mcorlett
Joined:
16 Jul 2009
Posts: 41
|
 Posted: 09/24/2009 at 10:20 PM Post subject: EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
Hey, just wondering if anyone out there has both a bean and an EGC. Love to hear their comparisons. I heard the neck is way thinner on the EGC. Either way, just curious what peeps have to say!
M
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
|
Disclosure: Any links to eBay or Amazon.com are affiliate links. Affiliate links may provide commission payments to the site based on purchases.
|
|
|
|
tallchris
Joined:
21 Feb 2009
Posts: 12
|
| Posted: 09/25/2009 at 6:57 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
I haven't done an A/B test, but one of my friends has played a TB2000 quite a bit and far preferred my EGC bass.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
sol
Joined:
05 May 2007
Posts: 11
|
| Posted: 09/25/2009 at 7:09 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
TB1000 vs. EGC Custom w/ Humbuckers
The neck on the EGC is much skinner. 25.5" scale and super skinny neck equals completely different feel.
The EGC is gorgeous.
Sound wise they are very similar. I would say the EGC has more of a standard rock and roll, foot forward feel in the midrange (sweet and clear). The Bean is more balanced across the git's frequency spectrum, with a slight rise in the hi's giving it more of a telecaster on steriods feel. Again, very similar sounds, I'm splittin' hairs here.
In a head to head challenge the EGC always beat the Bean, but when playing in a band context it's the Bean. The Bean just sits in such a good spot that blends well with other players. The EGC sometimes gets buried (competing for that midrange) in an ensemble of players
One crackpot's opinion - YMMV
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
mcorlett
Joined:
16 Jul 2009
Posts: 41
|
| Posted: 09/25/2009 at 9:57 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
Awesome, thanks for your opinions!
I am awaiting a custom all aluminum EGC... I can't ******* wait actually... I'm dying to hear it. I've heard nothing but awesome things, but having really enjoyed the Bean I have, wanted to see what others in my boots have thought/found.
Again, thanks for the info!
M
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
tallchris
Joined:
21 Feb 2009
Posts: 12
|
| Posted: 09/26/2009 at 11:37 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
I've only played a my friend's TB1000S a handful of times, but I've played another friend's EGC Standard more extensively. The EGC neck definitely has a thinner neck profile, but after playing it for a few days it was hard to go back to my guitars. Sounded awesome as well!
Did you get humbuckers or single coils in yours?
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
mcorlett
Joined:
16 Jul 2009
Posts: 41
|
| Posted: 09/26/2009 at 12:28 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
Hey TallChris,
I am getting all aluminum, single coils, 2 vol, 2 tone and a phase switch. I talked to Kevin about the split single/humbucker option... I imagined that all the wiring etc might compromise the fullness of the singles. Kevin recommended that if I wanted single coil sound to go with single coils as there is some compromise (although, given his level of perfectionism and mastery my ear probably wouldn't hear it!). I went with the phase (such a cool f'ing idea!) which in Kevin's words "turn the 2 singles into a giant humbucker".
I love my 1000S, and don't get me wrong when I say this, but it lacks a couple of things I desire... It was kind of a big mental departure for me to think about not having a wood body though... especially having never played one, Keving calmed my anxieties though: he guaranteed if I don't like it, he'll build me a wood body and swap it over. Also, I used to play a Kramer aluminum neck. Kevin compared like this: remember when you plugged in the Bean for the first time, and it just had more of everything you wanted? Well, all aluminum is like that AGAIN from the bean.
SOLD!
Super psyched. I have to stop thinking about it I have become absolutely obsessed.
He basically agreed,
Ya, I heard it's
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
|
Disclosure: Any links to eBay or Amazon.com are affiliate links. Affiliate links may provide commission payments to the site based on purchases.
|
|
|
|
mcorlett
Joined:
16 Jul 2009
Posts: 41
|
| Posted: 09/26/2009 at 6:36 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
PS: TallChris, is that you who is dabling in selling your EGC bass in hopes of gettinga p-bass back in your life?
If so... I may be interested...
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
BoulderBean
Joined:
04 Feb 2004
Posts: 309
|
| Posted: 09/28/2009 at 11:42 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
I have a Bean 1000S and an EGC Custom 500 with P-90 style single coil pickups.
These are totally different animals, but both have an aluminum neck and wood body. The EGC neck is much thinner and the frets are big. My fingers often don't contact the fretboard when I'm fretting a string so it's like a scalloped neck. The Bean has a bigger, fuller, warmer sound that blends beautifully (as Sol describes). The EGC is more jangly and cuts through the mix.
I enjoy both of these guitars immensely. I really like to single volume, single tone knob set up on the EGC. For me, this is the best volume and tone set up I've ever had on a guitar. Four knobs are fine, but it's easier to keep the volume and tone properly adjusted with just one knob for each.
I've had guitars with coil splits and phase switches. I found these features fun while practicing at home, but in a live situation I didn't use them much.
I'm looking forward to seeing Kevin's new guitar design that he has described on his blog. EGC has now been making instruments about as long (or longer) than the TB company was in existence. Kevin's approach has been much more customized and his instruments are being played by an impressive line-up of talent.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
holmes
Joined:
29 Feb 2008
Posts: 182
|
| Posted: 09/28/2009 at 2:13 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
ive got 5 beans,1 egc 500 and ive played another. the sound i get out of 989 artist kicks the shit out of everything else ive played. i actually started to give the egc another shot, but the sound is just leagues behind the bean. mid heavy, slightly muddy. but i have higher powered pick ups in mine which is the cause of this. im sure your egc's sound lovely, ive heard the humbuckers sound absolutly mint, and the few newer egc's ive seen in youtube videos with humbuckers sound really great. the harmonics struggle to get through though on mine. not very bright tone, just really loud. neck pick up sounds good, like a strat on steroids. i also dont like the actual neck on mine anymore. the comfort of a tb500 neck is just more pleasant for me at least. i guess if you play with your thumb permanantly behind the neck classical style, the egc would be a more comfortable neck for you. its not for me. i dont get pleasure from the feel of the neck, whereas i find beans to have the most comfortable necks ive ever played. i got a bit of a dud, im kind of an isolated circumstance really, im not really sure how much i can contribute to this discussion because the new ones looks immeasurably better. dont let me put you off - im saving for an isotana g myself, i bet they sound and play amazing. but yeah, in summary - my egc, though its remarkably tough (and it really is) compared to my 2 main travis's, doesnt interested me much anymore.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
holmes
Joined:
29 Feb 2008
Posts: 182
|
| Posted: 09/28/2009 at 2:14 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
always check your quickly typed posts for spelling errors kids, else you may look as hick as me in the above post.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
mcorlett
Joined:
16 Jul 2009
Posts: 41
|
| Posted: 09/28/2009 at 5:49 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
Ya, I didn't check my last either... I think it ends with some senteces I thought I lost. Hick? Christ, I live in ALBERTA for 7 months of the year.
