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does anything sound as good?!?

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holmes

Joined:
29 Feb 2008
Posts: 182
PostPosted: 08/03/2007 at 10:47 AM    Post subject: does anything sound as good?!? link

i was just wondering what other guitars you guys play, and ones arent completly blown out of the water by beans?

ive an ovation 1431 gp that sounds great, and im thinking of getting either a guild starfire 4 or a vintage jazzmaster soon. However, i really have a hard time finding anything that touches...

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blackmarker

PostPosted: 08/03/2007 at 11:04 AM    Post subject: RE:does anything sound as good?!? link

I've got a mahogany-bodied Tele I assembled using a Warmoth body, a USACG neck and various other scavenged parts.

That's it.

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eric

Joined:
03 Aug 2007
Posts: 48
PostPosted: 08/03/2007 at 12:39 PM    Post subject: RE:does anything sound as good?!? link

I have an ameircan standard telecaster which i think sounds pretty good and a late 60's Galanti Grand Prix that has a really fast neck and great action, but after owning a bean for just 2 weeks now, I haven't bothered with the other 2 guitars. I am really happy with my purchase.

Does Ovation make solid body guitars? If they do i wasn't aware, but the seller of my bean was selling off a bunch of vinatge guitars and told me he was only going to keep his Ovation(s). i cant remember if he had a couple or just one.

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GG

Joined:
05 May 2006
Posts: 96
PostPosted: 08/03/2007 at 3:38 PM    Post subject: RE:does anything sound as good?!? link

Nothing comes close to my Beans. I have a 1000S and a 500 and to compare I've had Les Pauls and strats and they aren't even close. I still have a 57 and 60 les paul juniors and a 69 tele thinline and a 73 tele that I love for open G and open D tunings, but none of them have near the tonal possibilities of the Beans.

I am getting a EGC soon and am looking forward to it. Love the tones on the last Uzeda record and felt the urge to get one.

GG

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admin

Joined:
01 Jun 2001
Posts: 1266
PostPosted: 08/03/2007 at 3:52 PM    Post subject: RE:does anything sound as good?!? link

-- Love the tones on the last Uzeda record and felt the urge to get one.--

Yep.. Uzeda sounds great! Is he still using the Standard.. or is he using a Custom as well now? What are you having EGC build you?

I have a TB1000S and EGC Standard. Definitely the EGC comes close. I would say with some small amp adjustments, I can get the EGC to sound pretty darn close to my TB1000S. It comes down to those pickups laying on top of the lumy neck and neck-through design that makes that crazy response that Beans have. The EGC pickups are hotter than my Bean.. which makes it fun. I do like my Bean though, and the two guitars are definitely different and should be treated as such.

I'm at the point now, where I'm using either the Bean or EGC depending on the needs of the particular song. My EGC also has split coils, so I find I'm lovin' the single coil action at times or combining single coil neck with hum bridge.

Anyways.. blah blah blah.

admin

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GG

Joined:
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Posts: 96
PostPosted: 08/03/2007 at 5:03 PM    Post subject: RE:does anything sound as good?!? link

Kevin's building a standard just like Agos'. I have seen recent Uzeda footage where he appears to be using a custom all aluminum thru a Simms Watts. Not my favorite shape, I've never been a fan of strat shapes. Having said that I love the tone of my 500, just never been crazy about the design. I expect the EGC will be capable of a more brittle tone due to the all alum construction and the P90 which is in my opinion the greatest sounding pickup ever made in any guitar.

GG

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holmes

Joined:
29 Feb 2008
Posts: 182
PostPosted: 08/05/2007 at 5:36 AM    Post subject: RE:does anything sound as good?!? link

eric, yes ovations made a few solid bodies, the cream of the crop were the through neck 1431 gp and its prototype the pf-22. the sound out of a gp is what you hear on kyuss and the first three queens records. extremely thick. amazing sounds.

