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need help buying a Bean

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beansoup

Joined:
03 Aug 2009
Posts: 8
PostPosted: 08/03/2009 at 7:56 PM    Post subject: need help buying a Bean link

Hi everyone,

I'm a little new to this forum and TB's in general, but I'm looking to buy a TB guitar at some point in the near future, so looking for some advice on what to get.

I'm particularly interested in a TB-500, though I guess I could settle for any Bean at this point. The TB-500 that just sold on ebay was just a tad too high priced for me...is that the average Tb-500 selling price? Do ones in that condition show up, or was that a rare chance I shouldn't have passed on?

I don't mind being patient for the right Bean to come along, just not sure what to look for as I don't know the market so well. I'm more interested in playing one than having it for collectors sake, but having it in nice shape would probably be a better investment.

There's still the TB-1000 Koawood on ebay right now, is that one overpriced or a good buy for $6k? Is there a big sound difference between an aluminum coated neck and a fully aluminum neck? I haven't played many TBs, so I don't know how to compare soundwise between models.

Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

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BoulderBean

Joined:
04 Feb 2004
Posts: 309
PostPosted: 08/04/2009 at 10:22 AM    Post subject: RE:need help buying a Bean link

Hi Beansoup,

Welcome to the fabulous Travis Bean Guitars site. I'm sure others will have info for you, but I thought I'd respond to a few of your questions.

Price - Expect to pay $6K or more for a TB-500 and $2.5K (or more) for a TB-1000S. Much depends upon the condition of the guitar and whether it has been modified at all. There are many discussions of price on this site that you can search for.

I don't know about coated vs. non-coated. I don't think it makes a lot of difference with the sound, but I have never played a coated Bean.

If you can't find a Bean that fits your needs, you might also check out the Electrical Guitar Company. They make some terrific aluminum instruments that many top musicians are using.

Best of luck!

Peter

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TomWanderer

Joined:
29 Jul 2008
Posts: 49
PostPosted: 08/04/2009 at 1:59 PM    Post subject: RE:need help buying a Bean link

Hey there!
All of the necks are 'fully aluminum'. Some have a hard black powder coat on the metal and some do not. It is more an issue of feel, not so much sound.

I would really recommend trying some other people's beans before you buy. You don't want to spend a few grand on something only to find that it sounds or feels nothing like you expected...

Also, I recently had an Electrical Guitar Company guitar made and it is the most comfortable, best sounding, coolest looking guitar I have ever played. Kevin is great to work with and I highly recommend checking out his stuff.

Good luck with your search and I hope you find something great!
-Tom


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charlie

Joined:
06 Jan 2008
Posts: 250
PostPosted: 08/05/2009 at 11:02 AM    Post subject: RE:need help buying a Bean link

The heart and soul of the bean sound is the aluminum neck/chassis. I have a refinished standard that has non original pickups. I am trying different pickups in it, ie single coils vs humbuckers. Personally I love the original TB humbuckers, but I also like a good vintage P90.

The thing that makes them all great is the neck and the the fact that the pickups are attached directly to the alluminum neck chassis. Heavier koa bodies add sustain so a TB500 would have less sustain due to the thin magnolia body.

So IMHO if you are looking for tone don't spend 6k. Just buy a koa standard for half that and put in single coil pickups if you want more of the tb500 sound. I believe there are some good copies made of the 500 pickups.

As far as the coated necks go, I don't think they change the tone, just the feel.


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Joefish

Joined:
11 Dec 2008
Posts: 106
PostPosted: 08/08/2009 at 12:52 PM    Post subject: RE:need help buying a Bean link

Good luck!

The only thing I would add to the above would be to gain an understanding of the eBay process.

The TB500 #312 was the first one I followed (from beginning to end).

Without researching it, it appears to me that you would need to use automatic bidding with a bid that is 10 to 15% higher than what the folks around here think the market price is.

(¦ additional considerations: Current amp/gear, playing out/recording/home, style of music)





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beansoup

Joined:
03 Aug 2009
Posts: 8
PostPosted: 08/10/2009 at 12:39 PM    Post subject: RE:need help buying a Bean link

Thanks for all the replies and advice!

I will keep my eyes peeled, hope to find a bean sometime soon.

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