Hmm, I've got a 2002 red flame maple Tribal Sun 5 string fretless. Also a 4 string fretted Tribal Sun. Love the sound from the Tribals. Would go for one some day with the flame fretboard.
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Traben Club, Level 2.
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I talked to the guy, a bit, the first time he listed it. The first time it was listed for $600, and I got the impression he thought he had a gold mine. That may only be my impression, and it may be way off, but he did think it was worth a lot. I am kind of waiting to see if he relists it. IF he doesn't I may contact him again, and make an offer.
But I am also jonesing for a 5 string Ric, so the deal will have to be right. I have more than I need now, and more then I have stands for. IF I buy anything else, I am going to have to get rid of something. I am not running a music store, so I do not need that kind of inventory (I have 11 of them here now)
But I am also jonesing for a 5 string Ric, so the deal will have to be right. I have more than I need now, and more then I have stands for. IF I buy anything else, I am going to have to get rid of something. I am not running a music store, so I do not need that kind of inventory (I have 11 of them here now)
I have an opportunity to try (and then buy) a Traben on Craig's List. I've never heard of Traben until I started searching here.
It is a five string Array Limited that appears to be in great cosmetic shape. I'll be able to play it tomorrow. The Serial number is T11619, appears to be a five piece bolt on neck with five bolts. I'm not a tuner guy so I can't identify the tuners from the picture.
I've tried uploading the pictures here but TB is having trouble accessing them.
Can any of you tell me what to look for to ID this thing? Assuming it plays very well, what would be a good (for me) price for this thing? It comes with a hard case.
Thank you very much.
It is a five string Array Limited that appears to be in great cosmetic shape. I'll be able to play it tomorrow. The Serial number is T11619, appears to be a five piece bolt on neck with five bolts. I'm not a tuner guy so I can't identify the tuners from the picture.
I've tried uploading the pictures here but TB is having trouble accessing them.
Can any of you tell me what to look for to ID this thing? Assuming it plays very well, what would be a good (for me) price for this thing? It comes with a hard case.
Thank you very much.
that one is Korean made, and built like a tank. It is heavy, All Trabens are. Tuners will be grovers. The old electronics are good for rock, but maybe not the best of you are trying to cover something by Merle Haggard. The tone is pretty trebely but sustain really is good. For the money, they are solid basses. With a preamp upgrade they are great
I think they never really gained in popularity because of the image. Bass players seem to be very conservative, in general. If it does not look like a fender it is "gimmicky" in their eyes. I do think traben would have done better as a company, if they had led their lineup with the Neo instead of the phoenix
My own personal opinion is that the larger mass bridge with more surface to body area does help. . I know I will be unpopular on here for saying this, but there are times when my traben Kore sounds better then my fender
I think they never really gained in popularity because of the image. Bass players seem to be very conservative, in general. If it does not look like a fender it is "gimmicky" in their eyes. I do think traben would have done better as a company, if they had led their lineup with the Neo instead of the phoenix
My own personal opinion is that the larger mass bridge with more surface to body area does help. . I know I will be unpopular on here for saying this, but there are times when my traben Kore sounds better then my fender
Thanks Lee. I appreciate the insight. Do these have any "classic troubles" that I should watch out for? I don't do any Merle Haggard, but Tool, RHCP, Primus, Rush and a number of others are what really interest me. I have an ATK700 that takes care of all my Stingray needs.
I'm going to have to get past the bridge if this is really a sweet bass. One of the Traben models has a huge round bridge that would have been much more to my liking.
Do they typically have solid necks and electronics? I'm really not wanting to do any pre-amp upgrades. Whatever this comes with is going to have to do.
I'm going to have to get past the bridge if this is really a sweet bass. One of the Traben models has a huge round bridge that would have been much more to my liking.
Do they typically have solid necks and electronics? I'm really not wanting to do any pre-amp upgrades. Whatever this comes with is going to have to do.
for your musical interests, the original preamp will work quite well. In fact I think you will really like the sound.
The model with the large round bridge, that doubles as a pickguard is the Neo, and that is the one I mentioned before, and said that traben should have led with ....but that is just my opinion, and others may disagree
Necks are really stout on the trabens, but they are temperature and elevation sensitive. Just be aware of this, and give a little extra time for tuning, if you travel far for gigs. Like I said before, they are built like tanks. They are heavy, but they are well built and tough. The only weak points really are the niche market image, and limitations on electronic options (once again, niche rock & roll market). For the money, they really are nice playing basses
EDIT..one other thing...Traben bridges draw a LOT of attention. Stage lighting flashes off them, and everyone sees them. IF you have a singer or guitarist who want all the attention for themselves, you may want to pass on that bass. It will be seen and remembered
The model with the large round bridge, that doubles as a pickguard is the Neo, and that is the one I mentioned before, and said that traben should have led with ....but that is just my opinion, and others may disagree
Necks are really stout on the trabens, but they are temperature and elevation sensitive. Just be aware of this, and give a little extra time for tuning, if you travel far for gigs. Like I said before, they are built like tanks. They are heavy, but they are well built and tough. The only weak points really are the niche market image, and limitations on electronic options (once again, niche rock & roll market). For the money, they really are nice playing basses
EDIT..one other thing...Traben bridges draw a LOT of attention. Stage lighting flashes off them, and everyone sees them. IF you have a singer or guitarist who want all the attention for themselves, you may want to pass on that bass. It will be seen and remembered
Well we got it. First thing is to replace the strings and do a bit of a setup.
