Framus 12 String Semi-Hollow Guitar from the 1960s

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We've looked at a lot of Framus Guitars guitars here on Guitarz so I was a little surprised that when I checked we hadn't yet featured this 1960s 12 string beauty.

This Framus looks to be in great shape. The seller even uses the word pristine. Short of the nick in the headstock I'd say they would probably be right.

R.W. Haller

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Vintage Framus Strato Deluxe Star Bass from the 1960s

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We looked a a Framus Strato Deluxe a few weeks ago in this post. I actually got to play that very guitar briefly at a guitar show in town a couple of weeks ago.

Now I find it's bass brother in this Framus Strato Deluxe Star Bass.

Again, the look of these German guitars impress me. This bass is in desperate need of a setup though as I could likely fit my head between the strings and the fretboard at the 12th fret. But with a couple of shims and some tweaks this could be a real player, and at $300 Canadian it could be a great way to go vintage and funky on a budget.

R.W. Haller

© 2015, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
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1965 Framus Strato Deluxe. A German Jazzmaster style guitar with active electronics and organ effect

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This is not the first Framus Strato to be featured here on Guitarz. We've seen it here, here, and here.

But I thought that this was such a great looking example of the model that we could have another look at this great German Jazzmaster inspired guitar.

It has a battery operated on-board pre-amp. I feel that that's pretty rare for guitars from the mid 1960s

This is also the first time I've seen one with the toggle arm on the volume knob. Evidentially it's spring loaded volume knob for an "organ effect". I'm guessing for pull and release swells.
Has anyone used one of these? Am I right?

Currently listed at $500, and so close to home it's hard not to get in the car and pick it up first thing in the morning

R.W. Haller





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Please read our photo and content policy.

Merry Christmas!

guitarz.blogspot.com:

I don't actually know if this hollowbody Framus Christmas Tree guitar is a genuine guitar or not; there is something about the photo that makes it look like a miniature. The strap looks very unconvincing, whilst a Strat-type tremolo on a hollowbody doesn't quite seem right. However, I think it is an entirely appropriate image to convey the compliments of the season to you all!

G L Wilson

© 2014, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
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Jim is looking for info on his "Triumph" archtop guitar

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Jim writes:

Hi Gavin,

I'm a fan of the Guitarz blog, it's been a great read. I started to learn how to play last year, and I'm finding the instruments and their history very interesting.

I bought this guitar in a junkstore yesterday (pictures attached), I was hoping someone at Guitarz might be able to tell me where it's from, how old it is? It's got a 'Triumph' sticker label on the headstock with a 'Foreign' label on the back, also stamped with number '13547'.

I think it's a cheap copy, but I've kinda fallen in love with it and I'm going to get it cleaned up and looking a bit healthier. It's currently smells of old books! Hope someone might be able to fill in some it's history, as I can't find anything about it.

Thanks for the great blog - it's been a really great resource.

All the best, Jim

Hi Jim, I believe what you have got there is a Selmer Triumph guitar. It's hard to pinpoint it to an exact model because the Selmer Triumph name encompassed several different guitar designs and a few amplifiers too.

To give some background, Selmer were a musical instrument manufacturer established in the early 1900s and based in Paris (surely their best known guitars were the gypsy jazz guitars as played by Django Reinhardt). By 1928 they had aquired a semi-independent UK branch. From the 1950s and through to the 1970s some of Selmer UK's own-brand guitars were produced by Germany's Höfner especially for the UK market.

However, rather than being a Höfner this particular guitar looks to be very similar to the Framus Studio 5/51. We've looked at one of these before here on Guitarz, although that example was unusual in having just a single f-fole.

Speaking of the f-holes, you'll notice that these Framus guitars have very distinctive shaped f-holes which omit the crossbar of the "f".

So, in brief, Jim, your guitar would be made in Germany, most likely in the 1960s. For further information you might want to check out this exchange I found on an internet forum, which concerns another very similar guitar.

By a strange coincidence, it also looks very similar to a guitar owned by my friend Frank, which has recently been restored by luthier Jeff Beer.

G L Wilson

© 2014, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
Please read our photo and content policy.

Framus Missouri 5/60

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This Framus Missouri 5/60 has the typically Framus metal pickguard / control plate / pickup ring that can turn an acoustic guitar into an electric one (the 5/60 was sold with or without) and a wide cutaway that allows the easiest access to upper frets. A sexy old lady in my opinion!

Bertram D

© 2014, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
Please read our photo and content policy.

