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Topic: Franklin PSG question |
Ben Godard
From:
Jamesville NC
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Posted 2 Mar 2007 4:07 pm |
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Been playing a Marlen for 10 yrs now and wouldn't trade it for nothing. I have been wanting to buy another psg. I have have been particularly interested in buying one of MR Franklin's guitars but the waiting list is so long and I think he's slowed down the production lately also. I really like the tone of a Franklin and I've heard the mechanics underneath are legendary. I even heard rumor that there are no overtones. My question is, is there a steel guitar out there that sounds like and plays close to Franklin. If so which ones would you consider. I appreciate any input.
Thanks
Ben |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 2 Mar 2007 4:15 pm
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| I have a late 81 D-10 Franklin. I haven't heard anything that compares to it at our club jams, which have Emmons', Zums, Sho-Buds, JCH, etc. They all have their own characteristic tone. |
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Jamie Lennon
From:
Nashville, TN
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Posted 2 Mar 2007 5:31 pm
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Has does a CARTER compare ???
_________________
Mullen Guitars, Little Walter Amps, Benado Effects, D'Addario Strings
www.georgettejones.net |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 2 Mar 2007 6:54 pm
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There is something particular and nice about Franklins. I have 2 D10's and love them both. There are plenty of great steels being made these days though. Lately I have been playing a Rains D10 and its seems like the reason I liked it so much in the first place was because it felt and looked so much like my Franklins. The Rains also has that focus in the overtones that works for me. Its funny how some steels just seem to fit and sing for you.The Rains has become my main guitar these days.
Here is a little sample of sounds:
#1 Rains
#2 Franklin
#3 Emmons PP
http://bobhoffnar.blogspot.com/2006/08/germany.html
_________________
Bob |
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A. J. Schobert
From:
Cincinnati, Ohio,
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Posted 3 Mar 2007 1:13 am
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| Bob Franklin's are very nice and are truly at the top if not the top, if you want a the franklin sound, mechanics, and feel, then buy a franklin, sure you will have to wait it out a little but I think some of the other companys have a long wait list as well. You have a good steel why not wait? I don't think it would be over 2 yrs? could it? |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 3 Mar 2007 6:43 am
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The Carters - at least the ones I've heard - tend to lean toward the old Emmons PP sound. Nothing like a Franklin.
I had a 71 Emmons D-10 PP that I bought new, and after I got the Franklin the Emmons was "history" and I didn't miss it. |
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Curt Langston
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Posted 3 Mar 2007 8:30 am Huh?
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| Quote: |
| My question is, is there a steel guitar out there that sounds like and plays close to Franklin. |
Derby comes to mind. As does Rains and Mullen. And of course the timeless Zum.
| Quote: |
| I even heard rumor that there are no overtones. |
How could that be? Keyhead string noise, (overtones) has always been a problem that steel guitarists have had to put up with for years. I have yet to hear a keyed guitar that does not have overtones. Most of the overtones are tolerable, and a few are almost musically complimentary to the timbre of the instrument, if only by sheer luck.
Most however are somewhat detrimental to the overall tone. Hence the use of shrink tubing and foam et al in the keyhead. |
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Bo Borland
From:
South Jersey -
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Posted 3 Mar 2007 9:33 am
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I think the Derby sounds a lot like a Franklin.. depends on how hot you dial in the highs & presence.
_________________
Bo Borland
Rittenberry SD10 , Derby D-10, Quilter TT12, Peavey Session 400 w/ JBL, NV112, Fender Blues Jr. , 1974 Dobro 60N squareneck, Rickenbacher NS lapsteel, 1973 Telecaster Thinline, 1979 blonde/black Frankenstrat
Currently picking with
Mason Dixon Band masondixonband.net |
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Ben Godard
From:
Jamesville NC
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Posted 3 Mar 2007 2:50 pm
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| Franklin psg's are definately in a class by themselves. Looks like I may just have to work on my patience However I am curious about RAINS also. This post is not the first time I've heard that they are similar to FRANKLINS. I was talking to a steel player a couple of months ago and he said the same thing. Interesting. And he's been playing for some 30 to 40 yrs. |
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Bill Simmons
From:
Keller, Texas/Birmingham, AL, R.I.P.
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Posted 3 Mar 2007 2:58 pm
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| Having owned a Franklin and about every other major brand, I'm with Bob...the closest steel guitar to the Franklin for my experience is the RAINS. |
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A. J. Schobert
From:
Cincinnati, Ohio,
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Posted 3 Mar 2007 6:00 pm
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| I hope they (Franklin) will continue to opperate for a long time to come. |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 3 Mar 2007 6:44 pm
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I'm in a studio at the moment and I was just listening to the playback. My Rains sounds great but it doesn't sound like the Franklin. If you want that sound you should get on the list and wait and also keep an eye on the for sale ads. I have a Franklin built a couple years ago and it is at least as good sounding as the old one I have. There is something special about those guitars.
_________________
Bob |
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Bill Simmons
From:
Keller, Texas/Birmingham, AL, R.I.P.
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Posted 3 Mar 2007 7:10 pm
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Bob is absolutely right! A Franklin is a unique steel and if you really want one, I'd get on the list...they are worth the wait...when you get it, DON'T sell it!
Franklin steels are excellent 'recording' guitars...wish I still owned mine but... 