Thanks for the continuing feedback. I imagine it will be a huge adjustment, but most reviews I've heard have been stellar, with many preferring the EGC to the Bean.
Really interesting about the mids etc. I hadn't heard that before Sol, Boulder Bean and Holmes. I am assuming the comparisons are through the same rig/speaker combo. I hope that the spectrum on mine is fuller. Boulder Bean: did you ask for that fret setup? I haven't heard of that before either.
We play pretty edgy stuff sometimes, and we are a very simple 3 piece... I'm interested to see how it mixes in. I'm really excited about the all aluminum ... I can't wait too, for those moments alone with it with the space to explore it's clean and more subtle sonic qualities.
I will post a review here for sure! Although... I think I have a month or two before it will be finished...
M
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
|
Disclosure: Any links to eBay or Amazon.com are affiliate links. Affiliate links may provide commission payments to the site based on purchases.
|
|
|
|
mcorlett
Joined:
16 Jul 2009
Posts: 41
|
| Posted: 09/28/2009 at 5:51 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
It would be wicked if someone Youtubed a direct comparison between EGC and a Bean... Hank, do you know is someone's done it?
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
rlrlrl
Joined:
24 Dec 2007
Posts: 260
|
| Posted: 09/28/2009 at 9:27 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
So you might want to read the very long thread about EGCs over at electrical.com, if you want to spend some good time fantasizing about your new guitar.
I've said this many times, but not in a while. EGCs are pretty different from Beans, and if you go into it expecting it to fill the same role, you may be disappointed. But they are spectacular instruments. The neck profile is so thin because Kevin was inspired by Velenos. In many ways EGCs take the best features from TBs and Velenos, and fix problems from both of them.
It's tough for me to compare, because my Beans are "normal", Standard, Artist, etc, and my EGCs are definitely not normal: an aluminum bodied IsotonAg model, and a custom built wood body Gretsch style guitar, with a single coil in the neck and a humbucker in the bridge. Anyway, they are their own beast entirely. In the long run Kevin will probably build fewer guitars than Travis Bean, and they will be very rare in their own right. He's also a super guy. That said, I use my Bean live and for recording just as much, and differently. I guess that's vague, sorry!
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
mcorlett
Joined:
16 Jul 2009
Posts: 41
|
| Posted: 09/28/2009 at 11:03 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
Hey rlrlrl,
Thanks for the input too. I definately expect it to be different. I'm super excited about the difference thing. I am going from 1000S to what I mentioned above... talked a lot to Kevin too. He seems like an awesome guy who is really straight up and talented (obviously).
If I could convince my wife that it is a priority for me to have both guitars, I would... but I have the feeling she won't see it my way. I don't expect dissappointment at all... being the adventurous type I am.
I have spent FAR too much time at Electrical. I just posted this there... but CHRIST Electrical could probably produce a couple of worth while books with all the info in the tech forum... such a great resource. So awesome that people with knowledge/experience are willing to share info. Love it.
Again, thanks all here for input! By the way, Holmes... 5 beans! Is that your pic with all of them on the couch?
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
rlrlrl
Joined:
24 Dec 2007
Posts: 260
|
| Posted: 09/29/2009 at 7:15 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
What, your wife gets to tell you whether or not you can own two guitars with aluminum necks? Ok I'll refrain from making a silly comment and just say: find a way to keep both. you'll be happy. Tell her you need to have one guitar for Drop D. Yeah I know how it is ;)
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
holmes
Joined:
29 Feb 2008
Posts: 182
|
| Posted: 09/29/2009 at 9:55 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
well ive got 6 if you counr the frankenbean i own, but sadly its not my couch pic no...but i have to admit i have taken pictures of my guitars in various comfy positions before. i have realised it looks more than a little sad, and i apologise. hows that isotana rlrlrl? ive heard the sound on them is much better than the c500's. has he still left the frets sharp at the point when they reach the edge of the neck so that they serrate your hands when sliding up and down the neck or has sorted that? hows the sound? i really want one of those guitars. my buddy has ordered one but i dont think he has finished the payments for shipping or something. i bought an egc baritone off of kevin about 2 years ago that i still havent paid the shipping for...i forgot about that guitar. i must get in contact with him.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
seawolfofsaturn
Joined:
01 Jun 2001
Posts: 37
|
| Posted: 09/30/2009 at 12:10 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
I have three EGC guitars and the fretwork is immaculate on each one. As well, the neck relief is correct which is no easy task. A number of Beans I've owned or worked on over the years have zero fretboard relief, and have a fair amount of fret buzz from the first fret up to about the fifth. If you are buying a Bean without getting a chance to play it first, I would raise this subject with the seller well before you complete the deal.
The overall TB designs are individual masterpieces. If you were in the time and place to see one firsthand in 1977, it was like seeing a DeLorean in a world of Chrysler K cars. When you look at the list of machinery they used to produce these instruments, it gives you an idea of how sharp these folks had to be to turn unique concepts into such great guitars.
To me the EGC is an equally exciting company to watch. Their build quality rides notches above both Veleno and TB, and they make as many one of a kinds as they do standard models. Two important players in the TB stable, Dennison & Albini have been playing EGC guitars, and Albini's TB 500 was retrofitted with EGC pickups several years ago.
The EGC guitars should be judged in two formats; the all metal guitars, and the wood/metal versions. Velenos fall into the first category, TB's into the second. Necks can be ordered in the radius and profile of your choice. In my experience, I've found the EGC instrument to be overall superior to both of it's early ancestors.
The all metal versions are like having a Veleno with the TB neck receiver idea and a string through bridge. Very unique sound and this one makes me play better than I do in real life.
Wood/metal EGCs are like better built Beans with a metal fretboard and your choice of pickups. To me the metal fretboard is the entire point of playing a metal neck guitar or bass. Combine that with those EGC single coil pickups and you have the sound in your hands.
Holmes, sell me your guitar !!!
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
mcorlett
Joined:
16 Jul 2009
Posts: 41
|
| Posted: 09/30/2009 at 8:29 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
Thanks wolf!
I don't anticipate any issues with the guitar. Kevin seems to be wholesale committed to producing infalible instruments. He has assured me that if there's any issues, to just communicate it and he'll fix it up. I was surprised to read posts by holmes... dude, did you get it directly from Kevin or buy it through some other means?
If all turns out as I expect with quality and tone, then I look forward to doing something in the future through Kevin. I am also looking for a bass, preferably all metal.
Like you said about beans being the deloreans of their time... I really feel that about the all aluminum EGC... it's evolutionary.
I know other companies are making all aluminum too (I bought my bean from Matt Hall of New Brutalism... he makes them out of one solid piece of aluminum if memory serves... also, anyone played a Bastin?)... but EGCs really seem to hold additional allure... everytime I look at his myspace page, I feel I could die satisfied that humans are capable of creating inspiring beauty and that this some evidence that heaven might exist :).
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
BoulderBean
Joined:
04 Feb 2004
Posts: 309
|
| Posted: 09/30/2009 at 10:28 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
This is the best discussion thread we've had going in a while. Good stuff.
