One from my travels

Framus Atlantik 12 string 1960's. Plays well.


Another!
Late 30's Kalamazoo Lap Steel. The pickup(P90 style) sounds amazing.

Very interesting instruments both Damian.
I assume the Framus is hollow (no centre block)? The trapeze tail is great for evenly distributing the string tension. No bridge to lift up which kills so many 12's, including my beautiful Vantage VA30N-12. Sadly she needs a neck reset at this stage which more than the guitar is worth

That Kalamazoo looks like it should be fun to play. Git out yer Hawaiian shirt!

What great pieces of gear!! There's obviously a much more lively vintage scene in SA than down here in the Antipodes!!

There's still a few over there but getting few and far between these days.

Here's another.

'65 P bass

Barry wrote:Very interesting instruments both Damian.
I assume the Framus is hollow (no centre block)?

It's hollow but has an interesting internal construction.
I'll post some pics up when I get around to working on it. One dead pup needs a rewind.

Wow that Framus is beautiful damian,  nice addition mate.

More interesting stuff, the P-Bass looks like its been lightly peppered with a drill.

Framus is gorgeous.  Looks like it has attitude.

Westbone wrote:

Barry wrote:Very interesting instruments both Damian.
I assume the Framus is hollow (no centre block)?

It's hollow but has an interesting internal construction.
I'll post some pics up when I get around to working on it. One dead pup needs a rewind.

Got around to doing some work on the Framus.
Here's a few shots of the 'strange' bar inside the body if anyones interested.
Just goes from front to back. Fixes at the rear. Bit of bracing for the tesion on the body I suppose. A channel is cut from the neck to accommodate the bar in the pocket.
The body is completely hollow. No support under the bridge.

Very odd, but kinda makes sense, I guess. Like a truss rod for the body. I've not seen that before.

My curiosity got the better of me so I took it out to see.
Had thoughts of the nut falling in and indeed it did.
Not a problem to get it in back though.

It is indeed a brace/come body truss rod.
No wonder these things last.

How very cool!! Good old Teutonic thoroughness!

corsair wrote:Good old Teutonic thoroughness!

 Although it looks like a bit of ancient agricultual technology.