Travis Bean

Travis Bean was an American company, the electric guitars and basses produced. The company was derived from the name of the founder Travis Bean. The company is best known for the unusual in instrument making use of aluminum as a construction material.

History

Driven by his idea to produce instruments of aluminum, Travis Bean launched in 1974 in Sun Valley, California, the production of its instruments. After the first initial successes, the sales figures fluctuated only at low levels. Because of the lack of success made ​​Travis Bean making the instruments in 1979 again. In 1998 appeared a replica of the successful model of the electric guitar TB in 1000, with the collaboration of the designer Travis Bean briefly on the market.

A particular design feature of the instruments of Travis Bean were the continuous aluminum necks that had gone through the complete guitars. On the neck and the aluminum chassis conventional wood bodysuits were attached. The idea behind this design was the assumption that the guitar should have a better tone and longer sustain the stable metal construction. In addition, material-related problems of conventional wood instruments (eg, bending and warping of necks by string tension and climate influence) should be minimized. However, major drawback was the uncomfortable cold feel of the metal neck, which deterred many players and ultimately led to the end of the guitars. The sound of the Travis Bean guitars is roughly comparable to the Gibson instruments due to the humbucker assembly, wherein the clay is much clearer and harder.

New edition

Since 2009, new Travis Bean instruments are on the market; Travis Bean guitars are made ​​since then in Germany (Bavaria). In contrast to the history vintage Travis Bean Guitars, the company Travis Bean made ​​today under the direction of Franz " Travis " Gründl mostly with wooden necks; However Aluhälse are further available as build and special series.

Since 2010 Travis Bean is a trademark registered in the owner, Francis Travis Gründl.

The Travis Bean guitars in music

In particular, the pronounced sustain the Travis Bean guitars made ​​the instruments popular. Famous musicians were playing a " Travis Bean" / played among others Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead, Steve Albini of Shellac, Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, Matthias Rohr ( Matt " Gonzo " Roehr ), Hermann Hausner and Slash of Guns N ' Roses. The latter continues its " Travis Bean" mainly playing with the Bottleneck, where he took advantage of the immense sustain of this instrument.