Travis Bean single-coils?

[hooky_marr]

Chasing that Mick Karn pre-Wal Travis Bean TB2000 tone, I’m aware that part of it is the old-school pickup positions (more like a Ric), but just curious as to the pickup types - were they overwound, what kind of magnets were used, etc.

I have a SBMM short scale fretless conversion project in the pipeline, and I’m debating whether to just leave it mostly stock and swap the neodymium pickup for an alnico V (Delano), or try a Bean-style two-pickup setup.

 

[rogerbmiller]

I don't think any pickup(s) you put in your bass will get you close to that TB sound. About 90 percent of the sound is from the fact that a TB2000 has an aluminum neck. I say this from experience as I have a TB2000 fretless and no other bass I have sounds anything like it. You hear that sound when you play the bass acoustically. It's something about the resonance and overtones and the mwah that come out of the aluminum neck.

Add to that you are going to attempt it on a short scale bass which will be inherently more bass focused in the upper register. I am afraid you will be severely disappointed and will just end up putting a lot of money into your bass that you won't get out of it.

A better bet which may net the same total cost is to find a second hand aluminum neck Kramer (you can find some models for about $1k) and defret it. That would get you much closer. They even have a model that is comparable to the TB2000. I believe there is common DNA between these Kramers and the TBs by way of an owner or designer so that would be my hack.

Good luck!

 

[Stylee Mousse]

I find more traction in technique and phrasing when coping Mick Karn than in gear.

My maple/ebanol j bass clone gets pretty close tone wise.

Those really abrupt, almost violent runs are just plain fun. I also borrow some of his weird hand shapes when doing that kinda stuff.

 

[rogerbmiller]

Ebanol would definitely get you closer as it is super hard. Best fretless material IMO.

 

[hooky_marr]

I don't think any pickup(s) you put in your bass will get you close to that TB sound. About 90 percent of the sound is from the fact that a TB2000 has an aluminum neck. I say this from experience as I have a TB2000 fretless and no other bass I have sounds anything like it. You hear that sound when you play the bass acoustically. It's something about the resonance and overtones and the mwah that come out of the aluminum neck.

Add to that you are going to attempt it on a short scale bass which will be inherently more bass focused in the upper register. I am afraid you will be severely disappointed and will just end up putting a lot of money into your bass that you won't get out of it.

A better bet which may net the same total cost is to find a second hand aluminum neck Kramer (you can find some models for about $1k) and defret it. That would get you much closer. They even have a model that is comparable to the TB2000. I believe there is common DNA between these Kramers and the TBs by way of an owner or designer so that would be my hack.

Good luck!

Thanks. I had a Kramer 350B ages ago - gorgeous instrument but I couldn’t deal with the weight!

 

[rogerbmiller]

The aluminum neck basses are definitely not light!

 

[hooky_marr]

The aluminum neck basses are definitely not light!

Maybe I’ll get another one and add it to my weights routine

 

[Passinwind]

Chasing that Mick Karn pre-Wal Travis Bean TB2000 tone, I’m aware that part of it is the old-school pickup positions (more like a Ric), but just curious as to the pickup types - were they overwound, what kind of magnets were used, etc.

I have a SBMM short scale fretless conversion project in the pipeline, and I’m debating whether to just leave it mostly stock and swap the neodymium pickup for an alnico V (Delano), or try a Bean-style two-pickup setup.

Overwound, Alnico 5, and bolted directly to the aluminum neck, with aluminum shims for height adjustment. At least a few companies have attempted making duplicates, Aero for one.

I owned a '77 TB-2000 fretless that I bought brand new, but in all honesty Mick Karn was never even on my radar until near the end of that time, 40 years later. And it seems to be mostly Wal era MK fans who are interested in my DIY filter preamps that have brought him up, oddly enough. In any case, I've played plenty of Kramers but I doubt they'll really get you there. And yeah, still pretty danged heavy. My Bean weighed 10 3/4 lbs., FWIW.

Good luck with whatever tack you decide to take!