LesBean
Joined:
18 Nov 2007
Posts: 4
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 Posted: 04/13/2008 at 5:20 PM Post subject: Date based on SN? |
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My TB1000A has a serial No. of 1381. Can I use this to determine the approx. date of MFG? I bought mine new but I can't find the receipt so I am not sure of when I got it.
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Chris Hall
Joined:
01 Jun 2001
Posts: 132
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| Posted: 04/13/2008 at 6:05 PM Post subject: RE:Date based on SN? |
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I would try looking at other guitars in the database that have a s/n close to yours, and see if maybe any of them have an inscription on the neck. I have a lefty TB2000 that has the exact date inscribed on the back of the neck, along with Travis and Marc's signatures.
You can also get a ballpark estimate from looking at the horns on the guitars; they changed them at a certain point (I forget the year...).
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000000
Joined:
03 May 2007
Posts: 324
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| Posted: 04/13/2008 at 8:01 PM Post subject: RE:Date based on SN? |
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-Post removed by request of the author-
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LesBean
Joined:
18 Nov 2007
Posts: 4
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| Posted: 04/13/2008 at 9:31 PM Post subject: RE:Date based on SN? |
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Thanks for the reply guys. I wasn't aware of the body serial no. Where is that located? Inside the control cavity?
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Obie
Joined:
12 Mar 2008
Posts: 76
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| Posted: 04/13/2008 at 10:52 PM Post subject: RE:Date based on SN? |
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My late brother was a Travis Bean employee and was one of the final assemblers. I have recently (like yesterday) come across his personal production notes. As mentioned, assuming your neck and body #'s match, your Artist #1381 would have been made in Jan/Feb 1979. Next to the number is the notation "PT". Does your Artist have a painted body?
Cheers,
Kurt O.
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charlie
Joined:
06 Jan 2008
Posts: 250
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| Posted: 04/14/2008 at 1:57 PM Post subject: RE:Date based on SN? |
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Hey Kurt,
Those notes made by your brother sound like the holy grail of Travis Bean production info! Did he record info and dates on all the guitars and basses? This is quite a discovery! I hope you figure out some way to post all this fantastic information.
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LesBean
Joined:
18 Nov 2007
Posts: 4
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| Posted: 04/14/2008 at 2:34 PM Post subject: RE:Date based on SN? |
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My Artist is figured Koa. Rather pretty actually
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LesBean
Joined:
18 Nov 2007
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| Posted: 04/14/2008 at 3:11 PM Post subject: RE:Date based on SN? |
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Thanks Kurt for the info. 1979 sounds right to me.
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Obie
Joined:
12 Mar 2008
Posts: 76
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| Posted: 04/14/2008 at 10:28 PM Post subject: RE:Date based on SN? |
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Well, I'm not sure it's quite the Holy Grail but it is interesting! This is not a complete record. It seems to begin in late 1977 and go to the end. It is simply a spiral bound steno notebook with tabs made out of masking tape. There are sections for Standards, Artists, Basses, TB500s, Wedge Guitar and Wedge Bass. For the most part the entries are simply the number with a check mark next to it signifying (I assume) the guitar was completed and went out the door or into stock. Sometimes there is a cryptic short notation next to a number like "PT" or "Dutch". In a very few instances there are notes like "Jerry Garcia" or "Keith Richards".
Yes, fun stuff. And yes I am going to make it available.
Cheers,
Kurt O.
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JohnBR
Joined:
20 Dec 2005
Posts: 223
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| Posted: 04/15/2008 at 8:19 AM Post subject: RE:Date based on SN? |
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Hi Kurt, maybe you can help me with this one: I have a white Standard, which is # 1036. Inside the neck pocket is written the words "Jerry Garcia 7/10/79". I have no provenance, nor proof that I did not write this myself, but I didn't. It's also possible a previous owner could have written it as a prank. However, it is written in such a way that the neck would have to have been outside the body to have had this written where is. Our best assumption, with the help of some Grateful Dead aficionados- was that, since Jerry was Bean's first endorsee and one of the most prominent, that this guitar was meant for him, but simply never delivered. Do you think this is possible? The neck is extra chunky, just how Jerry liked his necks and the guitar is a whopping 13 pounds. Anyways, I would love to get your opinion, and maybe you could look in that book to see if there are any notes next to # 1036. Here are a couple links to photos of the inside writings. Thanks a million!!!
http://www.flickr.com/pho...../62767557@N00/1682259419/
http://www.flickr.com/pho...../62767557@N00/1683431692/
http://www.flickr.com/pho...../62767557@N00/1683472728/
http://www.flickr.com/pho...../62767557@N00/1700522189/
PS- there is no evidence of Garcia EVER playing a TB-standard. The artist he played, he only used for 3 or 4 shows. He used his 3 pickup TB-500 for a little over a year. Thanks again, and any info would be appreciated.
All the best,
-John
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Obie
Joined:
12 Mar 2008
Posts: 76
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| Posted: 04/15/2008 at 7:37 PM Post subject: RE:Date based on SN? |
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Hi John,
Sorry, I have no info on your Standard #1036. My brother's notes on Standards start at #1100.
Cheers,
Kurt O.
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