Traben Bass Company
The Traben logo, as seen on their website
|
|
| Industry | Luthiery |
|---|---|
| Founder | Tracy Hoeft and Ben Chafin |
| Headquarters | United States |
|
Area served
|
Worldwide |
|
Key people
|
Tracy Hoeft and Ben Chafin |
| Products | Bass guitars |
| Parent | Hanser Music Group |
| Website | Official Traben website |
Traben Bass Company is an electric bass manufacturer based in Clearwater, FL. The company was started by Tracy Hoeft and Ben Chafin, and the name is a contraction of their first names (Tracy and Ben). The company is a subsidiary of Hanser Holdings International, and as such is affiliated with companies such as B.C. Rich and Michael Kelly Guitars.
Traben's basses are all very similar. They all have horns that curve downward (the bottom horn more so than the top one), and most are made of basswood with a quilted or flamed maple top. Nearly all have a rosewood fret board and have either a 35" or 34" scale, all with 24 frets, and headstocks always match the body. All have active electronics, and all have 5 piece necks. Most basses are also available in four and five string versions. The only major differences are in the colors each bass is available in and the types of pickups and pre-amps they have.
Traben employs a series of bridges which are called "SonicArt" or "Bigger Bridge." These unique bridges are quite large, and are usually made into some artistic form, as their names imply. Nearly all of the SonicArt bridges have a small tail design similar to an M at the bottom. The SonicArt bridges are made of solid brass plated with chrome. Due to their size, it is believed by Traben that the many contact points needed and the added mass of the bridges improves sustain and tone, though this is debated.
The Bootzilla bridge resembles five-pointed stars with tails. The stars and tails extend along the top and bottom of the bridge, but stop just before the horns of the bass begin. The tails become thinner further from the bridge, and do not extend between the pickups. The Bootzilla Shooting Star bridge comes on the "Bootzilla" Bootsy Collins Signature bass.
The Bootzilla Star bridge is a stylized five-pointed star. The point towards the tail of the bass is narrower than the points towards the sides of the bass. The tail point also has a stylized "T" cut into it, similar to the "T" in the Traben logo. The points that go in the directions of the horns of the bass are almost non-existent. They follow a similar curve as their respective horns, but do not cover the entire horn, unlike the points that cover the tail and wings of the bass. The bridge encompasses the bridge pickup, the three body pickups, and half of the neck pickup. It also surrounds three of the control knobs of the bass. This bridge comes on the Bootsy Star bass.
...
Wikipedia