The Steel Guitar Forum

FINALLY GOT A Franklin!!!!!!!!

I just got my Fanklin D10 sn 142. I'll post pics later

Believe me everyone. The Franklin "is" everything you've heard about. This is the best guitar I have ever played. Crystal clean Frannklin tone, Rock solid mechanics, absolutely unbelievable. I could not believe how well it adapted to my playing. I was worried that it would take me a while to get use to a different guitar, but not this one. Believe it or not this guitar is actually easier to play than my old psg right from the start. Sustain is excellent, playability action, everything is great. I have played and heard a few other top guitars and I don't think anything beats the Franklin.

This guitar is sn142 made in 1993. This era is in Paul's peak session playing. The era where we all heard the Franklin being played all over the radio

Ben,
I've never played a Franklin, but have always wanted to. I've heard that they are top-shelf steels. I know what you mean when you say that it was easier to play than your old steel. About 4 yrs ago, I bought a new steel. It was the same for me. I'm happy for you. Hurry with the pictures!
Mitch

Ben, I have S/N 65 that I got new in late 81. I had been playing a 71 D-10 PP Emmons and there was no "break in" time with the Franklin. Like you I found it "playable" from the start. I liked the Franklin so much that I sold the PP Emmons two months later and "I don't miss the Emmons".

I had mine checked last Wednesday by Paul Franklin (Sr) and everything is still working like new.

Ben,I have # 83 never had a bit of trouble with it.
Still works like the day i got it. J Wilson

I have #11, which is really #3; Paul serialized them as he sold them, not as he built them. He built the prototype, then Jr's first guitar, then mine.

I have #84. I do love to play it. It only has 4 levers and I wish is had a C6th cluster. It is a special guitar.
Jerry

Michael did you have your Pro-l re-done by John Coop ? G.P.

I own #79 . It's a 8/4 stereo model.
It's really the smoothest and most playable axe I've ever tried.
I've replaced the E66's by a pair of Tonaligner by Bob Hoffnar: it just sound fantastic.

Gary, yes. Fantastic.

Gary, Mikey D. would be a wonderful guest to have at one of our jams sometime. How bout it Mike?Gary?

I personally don't think a PSG comes any better than a Franklin! I've owned (3) NEW Franklins, beginning back in ’80. [S/N's #024, #069 and #192]

I have #85, 8+5, with 710 pickup on the E9 neck and 705 on the C6.
It's a great guitar, but I haven't tried that many brands, so I don't really know what I'm talking about .
I wish I had more kneelevers on the Cneck though, I've only got two.

Ben,
My dad really is glad you like your guitar. Hopefully, it will continue to be a joy to play.

Thanks also to all those that have posted under this topic.

Theresa

Theresa,I am happy to hear that. I hope your dad continues to make his guitars a long time. But if he chooses to discontinue, then I guess that makes the ones out there already more valuble.

I have sereiously considered building steels one day when I get the money and time. I would love to have that as a hobby like Paul Sr. I hope that the popularity of the steel guitar never dies. I know so many people that put down country music and it really grieves me. I am open to all music (except rap) even though country and southern rock are my picks. I believe the steel guitar is venturing out into different genres of music today. Sacred steel is a good example. I hope that more people can catch on to this wonderful instrument.

I wanna a Franklin !!!

Hey Ben, where are those pictures?!

# 22 still going very strong, new mica and GL's PF pickups.



...and Jamie, I've been thinking 'bout a Carter lately

This one was on Craig's list at a reasonable price a short while ago. Is this yours?

http://www.benzianlist.com/Franklin%20D-10.html

Russ

Franklins are are extremely consistant. And are really easy to get used to.

My second Frankin (my first was sold to Lucky Oceans) was sent to me in LA via Greyhound freight. I picked it up on the way to a gig and didn't bring my other guitar. I unpacked it and played it on the gig. It was perfect.

Not mine Russ. It used to belong to a fine swedish steeler and forum member, Peter Ivansson who bought it from Bobby Boggs.

Uffe

I'm sorry Ulf, my question was directed to Ben as he just bought one and this was just for sale. It does look like your though.

Oops!

Ben, i know you're busy playing your new guitar, but we'd love it if you could take a short break and post some pics and maybe a review

Uffe

Sorry I've been missing out on the conversation, Things have been crazy at work. I plan to post pics this weekend. The guitar I have is dark green color front and back and black on top. I plan to re-formica it someday to all black. ---> You know making it black will really make it sound better

Regards

Ben

I can tell you that this guitar is a little brighter sound than my Marlen. My Marlen has the same exact pick-up (BL-710) and I left my amp and effects settings set exactly the same as when I had the Marlen hooked up. Well when I plugged in the Franklin, I could tell right away that is was brighter and a little bit louder. Also I immediately checked sustain past 12th fret and it beats the heck out of the Marlen. Even past the 15th I still have good sustain. It may be my imagination, but I believe the strings are a wee bit closer together than on my Marlen and I think that's why its easier to play.
By the way this Franklin is set up the same as Paul's set-up as of 1993. So you know it has many pulls, and yet the action is still great. I like short throws so the action is not feather light but it is still smooth and just right. If this setup was on other guitars, it would take a hydraulic cylinder to push the pedal down.

Anyway I post some pics soon as I can.

I wish I'd bought one twenty years ago. I love mine.
BB