I have a guitar, for which I would like to know the age, and the
value. I bought it, used, in Germany, from a friend, in 1974. It is a
six-stringed, acoustic guitar made by Framus (the name is in white on
a black plastic pick-guard on the top of the guitar). Inside the
guitar,there is a label. The traademark is a picture of a globe with a
guitar on the globe, and the word "framus" in script across the bottom
of the globe.  Below the globe is a picture of a factory.  Below the
factory , in capitol letters, in bold print, are the words, "BUILT IN
THE HEART OF BAVARIA". Below that there is a list: Model, Serial No.,
and Tested by, of which the only thing you can read is the serial
number, which is "017881".  Below that, in capitol letters, it says,
"FRAMUS-WERKE-BAVARIA". Under that, in small capitol letters, it says,
"MADE IN W. GERMANY". All of this printing is enclosed in a double
lined circle, with a sort-of floral spirograph pattern.  The other
interesting thing about this guitar is that the whole neck is composed
of vertically layered strips of laminated wood . The frets seem to be
inlaid onto what appears to be a teak or mahogany wood fingerboard. 
The guitar is symmetrically shaped. That's all I can tell you, and I
hope that you can help me out. Good luck!Sincerely,
Sharon

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Request for Question Clarification by nenna-ga on 13 Apr 2004 09:06 PDT

Per chance, do you have a picture you could post of the guitar?

Nenna-GA

At least regarding the age, the manufacturer should know best:

Framus
Gewerbegebiet Wohlhausen
08258 Markneukirchen
Germany
--
Phone: +49 (0) 37422-555-0
Fax: +49 (0) 37422-555-99
E-Mail: info@framus.de
Website: http://www.framus.de/


Scriptor

I've owned a few Framuses in my day it won't be worth much they were
pawnshop guitars.The necks were interesting but tended to warp easily.

As a side note a couple of celebrities have played Framus guitars.Bill
Wyman's first bass was a Framus and David Lindley(Mercury Blues) uses
them also.

http://cda.mrs.umn.edu/~nielsenc/framus/framus.html This site has
pictures and information about Framus guitars.

I found this out, but couldn't find out much more.... Maybe this will
help someone else?

"The company was
active in the 60's and 70's.  Most of what they made were student models
which today would sell for about $300.  You can probably get more info from
Michael Wright at Vintage Guitar Magazine.

George Gruhn"