1978 Travis Bean TB500 Vintage Aluminum Neck Guitar Imron Black w/ Case
$6,499.99
$6,499.99
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Up for sale, a 1978 Travis Bean TB500 in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with a molded flight case. The brainchild of former motocross racer and general tinkerer Clifford Travis Bean, in collaboration with guitar tech Marc McElwee, and Gary Kramer (who would soon depart the company to begin his own eponymous brand), Travis Bean Guitars were produced from 1974-79, featuring Bean’s decidedly unique aluminum neck-to-bridge design. Intended to increase neck stability and sustain, the aluminum neck/centerblock ensures these instruments have a powerful and distinct resonance. This particular model, the TB500, was introduced in 1975, and was the only original Bean to sport single coil pickups. TB500s are best associated with Jerry Garcia, who toured with one in the late ‘70s, and Steve Albini, who used the instrument on a number of recordings.
This TB500 was restored by Electrical Guitar Company, the industry leader in aluminum instruments, and EGC refinished the instrument in a vintage-spec Black Imron gloss, marrying the original pickup pair with a new wiring harness and fitting the instrument with a new brass nut and a set of genuine vintage saddles correct for the TB500.
The body is crafted from a slab of magnolia, and this Bean weighs 7lbs 15oz, balancing well on a strap. The single coil pickups meter at 5.75k ohms; they have a P-90-esque midrange-forward presence, with plenty of treble sparkle and overall aggression. The neck pickup is girthy and full, with a percussive cut and exceptional articulation, and the bridge pickup has a bit more focus and spank. This TB500 has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.
Neck Specs:
-Material: Aluminum
-Shape: Medium C, measuring .840” 1st fret, .950” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Rosewood, dot inlay
-Frets: Medium jumbo, leveled/crowned, faint wear beneath the plain strings on frets 1-5
-Scale Length: 24 3/4”
-Nut: 1 5/8”, machined brass (modern)
-Tuners: Schaller
-Serialization: Three-digit stamp (front of “T” cutout headstock)
Body Specs:
-Wood: Magnolia
-Pickups: Travis Bean single coil x2
-Controls: Volume, Tone, Three-way pickup selector
-Harness: Modern CTS pots, Sprague Orange Drop tone caps
-Hardware: Six-saddle bridge, vintage saddles
-Plastics: Black speed knobs, three-ply pickguard
-Factory Markings - Serial written in bridge pickup cavity matches headstock
The Black Imron (poly enamel) gloss finish has been carefully applied to vintage thickness, and some previous playwear on the body telegraphs faintly through the new finish including shallow buckle wear and some minor marks on the back near the cutaways. There are two small “splits” in the finish (cosmetic only) where the Imron finish contracted as it dried. The neck has also been refinished, resulting in a comfortable (and temperature-stable) feel similar to the acrylic coating on some vintage Beans.
An SKB molded flight case is included.
This TB500 was restored by Electrical Guitar Company, the industry leader in aluminum instruments, and EGC refinished the instrument in a vintage-spec Black Imron gloss, marrying the original pickup pair with a new wiring harness and fitting the instrument with a new brass nut and a set of genuine vintage saddles correct for the TB500.
The body is crafted from a slab of magnolia, and this Bean weighs 7lbs 15oz, balancing well on a strap. The single coil pickups meter at 5.75k ohms; they have a P-90-esque midrange-forward presence, with plenty of treble sparkle and overall aggression. The neck pickup is girthy and full, with a percussive cut and exceptional articulation, and the bridge pickup has a bit more focus and spank. This TB500 has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.
Neck Specs:
-Material: Aluminum
-Shape: Medium C, measuring .840” 1st fret, .950” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Rosewood, dot inlay
-Frets: Medium jumbo, leveled/crowned, faint wear beneath the plain strings on frets 1-5
-Scale Length: 24 3/4”
-Nut: 1 5/8”, machined brass (modern)
-Tuners: Schaller
-Serialization: Three-digit stamp (front of “T” cutout headstock)
Body Specs:
-Wood: Magnolia
-Pickups: Travis Bean single coil x2
-Controls: Volume, Tone, Three-way pickup selector
-Harness: Modern CTS pots, Sprague Orange Drop tone caps
-Hardware: Six-saddle bridge, vintage saddles
-Plastics: Black speed knobs, three-ply pickguard
-Factory Markings - Serial written in bridge pickup cavity matches headstock
The Black Imron (poly enamel) gloss finish has been carefully applied to vintage thickness, and some previous playwear on the body telegraphs faintly through the new finish including shallow buckle wear and some minor marks on the back near the cutaways. There are two small “splits” in the finish (cosmetic only) where the Imron finish contracted as it dried. The neck has also been refinished, resulting in a comfortable (and temperature-stable) feel similar to the acrylic coating on some vintage Beans.
An SKB molded flight case is included.
