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Advice - Take it easy on me

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BoneChurch

Joined:
19 Oct 2018
Posts: 3
PostPosted: 04/17/2020 at 4:17 PM    Post subject: Advice - Take it easy on me link

Prepare for a long rant and elaborate detail of a poor experience.

I purchased a TBD TB500B through reverb in April 2018. The guitar is beautiful a work of art really. The problem is I had to send it back twice in the first six months. The original neck warped to the point where the action at the twelve fret was over 1/8th of an inch. I gave them a call and immediately I knew I was in trouble. Kevin comes at me hard right out the gate saying something to the effect of "Well I guess I'm gonna have to stop making beans cause everyone is having trouble with them..." That didn't come up again but I have since had contact with another early TB500B owner and he confirmed that his neck was F'd as well. He then moves on to ask me how often I'm changing the strings??? Even seeming to suggest that I change them after each practice. I mean, I'm not a luthier but I've been playing guitar for twenty years and that was the first time I'd heard that I should change string to fix a terrible action. Anyway, after chastising me and treating me like a moron for five minutes he agreed to fix it if I send it back. I spend the $100 and take the time to pack the thing up.

Well, five weeks later I get it back and it seems fixed at first then after a month or so it has warped again worse than the first time. I reach out again, this time a little more frustrated. Kevin says that he will be casting ME a special neck out of a higher quality aluminum and I should go ahead and send the guitar back on my dime $100 plus the pain. All the while he's making me feel like moron and explaining that he has never had this issue before and basically that he and his instruments are perfect and only fools would have a problem. When they get it they have the nerve to say that they are going to cast me a new neck but there is nothing wrong with mine and Kevin is gonna use it for his personal guitar. I mean what the hell? No matter what way you look at that it is rude if nothing else. If he's using that guitar right now, I will walk into a COVID ward and start licking bed pans. Again, it takes six weeks or so and I hear nothing at this point I'm fuming. I paid 4k for a guitar with so many issues and I've had it for a total of six weeks over a period of six months. Well, I sent a really pissed of email and got a quick return saying it was shipping today. This blew my mind and almost made me more frustrated because I feel like they have turned me into a cornered animal and when I finally blow when not hearing from them for six weeks they are like, oh ok, your mad now, we are shipping it today. Jesus this is a rant. I really hope it doesn't get taken down before I get some feedback because there is a question coming. The guitar comes back and the action is much much better. The "neck" is completely different recast much much thicker and they stamped it with the same serial number. No big deal, but it technically is a different instrument.

I was elated. That was October 2018 a year and a half ago. Well over the past month or so I've noticed, despite the fact that I DO NOT want to see this or remotely begin the process again, that the action is 1/8th inch above the twelve fret. I should note that I work with a really great guitar tech. He is a super sweet guy and each time I've had issue I've taken it to him for advice. Each time he has told me, I'd send it back dude. If there is a lifetime warranty, I'd send it back. He just told me yesterday that he would send it back.

Here are other issues. I realize now that I was blinded by my desire to have one of their instruments, but I knew things were off when I first unpacked the guitar. The case is awful, the guitar moves a good three inches from side to side and six inches top to bottom. I heard most people get sweet flight cases when they purchase from EGC. The paint had a pretty nasty chip on the top of the body.

Guys, I do not want to be this guy. I've own so many pieces of gear over the years. I've had issues with things here and there but I have always worked it out with the seller in a cordial way. What do I do here? I'm honestly afraid to contact them because I'm afraid they are going to treat me like crap and I really don't think I should have to spend what will now be $300 shipping instruments back. Please advise. Should I just sell the damn thing on reverb and plan to take a loss. I asked Kevin about this and he said the lifetime warranty does not transfer so I would basically be telling the person that the neck is off and you will have to live with it.

Anyway, I would appreciate some advice. I know I will probably get hate but I'm only posting this because I'm distraught and because it is true. I LOVE how this guitar sounds and looks, but for 4K the action should be solid. I have photographic documentation of the neck in its various states and I just took a photo today showing the 1/8in string height at 12 fret. If there is a place for me to post those please let me know.