Thanks for the great post Seawolf.
I spent some time jamming on my EGC last night. I've had it professionally set up and Kevin did some electronics work on it earlier this year and put in new single coil pickups. The frets are perfect and smooth, no issues at all. However, they are tall and I can confirm that my fingers barely ever touch the fretboard when I play that guitar unless I really press down much harder than required. It's different, but I don't mind it. Is mine the only EGC like this?
That guitar is a rock machine, just begging to be unleashed.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
TomWanderer
Joined:
29 Jul 2008
Posts: 49
|
| Posted: 09/30/2009 at 11:55 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
I received ECG #290 in August. Lucite body, black powder coated neck, 500 style single coils. Tis guitar is unbelievably cool. Most comfortable neck I have ever played, and I used to prefer the huge necks of my Kramer 450G's. I was totally in love with my ECG, I had never bought a new guitar before and I had some concerns after playing it for a while. It seemed as though there was a ringing at the nut on the G string, and when I tried to set it up with my usual 11's, I could not get the saddle height right and there was a lot of buzzing with the action still uncomfortably high.
I felt kind of naive for contacting Kevin about this stuff, but after I took it to a very reputable shop that has worked directly with Kevin for years, they said that they noticed these things too. So I contacted Kevin, feeling silly because he is the pro guy making these incredible guitars, and I am just some dude. I couldn't have been more wrong, Kevin is out an out a great person to work with. He responded to all my concerns and wanted me to send the guitar right back. He checked the nut, set it up with my strings and set the height and intonation, releveled the frets and everything.
When I got the guitar back it was 100% kick ass, and not only that, but my mind was 100% at ease and now I dont pick it up and think 'this is cool, but why does it ring here or I wish the height of the upper frets was tapered'. That really sealed the deal for me...He wants you to be completely happy with your guitar and will personally take the steps to insure it.
I will probably be selling off other guitars to get another. It's the best I've ever played.
Holmes; You have pissed everyone at Electrical off to no end with your nitpicking complaints about your ECG and now you are doing it here. Why? Kevin has offered to take it back and address all of your concerns. Why must you keep complaining about it? I know it costs a lot to pay to ship it back, but you should probably either have him check it out or sell it and stop telling everyone who will listen that you got the 'dud' ECG.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
holmes
Joined:
29 Feb 2008
Posts: 182
|
| Posted: 09/30/2009 at 12:00 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
yes, seawolf im pretty sure that mine is an isolated case, especially after reading your posts guys. im glad other egc's have correctly dressed frets - ive actually nicked my hand on mine on fast slides. they are completely square at the edge of the fretboard, unrounded and sharp which to me is not conducive to comfort. im glad others dont suffer from this. as for comparison the bean neck, the neck buzzes alot on mine too, more so than on my tb500, which does rattle a little for sure. but with the egc, the action isnt particularly low (its noticeably higher than any bean ive used) and the strings still kind of choke out at the nut. not good. i keep having people tell me get it set up but i felt these are problems that it should not have reached me with. it feels quite rushed in all honesty which is a real shame because as you say the basis of the guitar is built so well, and designed to be so tough, unluck the rather fragile tb500 it was modeled on.
i hope you dont think im trying to be negative for the sake of it and im sure ive come across like that in the past for sure, but ultimatly it was a guitar that i paid alot of money for only to not really care about the instrument. actually thats wrong - i was fustrated with it really. i appreciate any good guitar, especially once ive spent time with it, aluminium neck or (more often than not) wooden neck. i have many guitars that are a pleasure to play and this isnt really one sadly. BUT - im very glad to hear these problems have been addressed on other egc's because ive really got a jones for an isotona. if you have one of those and would consider a part swap with my egc c500 let me know!
as for the famous egc users you mentioned, duanes solid aluminium bodied egc sounds absolutley amazing - as good if not better than at any point with his bean in the old days. the guitar has great clarity live - i was blown away when i heard it. nice work kevin for sorting him a seriously stinging guitar
conversely, to my ears at least, since steve changed the pick ups in his guitar his sound has changed noticeably. below i have found some comparisons - i chose these two becasue unlike alot of better indivual examples of the effect the new pick ups have had on his tone, these two are the same song, through the amp set up, giving a more honest comparison than other videos:
old pickups:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52rDV2Py-58 (my black ass)
new pick ups.
http://www.youtube.com/wa.....A6G4XC9j0&feature=related (my black ass)
both ultimatly sound great and to my ears at least, this shows that the old pick ups appear to have more shing and zing/clarity while the newer egc pick ups push the mid a bit more while bleeding off some of the treble. it sounds slightly more 'normal' if you will. im sure some folks prefer this though, and steve is really happy with them from what ive read - you dont get better than that really. but, personally i think the pristine clarity in the bass and treble is what makes these guitars truly unique. im glad to hear that other egc models have these qualities too.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
mcorlett
Joined:
16 Jul 2009
Posts: 41
|
| Posted: 09/30/2009 at 12:49 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
Is there a way to post pics to this thread? I've never tried in the body of the message... I would love to see some shots of the various guitars... and fret/nut/action... or even cooler, some neck profiles of beans vs egc vs valeno if anyone has one of those!
Still dying to hear some sound comparisons too. I mean, I've listend to some botomless pit etc on you tube... Tim's baritone sounds ******* awesome to me... so does DD's custom EGC... I listened to Buzzo too (I imagine from a players perspective he digs it, but from my listening chair, he kind of just crams it into the buzzo gibson sound). Isis' new album sound unbeleivably good (the depth of the guitars, the tone, the clarity in the low end... wow)
But, it would be cool to hear a TB, then just unplug and plug in the EGC. I know Kevin is having his site redone... i wonder if he's going to have sound clips...
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
rlrlrl
Joined:
24 Dec 2007
Posts: 260
|
| Posted: 09/30/2009 at 1:27 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
Holmes - to answer your question, the Isotonag (Isotona? not sure) is a stunning guitar, and unlike anything else I've ever played. Its only weakness is the way it balances in your lap, but then again, how bout a Wedge? It's not bad in that regard, but not the best. I don't know how to describe the sound, but it sounds like an EGC, with a little something special on the side.
I also want to politely suggest that you give your personal EGC issues a rest. Kevin reached out to you to help fix your problems, as have many other people. Most new guitars need work from the factory, and its a testament to EGC that most of his guitars don't. And yet, when they occasionally do, he's always there to help, unfailingly. Either send your guitar back to him, or pay for a local setup... or sell it and buy an Isotonag! Please don't talk about your feelings on that guitar anymore, because they are irrational, and don't do a service to anyone.
On the issue of fret height, yes they are tall, and I would have a new EGC built with smaller frets. But that's just my preference.
