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Topic: Changes In Franklin Guitars Over Time? |
Chris Bauer
From:
Nashville, TN USA
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Posted 9 May 2010 4:31 pm |
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I'm curious about what changes, if any, there have been to Franklin guitars since the beginning. I seem to recall reading that the changer design hasn't really changed since the start. Am I making that up?
Any differences, either mechanically or cosmetically, in different 'eras' of Franklin guitars? (I know that the badge was originally not a decal but besides that.) |
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Harry Dove
From:
Michigan, USA
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Posted 9 May 2010 7:13 pm
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| I can't answer your question but I was also wondering if any new ones are still being made and if so who is building them. I'm sure someone here has the scoop. |
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Ben Godard
From:
Jamesville NC
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Posted 9 May 2010 8:49 pm
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I don't know much but to the best of my knowledge. Paul Sr is still building but not taking orders. He only builds a couple a year if I remember correctly.
The guitars have very few if any differences over the years. The logo changed sometime ago if that counts. Also Paul use to handwire his own pickups years ago but the BL-705/710 has been standard for a long time. Mechanically, the guitars are pretty much the same since he started building them. It has been a pretty rock solid design since day 1. MR Franklin already had a "great" knowledge of psg building during his time with ShoBud before he even started building his own. By the time his guitar was on the market, I believe he had worked out any major kinks and the result was his masterpice design.
The amazing thing about the Franklins is that it is what i call a "pure" guitar. What I mean is there is very little overtone in response resulting in a "pure" tone. What you play is what you get! That's why a lot of studios have them for recording.
Maybe someelse can chime in with better info. |
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Bent Romnes
From:
London,Ontario, Canada
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Posted 10 May 2010 3:41 am
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I hope Paul Franklin Jr. tunes in here. Then we'd get it from the horse's mouth. Sure would be interesting to learn the Franklin history. 
_________________
BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212050572323614/ |
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Jeremy Threlfall
From:
now in Western Australia
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Posted 10 May 2010 4:41 am
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pictures from Al Vesel's thread ....
old Franklin logo
new Franklin logo
boy, have I got too much time on my hands tonight ! |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 10 May 2010 6:15 am
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Other than the new style Franklin logo the only change has been the neck. On the older ones it was split at the changer end, like the Emmons. On later ones it is a one pice that covers the end block on the changer. It isn't attached to the changer just covers the end block.
The one Al has, has the neck that covers the rear block. My late 81 has the "split" at the changer. You can see the difference as I also have a picture of mine on Al's thread since it's the same Rosewood mica color. |
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Shorty Rogers
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Posted 10 May 2010 7:01 am
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| Early Franklins also had Kluson Deluxe/tulip head tuners, single coil p/u wound by Mr. Franklin and triple- raise, double-lower changers. Black Mica was often a matte finish. |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 10 May 2010 7:10 am
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The triple raise, double lower changer has been the same changer throught the years of production.
He has used different machine (Tuning) keys. Mine has Sperzel's.
There have been various mica colors used through the years, I don't consider that a "production change".
Paul and his sound is proof that "black is not better"  |
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Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
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Posted 10 May 2010 9:16 am
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| Jack Stoner wrote: |
The triple raise, double lower changer has been the same changer throught the years of production.
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"Big" Paul told me that if he were to start over, he would use a triple lower changer, but that he would not change the design after years of production.
(Remember that on many strings there is only one hole available for lowering. The other is used by the fixed pull rod and elastic O-ring that fixes hysteresis problems.) |
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