Travis Bean started producing innovative aluminum neck guitars in 1974. By combining a solid wood bodies with a metal neck and centerpiece, Bean hoped to avoid the instability and warping that sometimes came with conventional metal guitars.  Bean produced around 3,600 instruments until 1979, which have since become highly prized by a variety of players including noise rock titans like Steve Albini. The TB500 was built as a lower-end counterpart to the TB1000 series. Less of this model were made than the TB1000. 

Years of Production: 1975 - 1976

Body Style: Double cutaway solidbody 

Composition: Magnolia body, Aluminum neck

Notable Trave Bean Players: Steve Albini, Jerry Garcia, Duane Denison