I know I've suggested this before, but it'd be cool to have a non-TB gallery on this forum, where pictures could be posted of EGCs, Velenos, etc.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
holmes
Joined:
29 Feb 2008
Posts: 182
|
| Posted: 10/02/2009 at 10:36 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
my post seems to have been removed by the admin but rlrlrl, i was asking you to mind your own business about something you know nothing about, and dont allow your brand loyalty to think you can tell what to post and what not to post as you have absolutely no right, no clue and are not involved at all, nor do you know anything about it. thank you.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
admin
Joined:
01 Jun 2001
Posts: 1266
|
| Posted: 10/02/2009 at 10:40 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
holmes said "my post seems to have been removed by the admin..."
No posts have been removed. Did you verify that it was posted?
admin
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
admin
Joined:
01 Jun 2001
Posts: 1266
|
| Posted: 10/02/2009 at 10:45 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
rlrlrl said "I know I've suggested this before, but it'd be cool to have a non-TB gallery on this forum, where pictures could be posted of EGCs, Velenos, etc."
I'll get on it.
admin
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
BoulderBean
Joined:
04 Feb 2004
Posts: 309
|
| Posted: 10/02/2009 at 10:57 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
Whoa holmes. rlrlrlr was trying to be polite and he was well within his "rights" to comment. I'm disappointed your post got removed, but the truth is we've all read about your experience with your EGC on this site and on several other web sites. It's an old story AND we also know that Kevin has bent over backwards to try and make things right. This has nothing to do with brand loyalty. It's about you doing a real disservice to Kevin and EGC by bringing up the same OLD crap time and time again.
Those of us who have had dealings with Kevin and EGC know that he stands behind his product like few (if any) other guitar makers out there - something that you neglect to mention in most of your EGC "critiques".
As someone who runs their own small business, I know how hard Kevin has to work to keep the doors open at EGC. Constructive criticism can help him to make better instruments. Unfortunately, you keep beating the same dead horse which amounts to little more than needless defamation.
If you're unhappy with your EGC, sell it, smash it, burn it, or give it to your sister. We don't care. Just layoff already.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
admin
Joined:
01 Jun 2001
Posts: 1266
|
| Posted: 10/02/2009 at 12:04 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
BoulderBean said "I'm disappointed your post got removed, "
Again, the post was never removed.
admin
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
rlrlrl
Joined:
24 Dec 2007
Posts: 260
|
| Posted: 10/02/2009 at 12:22 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
haha. i'm not saying anything. cute.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
holmes
Joined:
29 Feb 2008
Posts: 182
|
| Posted: 10/02/2009 at 2:11 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
hey, could have been an error on my part rlrlrl and admin (its just you have deleted several of my posts before), but it basically went 'i will email you to discuss what happened in private, rather than here, had no intentions of dissing kevin, someone never contacted me outside of offers on certain public message boards, other things same as in the previous message about mind your own business on a subject you dont know anything about despite what you might think, other things i wont mention here because it will get deleted if it wasnt before, other random ramblings, and rlrlrl go '''' yourself. politely of course.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
mcorlett
Joined:
16 Jul 2009
Posts: 41
|
| Posted: 10/02/2009 at 4:06 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
Hey Admin,
That would be hot to have that other picture section... it's a great idea. I imagine it would take some work to do... we'll have to settle for the buying you a beer option. Thanks for the great site.
Also, thanks again for everyone posting their reviews and comments. I look forward to adding mine!
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
sol
Joined:
05 May 2007
Posts: 11
|
| Posted: 10/03/2009 at 10:43 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
Walk away for a week and miss an awesome thread...lol
mcorlett
"I imagined that all the wiring etc might compromise the fullness of the singles"
Complete and utter hogwash (I'll refrain from my snake oil speech)...It'll sound great.
mcorlett
"I am assuming the comparisons are through the same rig/speaker combo."
Yes Git into Boss TU-2 into OCDv1 into '79 Hiwatt DR103 and Hiwatt SE4123 Cab wired for 4 ohms.
To add to my previous cork sniffing post...I think one of the reasons I come back to the 1000S is it also has a bit of wooliness in the first octave which I just love. The bass on the EGC is better behaved, cleaner and more linear. The spectrum between the two is almost identical, as I said before...we're all splitting hairs hear.
rlrlrl
"EGCs are pretty different from Beans"
They are both electric guitars that put out a very similar volume with a similar tonal balance. I can switch between the two without fidgeting with my gain staging , so in my book that makes them practically identical. If I dropped down to a tele I'd have to rework all my gains, if I threw on a les paul, I'd have to fidget with tone controls. My comparison between bean and EGC was based on the exact same settings. IMHO there was little overall difference, and I'm comparing hb to hb. Not nay saying you, I just don't think the difference is that big, are they the same...no...I agree they are definitely not the same...but they are not radically different.
That said my TB500 (...sniff) was remarkably different from my 1000S.
I agree with seawolfofsaturn regarding the Bean's and fretbuzz, seems like nobody around hear ever brings up the issue. Also dito the quality of the EGC necks...f'n flawless. All of my beans have buzzed, but I still prefer them and when amplified, it has never made a difference.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
Chris Hall
Joined:
01 Jun 2001
Posts: 132
|
| Posted: 10/15/2009 at 1:08 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
holmes: If you think you can compare the sound of Steve's guitar in those two videos, you're smoking crack.
One is shot in a small club with decent sound, the other is shot in a huge outdoor venue, with sound that couldn't come close to a small club. I was at that Pritzker Pavilion show, and nothing sounded "right" compared to how Shellac normally sound in a small club. Not to mention, both shows were filmed with different cameras. I can't think of a worse way to try and compare two things...
I've seen Shellac over 40 times, and I can honestly say that I've heard no difference in Steve's TB500 since Kevin started working on it.
As far as TB / EGC comparisons go: Steve's ECG "500" sounds better than his TB500. I seem to remember Steve saying that he thinks so as well. The only reason he doesn't play his EGC "500" live (only uses it as a backup) is because the TB500 just feels more "comfortable" to him... and it's more of a mental thing than a physical thing (pretty sure the EGC is a perfect clone of his 500).
Also, I could swear Kevin told me that Steve's TB500 still has the Travis Bean magnets and coils in it; he just potted them in to new, stronger covers (because Steve's metal picks ate through the original TB covers AND the copper covers Kevin made to replace the original covers). Maybe Kevin -did- put EGC pickups in it the 2nd time he worked on Steve's guitar. Seawolf probably knows Kevin better than I do, so if he says without a doubt that they're now EGC pickups, then they are. Even if they are, the guitar doesn't sound any different to me (and I've stood 5 feet away from Steve's amp countless times).
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
holmes
Joined:
29 Feb 2008
Posts: 182
|
| Posted: 10/20/2009 at 8:57 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
i was going to do a big long speil correcting all the things that you have got wrong in your post, but then i just thought id let all the ill informed rambles of your message speak for themselves. have you actually been on the internet in the last year? and when did you start sticking cotton in your ears when watching videos?
