2022 marks another exciting year for the Electric division of TME. One of the newest lines we’ve welcomed here at the end of year is the legendary Travis Bean Designs. Travis Bean guitars marked a revolutionary time for the electric guitar on the heels of Gibson and Fender’s “Golden Era”. Clifford Travis Bean, along with Marc McElwee and Gary Kramer, founded the company in 1974 and brought their unique custom-built aluminum necked electrics to the market. They had an immediate impact in the guitar world, attracting players like Jerry Garcia and Keith Richards in the early days of the company while continuing to make an impact decades later in the hands of Lee Ranaldo, Steve Albini, and Ty Segall.

Our very first offering from Travis Bean Designs happens to be one of the most iconic and yet considerably rarer models originally offered by the California-based company – The TB500JG Model. Kevin Burkett of Electrical Guitar Company and Marc McElwee joined forces tobring a fantastic recreation of the famous original.

The TravisBeanDesigns TB500JG Generation 1 is a faithful recreation of the original TB500 owned byJerry Garcia. Used predominantly from 1976-1977 on tour with The Grateful Dead, Jerry’s TB500 was the first guitar to feature the On-Board Effects Loop. This unique and groundbreaking feature is recreated in this new TB500JG, and combined with the custom made single coil pickups makes for an incredibly versatile and inspiring guitar. There were about 350 original TB500 models built, making them very rare and collectable. These new TB500JGs bring all of the original vibe back!

The aluminum neck has a wonderful medium-full carve reminiscent of Gibson’s 1957 neck profile – full in the first position with a smooth taper up the neck. Playability is absolutely superb with a unique feel in the aluminum. The single coil pickups share some elements of the great P90 and Jazzmaster pickups combined, but with stronger dynamic response, note definition, and clarity. They’re high-fidelity without compromising on character and vibe. Big, open tone with loads of sustain captured by the wonderful neck-through design. The pickup switches allow for maximum versatility between the three pickups. Clean tones take you from sweet and mellow to bright and chimey with ease. Fat, clear overdriven tones are simply addicting! It’s a special guitar that reaches well beyond its inspiration.

This 2022 build is 1 of 6 instruments releasedworldwide, with just 3 available in the United States. It includes custom-made OBEL cabling made by Rattlesnake Cable Company as well.

Priced with G&G Hardshell case.

• 1.75 Slab body
• T6061-T651 Aluminum neck w/ Rosewood fretboard
• 24.75 scale length
• 1 3/4″ nut width – brass nut
• 12″ Fingerboard radius
• Schaller tuners
• Mother of pearl dot inlays
• (3)Single coil pickups (Original 1970s TB500 spec)
• Individual pickup on/off toggle switches
• Master Volume, Neck tone control, middle/bridge Tone control
• On-board effects loop (OBEL)
• Weight: 9lbs 15oz