillmore: February 1969, but it shows up in more mainstream places, too. Think the soaring bends on Led Zeppelin’s “All My Love” or the smooth, gliding lines in the Eagles’ “Peaceful Easy Feeling.”

Over the years, players as varied as James Hetfield, Pete Townshend, Albert Lee, Rich Robinson, Mike Campbell, Peter Buck, and David Gilmour have all put the B-Bender to work. It’s a tool that crosses genres with ease, adding a vocal, pedal steel–like quality that can turn a simple phrase into something truly expressive.