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
rlrlrl
Joined:
24 Dec 2007
Posts: 260
|
| Posted: 10/20/2009 at 10:43 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
insulting the professional musicians again holmes? socrates described himself as a "gadfly and midwife" but you seem to have forgotten half the equation.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
Chris Hall
Joined:
01 Jun 2001
Posts: 132
|
| Posted: 10/20/2009 at 11:42 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
holmes said:
"i was going to do a big long speil correcting all the things that you have got wrong in your post, but then i just thought id let all the ill informed rambles of your message speak for themselves. have you actually been on the internet in the last year? and when did you start sticking cotton in your ears when watching videos?"
What do you think I got wrong? Where am I "ill informed"? I've spoken to Steve more than once about EGC guitars. I know Kevin, and I talk to him more than most people do. Like I said, I'm pretty sure the only thing he changed on Steve's TB500 are the pickup covers, and not the magnets and coils. Kevin first made Steve copper once, but Steve's pick ate through them (just like his picks ate through the original Travis Bean plastic covers). I'm pretty sure the new ones are stainless steel. Want me to call him up and ask him for you? Even if I'm wrong and they are EGC pickups, the guitar doesn't sound any different in person. My having seen Shellac 40+ times over the last 16 years is a little more credible than two crappy YouTube videos with horrible sound.
Have I "been on the internet in the last year"? Sure have. Maybe you've seen me, I'm in the Travis Bean - Sustain trailer more than anyone else. Ha! Get it? On the internet! Literally! Ha!
Cotton in my ears when watching videos? Are you so thick that you can't understand that there are going to be MAJOR sonic differences in audience recordings from two totally different venues with totally different recording devices?
No wonder why so many of your posts get deleted... you have nothing to say.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
mcorlett
Joined:
16 Jul 2009
Posts: 41
|
| Posted: 10/20/2009 at 12:34 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
If anyone here DOESN'T own an EGC, there are some awesome new pics on EGC's myspace. In the Mastadon series there is a great shot of the neck profile. Really shows the thinness, the fret height etc. That guitar is CRAZY... the craftsmanship looks pretty sick to me.
There's also some awesome new pics in the all aluminum standard section.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
Chris Hall
Joined:
01 Jun 2001
Posts: 132
|
| Posted: 10/20/2009 at 1:55 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
Oh yeah,
This is my all-aluminum 12-string Electrical Guitar Company bass, in case anyone cares:
http://www.12stringbass.net/EGC.htm
One note from this bass (played through an over-driven tube guitar amp and a bass amp at the same time) is the hugest sound you can get from one instrument. It's ridiculous, and ******* awesome.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
mcorlett
Joined:
16 Jul 2009
Posts: 41
|
| Posted: 10/20/2009 at 6:47 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
Hey Chris,
That thing is so bad ass. Holy shit. I've been dying to ask without looking too stupid: what are all the little switches for??? Are they single coil / humbucker options? I would love to hear one not from that :)
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
mcorlett
Joined:
16 Jul 2009
Posts: 41
|
| Posted: 10/20/2009 at 6:48 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
one NOTE
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
Chris Hall
Joined:
01 Jun 2001
Posts: 132
|
| Posted: 10/20/2009 at 9:45 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
The switches mounted directly under each volume knob (all 4 are volume knobs, since I never ever use tone knobs) are simply on / off switches. Yeah, could just turn the volume all the way down if I want to kill the output of one of the 4 pickups, but seeing the switch in the "off" position is a lot easier than trying to tell if a knob with no numbers on it is on 0 or 10.
the middle of the 7 switches toggles where the 2 guitar pickups go. Switched one way, the pickups go to their own output. Switching it the other way sends them to the bass pickups output (for use with one amp).
You're correct: the remaining two are coil taps for the guitar pickups.
Part of the reason I designed it with so many knobs and switches was to sort of pay homage to Tom Petersson's old Hamer Quad basses (which had 4 outputs that could be panned and EQed).
Here's the craziest one I've seen:
http://www.12stringbass.net/quad1x2.jpg
I will get around to recording the 12-string some day, since lots of people have asked to hear it. I sent the pics and description to that site hoping that it'd generate some more business for Kevin. Not sure if it has or not. He hated the damn thing for the entire 2 years he worked on it, since it fought him every step of the way. He's such a perfectionist, I think he actually lost money by the time it was done. I think that says a lot about the guy and his instruments.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
holmes
Joined:
29 Feb 2008
Posts: 182
|
| Posted: 10/25/2009 at 12:01 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
too many buttons chris. needs less buttons. also, rlrlrl, i think chris was pretty insulting to me in his initial post to me actually, so dont make out that i just went out all guns blazing on the fella. also, the recordings are not so vague and inaccurate that you cant tell the large difference in guitar tone between the new and old pick ups. anyway, never mind, i dont want to create any enemy's with chris, if he is in a travis bean movie, he is a cool guy in my opinion. just slightly deaf.
rlrlrl, im you used the word 'proffesional' to describe your musical status rather than something possibly inaccurate like 'good'.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
Bastin
Joined:
18 Aug 2008
Posts: 31
|
| Posted: 11/24/2009 at 10:29 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
Hey, everybody.
I saw Shellac last Saturday in Louisville. Great show. Steve played his TB500 for almost the whole set. Right before the last couple of songs his TB seemed to experience some output issues; hard to tell exactly what.
Anyway, he closed out with his EGC. I lack the vocabulary and experience of a serious audiophile, but it's sufficient to say that I liked the sound of the EGC better. More clarity, maybe a little less bottom end. I think it improved the overall mix.
Steve played the first two songs without the Harmonic Percolator (troubleshooting the output issue). I thought the TB500 sounded really great without it.
I was standing beside him the whole time. It was my first Shellac show.
Warm regard for you all,
Matt
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
Chris Hall
Joined:
01 Jun 2001
Posts: 132
|
| Posted: 11/24/2009 at 12:42 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
Steve only uses the Harmonic Percolator about 2% of the time.
Most of his crazy sound comes from the combination of the Fender Blackface, the Tapco IVP pre-amp he uses (in to a Carver), his direct signal to the mixing board, his copper pick, and his playing.
The HP is only in use when his guitar has that over-the-top out of control sounding loud fuzz.
One of the guys from the band Tar used his HP 100% of the time.
But yeah... somehow his EGC sounds even better than his TB500.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
holmes
Joined:
29 Feb 2008
Posts: 182
|
| Posted: 11/26/2009 at 5:36 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
chris hall is right - steve barely touches his harmonic percolator, even less now that they dont play rambler song anymore. ive noticed the tb500 sounds less good now with the new pick ups. the clarity had gone from it when i last saw. actually, all this heated debate lead me to really sit down with my egc and with the right settings, it can sound very good, but it always pushes the mids and lacks clarity. but, mine is an isolated case as its pick ups are wound hotter than most egc's - about 7.8/7.9. with more sensible winding im sure i can get a better tone from it now that ive also fixed the nut.it also led me to pick up my old 1000 and that truly has the sweetest sound ive heard on the neck position. still lusting after an isotona.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
seawolfofsaturn
Joined:
01 Jun 2001
Posts: 37
|
| Posted: 11/26/2009 at 10:37 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
Best thread ever.
