The Steel Guitar Forum

I am curious what people think of these guitars. How would you describe their sound?
http://www.paul-franklin.com/franklingtrs.htm

Thanks!

Paul built my guitar in 1980; I am still playing it and have kept in original; never had to have it worked on other then added some pedal changes. I have the Lawrence 710 pickups, using a Qsc power amp with an older model Alessis quadraverb. I recently built my own speaker cabinets with Peavy 1501 BW shallow basket speakers. I've yet to have someone say that this guitar don't sound good; most of the steel players that I know would like to have this guitar; in fact, had some pretty good offers. This is my testimony and I'm stickin' to it!!!

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You don't need to take anyone's word for it. Turn on any country radio station. Whatever tune you hear, there's a 40-50% probability that it's a Franklin guitar.

Seriously, they are great sounding guitars. Listen to Alan Jackson records or George Strait (most of his recordings). Paul Franklin is on more new releases than anyone else. Listen to the Daryle Singletary recent album with 'I Never Go Around Mirrors' -- Mike Johnson is an incredible player who also plays a Franklin.

And I don't even play one, but I do like the sound -- somewhat reminiscent of Sho-Bud, but it has its own voice.

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<small>Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

James, I currently play a Franklin, and I wouldn't want for any other guitar. It's the smoothest playing guitar that I've ever had. It's the second one that I've owned and if I had the money to buy a second one, it'd be a Franklin. The pedal action has a feather-touch, which makes it good for lighting-fast picking! And, like they said..., if you want to hear the tone of one, just listen to any "hit" country tunes! Chances are, it's Paul Franklin Jr. playing his Franklin. And, not to mention that Paul Sr. is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. And that runs in their family.

Bob

I don't have a Franklin, but from what I've noticed here on the Forum, Franklin owners are fiercely loyal to their guitars. There's no doubt they are one of the best sounding around today.

Just my $0.02 worth.

Ricky...

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe that the Franklin guitar is completely hand made with the exception of the tuner keys. I have never seen or heard a negative comment ever about any Franklin guitar. That speaks volumes on this forum! I would venture to say that they are at the top of the "heap" along with the Anapeg and the JCH who are also hand built from scratch. They play easy and sound fantastic.

......this information along with a dollar will get you a cup of coffee at your local Waffle House!

James,

I can sum it up in one word: Fantastic!!!

It's the first guitar that I owned that I can actually concentrate on playing instead of worrying about the mechanics, tuning etc..
I use a TrueTone pickup,(sounds great) RV3 delay, Evans Custom 500 and a Webb Custom amp, Hilton Pedal. I really enjoy the abundant sustain and the excellent pedal action.

Here's a picture of my Franklin:
http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/robert.lawrence/Franklin/FranklinD10

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I have been playing Franklin guitars for so long I am completely spoiled.....

I have played Franklin guitars since 1979, and currently own 4 Paul Franklin made instruments (a formica d-10, a wood d-10 and two Pedabros). The things that spoil me about these steels are:

-The tone. There are all pull guitars that sound pretty similar (e.g. Zum, Carter, Fessenden). But there is a purity to the sound that simply sounds better to me. Some have described it as a cross between an Emmons and a ShoBud sound. There is some truth to that description, but it doesn't tell the whole story. The Franklin really does have a sound all it's own. In some ways it is more neutral than any steel I have heard. You can certainly make it sound twangy or jazzy, but there is no other guitar I have played that lets me sound like me.

The mechanics/feel. These guitars are as close to perfect feeling as I can imagine. I play barefoot, and the feel is a magic combination of silkyness and positive feedback. Paul Sr. should be awarded an honorary doctorate in mechanical engineering from MIT. These guitars keep on working year after year with little or no maintenence.

The business: It is such a delight working with Paul Sr. and his family. They take you in as family, and treat you right. Note that this is not a business that is run under the philosophy that 'the customer is always right'. If Paul thinks you are wrong, he will tell you. But if you can justify your wierd request, he will build you your dream guitar.

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www.tyack.com

I have had a Franklin ever since the early 80's and love it. Changed a few pedal setup's but wouldn't think of changing guitars.I would love another one but can't afford a new one so I'll just suffer with this one .RS

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Franklin Guitars

I'm back to having my Franklin as my main guitar. I was at a session yesterday and the producer was thrilled with with the sweet tone that was coming out of it. Its not as big sounding as my PP bolt on but it is just as focused and has a rich sound all its own. I love the thing.

Has anyone experimented with different pickups on there Franklin ? I'm using the 710's but sometimes find that the thinner strings get a little strident at around 3K.

Bob

I to love my Franklin, and I guess for all the same reasons as though above.
I have 710 pickups in both necks and really like them, and that is what Paul advised at the time , I use a RV3 and a Nashville 400 and am happy with that.
Randle changed his pick ups to 710 also and he likes them better in his Franklin.
Paul is sure a pleasure to deel with I found him very easy to chat with about the changes that I wanted and how it should be.
Very glad I took the time to have it built for me, rather then just of the shelf.
My .02 worth.
Keith

I agree that there is something unique and beautiful about the soudn of the Franklin steel. The more I play mine, the more I like it.

<SMALL>Has anyone experimented with different pickups on there Franklin ? I'm using the 710's but...</SMALL>

I got the most compliments on my tone when I used Jim Pitman's ToneAligner pickup in my Franklin. I also like the Lawrence 712 which is in there now, but on the next string change I will go back to Jim Pitman's pickup.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Earnest Bovine on 25 June 2004 at 10:14 AM.]</p></FONT>

I am partial to the old Bill Lawrence 705 pickups. One one of my d10s I have an 805 for the C neck.

I swear by Franklin guitars. They're the easiest playing guitar that I have ever played and they are totally low-maintanence.
They are rock solid guitars. They stay in tune well, record great, and I feel like they make me look good. Pauls changing mechanism is like no other. Each guitar is hand-built by paul sr. and tested by paul jr. to ensure that every single guitar that is sold is as good as the last. I own two of them and couldn't part with either one.
I like the 710s (especially for recording).
-Derek