Travis Bean Artist Electric Guitar

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Page last updated Sep 24, 2025

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Price

Average Price: $8,962

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Solid Body Electric Guitars category, Travis Bean Artist Electric Guitar is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

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High-end

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Description

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Experience the iconic allure of the Travis Bean Artist Electric Guitar, a staple in the world of solid body electric guitars renowned for its distinctive design and sound. This legendary guitar is celebrated for its unique aluminum neck construction, which offers unparalleled sustain and clarity, making it a favorite among professional musicians. The Travis Bean Artist combines vintage aesthetics with modern playability, providing a versatile instrument that suits a wide range of musical genres.

Crafted with precision, the guitar features a patented T-cut neck-through design, ensuring stability and a comfortable playing experience. The dual humbucker pickups deliver a rich, full-bodied tone that can seamlessly transition from warm, clean sounds to gritty, overdriven rock tones. With its sleek body contour and impeccable craftsmanship, the Travis Bean Artist is not just a guitar; it's a work of art that stands out on any stage.

Whether you're a seasoned performer or an enthusiastic hobbyist, the Travis Bean Artist Electric Guitar offers a blend of history and innovation that will inspire your musical journey.

Key Features:

Aluminum neck construction for enhanced sustain and clarity
Patented T-cut neck-through design for stability
Dual humbucker pickups for versatile tone
Sleek body contour for comfortable playing
Vintage aesthetics with modern playability
Renowned for its distinctive design and sound

Product specs

Brand	Travis Bean
Model	TB1000A Artist
Finish	Natural
Year	1977
Categories	Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape	Double Cutaway
Body Type	Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type	String-Through
Color Family	Brown, Natural
Fretboard Material	Rosewood
Neck Construction	Bolt-On
Number of Frets	22
Number of Strings	6-String
Pickup Configuration	HH
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed

FAQs

What is the neck profile like on the Travis Bean Artist Electric Guitar?: The Travis Bean Artist Electric Guitar features a bolt-on neck with a comfortable profile that suits a variety of playing styles, offering smooth playability and easy access to the upper frets.
What kind of tones can I expect from the pickups on the Travis Bean Artist Electric Guitar?: The Travis Bean Artist Electric Guitar is equipped with dual humbucking pickups, providing a rich, warm tone with excellent sustain, making it versatile for genres ranging from rock to blues.
Is the Travis Bean Artist Electric Guitar suitable for advanced players?: Yes, the Travis Bean Artist Electric Guitar is well-suited for advanced players due to its high-quality construction, unique tonal characteristics, and historical significance in the electric guitar world.
What is the body shape of the Travis Bean Artist Electric Guitar?: The Travis Bean Artist Electric Guitar has a double cutaway solid body design, allowing for easy access to higher frets and contributing to its distinctive appearance and playability.
How does the aluminum neck of the Travis Bean Artist Electric Guitar affect its sound?: The aluminum neck of the Travis Bean Artist Electric Guitar enhances sustain and provides a unique tonal clarity that distinguishes it from traditional wooden neck guitars.

Videos

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Bernunzio Uptown Music

Travis Bean TB1000A

Bernunzio Uptown Music

Travis Bean Designs TB1000A Artist “Pan Back” Serial Number #1 Transparent Black | Review & Demo!

Guitar Chimp

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Travis Bean Artist Electric Guitar.

Build quality

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Travis Bean guitars are noted for their heavy build, which contributes to their endless sustain, making them ideal for recording sessions.
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Features and functionality

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EGC offers customization in scale length, neck thickness, and body material, allowing for a personalized playing experience that differs from Travis Bean's standard offerings.
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The EGC 'tyranny' model, a replica of the Veleno shape, features an all-aluminum build and exceptionally thin neck, though it currently requires a custom order.
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The TB1000A model may include aftermarket coil-tap switches likely added by previous owners for humbucker splitting.
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User experience

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Owners of Travis Bean guitars frequently use them in studio recordings, attributing the unique sound quality to their records over the past decade.
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Owners describe the TB1000A's sound as "chimey" and praise its exceptionally low action for enhanced playability.
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Use cases and applications

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Travis Bean guitars are favored for studio use due to their sustain and unique sound, while EGC guitars offer versatility in both studio and live settings due to customization options.
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Mods and upgrades

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Owners recommend replacing non-original pickups with vintage Travis Bean models, suggesting 500k pots with orange Sprague caps for authenticity.
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Setup and maintenance

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Users have successfully used electronics spray cleaner to fix scratchy switches and pots on older Travis Bean guitars.
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Value and pricing

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A TB1000A purchased at auction for under $5k is considered a good deal, with potential value up to $8k if restored to original condition.
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Artist usage

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Lee Ranaldo

Singer, Guitarist

Sonic Youth

Verified via Photo

According to the Sonic Youth website it is said:

Used by Lee: 1995-2009 1995 -- F#F#F#F#EB (100%, Bone, Waist) 2002 -- EBEEAB (Eric's Trip, Kissability) 2009 -- F#F#GGAA (Tom Violence, White Kross) NOTES:

One of several Travis Bean Artist guitars Lee owned, though this one was not nearly played as often as the "Target" one. It was, however, also stolen in July 1999. HOWEVER! -- in early 2002, this guitar was discovered at an auction and purchased back by Sonic Youth, making it the first guitar (of 4 so far) to have been recovered from the '99 theft! Koa wood body 2 pickups Rosewood fretboard Aluminum neck 4 knobs Serial # -- 102 Listed as "TRAV2" & "WOODY" on '95 set lists.