My EGC single coils read 7.91437 ohms, and one time they caused a family of nine to veer off the road and crash into a reptile garden. No one survived, and Burkett refused to take the blame.
As well, when Steve had the stock TB 500 pickups in his bean, an Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty was signed following the Washington Declaration, making Jordan only the second Arab nation to sign a treaty with Israel.
Think about it people, supporting the EGC only brings more death and hardship. I'm with Holmes, the madness needs to stop.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
rlrlrl
Joined:
24 Dec 2007
Posts: 260
|
| Posted: 11/26/2009 at 11:37 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
seawolf, your eye for details has always made me proud
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
mcorlett
Joined:
16 Jul 2009
Posts: 41
|
| Posted: 11/26/2009 at 12:03 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
OH MY GOD... WHAT HAVE I DONE?!?!?!?
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
holmes
Joined:
29 Feb 2008
Posts: 182
|
| Posted: 11/27/2009 at 8:57 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
seawolf - your misplaced sarcasm very obviously highlights what your country of origin was, sadly. in my very last post i wasnt trying to dis kevin there at all - you just have to read things properly, thats all, without jumping on the one person here who doesnt share you view that kevin has never made an imperfect guitar. in fact, i thought i was being quite positive there man, there was need to go on the attack again - its just the facts - the pick ups are really over wound which has led to the lose high end tone and pushed the mids. im afraid this does not mean im attempting to wage an internet war against egc. i often come across as rude in my posts (certainly not in the previous one though) its due to being on the defensive after having everyone on here wailing at me.
in fact i think ive been the deciding factor in at least 3 orders going to kevin from folks who were sitting on the fence after ive told them i really dig the guitars - one from buddy of mine actually oredered a guitar and a bass at the same time after i let him play mine and told him what great guitars they were. unbelievably rlrlrl, he even thought, that like me, there were things he didnt like about the egc - i know man, it was scary...it was if as if it were possible that two different people might share the same view of a guitar that you have never played.
see seawolf - unbelievable i know, but it appears you can support kevin and egc without actually sucking his cock in public quite as much as you do. peace.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
seawolfofsaturn
Joined:
01 Jun 2001
Posts: 37
|
| Posted: 11/27/2009 at 9:04 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
No worries Kitten. I'll try to be more sensitive......less teeth.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
rlrlrl
Joined:
24 Dec 2007
Posts: 260
|
| Posted: 11/27/2009 at 9:56 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
have you tried Sensodyne?
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
seawolfofsaturn
Joined:
01 Jun 2001
Posts: 37
|
| Posted: 11/27/2009 at 10:00 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
Not sure. Kevin would know, it's his wiggler.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
sikoehlme
Joined:
26 Mar 2003
Posts: 24
|
| Posted: 11/27/2009 at 1:20 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
hey, what a funny thread this has become...
dear holmes,
please stop. everybody now (in all the forums you post) knows that you have had your problems with your EGC guitar but **** off. kevin is the nicest guy in guitar producing business and would do everything to make the guitar like you want it to be; and he has offered you any support imaginable (in public). try that at any so called custom shop. go play your bean and be happy, sell your EGC and just stop.
i play bari EGC #48 and love it.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
sikoehlme
Joined:
26 Mar 2003
Posts: 24
|
| Posted: 11/27/2009 at 1:27 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
oh, i forgot,
holmes! you are on the best way to fill VG's place.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
mcorlett
Joined:
16 Jul 2009
Posts: 41
|
| Posted: 11/27/2009 at 5:38 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean vs??? |
link
|
|
Hey the thought occured to me: has anyone out there got some other kind of 'newer' model of aluminum necked/total aluminum instrument? There's more than EGC obviously...
I would like to hear more comparisons/reviews of say Obstructures (is that the name now? I'm thinking of the New Brutalism dudes), Bastins or Bergerons (look like a guitar I couldn't be inspired by, but look like the craftsmanship is pretty sick). Also, I heard that Kramer is coming out with new aluminum instruments... crap or not crap? (by that I mean is the rumour crap... not the instrument).
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
sam1716
Joined:
24 Feb 2008
Posts: 37
|
| Posted: 11/28/2009 at 4:29 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
I have a Greg Bailey "Longhorn" that's all aluminum. I love love love it. It has a much more "strat" feel than my TB100S (which is still my fave). Plays and sounds great... very versatile.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
gse1
Joined:
09 Jun 2005
Posts: 27
|
| Posted: 11/28/2009 at 9:35 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
Has anyone seen or tried these
Not my personal pref in guitar style but the craftsmenship looks very well executed
http://www.gouldingguitars.com/
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
mcorlett
Joined:
16 Jul 2009
Posts: 41
|
| Posted: 11/30/2009 at 11:22 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
What I said about Buzzo and his EGC sound being crammed into the Gibson sound... well, I think I was wrong.
Listened to Nude with Boots LOUD last night (My 1 year old son will only fall asleep to loud metal sometimes... luck me:)). Having more sensory perception dedicated to the sound of that album, there is definately an audible difference. I really noticed it first in Dog Island.
I lack the vocab maybe to describe well. But there's more iindividual note definition, deeper sounding notes, more edge less wash that comes with overdrive... more sizzle if that makes any sense.
Didn't listen to Senile Animal so can't really compare except to what older Melvins I have. If he didn't use the EGC on this album, he changed something significant in his set up (or recording engineer/producer?).
Sounds awesome to me.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
holmes
Joined:
29 Feb 2008
Posts: 182
|
| Posted: 12/01/2009 at 8:51 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
gee, sorry sikoehlme! im sorry you seem to have a problem with you brain processing information for itself!
actually try reading my previous post propelr you retarded little turd.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
rlrlrl
Joined:
24 Dec 2007
Posts: 260
|
| Posted: 12/01/2009 at 9:00 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
I tried, but failed.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
holmes
Joined:
29 Feb 2008
Posts: 182
|
| Posted: 12/01/2009 at 9:02 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
wow wow wow, can i just clear this up? i dont want kevin (not that im suggesting that my internet posts upset him one bit or have any effect on his well being, because im sure he is smart enough to realise that everyone is jumping my ass without even reading my posts properly) or anyone else here, to think badly of me, so i just want to confirm the following for thing for everyone one to understand - you know, to clear this mess up once and for all - the last post was meant to say;
''gee, sorry sikoehlme! im sorry you seem to have a problem with your brain processing information for itself!''
i forgot the r in ''your''.
get bent sikoehlme.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
sikoehlme
Joined:
26 Mar 2003
Posts: 24
|
| Posted: 12/01/2009 at 9:52 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
dear holmes,
not only your pickups seem overwound, not much brilliance from your brain windings these days...
