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Ok it's got good pickups but:
A plastic jack socket?
Zero break angle headstock? (With friction inducing bar)
And that shape
Reminds me of a beginers guitar from the early 70's
Is this a toy?
I was going to say "beginners" as well, Andy.
If it is a beginners, it does look nice for a beginners, but many of the issues that Andy points out are some drawbacks. I guess you'd have to put some work into the playability. Of course, I could be so way off and it plays like a charm!
AKA: Willi Schtick, Mr. Bill has a host of designs with his stamp on them including the Gibson Marauder. Compared to some, this one is quite clean looking and all of the appointments match. This obviously wasn't a high-end guitar and was designed to be easy to make. All in all, the body shape is a nice mix of traditional cues without resorting to outrageous wings or swoops to get your attention.
Jol
It has one of Bill Lawrence's many aliases attached, but is there any indication he had anything to do with the pickups?
If he was a successful jazz guitarist in Europe before coming here, he may have had "signature models" out there before he designed or built any pickups.
I don't know my Framus pickups. Are these like those on other Framus models?
don't forget to check http://www.framus-vintage.de !
Thank you. My search has ended (I think). I bought my favorite guitar back in late 70's from a bandmate who got around (!). It was a Framus and I bought it for $50. "My favorite guitar" looks pretty much like the one above, same shape but a little broader. Rounder in the Ass and the wings. It also has more rounded edges and doesnt' look as much like a slab. Also, it has a notable, early 70's style glitter orange (!) paint. It has an ebony or ebonite fretboard with jumbo fat frets (luv it). The body does seem to be made of balsa (lite). Mine has a vibrato tailpiece that's mounted in a plate in the body. My pickups are the same sort (wide single coils) but the black plastic surrounding the poles almost covers the entire top of the pickup. Mine only has 2 pots. They are so fine (stiff) they feel like Grundig hifi stereo knobs. You are mistaken about the jack. it's oversize (like the selector switch) and a heavy black rubber coated steel. This thing, although fine (thin neck) is built like a Panzer. This is the coolest, nicest playing (and sounding) guitar I ever owned. While this may not be their top of the line, it is surely not a beginners instrument. I think the funky German styling is just deceptive. I am in the process of restoring it (to play) and will pst photos if I can. I'm curious about the value. I'm sort of dismayed to find that it may be of some value as I'll never sell it. This guitar is my soul I love it so. Anyone that picks up one of these instruments can immediately sense the quality and soul of these things.
Love the "Famous Framus".
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