Travis Bean, Legendary Guitar Maker, Dead at 64

While the name Travis Bean may not be entirely familiar, if you're a guitar aficionado or happen to play in bands such as the Rolling Stones, Arcade Fire or Public Image Ltd., then you're most certainly aware of the legendary luthier, who, sadly, passed away on July 10. He was 64.

Bean, who gained a cult following due to the aluminum necks on his electric guitars and basses (championed because they sustain sound for longer), succumbed to cancer after a lengthy battle with the illness, according to Brooklyn Vegan.

Introduced to the trade by guitar visionary Gary Kramer (the mastermind behind Kramer Guitars), Bean launched his own business in 1975. At Travis Bean Guitars, the California native produced some 3,600 instruments, developing a loyal customer base, including star musicians like Sonic Youth's Lee Ranaldo.

"It didn't hurt that a player I very much admired -- Jerry Garcia -- played them for awhile, either," Ranaldo told IFC.com in an interview earlier this week, where he praised Bean's instruments for both their sound and and historical importance. He happens to own four himself.

A documentary about Bean's guitars called 'Sustain' has been on the horizon for some time now (a trailer was released in 2009, with donations now being requested for its completion).

Watch the Teaser for 'Sustain'