Should I bite the bullet and contact them? Should I sell it on reverb as is noting all the issues and take a huge loss? Should I put it in a closet and swallow this like a chump? Thanks.

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BoneChurch

Joined:
19 Oct 2018
Posts: 3
PostPosted: 04/17/2020 at 5:07 PM    Post subject: RE:Advice - Take it easy on me link

Here' a link to some photos. Just so you know, the one from the headstock down that looks like a bow and arrow is the neck that he said he would be using for his personal guitar.

https://imgur.com/a/KgQm047

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artwar

Joined:
08 Apr 2015
Posts: 39
PostPosted: 04/18/2020 at 1:56 PM    Post subject: RE:Advice - Take it easy on me link

Hi BoneChurch,
I read your story and I am sorry to hear what happened.
Travis Bean was a special guy and made very special guitars. I have owned 9 of his great guitars and love the beautiful 5 that I still own. If there was a defect in any of Travis Bean's designs or manufacturing he would have refunded your money instantly and apologized. Kevin and EGC have taken on the Travis Bean name and legacy. Firstly out of respect to Travis and his brand, Kevin and EGC should be making perfect instruments like those previously sporting the name. Anything less is an insult to Travis Bean. Kevin and EGC should understand lemon laws and good business manors. Multiple occurrences of the same defect warrant an instant choice of refund, replacement and an apology. Plus expenses like shipping. Anything less is unlawful and not in good faith. I have never met Kevin or had any interest in his EGC guitars but I have heard stories which did not reflect well on EGC or Kevin so this tale is no surprise. This is a Travis Bean forum filled with lovers of Travis Bean guitars. Kevin should have a chance to tell his side of the story and explain his position. So take it away Kevin we are all listening.

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dialectric

Joined:
19 Mar 2009
Posts: 9
PostPosted: 04/21/2020 at 9:16 AM    Post subject: RE:Advice - Take it easy on me link

There hasn't been a ton of discussion on new the Travis Bean Designs / EGC guitars and basses on these forums. There is a lot more on EGC on Electrical Audio recording studio's forum: https://www.electricalaudio.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=13013


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artwar

Joined:
08 Apr 2015
Posts: 39
PostPosted: 04/22/2020 at 1:09 AM    Post subject: RE:Advice - Take it easy on me link

This forum is a bit less edited by EGC and so it would be great if others offered insists here. Hopefully Kevin will explain his side of the BoneChurch EGC Travis Bean story?. As it stands it does not reflect well on Kevin or EGC and his silence only leads to further assumptions.

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gitahsan

Joined:
26 Apr 2020
Posts: 1
PostPosted: 04/26/2020 at 11:23 PM    Post subject: RE:Advice - Take it easy on me link

You can read my TB500 deposit horror story over at the Electrical Audio forum:

https://www.electricalaudio.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=13013&start=4960

I just wanted to chime in and say I've had a bit of interest in selling my TB500 deposit and I've been brutally honest with everyone concerning my experience and what they should expect should they buy my deposit from me. I'm going to link them to this page.

I doubt Kevin ever replies here, seems like he thinks he doesn't have to answer to anybody, not even his paying customers.

Buyer beware.

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artwar

Joined:
08 Apr 2015
Posts: 39
PostPosted: 05/02/2020 at 11:22 AM    Post subject: RE:Advice - Take it easy on me link

To me Travis Bean was one of the most interesting figures of modern guitar history. And his electric guitar and bass instruments are some of the most special of any made during his companies years. I have never met Kevin Burkett, don€„¢t know much about him, and never been interested to play one of his guitars. Frankly with so many original Travis Bean guitars produced and available I cannot understand anyones interest in the Electrical Guitar Company. I am even more baffled by anyone who purchases a new production Travis Bean Designs guitar.

Still, I have nothing against Mr. Burkett and if he wants to spent his life copying cloning and rehashing someone else€„¢s original work thats up to him.

But it does seem like he is an unfriendly fella who is not fun, easy to deal with or completely trustworthy to say it politely. Maybe the unfulfilling life of a plagiarist is getting to him?



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