Pitchbend wheels are a must if you want to truly get the right effect when playing sounds such as guitar, bass, and sax. A pitchbend wheel when used with a guitar sound will allow you to bend notes and use it as say a whammie bar.. They are by no means gimmic. It takes some practice to use them properly too. You have to know where and when to bend the notes.. A modulation wheel is also quite handy but for the basics a pitchbend wheels is quite important. Also theres the joysticks too that you'll find on Korgs and Rolands. Personally I think they work much better than the wheels.. I use the pitchbend extensively when playing. Many of my songs will have a guitar, or sax solo. Also if you're playing brass instruments the pitchbend is quite effective.

Squeak