Framus Television 1965 - Tobacco Burst

Behold the very rare and unusual 1965 Framus Television (5/116-52)

This is no re-creation or model. This is the real thing, made in the heart of Bavaria in 1965. Never heard of Framus? You’re not alone, but they were the finest in mid-century German craftsmanship, and are now a part of Warwick.

It’s 58 years old this year, and after about 22 years in my care, I’m finally ready to find it a new, loving home. If I can’t find a local home, I’ll sell internationally. These are incredibly popular overseas.

With a little investment and TLC, this could be worth $2,000 or more.

The Television is one of the most famous Framus models. They are very rare and it is nearly impossible to find one in condition this good.

Please note this is true vintage instrument, with the eccentricities that come with a 55-year-old work of art.

The Good:

Fantastic condition for a 58-year-old instrument

Semi-hollowbody electric

Working Electronics, machine heads, etc.

Set up well

Fully intonated

Good strings

Original hardshell case included (OHSC)

German craftsmanship

The Unavoidable After 58 Years:

A few dings and scratches

One laminate crack in the body which may be in the wood as well

A few other vertical laminate cracks

** none of this seems to affect tuning, intonation or sound

One tricky pickup switch which needs a little coddling into just the right position

About Framus (borrowed from Reverb):
The first Framus thinline guitar was designed in 1953 in collaboration with Billy Lorento, aka Bill Lawrence. It was not only the first signature model coming from Franconia, but also the first electric guitar with a thin resonating body, set neck, and no sustain block inside - very characteristic of Framus-manufactured guitars. Successor models in this segment were among others the Hi-Fi-Six, and of course classics like the New Sound and the Fret Jet.

Guitar manufacturing started in 1954 with the inauguration of the Bubenreuth factory and quickly developed into a production with industrial characteristics. The widespread use of solid woods became more infrequent, therefore manufacturing with partly solid materials or utilizing only laminated manufacturing. Overall there were more than 40 different thinline and semi-acoustic instrument models till the beginning of the seventies.