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JohnBR

Joined:
20 Dec 2005
Posts: 223
PostPosted: 08/05/2007 at 11:05 AM    Post subject: RE:does anything sound as good?!? link

First, no, NOTHING comes close to a Travis Bean. If cash/investment value was not an issue, I would take the worst Bean over a 59 LP any day. Nothing can touch them...though I have never played a Veleno nor an ECG...
BTW, GG, can you PLEASE send me a link or give me ANY info on the dude playing the Simms-Watts? I own 3 of them and I have not been able to find ANY info about these amps. would say they are to Hiwatt, what Hiwatt was to Marshall. Probably the best amps ever designed. Just no one used them....I know Tommy Bolin, Ziggy Stardust and John Entwistle did....but there is absolutely zero info on the www. Maybe I'm just not looking hard enough.
Sorry to stray off topic....hey,who won that 500? Who is Nikkid???? Only $5,500! What a steal!

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000000

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Posts: 324
PostPosted: 08/06/2007 at 6:32 PM    Post subject: RE:does anything sound as good?!? link

-Post removed by request of the author-

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JohnBR

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Posts: 223
PostPosted: 08/06/2007 at 6:44 PM    Post subject: RE:does anything sound as good?!? link

very true, very true! Great comment. I have, indeed played a couple of 59 LPs though. I own a custom Ibanez that you may have seen that blows them all away ironically. Your immence knowledge is very much appreciated. No one knows guitars like you! Thanks!

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000000

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Posts: 324
PostPosted: 08/07/2007 at 1:19 AM    Post subject: RE:does anything sound as good?!? link

-Post removed by request of the author-

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holmes

Joined:
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Posts: 182
PostPosted: 08/07/2007 at 10:00 AM    Post subject: RE:does anything sound as good?!? link

if you are a fan of the 59 les paul or chunky sounds in general vincent, you may be very interested in the 1431 gp by ovation. they really have amazingly thick yet very dynamic tones.

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LHakim

PostPosted: 08/22/2007 at 11:20 AM    Post subject: RE:does anything sound as good?!? link

Vincent, I've owned my 1000s since 1980. I have played an all original '59 Les Paul Burst with its original pafs. The Burst was incredibly piercing on the bridge pickup (moreso than my Bean), and the neck paf seemed to lack the character and openess of my Bean's neck pickup. But overall I have to say that the Burst came closer in tone to my Bean than any other guitar I've ever played with the possible exception of an Esquire (with the tone pot and caps bypassed).

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BoulderBean

Joined:
04 Feb 2004
Posts: 309
PostPosted: 08/26/2007 at 5:47 PM    Post subject: RE:does anything sound as good?!? link

I received my Electrical Guitar Company (EGC) Custom 500 about a week ago and I have had a great time playing the guitar and comparing with with my Bean 1000S. I have never played a TB 500.

The EGC is a gorgeous instrument that is beautifully constructed and built to last several human lifetimes. Mine is set up like a TB 500 with 2 single-coil P-90 style pickups. The sound is tremendous. Not as deep and rich as the 1000S (less low end for sure), but that's to be expected. I'm impressed by the responsiveness of the pickups and the wonderful range of "bell-like" tones that can be achieved. I think the best sounds are achieved in the middle switch position with both pickups on.

The most startling difference between the EGC and the Bean is the neck. My 1000S has a thick neck that is not hugely different in width from my 1986 Martin M36 acoustic. EGC models their necks on Veleno guitars and their tone on Beans. The EGC neck is thin. Thinner than an American Standard Stratocaster. Unlike Beans, EGC necks are solid aluminum (Beans have hollowed cavities) and the fret board is polished aluminum as well. This is actually really nice and feels quite comfortable. We'll see how it wears. The neck is also tapered from the the nut to the bridge. It is one of the narrower guitars at the nut I have ever owned. The frets use the same size wire as the Bean. It is a little disconcerting to switch between the two guitars as my left hand has some serious adjustments to make.

The EGC weighs almost as much as my solid koa 1000S. The EGC is maybe a pound lighter.

I do find few things that EGC can improve upon:

1. The back of the EGC has a large plastic (or some similar material) plate that is screwed into the wooden body of the guitar. The plate is not recessed into the wooden body and feels a bit like an afterthought in the design. I much prefer the Bean 1000 design where the neck and body are flush on the back of the guitar and no plate is necessary - far more elegant.

