Travis Bean TB500 Bass 1979 1 of 1
Price$30,000
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from BOULDER, CO
Listed:2 years ago
Views:2,221
Watchers:69
Offers:1
BOULDER, CO, United States
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- 1979 TB500 1 one 1 bass, the first and only serial. this stunning longhorn bass design was borrowed directly from its big brother bass, the custom color translucent cherry red longhorn TB2000 (with this identical body shape, two pickups and custom 3 knob configuration). like with Travis Bean guitars, the neck to body architecture of the 500 differs from the 2000. This is the only TB500 bass ever made. Travis first built his friend/employee/designer a late '78 (newer neck construction, better pickups, etc) custom longhorn thin body TB2000 bass with this incredible body shape, and they liked it so much they decided to make it into a production model, the TB500 bass. Unfortunately TB shut down shortly after the first one was made. So there's only one TB500 bass, and one TB2000 bass with this shape. Both basses are incredible masterpieces, as good as they come, made special for a friend/employee. (The dark cherry red bass is also here along with Mitch's other two custom TB2000's). all 4 basses are equally staggering and beautiful, but i will say unequivocally this is my favorite of the batch. it's evident these basses were all created with extra precision and care. Most importantly, the wood selection. this one in particular has such an incredible neck and playability. travis was known for not doing special favors or custom work, so these 4 basses here are unbelievably rare, unique and stand out. i've owned countless travis beans, and these are amongst the finest of the fine, as musical instruments. exceptional next level tone and feel.
- highly unmotivated to sell this. over here we love this bass to death, words won't do it justice, though that's never stopped me. this is definitely hands down my #1 bass of all time. just like the best of the refined late '78 / early '79 travis bean guitars, it's in a league of it's own - highly refined. i have always had a thing for late '78/79 travis beans, especially black. my absolute favorite TB guitar, hands down by a mile, is an 8lb '79. that guitar is so singular and superior that i sold every other TB guitar i owned, a whole pile of them. this bass reminds me of that guitar.
- i suppose this bass is the king of em all. some instruments just play themselves. stunning on every level. by late 1978 / early 1979 travis beans were highly refined - better pickups, lighter, thinner bodies and a completely new superior neck construction. this stunning work of art 1 of 1 black 500 bass body was designed in 1978 and made in 1979 right before they closed down. i look back at the instruments i've owned and if anyone ever asks "what's your favorite guitar?", the answer is always the 79 black TB. likely the singlemost amazing instrument i've ever played. it brings out the music, effortlessly. so buying this bass required no thought whatsoever. yesterday i plugged into a dumblized 1940's soundmaster head through eight 12's, it's very easily the best playing and sounding bass i've ever played. the most perfect neck. the 4 custom basses here all have rare, custom particular neck shapes. this one is on the bigger side, which is why it's preferable.
- my good, good friend vincent gallo (2nd owner) said it's the best sounding and playing bass of all time, naturally i didn't believe him. but when i played it at his place a couple years back, it amazed me, just like the best of the best of the refined 1979 sleek TB guitars. just like that. he was obviously right. there's just no other comparison aside from it's gorgeous dark cherry red brother. it really is that great. i believe the neck on this guitar is the single greatest travis bean neck on earth. others will say that about the red one, with a much thinner neck (equally stunning).
- superior vibe and quite different than the typical TB2000, even the thin lightweight '79's. slim and sleek like a patek philippe. the profile on this thin body is masterful. the angles and lines exhibit such beauty and masterful design. the neck thankfully has meat to it, but plays so damn fast. it plays like a dream. the sweet spot for a TB guitar is 8-9lbs. for me it's impossible to play or hold this guitar without being in awe of the design.
- here you have a full scale TB prototype bass at only 9lbs. incredible balance and feel. top level tone and feel and playability. it's way better than any bass i've ever played. i wouldn't hesitate to say that a TB bass is more profound than a TB guitar. you just FEEL these notes against your body.
- no case was ever made for it, but it comes with a hardshell case. a custom road case should be made for it. what you see is what you get. it's like-new, spent it's life in the case, strap holes never drilled.
- will be shipped in a full size box. open to any trades or offers. extremely special and will exceed anyone's expectations. the feel of this guitar in the hands is like that of the most singular, greatest bass guitar of all time. i'm not a bass player, but i'd put this automatically up there amongst the greatest stringed instruments of all time, certainly the coolest. cooler than any vintage gibson. bespoke. made for an employee and friend of travis. please call or email with any questions. the sleek, sexy toneful wood body weighs in at 3.3lbs.
- i've shipped millions in audio gear worldwide since 1998 with no insurance claims. shipping is easy and secure with hardcore pink panther siding foam. local pickup and delivery options also available, just call. it's amazing to think what could have been with this company, especially considering they nailed the design, necks and pickups in late '78 during. shutdown. One of the greatest guitar designers of all time. Total perfection. like all guitars, may need to be set up to taste, and intonated, leveled, etc. fretboard and nut in fine shape. as is now, to me, it's just right. the existing nut was cut way too high, so mitch gave me an old TB bass nut, and it worked wonders, just perfection. no fretboard separation, etc, remember this is 1979 and the newer style refined neck construction. this bass originated from TB employee named Mitch, who sold it to vincent gallo in 2012 after years of pressure. the volume and tone pots here are incredibly useful. this is a 70's race car, like the best looking 70's ferrari. the sexiest bass guitar of all time. very little player wear, great condition. this guitar has spent most of it's life in a case. a piece of history with no published photos, only mentions in magazines. has that signature natural chorus. super powerful, amazing tone & power. a stamped, numbered sculpture. 1 of 1. to sum up, this is an extremely easy playing bass, the easiest playing bass i've ever played. the profile of the body is just incredible. everything about it is amazing. it's tough to discern the species because of the paint. where the bridge lies in relation to the body is genius.
- CUSTOMER LIST James Williamson (Iggy & The Stooges), Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction), Glen Campbell, The Blasters, The Weirdos, Peter Distefano (Porno for Pyros), Mike Ness (Social Distortion), R.K.L., Leftover Crack, Vincent Gallo, George Pajon (Black Eyed Peas), Ed Shearmur (Pink Floyd, Page/Plant), Dennis Herring (Buddy Guy, Modest Mouse), D.I., Twin Shadow, John Mayer, Justin D’errico (Pink), Darin Bennett (House of Blues LA orig house band), Cadillac Tramps, Ariel Pink, Deadmau5, LMFAO, Nico Vega, Woody Jackson, DJ Steve Porter, Troy Van Leeuwen (Queens of the Stone Age), Danny Fields (Ramones, Stooges), Val Kilmer, David Lauren (Ralph Lauren), Justin Murdock, Charlie Sheen, Linda Ramone, Shepard Fairey, Divided by 13, A&M/Interscope/Geffen, Mad Hatter Studios (Chick Corea), Strummerville (Joe Strummer Estate), Marc Vachon, Jim Carrey, Gorillaz, Patrick Martinez.
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| Listed | 2 years ago |
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| Condition | Excellent (Used) Excellent items are almost entirely free from blemishes and other visual defects and have been played or used with the utmost care.Learn more |
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