Wunderschöne Framus "Studio" 5/51 Jazz-Gitarre von 1969

guitarz.blogspot.com:

Here's a cool archtop acoustic from 1960s Germany, namely a Framus Studio 5/51. It has a number of idiosyncratic features, such as the bolt-on neck (not uncommon on European-made acoustics of this era, see for instance the Italian-made Eko Ranger series and the Eros-branded copies of the same). More noticeably, and perhaps quite oddly, it features only a single f-hole, giving it a strangely asymmetrical appearance. The seller claims that "the model is known and loved for its super easy playability and clear, twangy tone." It certainly appears to be in very nice condition judging by these photographs.

Currently listed on eBay.de with a very reasonable-sounding Buy It Now price of €199.

G L Wilson

© 2013, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
Please read our photo and content policy.

Framus 5/113 Atlantic

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We've seen a Framus 5/113 on Guitarz before, but with a very different finish, and it's a lovely guitar, so it's worth having another look at it! Note the vibrato - again another model, as if German luthiers invented a new one for each new guitar! - and the single coil pickups slanted at different angles!  

Bertram D

© 2013, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!

1959 Framus Grand Star 5/125

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That is a sexy old lady! 

You can recognize this 1959 Framus Grand Star at first sight with its Framus trademark chromed pickguard / control plate / pickup holder that is still used on some current models. The Grand Star engraved stoptail is also some nice piece of metalwork! 

That's a guitar I'd happily own and play!

Bertram D

© 2013, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!

Vintage & Rare Guitar of the Week: 1963 Framus Strato Deluxe sunburst

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We've looked at various Framus Strato and Strato Deluxe guitars before here on Guitarz but I do think this model bears looking at again. This 1963 Framus Strato Deluxe sports three pickups - note how they are all mounted straight with none at rakish angles as often seen on these guitars - and a bewildering array of knobs and switches. As someone who gets confused by a Les Paul's layout of volume and tone controls for each pickup and who would prefer a single volume control, a pickup selector and nothing else, I wouldn't relish trying to remember my favourite tone combinations on this Framus but I have to admit it does look rather cool. As do the metal cover plates, with one huge plate acting as a vibrato cover plate and control plate.

It's also worth looking around the back and at the neck heel. That's quite a peculiar looking bolt-on neck arrangement. I'd imagine it's a bolt-on tenon joint system. Yes, there does appear to be a huge gap between body and neck but as long as the tenon itself is seated firmly into the body it shouldn't cause any playing/performance difficulties.

Currently being offered for sale by Wutzdog Guitars of Germany via Vintage & Rare priced at €490.

G L Wilson

© 2012, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - 10 years and counting!

unidentified and probably modified Framus

guitarz.blogspot.com

I can see that this old guitar is a Framus - it has the Strato shape and the F logo on the stoptail, but I cannot identify it - its pickguard has a strangely contoured shape - not that this is unusual in vintage Framus models - but mostly I've never seen such pickups - branded 'Ideal'. The knobs are also quite unusual - this might indicate that it is a vintage modification... 

Anybody knows more?

Bertram D

© 2012, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - 10 years and counting!

Framus SG with bizarre tremolo

guitarz.blogspot.com

While in Soviet-era East-Germany, guitar companies were developing new instruments for a new society, based on the lutherie tradition of Markneukirchen, with radically new designs and solid technology, capitalist West-Germany was busy copying successful American models, such as this Framus version of a Gibson SG.

Still this guitar has a bit of German experimental spirit with this strange wooden block on its Jaguar-esque tremolo, though I have no idea of its use, having never seen such thing before... Anybody amongst our readers could explain this? 

Bertram D

© 2012, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - now in its 10th year!

Your Guitars: "Uncle" Bill Kennedy and his Framus Hollywood solidbody

guitarz.blogspot.com:

Bill writes:

Regarding Framus. I was stationed in West Germany in the late 50s and early 60s. Came over with a beautiful Magnatone guitar [pictured right] and sold it to buy a Framus Hollywood solid body.

It was an outstanding guitar. I sent a picture of me to Framus and they posted it on their vintage site. Also featured me in one of their advertisements. Check out the below sites. The unclebillmusic.com site has a lot about the guitars I’ve used.

Love your site...

Bill Kennedy

www.twiliters.com
www.unclebillmusic.com
www.myspace.com/wildbillkennedy
www.rockabillyhall.com/BillKennedy1.html

Hey Bill, thanks for those great photos and some nice links.

Here at Guitarz we really enjoy featuring reminiscences and stories about readers' guitars, and we particularly like to see pictures of you guys with your guitars which helps to make your stories all the more personal. Keep 'em coming, folks - you can email me at guitarzblog-gavin@yahoo.com

G L Wilson

© 2012, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - now in its 10th year!