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RAINS SD-10, 4+5, Pecan mica; '79 ZUM D-10, 8+5, birdseye maple; Fender Hot Rod Deville |
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Dave Mudgett
From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
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Posted 3 Mar 2007 8:14 pm
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Listen to these guys when they tell you not to sell it if you get one. I had one that I let get away - it was a real early one. Serial number in the teens - 01x, can't remember exactly. It was an extraordinary guitar, but had been rode hard and put away wet for close to 20 years when I got it, and it must have been built short - I'm 6'4" and the guy I got it from was about a foot shorter. I should have gotten it down to Nashville for an overhaul, but something came along and I traded a few years ago. I regret it now.
The mechanics were tremendous, with short, precise, and comfortable throws. Of course, even with 2" lift, I never could get my knees comfortable under the guitar, so it was awkward for me to play. But the mechanism was very, very smooth.
I loved the sound of this guitar. It had Lawrence 705 pickups on both necks, and it felt and sounded like no other guitar I've played - I've had a bunch of steels through horse-trading the last several years. I think the closest is an '85 SKH Legrand I have right now, but nothing I've tried really is quite the same. I have a really nice Zum right now, which I like a lot, but it's still quite different than my old Franklin.
I dug up some soundclips of me playing it here - the Stone Poets and Kris Kehr tunes. There are a lot of issues - on the Stone Poets cuts, I hadn't been playing PSG a year at this point, and this is a live radio show shortly after I got the Franklin. But I can't think of a better guitar to have if it's "not all in your hands" - the natural tone comes through even with a hack at the helm. 
The Kris Kehr tune was a couple of years later, just Kris' acoustic guitar, steel, and an overdubbed guitar part, recorded in his living room studio. |
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Bobby Boggs
From:
Upstate SC.
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Posted 3 Mar 2007 11:11 pm
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| A Rains sounds and plays a lot like a pre-98 JCH. Rains doesn't spend near the time or money on the undercarriage Jimmy did.As for mechanics. Zum is way ahead of all the above mentioned guitars. Bruce gets it done and at a fair price. |
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Ben Godard
From:
Jamesville NC
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Posted 4 Mar 2007 3:04 pm
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Thanks for all the information from everybody. I am new to th forum and I must say that it is nice to be able to talk to fellow steelers and share notes. We are a small family but thanks to B0B we can reach each other through this forum.
Thanks to all
Ben |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 5 Mar 2007 3:09 am
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| The bottom line is, if you want a guitar that sounds like "Brand X" then get a "Brand X". Other brands will not sound like it - some are similar but not exactly the same. |
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John Bechtel
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.
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Posted 5 Mar 2007 7:56 pm
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I've owned (3)-Franklins since ’80 and I liked each new one better than the last! I owned #024 New in ’80, #069 New in ’83 & #192 New in ’01. One very outstanding feature of the Franklin PSG is it's unique under~carriage. The bellcranks and linkage on the pull-rods is one thing I wish I had on my present PSG! The pedal~action is outstanding and if I could find a way, I'd have the Franklin undercarriage on my Derby. Don't misunderstand! I'm not complaining, it would just be my preference! I'm not speaking of the crossbars, but; just the bellcranks and pull-rod combination! You can't go wrong with a Franklin! Of course the sound is outstanding also, and that's the most important factor when all is said and done IMHO! Not wanting to wait for 2-yrs. is one reason I don't have a Franklin now, but; I'm also very happy with my ’05 Derby! I just completed my little Home~Video using my Derby w/10-1's and my ’65 Re-Issue Twin~Reverb Custom™ 15 and it's sounding as close to a P/P as I've ever been, not ever having actually owned one! So, if you can't wait for a Franklin, you could get a Derby!!!! Just my (back on the Forum) 2-cents worth!
_________________
<marquee> Go~Daddy~Go, (No), Go, It's your Break Time</marquee> L8R, jb
My T-10 Remington Steelmaster |
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Curt Langston
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Posted 6 Mar 2007 7:30 am Huh?
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| Quote: |
| IMHO! Not wanting to wait for 2-yrs. is one reason I don't have a Franklin now, |
I'm sure they are well worth the wait though. |
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John Bechtel
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.
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Posted 7 Mar 2007 1:29 am Franklin Guitar Question
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They certainly are worth waiting for, if you're sure you have the time to wait; after you reach the age of 70-yrs.! What would I do in the meantime, w/o a PSG? Within that 2-yr. period I could possibly become rich & famous! [OR NOT!]
_________________
<marquee> Go~Daddy~Go, (No), Go, It's your Break Time</marquee> L8R, jb
My T-10 Remington Steelmaster |
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Steve Raulston
From:
U.S.A. (deceased)
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Posted 9 Mar 2007 10:40 am
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GO for it! Lay out the deposit and look forward to the day she comes home. I have owned two Franklin's and I highly regret letting one go. Financial stuff most of us encounter from time to time forced the sale.
I just bought a D10 lacquer Mullen and honestly, the only reason I didn't go with another Franklin is that Paul hasn't the desire to make all wood lacquer guitars. He manufactured a few back about ten years ago, but the last I spoke to him, he was done with all wood. I understand and couldn't help but agree with him considering he is basically a one man show, combined with the fact they are much more work and very time consuming.
If I were in your shoes, wanting that "CLASSIC" Franklin timbre, I would have $500.00 in Paul's hand today! You just can't go wrong. Good luck. |
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