2. EGC does not put their name anywhere on the guitar. The model and serial number are etched into the aluminum where the neck and body meet. These guys are making great instruments and while they are completely distinctive I think they should put their logo or name somewhere on the instrument.

3. The EGC shipped with a nice looking but poorly constructed off the shelf hard shell case. The weight of the guitar is clearly too much for the case as it buckles when held by the handle.

In spite of the three points above, I'm very please with the EGC and I expect to use it extensively alongside my Bean. It can definitely get a twang and a grit that the Bean can't. I'm sure that is mostly the P-90 pickups vs. the Bean humbuckers. These guitars make a great combo. If forced to choose one guitar I would take the Bean (it is the original afterall), but when they are selling for $4 - $5K it's much harder to justify taking them out of the studio.

EGC is a new company and I expect their instruments will change and evolve over time. It's great to have someone like Kevin who appreciates the qualities that Travis Bean put into his guitars, but at the same time is trying to create instruments that have their own tone, feel, and character. One thing is for sure - a well made metal neck guitar is simply awesome.

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blackmarker

PostPosted: 08/27/2007 at 12:34 AM    Post subject: RE:does anything sound as good?!? link

^ Great review, thanks!

The ECG neck is not hollowed out? I thought that was pretty much standard these days.

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Kevin

Joined:
16 Mar 2007
Posts: 147
PostPosted: 08/27/2007 at 1:28 AM    Post subject: RE:does anything sound as good?!? link

Just a note,

The plate on back is aluminum. Its coated with a very strong flat black powder coat to help keep the belt buckle rash down as much as possible. The first 20 or so have polished aluminum plates. The plate is not recessed into the body due to the neck is actually the same neck used on the other lines.

The cases are a very sore point. The first 50-60 Customs used Fender deluxe Jazzmaster cases. Although very expensive, they looked and worked fantastic. I have had a standing order with Fender for 5 months now and still nothing. The cases are by far my second choice but its the only thing available that fits the Asymetric body.





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BoulderBean

Joined:
04 Feb 2004
Posts: 309
PostPosted: 08/27/2007 at 1:50 PM    Post subject: RE:does anything sound as good?!? link

Thanks for the information Kevin. I figured that the back plate had a functional purpose. I'm glad to know that it is anodized aluminum. Maybe at some point in the future you can recess it into the body. It's really the only aesthetic issue I have with the guitar. A number of people have told me flat out that the EGC it is the best looking electric guitar they have ever seen. Who am I to disagree?

Question - is the pickup height adjustable? Is there an optimum distance between the strings and the pick-ups or is it more a matter of personal taste? Thanks much.

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JohnBR

Joined:
20 Dec 2005
Posts: 223
PostPosted: 08/27/2007 at 3:14 PM    Post subject: RE:does anything sound as good?!? link

oh, so, back to the question that started this thread: What other guitars blow me away other than our beloved Travis Beans? believe it or not, Ibanez! They have super high end, and budget models. I was lucky enough to locate one of the 30 Bob Weir replica models they put out in 2005. I do consider it to be among the finest guitars I have ever played. To my taste, the neck is PERFECT....chucky enough, yet not bulky. The radius is very close to flat, but not quite a 12 like the beans. 3 pickups, a double 'bucker in the neck and bridge, and a single coil in the middle. built in e.q., e.q. volume, coil tap switch for the doubles, and individual switches to turn each of the 3 pickups on/off. Semour Duncan active pickups and inlays that are what dreams are made of. Though, that is purely asthetic. The binding is 7 layers thick, with a wide thread of abalone in the middle. here is a picture:
http://flickr.com/photos/62767557@N00/185049250/
http://flickr.com/photos/62767557@N00/185049257/
http://flickr.com/photos/62767557@N00/185049256/

A true pleasure to play. Would be a tough choice if I had to choose between this and my white artist! LOL


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guitarcharlie

Joined:
06 Jan 2008
Posts: 250
PostPosted: 08/27/2007 at 4:54 PM    Post subject: RE:does anything sound as good?!? link

I think for me its gotta be a Bean. I am definately intrigued by aluminum tone so any guitar with alot of aluminum is worth a listen, but to me those Weir guitars look kinda er......well let's just say I don't see how they could really be any different than your basic Les Paul model with a bunch of pickup options. Pickups and wood vs pickups and aluminum. So if bean is the definition of good (which it is for me) then I say nothing sounds as good. I know Les Paul guys love the wood tone, and can blab about old wood until your head explodes...me I like Aluminum, but I can't talk about it very long at all. I just like it and I'm glad that someone is continuing to explore those tones with new instruments. Definately a worthy pursuit in my mind.