Vintage & Rare Guitar of the Week: Framus Strato Bass from 1974

guitarz.blogspot.com:

Whilst we're in a Framus state of mind, here's another Framus I'd like to show you, currently being offered for sale by Guitar Point in Germany and listed on Vintage & Rare. Again, I am not sure of the exact model. Its Jazzmaster-like styling is shared by several Framus Strato and Strato Star basses listed on the Framus Vintage Archive website, but they don't appear to have one with these pickups and pickguard. It's possibly just a variation of the Strato Bass.

It's interesting also to note that Framus made a Jazzmaster-styled bass three decades before Fender (or rather Fender Japan) decided to produce such a model.

This particular 1974 bass in near mint condition is being offered for sale via Vintage & Rare priced at €675.

G L Wilson

© 2012, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - now in its 10th year!

Following on from yesterday's post, it's a Framus Atlantic 5/110

guitarz.blogspot.com:

Although I believe I have quite a fair knowledge about guitars, the various brands and models, and also have the ability to retain tidbits of detail about various models, I have never claimed to be a guitar "expert" - and one of the things I love about compiling this blog is that if I don't know something I can throw the question out to the readership and, 9 times out of 10, get an answer.

So, yesterday's mystery Framus is in fact an Atlantic 5/110. It WAS included on the Framus Vintage website but was filed under "Thinline" when I had (quite fairly, I think) been searching to no avail through the "Archtop" category.

Thanks to David B for identifying this guitar and for sending the attached images from the 1965 Framus catalogue.

G L Wilson

© 2012, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - now in its 10th year!

1960s Framus electric archtop on Craigs List, but any idea which model?

guitarz.blogspot.com:

Ren Kay posted a pic of this tasty vintage Framus archtop on our Facebook page, but I can't find it in the Framus Vintage Archive. There are guitars that are similarly shaped with the same deep cutaway and same headstock design, but I couldn't find another with the same pick-up and switching configuration, batwing-shaped pickgaurd, and Framus vibrato. Does anyone have a clue what this model might be?  [EDIT: See the follow-up blog post.]

G L Wilson

© 2012, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - now in its 10th year!

Can you identify the mystery doubleneck guitar / (very) short-scale bass?

guitarz.blogspot.com:

Guitarz reader Jeff brought this mystery doubleneck to my attention. It's currently being offered for sale on eBay with a Buy It Now price of $649, although the seller is completely in the dark as to what this guitar/bass combo actually is. Apparently the pickups are made by Framus so it would be a perfectly reasonable piece of guesswork that the whole guitar might be made by Framus, but the seller claims to have checked with Framus who have responded that it's not one of theirs. Jeff suggested to me that it has the looks of a Carvin to it, and I reckon he might be onto something there.

Can any of you guys identify it more conclusively?

G L Wilson

© 2012, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - now in its 10th year!

Framus Camarillo Custom in Nirvana Black finish

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Still not a superstrat fan but this Framus Camarillo Custom really caught my eye! It's probably because I have a fetish with black color, but this transparent satin black finish is just gorgeous, and fits perfectly the curves of an archtop superstrat, with the help of black hardware (also like how the knobs are emerging from the top)...

The Camarillo is a model of the revived Framus company (that started again in 1995 after 20 years in limbo), only available from their custom shop.

Bertram

© 2012, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - now in its 10th year!

Vintage Framus Strato 5/155

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We've seen a Framus Strato 5/155 on Guitarz a few months ago, but a heavily modified one.  

Here is a well preserved model, with its characteristic shape - an asymmetric double cutaway with short pointy horns, slanted single-coil pickups, a faux wood pickguard and of course a beautiful massive German vintage tremolo. Unfortunately the framus-vintage.de website that is usually resourceful when it comes to good old Framus guitars seems to be disconnected so I cannot bring extra details for now, but a mere contemplation of the guitar is rejoicing enough, isn't it?

Bertram

© 2011, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - now in its 10th year!

Framus 5/156-52 Strato Star Bass

guitarz.blogspot.com:

Here's interesting: a Framus Strato Star Bass from the 1960s, which according to the seller has only been very lightly played so is in excellent condition and with frets like new. These models were built by Framus from the beginning of the 1960s and represented their almost reluctant breaking away from resonant hollow-body basses. The Strato Star Bass was available with a choice of beige (as seen here), red, black, or sunburst finishes and with one or two pickups. The neck on this example is extremely narrow across its width up at the nut - as was common with many basses of this vintage - according to the seller it's as wide here as it is deep so must have a very "baseball bat" feel to it.

Other examples of this model had a different neck with a headstock resembling that of my old Vox Clubman II guitar. I've seen that exact same design on a number of different, (I thought) un-related brands from the 1960s, and still haven't gotten to the bottom of what the deal is here. Who was copying who - or - were the necks all coming from the same supplier?

G L Wilson

© 2011, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - now in its 10th year!