In the world of electric guitars and basses, few names resonate with the same level of reverence and mystique as Travis Bean. These instruments are considered somewhat obscure compared to the products offered by many familiar manufacturers. At the same time, they have become icons of innovation and design of the 1970’s. Travis Bean guitars are unique in many ways, with their most distinctive feature being the aluminum neck-through-body construction. This innovation, coupled with top-notch craftsmanship, has made Travis Bean guitars a cherished treasure among musicians and collectors alike.

The Travis Bean guitar story begins with the vision of its eponymous founder, Clifford “Travis” Bean. Travis Bean was not your traditional luthier, as he was also a machinist with a passion for guitars. His journey into the world of instrument crafting was unconventional, yet it resulted in some of the most sonically distinctive and visually striking guitars ever created.

Here’s a look at a 1976 TB1000S that was recently sold at IVG. Cool!!

In the early 1970s, Bean and his partners, Marc McElwee and Gary Kramer (later of Kramer Guitars) set out to challenge the status quo of guitar manufacturing. They wanted to create instruments that not only looked different but also pushed the boundaries of sound. To achieve this, they decided to utilize aircraft-grade aluminum for the neck and body, a departure from the traditional wood construction that dominated the industry since the beginning. Their use of aluminum for guitar necks in the 70’s was certainly ahead of its time. Unlike wooden necks, which are susceptible to warping and breakage, aluminum is incredibly stable in this regard. The aluminum neck design not only ensured consistent durability but also contributed to the unique tone of Travis Beans. The solid aluminum neck extended through the body of the guitar, enhancing sustain and resonance. This new distinct tone was characterized by bright clarity and sustain, and players were immediately struck by the distinctive “ping” and shimmering qualities of Travis Bean guitars and basses.

Travis Beans were built in Sun Valley, CA, a small city within the greater Los Angeles area. From 1974-1979 the company built a small handful of various models, each with their own unique character. The Travis Bean TB1000S (or “Standard”) was the company’s flagship model, and it featured a double-cutaway design, dual proprietary Travis Bean humbuckers, and a striking, futuristic looking aluminum pickguard. The TB1000A “Artist” was essentially a 1000S with an added arched top and block inlay for a more traditional look. But perhaps the most famous Travis Bean model is the TB500, notably played by Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead and Steve Albini of Big Black. Its aluminum neck and unique Travis Bean single-coil pickups made it a sonic powerhouse. The TB500 remains highly sought after by collectors, as it was produced in fewer numbers than the Standard or Artist models.

What truly set Travis Bean guitars apart, aside from their materials, was their impeccable craftsmanship. Each instrument was hand-built with meticulous attention to detail, which was seeming to fade away with other major manufacturers throughout the 1970’s. The necks were beautifully machined and polished, ensuring a perfect fit between the aluminum neck and wooden body, which was often made from exotic non-traditional guitar woods such as Koa or Magnolia. The fretwork was flawless, and the hardware was also high quality. Another interesting feature of a Travis Bean’s is their flat fingerboard radius. While other manufacturers always produced their instruments with some kind of curved radius, a Travis Bean is completely flat, somewhat similar in feel to a nylon string classical guitar.

This commitment to craftsmanship shows Travis Bean’s dedication to creating guitars that were not only innovative but also reliable and playable. It’s this dedication that has allowed many Travis Bean guitars to survive for decades, still producing the incredible tone that inspires musicians to this day.

Despite their relatively short production run from the early to mid-1970s, Travis Bean guitars have left an indelible mark on the world of electric guitars. Many contemporary artists have embraced the unique tonal characteristics of Travis Beans, incorporating them into their sonic palette. This resurgence in interest as well as the increasing value of original 70’s Beans has led to the creation of several boutique guitar companies producing aluminum-necked instruments inspired by Travis Bean’s pioneering designs.

While Travis Bean guitars are now celebrated for their innovation and exceptional tone, they faced challenges during their initial production. The high cost of materials and labor-intensive construction methods made them relatively expensive compared to traditional wooden guitars of the era. This limited their accessibility to a broader market. Furthermore, the guitar industry at the time was dominated by established brands, making it difficult for newcomers like Travis Bean to gain a foothold. These challenges, coupled with Travis Bean’s relatively short production run, have contributed to the rarity of these instruments today, adding to their allure among collectors.

Travis Bean is more than just another defunct 70’s guitar maker, they are a company that symbolized innovation, craftsmanship, and a departure from convention. The use of aluminum for the neck and body created instruments that not only looked futuristic but also sounded like nothing else on the market. These guitars remain highly sought after, and players who have gotten a chance to own or play one of these instruments can attest to their uniqueness. Travis Bean’s legacy lives on, not only through the guitars themselves but also through the countless musicians and enthusiasts who continue to be inspired by these exceptional instruments. Whether in the hands of a legendary artist or an aspiring musician, a Travis Bean guitar is a testament to the enduring power of innovation in the world of music.

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