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JohnBR

Joined:
20 Dec 2005
Posts: 223
PostPosted: 08/27/2007 at 5:25 PM    Post subject: RE:does anything sound as good?!? link

I thought the question was "what other guitars do you guys play besides Beans"....that's all I was saying. This Weir guitar is FAR superior in feel and tone to ANY LP I have ever played. I too would choose aluminum.

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guitarcharlie

Joined:
06 Jan 2008
Posts: 250
PostPosted: 08/27/2007 at 7:00 PM    Post subject: RE:does anything sound as good?!? link

I guess I was just reading the basic heading and not the whole first post. All I know is that after cranking on the Bean for awhile I feel like nothing could touch it. That tone is so cool! Now as far as what other guitars we play? I guess I missed that part...sorry....I have been playing an Esteban in my spare time.

http://reviews.harmony-ce.....tral.com/reviews/Acoustic Guitar/product/Esteban/Burswood Acoustic/10/1

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Matt

PostPosted: 08/27/2007 at 8:07 PM    Post subject: RE:does anything sound as good?!? link

Hey, guys. Although I can only speak in hypothetical terms (presently), the forecast is that my guitars will offer a sound that is very similar to a Bean. Certain design principles and features, along with modern manufacturing techniques, should make my guitars suitable for traditionalists and progressives. Whether or not they will be sonically superior to a Travis Bean is subjective and yet to be evaluated. But I can objectively say that they will be much more structurally sound and precise. I am attempting to capture the "feel" of the Bean. Then it comes down to matters of style.

And please do not mistake my words or intentions. I am not trying to raise my guitars up above TB, EGC, etc. I haven't even finished one yet :) But I do have tremendous confidence in my efforts and ideas. I just want to make a good instrument that people can enjoy in the same way that I have enjoyed my Travis Bean. I would love to have all of your opinions.

Stop by www.myspace.com/bastinguitarcompany for some pics and stuff. And please don't hold back the questions and comments. Hit me up at bastinguitarcompany@gmail.com sometime. I love making new friends.

Thanks and rock on.

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holmes

Joined:
29 Feb 2008
Posts: 182
PostPosted: 08/28/2007 at 12:44 PM    Post subject: RE:does anything sound as good?!? link

that looks really great man. i cant wait till you finish those. the profile of my artist and 500 necks are beautiful. i miss that with the egc, but its meant to be a different kettle of fish i suppose. are there going to several body shapes? perhaps a 500 shaped body? im glad they come with wooden fretboards. i definatly think that those guitars would benefit from a truly vintage stylised body.

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Matt

PostPosted: 08/28/2007 at 7:27 PM    Post subject: RE:does anything sound as good?!? link

Hey, Holmes. Thanks a lot for the feedback. Yeah, I always played Les Pauls until I got my Artist. It's no surprise that the Bean kills it on tone, but I was most pleased with the feel of the neck. And I grew up playing bass, so I just assumed that I would prefer a fatter neck. Not so, and I love my Bean. But a buddy of mine has a refin. SG from '70-something and it's killer. Great tone, great feel. I'd like to do a side-by-side someday with it and the Bean.

As far as bodies on my guitars go: I'm not planning on many variations in the body shape right now. I have always loved the double cut designs. And the symmetry of it just appeals to my natural sense of order. But, if anything, I will do something like a 500. I'll probably start on making a bass before I go too much further with the guitars; I'm really excited about that. But the body in the prototype pic isn't going to be the production body. I've already modified the designs to accommodate a more rounded set of horns.

Anyway, thanks for the interest and the feedback. This community is awesome and I thank you all.

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