Framus Guitar

Comment

Comment by Hans Gatu on March 10, 2013 at 11:48am

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I use standard tuning.

This is a sound sample, recorded with a Samson microphone, placed about half a meter in front of the sound hole.

This is a sound sample, recorded with the built-in pickup, connected to a Traynor TS-25 guitar amplifier, and the Samson microphone at the speaker of the amplifier.

Comment by Allen on March 10, 2013 at 7:53am

Hello Hans,

Thank you for the pictures and congratulations for the restoring job, you have saved one of these old Framus from destruction !

Just one question: is it playable ? With standard tuning ?

For some reasons that I explain elsewhere, have to tune my 12 string Texan in open D, but I'll have to find (or invent) another tuning because open D is too low for the high strings: the bass strings sound well, but the thin ones produce a dull and uneven sound.

Comment by Hans Gatu on March 10, 2013 at 6:50am

About a year ago, I bought this 1969 Framus 5/296E Texan:

with a broken back:

Now I have restored it:

Comment by Allen on August 21, 2012 at 2:05pm

A piezo (piezoelectric) pickup is an apparently simple device that looks like a thin strip of (usually black) material, and has the property of transforming vibration into an electric signal. It is placed under the bridge nut and therefore can't be seen. It is the best device to amplify the sound of acoustic instruments, since it captures the entire vibration of the instrument (or at least, is supposed to), unlike magnetic pickups that only captures the vibration of metal strings - which makes no difference for an electric guitar.

I like to read that you want to be careful about anyone playing around with it. If I had to let someone make adjustments on one of my guitars, I'd look, not only for a true professional, but for an old (like me) professional, who has learned to love old instruments. Scarce to find, nowadays ...

Enjoy your Framus and keep me informed.

Comment by Virginia Dee on August 21, 2012 at 10:33am

The action is a little high but I mostly play rhythm and bass runs anyway for now.

The sound is loud and booming which I love. Not at all like my Martin.  I don't know what a piezo pickup is.  This pick up can't be seen at all and you plug it in where you put the strap just like the Martin.  I will have the action adjusted eventually but I really want to be careful about anyone playing around with it and I want to be able to let them know exactly what it is that I need. That's why I want to play it like crazy right now. 

Comment by Allen on August 21, 2012 at 10:06am

Very interesting. As for the polishing mix, its color is brownish white like milk with very few coffee in it, and it decants in the bottle when not used.

I am disappointed I can't go and listen to you tomorrow or Sunday .. Belgium is a little too far away I guess (!)

Did you try the guitar at both ends of the neck ? If so, what do you feel about the action ? My 12 strings Texan has a piezo pickup mounted under the bridge bone by the previous owner, but as there is a metal part under the bone, the mounting makes the action a little too high near the body, so I am stuck to play at the low end of the neck. But it is a 12 string, which is already rather hard.

My 6 string Texan also has its limits: I have to strum it rather hard to sound loud enough when playing in a band (strictly acoustic). I love it because when I strum it hard, playing rhythm backup if full chords and bass runs at the low end of the neck, it sounds better than any other guitar I played. But for soloing it is not loud enough.

But yours is not a Texan, maybe it'll sound different. Especially if it has a piezo pickup and the action is not too high. It should be great.

Thanks for the discussion.

Comment by Virginia Dee on August 21, 2012 at 8:23am

Thanks for that Allen.  I also play fiddle and I have a luthier. I'm sure I can pick up the "Nicot" or a similar product.  I have to say that this guitar looks "almost" new and I don't know how much it was played.  I'll be playing it on stage tomorrow night. Already performed with it after changing the strings on the day I got it. It has a pick up at the bottom but I haven't tried it yet. Playing a big stage on Sunday so I'll try and plug in.  I'll bring a back up guitar. 

Comment by Allen on August 21, 2012 at 7:40am

I don't know if you play on stage, but I wih you great sucess with this guitar.

Even better would be to have a picture of you and your guitar ;-)

Please allow me to give a useful advice: if you are not accustomed to old Framus guitars: the varnish on the table is very different from those used nowadays: on my Texan, when it gets wet due to sweating (when I play with short sleeved shirts), it takes a bizarre and whitish aspect: don't be afraid if it happens: it returns to its normal aspect when drying.

The varnish on old Framus guitars goes matt and looks dirty, you'll have to clean and gently rub it regularly to keep it shiny, but be careful about which product you are using to clean and polish it, because the varnish may be very reactive (it's a kind of cellulosic compound I think). I am using a special thing that a renowned violin maker gave me, and he called it "Nicot", but I don't know more about it excepted that it works fine.

It will take you one hour from time to time, to polish it, but it's rewarding, the guitar looks a lot better, and yours deserve it.

Comment by Virginia Dee on August 21, 2012 at 5:15am

I think you are right Allen:  I wrote to the museum and they got back to me within several hours wanting more information and photos.  How much fun is this??

Comment by Allen on August 21, 2012 at 4:54am

Hi Virginia !

Thanks for the picture. It seems that you have a very special Framus, that looks like a mix between a Texan (or a Dix), and a Jumbo. I was expecting to see a Jumbo, and your guitar is obviously a Dreadnought like the Texan and the Dix, but with the finish and the soundhole inlays found only on the Jumbos. This may explain the oddity of the two labels, as the model number on the visible label (5/197) states it's a Jumbo, and in fact, it is not.. Some mystery remains, as your guitar seems to be a 100% original Framus. I think you are owning an OOAK, as Framus made some on special request for a guitarist or for a show.

Besides to be a good guitar, it certainly is a valuable one too.

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