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
sam1716
Joined:
24 Feb 2008
Posts: 37
|
| Posted: 12/01/2009 at 10:47 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
I'm begging you guys to stop.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
mcorlett
Joined:
16 Jul 2009
Posts: 41
|
| Posted: 12/01/2009 at 6:15 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
What? This isn't the travis bean and personal workshop forum? Awww man, I was just getting ready to open up 'n' shit. :)
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
holmes
Joined:
29 Feb 2008
Posts: 182
|
| Posted: 12/02/2009 at 7:02 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
"i forgot,
holmes! you are on the best way to fill VG's place"
your right sikoehlme, its going to be some time before i can once again reach such heady heights of message board greatness.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
rlrlrl
Joined:
24 Dec 2007
Posts: 260
|
| Posted: 12/02/2009 at 7:42 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
Oh wow, it looks like we can all be friends again.
On the EGC and others tip: My take on it is that Kevin is the only person out there really making a regular production of these guitars, as opposed to a skilled hobbyist making a few here and there. Absolutely not to detract from anyone else's work, and I would love to try out guitars from some other builders. I have an EGC DD model in the works, which seems to be all new territory and very interesting.
I did play a Normandy guitar in a store recently -- it's a hollowbody aluminum body with wood neck. I was surprised how much I liked it. But that's a whole different category with that construction.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
BoulderBean
Joined:
04 Feb 2004
Posts: 309
|
| Posted: 12/03/2009 at 11:01 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
rlrlrl - please let us know what you think of the EGC DD model. You gotta be patient when waiting for your EGC. An aluminum guitar (like love) takes time. I'm looking forward to seeing the new design Kevin has been working on for the past year or two.
I agree with you assessment of the aluminum guitar manufacturing landscape. EGC appears to be the only full time production outfit. Someone else mention the New Brutalism guys, but my understanding is that EGC actually makes most of their stuff. Matt Bastin's guitars look great, but I'm not sure how many he has actually produced.
Is Kramer really getting back into aluminum building? That would be an interesting development.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
sikoehlme
Joined:
26 Mar 2003
Posts: 24
|
| Posted: 12/03/2009 at 11:21 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
rockhaus has a DD chessie for sale.
peace.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
TomWanderer
Joined:
29 Jul 2008
Posts: 49
|
| Posted: 12/03/2009 at 5:43 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
To elaborate on the last post;
Rockhaus in Milwaukee WI does have a 'Chessie' (Duane Dennison) model ECG for sale.
It was the first built, as some specs had to be tweaked for the model that Duane actually plays.
It is a kick ass guitar; all aluminum hollowbody, powder coated white with black fret board
(which probably means that the neck is chambered), bigsby and burst buckers. Weighs in at about 7 or 8 pounds. I think the sticker price is $3,200.
Also, the New Brutalism guitars are cool and yes, they are machined by Kevin. I got to hold one pre assembly. They are in two solid aluminum interlocking parts; neck and body, and are very thin. They are completely symmetrical and reversible for lefties, and lay totally flush with the floor when on their backs. Interesting guitars, but they are definitely their own beast and very different from any other guitars I've ever handled or seen, production, aluminum, or otherwise.
I don't know why, but I kind of like that no one on the forum even acknowledges the existence of the Vaccaro and Harke instruments with the semi aluminum necks. They just seem so crappy.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
edp242
Joined:
22 Feb 2009
Posts: 41
|
| Posted: 12/04/2009 at 2:05 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
Ha! I'm glad i got back on and read this. I played with Matt Bastin a couple of years ago and i remember him talking about wanting to build a guitar. At the time he had built some drum sets out of aluminum and was using them. I made the mistake of letting him play my wooden drum kit for a practice session we had and, suffice it to say, i needed to replace all the heads afterwards. That guy hit HARD! Glad to hear he built some guitars. Anyone have a picture of one?
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
mcorlett
Joined:
16 Jul 2009
Posts: 41
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
edp242
Joined:
22 Feb 2009
Posts: 41
|
| Posted: 12/06/2009 at 6:48 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
Those look f'n awesome. Anyone have one?
TomWanderer - any thoughts on how they sound? You mention that they are their own beast...so they are quite different from beans or EGC's?
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
TomWanderer
Joined:
29 Jul 2008
Posts: 49
|
| Posted: 12/07/2009 at 1:27 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
I honestly don't know how those guitars sound. Obstructures is the name they are manufactured under, I believe. I have not played one, but I have heard that Oxes play them now, so you could probably find some recorded sound with a bit of research.
When I said those guitars are their 'own beast' I meant that they are one of a kind (as far as I know) in their construction. Body and neck machined from solid aluminum. The body is an aluminum slab with pickups set in it! I've never seen another guitar like that. The bodies are super thin...five eights and three quarters thick are offered.
Here are some sites;
http://www.obstructures.org/inst/abc0625/1/1
http://www.metalnecks.com.....seaction/guitars.manu.htm
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
rene
Joined:
09 Dec 2009
Posts: 8
|
| Posted: 12/09/2009 at 7:27 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
hello everybody, i am a newbie but i have a TB1000S which i absolutly adore aaand i have a Matt Bastin Guitar which i will compare for you guys when i have it back from Matt. All i can say is, that he really puts some effort in his guitars and they play/sound really well!
here's a pic of my BGC 007:
http://img706.imageshack......img706/9262/img1984fx.jpg
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
edp242
Joined:
22 Feb 2009
Posts: 41
|
| Posted: 12/10/2009 at 5:04 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
that is sweet! looks like a tb, but i guess there is no wood on the fretboard?
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
rene
Joined:
09 Dec 2009
Posts: 8
|
| Posted: 12/11/2009 at 7:35 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
it's an all aluminum neck, yes. i'll get it refinnished (like the worn gibsons) and with radius fretboard back.
will do a review of it then. their not 100% comparable, because the BGC has different pickups (hum, bridge / p90 neck) but i'll do my best.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
shinkiro
Joined:
17 Oct 2008
Posts: 24
|
| Posted: 12/23/2009 at 3:29 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
I have had a couple of beans and now an EGC and the difference for me is that the EGC sounds exactly like I imagined the bean would but never did. Not to say the Beans are bad, just different from what I expected.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
edp242
Joined:
22 Feb 2009
Posts: 41
|
| Posted: 01/11/2010 at 10:46 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
just took the plunge on one of Matt Hall's Obstructures solid aluminum guitars.
should arrive this week, if the mailman can carry the damned thing.
fuk yea.
SOLID aluminum.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
sikoehlme
Joined:
26 Mar 2003
Posts: 24
|
| Posted: 01/11/2010 at 10:55 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
how much are the obstructures at the moment?
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
edp242
Joined:
22 Feb 2009
Posts: 41
|
| Posted: 01/11/2010 at 1:01 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
2K. pretty freekin good deal, if you ask me.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
edp242
Joined:
22 Feb 2009
Posts: 41
|
| Posted: 01/30/2010 at 12:17 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
Well I've had the Obstructures 3/4 for a week now. Every day rush home from work so that i can play the thing some more. The sound and sustain are unbelievable, especially on the neck pickup. Very clear, twangy and metallic, but still warm somehow. The neck has no radius (like my TB) and is a bit thinner than my TB, i guess somewhere in between an EGC and TB, and the neck edges are pretty sharp, so it takes some getting used to in playing.
