Framus Tenor Banjo

Subject: Framus Tenor Banjo
From: GUEST,Jim I
Date: 03 Jul 03 - 07:21 PM

I've had a Framus Tenor Banjo for about 30 years and never really been able to do much with it - I think my fingers are too short! Now I'm thinking about selling it or perhaps part-exchanging it for a 5-string banjo or a spare guitar. My problem is I have no idea what it may be worth. A friend who plays the tenor banjo says its a nice playable banjo but he has no idea of value either.

I've tried the internet but can only find Framus guitars. Has anyone any ideas?

Subject: RE: Framus Tenor Banjo
From: bill\sables
Date: 03 Jul 03 - 08:06 PM

There is one on ebay at the moment with two days to go that has reached $140 but that includes a case.
Cheers Bill

Subject: RE: Framus Tenor Banjo
From: Ghirotondo
Date: 04 Jul 03 - 04:06 AM

I have one exactly alike the one auctioned on Ebay, which I am currently playing (irish tuned, G D A E). Since it was a gift I know nothing about it, and I was wondering about its age. I have tried the Web too, and it seems that Framus is no longer the Framus which built my banjo.
Any suggestion?
Thank you
Lanf

Subject: RE: Framus Tenor Banjo
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 04 Jul 03 - 04:45 AM

I Just found a tenor banjo website http://www.4stringbanjos.com - there is a links page CLICK HERE which might provide other sources of information.
Quack!
Geoff the Duck.

Subject: RE: Framus Tenor Banjo
From: GUEST,Maurice
Date: 04 Jul 03 - 04:25 PM

Framus banjos and other instruments were made in Germany (FRAnconia MUSic).Their guitars were generally too heavily built and basically not much good, but the basses were popular...Bill Wyman had one.
Framus banjos were very popular here in Ireland in the 60's, partly because they were about the only half-decent ones available. I bought one (new) in '68 or so for £27, which at the time was not a fortune but not to be sneezed at either. Generally prices at that time ranged from about £20 to about £40. For comparison there was a Martin OOO-something in the same shop for £180 (new)
Like the guitars they were heavily built and good workhorse instruments. The tone could be rather aggresive, but ok if played with restraint. I still have mine, now with a Waverly imitation skin head which calms it down a bit,and I wouldn't part with it.
As a very broad generalisation they sell here for maybe €600 to €800.

Subject: RE: Framus Tenor Banjo
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 04 Jul 03 - 08:30 PM

Jim (Irvine?) I've had no joy looking up UK prices. I'd think Bill Sable's US auction is low though...

Framus have a "following" in "Irish" music and although perhaps a chunky (built like tanks) play well. My wild guess figure would be £250-£350

Subject: RE: Framus Tenor Banjo
From: zanderfish3 (inactive)
Date: 05 Jul 03 - 08:33 AM

Fin Furey used to play a 5 string Framus and Tony Wilson used a Framus tenor, both great musicians so they must be fairly good instruments.

Subject: RE: Framus Tenor Banjo
From: Marc
Date: 05 Jul 03 - 08:54 AM

A good tenor in good playable condition is generaly worth $400-$600 in the US. The price does go up quickly though when you get into the classic Gibsons, Bacons, Paramounts, ect..., the beautifully decorated instruments of the 20s & 30s can bring quite a handsome price.

Subject: RE: Framus Tenor Banjo
From: Marc
Date: 05 Jul 03 - 09:36 AM

Is yours like the one on ebay? Fancy flange, nice resonator, short neck? My quess would be about $400. Although I doubt the ebay one is going to go for much more than $300-$350. The other problem is you need to find someone willing to pay that much. Tenor banjos are not very popular these days, the only people who play them are Irish music, (short scale), and Dixieland (long scale). And for someone who is willing to look around, a decent banjo can be had for significantly less than what I've quoted

Subject: RE: Framus Tenor Banjo
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 05 Jul 03 - 09:49 AM

Marc, I think that depends on where you live. I belive that the tenor banjo is very much a poor relation to the 5 string in at least parts of the US and that people are often looking to by a tenor with a good pot (e.g. a Tubaphone) with a view to having a 5 string neck made for it. I have also heard of cases of banjo's such as these being picked up very cheaply.

In the UK for example, my guess it that you would find that the tenor is as popular as the 5 string. In Ireland, I would guess it is a lot more popular than the 5 string...

Jon

Subject: RE: Framus Tenor Banjo
From: GUEST,Jim I
Date: 06 Jul 03 - 06:56 PM

Thanks a lot everyone. I've just bought a reasonably nice plain 5-string banjo (second hand)at Newcastleton festival for £100. As the price was good I'm not in such a hurry to sell the other one. I'm going to tout it round a bit to see what the going rate is.

