This guitar is a commission sale - if you have a high end guitar you are interested in selling, please contact us via our easy to find website - search: Sell Us Your Guitar.
Here for sale we have a Framus 6 String Banjo/Banjitar in Gloss finish. Made in Germany, the serial number and handwritten date inside the instrument indicates its manufacture date as July 1969. Framus was originally a Violin manufacturer, founded in 1946 in Luby, which is now in the Czech Republic. After WWII, the company was relocated to Bavaria in Germany. The growing popularity of the guitar during the 1950's meant that the company became well known for its archtop guitars, which were seen in the hands of many popular musicians including John Lennon in the following decade. Its series of Banjos were very important in the American country & western scene, as well as English skiffle music. Framus eventually became bankrupt in the mid '70s before being revived under the Warwick umbrella in the '90s.
A bolt-on construction is employed and comprises a Mahogany resonator back, 5-ply Plywood tone ring, Mahogany neck and Rosewood fingerboard with attractive Mother of Pearl inlays. Nickel hardware is fitted including a set of open-geared tuning machines and detachable tailpiece, as well as an ornate resonator flange and arm rest. A wooden bridge is fitted on the 11" drum head, along with a black plastic nut.
The Mahogany neck plays well, with a profile which might be described as a rounded 'C' shape which offers a smooth and comfortable playing experience across the register. Substantial enough to sustain a firm grip for chords, the neck remains slim enough for lead lines and articulate phrases. The 10" fingerboard radius is practical for a wide range of playing styles and techniques, facilitating bends and vibrato with ease.
The tone of this instrument is unmistakably banjo, and would work exceptionally well for the guitarist looking to expand their musical horizons to include bluegrass and country playing without the need to learn an entirely new instrument. Bright and clear, the Mahogany resonator produces a tone which is both smooth and direct, with the characteristic fast attack we associate with banjos. A well preserved and highly playable vintage banjo perfect for any guitarist on the hunt for new sounds.
This guitar is a commission sale - if you have a high end guitar you are interested in selling, please contact us via our easy to find website - search: Sell Us Your Guitar.
Please be aware that for international buyers import fees are not included in our postage and packaging cost, this only covers the cost of the guitar being sent to you. Import fees will be charged by Customs upon the guitar's arrival in the recipient country. Due to Brexit, this also applies to EU buyers. We advise checking the total import cost with Customs as this is not information we are able to accurately provide.
Framus 6 String Banjo Gloss 1969 Vintage 11” Head Vintage Banjitar
Brand- Framus
Model- Banjitar
Finish- Gloss
Year- 1969
Made In- Germany
Resonator- Mahogany
Tone Ring- 5-Ply Plywood
Neck- Mahogany
Fingerboard- Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius- 10" (Measured)
Frets- 19
Scale Length- 25"
Nut Width- 1.635
Our ID: 119022580002
Weight: 9.45lbs
Serial: 90930-69M
Aesthetic Condition:
Headstock: Overall good condition. All aspects of the headstock demonstrate light scratching, indentation and infrequent chipping of the finish. This is most notable to the top edge where scuffing and indentation chips the finish consistently along the edges, revealing the wood beneath.
Neck: Overall very good condition. The rear of the neck demonstrates some wear through the finish in the early register which reveals the wood beneath. This can be slightly felt under the thumb in playing position. The fingerboard demonstrates frequent very light indentation with a chip to the center of the fingerboard at the 7th fret. These markings cannot be felt under the fingers in the playing position.
Body: Overall very good condition. The back of the banjitar demonstrates consistent scratching and scuffing, with a long scratch running from the top piercing the finish. This does not break through the wood and is stable. The bottom edge demonstrates a notable chip to the finish with a small amount of wood missing, not affecting structure. At the bass side of the body a moderate scratch reveals the wood.
Condition of Frets:
The frets demonstrate very light signs of use, not affecting playability. There is considerable material remaining for any future fret work the new owner may wish to perform.
Current Set Up:
Truss Rod: Fully functional. Truss rod tool (7mm socket) not included.
Hardware: Fully functional with moderate signs of wear. Oxidation of the screws is apparent throughout.
Structural: No concerns or issues to note.
Height of the string from the 12th Fret-3mm - Bass 2.5mm
Please be aware that the action on a guitar may move slightly in transit and this measurement is the current height.
Strings on Guitar - 11-52
Electrics:
N/A
Case & Accessories:
No case is provided with this instrument.
Truss rod tool not included.