I haven't tried an ECG or BCG yet (on my list of stuff to do), so take this opinion for what its worth (nothing), but this guitar to me is the evolutionary next step from my TB (1000S early model, KOA, dense and heavy as hell). It has the similar density and weight by virtue of being solid aluminum, better sustain, and greater sound clarity (lindy fralin P90's).
Drawbacks are its weight (13 lbs) and the 50/50 weight distribution between the neck and body, which results in a neck heavy guitar when strapped on (easy fix, though - get a strap with some grip).
Otherwise, I love it and would highly recommend it.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
mcorlett
Joined:
16 Jul 2009
Posts: 41
|
| Posted: 01/31/2010 at 12:37 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
Right on! I'd love to hear one live... Hey New Brutalism - wanna come to Canada? Anyone know any other bands using these?
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
gse1
Joined:
09 Jun 2005
Posts: 27
|
| Posted: 02/01/2010 at 12:13 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
Oxes. theres a few clips on youtube. in the later clips the guitarist has one
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
seawolfofsaturn
Joined:
01 Jun 2001
Posts: 37
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
mcorlett
Joined:
16 Jul 2009
Posts: 41
|
| Posted: 08/29/2010 at 4:01 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
Kevin shipped out the guitar last Friday... I should receive Tuesday or Wednesday! Can't wait. I'll post my reflections then!
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
Chelsea
Joined:
13 Apr 2009
Posts: 22
|
| Posted: 08/30/2010 at 4:11 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
I should be receiving my bass any day now, too. Longest 30 weeks of my life!
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
mcorlett
Joined:
16 Jul 2009
Posts: 41
|
| Posted: 08/30/2010 at 8:49 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
30 weeks is pretty short. Mine took another 5 months on that. It definitely feels like a long wait, but as a friend of mine mentioned: when you think about it... it's basically a custom built aluminum instrument. That's pretty incredible to produce in a year! I have to agree with that.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
Chelsea
Joined:
13 Apr 2009
Posts: 22
|
| Posted: 08/30/2010 at 12:24 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
I completely agree! Mine strays pretty far from any of the "standard/stock" models he has listed on the site so I fully understand why it would take a long time. When I purchased it, I thought for sure the wait would be at least a year, but Kevin estimated only 20 weeks.
Can't wait to see pictures and see what you have to say about your instrument!
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
mcorlett
Joined:
16 Jul 2009
Posts: 41
|
| Posted: 08/30/2010 at 1:09 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
Wow! Nice :) I am currently doing mods on a cheap tele FIRST before (life priorities permitting) putting in a completely custom order with EGC. But I think the next will be a baritone...
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
mcorlett
Joined:
16 Jul 2009
Posts: 41
|
| Posted: 08/31/2010 at 7:19 PM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
It arrived... Ok, I have been playing it mostly unplugged taking care of my sick lil' 20month old today, had a chance to play a little plugged in low volume, but not through the speaker cabs I usually play through but here's some first impressions. (sorry I don't have time to write a more succinct account)
First, the anticipation literally ******* killed me this morning, so when it arrived I was reborn into a world of pure aesthetic bliss. If I stick to the comparing to Bean thing, well, aesthetically I love beans, but good luck touching the sheer splendour of an all aluminum steel pick up cover axe like this. Holy christ. It is dazzling, inspiring, beautiful. Opening the case was literally like opening a chest of gold, light shines up on your face. I giggled so much my wife and son giggled too. The little bugger jumped in and grabbed it before I had a chance.
Anyone who has one (except for the exception of holmes) can probably verify the craftsmanship is unbelievable. Just the thought that he was able to create this work of art is inspiring. I've had no issues with fret finishing etc. All is very very nicely finished. It feels absolutely wonderful.
Playability: really so nice to play. It might be too 'dainty' of a neck for some gloves, but it feels soooo nice. The neck is thin right to the body... it's easy to play ANYWHERE on the neck and it's fast... I'm no shredder, but I've never been able to play with such ease anywhere on the neck without some wrist/finger/arm tweaking. For me it took absolutely no getting used to. It just felt natural.
Compared to the Bean I had (1130 1000S), the Bean was more cumbersome, took more effort to navigate. Felt dead in some parts. That's really picking on it, but ya, I wouldn't trade the feel of this for a the feel of my other Bean... and I loved the Bean.
The neck has a nice radius too. That was unexpected as when we first agreed on the deal, the standard had a flat fretboard. I've been playing a tele with radius lately and prefer it over the flat Bean... although... each instruments character and feel really influences how/what I play, so it'll be interesting to see where this goes. I have no other way to describe it than to say it's a total pleasure to play.
It's balanced really really ******* well. When I put the strap on it and followed my kid as he rode his bike around our living room, it fit well and felt natural. It's sleeker than the bean I had. It feels wide open if that makes any sense... where the Bean felt like it was hiding something. I was surprised a little only because of what I've read others say:
I have no problem that other's have mentioned: getting used to the neck (took no getting used to), not being able to tell what fret you're playing because of the gleaming fretboard (maybe I don't pay enough attention to that anyway), frets being high (don't feel like it at all to me), buzz (about the same as the bean... i like a little buzz), going sharp after tuning it then playing it (warmed it up then tuned it, was as good as the bean with new strings).
Plugged in at low volume the tone, sustain, volume were all incredible. Letting notes open/fretted ring out and decay produces some more harmonic chimes like the bean did, and they linger sweetly. It's super responsive.
I ordered it with p-90s (EGC's). If I were to re-order I think I'd do the HBs with coil tap. I realize there some things I like playing that just sound better with that rounded HB sound. BUT I wanted the single coil sound, and it's got shitloads of that. Tone controls are nice (2 tone, 2 volume).
I can't comment on the comments about mids, needing EQ pedals and Beans being more rounded in the mix. In a couple of months I'll be able to rock out with el band again and have more comments then. I play through custom cabs I built and have loads of control over eq so I don't anticipate it being an issue.
Family duty calls!!! If you have the cake and some patience, I wouldn't hesitate a second to phone up Kevin and talk about a project. The custom work he's been pumping out has already got me thinking about a baritone!
Now I'm in trouble... bye!
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
holmes
Joined:
29 Feb 2008
Posts: 182
|
| Posted: 09/02/2010 at 2:46 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
dear oh dear - im glad i read through my little posts now, rather than bash them out quickly and hit enter. My old ones are full of spelling and grammatical errors. In fact, im sure this one is as well. I meant what i, at least attempted, to say though.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
mcorlett
Joined:
16 Jul 2009
Posts: 41
|
| Posted: 09/02/2010 at 11:42 AM Post subject: RE:EGC vs Travis Bean |
link
|
|
Hey Holmes, by 'Now I'm in trouble' I was referring to 'in trouble' with wife (in a tongue in cheek kinda way) for giving more attention to guitar obsessing than her and my lil' man... 20 mins earlier I had said 'just a couple of minutes'... that kind of scenario :) I know you meant what you said that's why I excluded you from the satisfied!
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
|
|
|