I have friends going to the All-Ireland in Clonmel and I might let them take it and see what interest there may be in it.

I will report back!

Thanks again

Subject: RE: Framus Tenor Banjo
From: mooman
Date: 07 Jul 03 - 06:46 PM

My guess is about €400 - 500 in Ireland depending on the condition because of the continuing popularity and demand for them and the fact that they are considered quite a loud banjo for sessions.

Here's a bit of Framus history

Good luck

moo

Subject: RE: Framus Tenor Banjo
From: GUEST,johnnyg
Date: 11 Dec 07 - 09:45 PM

I have a framus 13200 texan series bango. does any one know how I can determin the value of this banjo?

Subject: RE: Framus Tenor Banjo
From: Sugwash
Date: 12 Dec 07 - 03:58 AM

Alan Hopkins has one for sale on his web site for £520

Subject: RE: Framus Tenor Banjo
From: Sugwash
Date: 12 Dec 07 - 03:59 AM

Alan Hopkin's web site can be found here Alan Hopkins

Subject: RE: Framus Tenor Banjo
From: Stringsinger
Date: 12 Dec 07 - 04:36 PM

The four-string banjo is considered a "poor relation" by the bluegrass community or the so-called OT banjo crowd. Actually, it is quite a wonderful instrument and is used in Dixie and New Orleans bands to good effect. There are exponents such as Elmer Snowden, Harry Reser, Buddy Wachter, and many others in the four-string world who would laugh at the idea of it being inferior to bluegrass. It is capable of the harmonic complexity that most bluegrassers have never heard of. It was used by Paul Whiteman, Bix Beiderbecke and George Gershwin and has found a popularity in Europe for its versatility. It hasn't really made an inroad into the folk world much yet. This is because it has been associated with trad jazz.

The problem with a great many of the four-strings is that it might break up at higher volumes which is needed to support trad jazz band playing.

There is an unfortunate bias coming from the holier-than-thou bluegrass community about the tenor banjo. It has a unique tuning in open fifths which allows it to cut through band playing but it requires a steady sense of rhythmic tempo which many BG'ers would do well to emulate.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: Framus Tenor Banjo
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 11:10 PM

I have a 4 string and just want to sell it, I don't know what year it was made but guessing around 65 to 70. Tailpiece looks like a 6/74 but it does not have the arm rest, black back, metalic green band around the body. No s/n and no model number, any ideas people ???

Subject: RE: Framus Tenor Banjo
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 04:16 AM

Framus Banjo History

I've got one, loud and unsubtle but isn't that tenor banjos?

L in C

Subject: RE: Framus Tenor Banjo
From: framus
Date: 15 Aug 10 - 06:49 PM

I have a Framus tenor which weighs a ton, but it sounds great!
But then, I'm Irish.

Davyb.

ps I also know Crawford Howard, who plays a tenor. I tried to update someone's lyrics to one of his songs, but I got bogged down on the site. Email me on [e-mail] if you're interested.

Subject: RE: Framus Tenor Banjo
From: scouse
Date: 16 Aug 10 - 04:41 AM

Framus made a special long necked banjo for Derrol Adams a while ago, it still lays on his chair in Antwerp. What a heavy beast the thing is but plonks amazingly well.. God knows how much that thing must be worth today.
As Aye,

Phil.

Subject: RE: Framus Tenor Banjo
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 16 Aug 10 - 04:48 AM

I have one too and would be happy to part with it.

Subject: RE: Framus Tenor Banjo
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 17 Aug 10 - 03:51 AM

If mine was a 'singnature model' it would be an Ossie Osbourne

L in C#

Subject: RE: Framus Tenor Banjo
From: GUEST,pierre
Date: 11 Feb 11 - 12:47 PM

bonjours a tous ,jai un banjo naschville 5 string derroll adams série 13090 M-LINE avec resonateur , En tres bon état si il y a une personne qui connait sa valeur ,je ne trouve nul part de reférence de prix pour ce banjo,a bientôt et merci

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Translation via Google:
Hello everyone, I have a naschville 5 string banjo derroll adams 13090 M-LINE series with resonator, In very good condition if there is a person who knows its value, I can not find anywhere of a price reference for this banjo, see you soon and thank you

Subject: RE: Framus Tenor Banjo
From: GUEST,mazza
Date: 17 Mar 12 - 03:31 PM

framous was not suitable for derroll adams . it sounded like a blue grass banjo and had to remove the resanater permantly . he stuck a rag in the back to get the right tone . where has geof reynolds banjo suited him perfecly and he loved it . and it had the right tone . if you nedd pics of this banjo i have them . also letters and post cards from derroll . [e-mail] if you need more info .