Question: What is the control scheme for the knobs?
The guy did not have a manual.
Thanks
Question: What is the control scheme for the knobs?
The guy did not have a manual.
Thanks
^^Never MInd... Found it on the Traben site...
Anyway, after just a little fiddling with it I am pretty impressed. It needs new strings tomorrow. But the intonation is dead on, the action is extremely low already, and just for kicks I dropped to an "F" on the B string. It stayed amazingly tight. The 35" scale and neck are bomber.
There's some work to do in order to get comfy with the controls and tonal possibilities, but I think this is going to be a hit.
Anyway, after just a little fiddling with it I am pretty impressed. It needs new strings tomorrow. But the intonation is dead on, the action is extremely low already, and just for kicks I dropped to an "F" on the B string. It stayed amazingly tight. The 35" scale and neck are bomber.
There's some work to do in order to get comfy with the controls and tonal possibilities, but I think this is going to be a hit.
Glad to hear that.
They are "Fat strappers" though, so get a strap that won't kill your shoulder
They are "Fat strappers" though, so get a strap that won't kill your shoulder
Yeah, it's amazing how heavy these things are for such a super small body. You can almost imagine that bridge being made of lead...
did you get one with the 5 piece neck, or the BC Rich Neck?
the best ones, for durability, are the early ones with a serial number starting with the letter T. Better electronics can be had now, but the construction is not as good
the best ones, for durability, are the early ones with a serial number starting with the letter T. Better electronics can be had now, but the construction is not as good
The serial is T11619 with a 5 piece neck. What can you tell me based on the serial? I'm going to put a set of DR hibeams on tomorrow and see what happens. It is in amazing shape. I think the guy played it a few times and then put it in the case and left it.
While researching these I noticed they were sold at sears>>>:/ That worried me until I saw it and played it. These have to be even more underrated than Carvins. Honestly I think I like this better than the Carvin I got rid of...
I'm really not motivated to swap any electronics unless there is an easy drop in kit that just makes this thing kick even more ass.
While researching these I noticed they were sold at sears>>>:/ That worried me until I saw it and played it. These have to be even more underrated than Carvins. Honestly I think I like this better than the Carvin I got rid of...
I'm really not motivated to swap any electronics unless there is an easy drop in kit that just makes this thing kick even more ass.
it's Korean made, pre 2007. hanser music group (B C Rich) owns traben now, and quality has really suffered sin the last few years. The pre 2007 ones were a really great value. You got a good bass for the money. Some of the Korean ones made after that were good, but quality was hit or miss. Some were good, some weren't
Recently they moved manufacturing to vietnam and China. They are really just cheap BC Rich basses with big bridges, now. I wouldn't own a new one
really, for the musical interests that you mentioned earlier, I would suggest changing strings and enjoying it. That is really where trabens excell
let me know how the hi beams work out. I have not tried them on any of mine.
I am soon to have a fourth, and if those strings really work well for you, I may have to try them
I am soon to have a fourth, and if those strings really work well for you, I may have to try them
What strings do you use? Are you buying your Traben's new or are you finding pre-2007 ones on the used market?
Hopefully I'll let you know today.
I currently have three, and I have stuck to rounds on mine. I have kind of been afraid to try flats. I somehow got it into my head they would sound dead with the traben electronics.
My Phoenix is a custom shop bass. Very early production models, US made models, and custom shop models do not have serial numbers. My chaos is serial number T00258 and my Kore is serial number T00059.
The original Chaos model is the same neck as and body as yours, but the flamed inferno bridge, that you normally find on a phoenix. The Kore model (spelled with a K) was an early production model that was a neck through and the inferno bridge. In my opinion the Kore is the best bass traben ever made, but they were expensive, and did not sell well, and the model did not last long. It took me two years of looking for the Kore I wanted... I am not interested in any of them made after 2007. The next one I get is going to be the tribal sun SLE.
here are mine, currently
Boy that is a beautiful collection. You've done very well...
Ended up with D'Addario XL Nickel wounds. No one carries HiBeams in actual stores it seems. These are a hair thicker than what came off the bass, these are .050-.135.
I don't think I'm disappointed. They are bright and punchy and have really good feel.
Now to go spend time actually playing...
Ended up with D'Addario XL Nickel wounds. No one carries HiBeams in actual stores it seems. These are a hair thicker than what came off the bass, these are .050-.135.
I don't think I'm disappointed. They are bright and punchy and have really good feel.
Now to go spend time actually playing...
