Famos guitars

Subject: Tech: Famos guitars
From: GUEST,Scouse
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 09:38 AM

Hi, can any one help me with this make of guitar ....History etc... it sounds very much like Framus to me. I'm at a loss. It looks like a framus but the name foxs me. Any help grateful. As Aye.....Phil

Subject: RE: Tech: Famos guitars
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 09:41 AM

hello, you spelled famus wrong.john

Subject: RE: Tech: Famos guitars
From: Mooh
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 10:17 AM

There are no Blue Book entries in my rather dated copies.

Most references to the name via a net search reveal mostly typo laden pages (meaning "famous")...but I'm hardly an expert at this sort of search.

I do know this however, that I've seen the brand before and I believe it is not an Asian label but an European one, perhaps Italian, French, Dutch, or German. There were many cheaper guitars built for the non-North American market in the 60s and 70s which haven't gained notariety in the new world...and the reverse is likely also true. Most research seems to be about the more influencial or well known brands.

Acoustic or electric?

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Tech: Famos guitars
From: Davetnova
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 10:20 AM

They are Dutch. Try here http://www.fetishguitars.com/html/varie/famos_lb.html

Subject: RE: Famos guitars
From: Mooh
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 12:53 PM

Cool, for once my instincts were pretty sharp! Mooh.

Subject: RE: Famos guitars
From: bill\sables
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 02:08 PM

Framus are or were German musical instrument makers They made guitars and banjos Bill

Subject: RE: Famos guitars
From: Lanfranc
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 07:18 PM

Framus instruments (guitars, banjos and drums, too, I seem to recall) were made in a part of Germany called Franconia (Southern Bavaria?), hence Fra(nconia) mus(ic). They had a strange habit of setting the guitar's peghead at an angle, so the strings had to be held down by a metal bar between the tuners and the nut.

I've played a few, though none was exceptional. Would dare say that to a Bavarian owner though.

Seems they're still around, making electric guitars and amps, though, as a Google search came up with this site Framus website

Alan

Subject: RE: Famos guitars
From: GUEST,Songster Bob
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 12:21 AM

That "head at an angle" was really "head at no angle," allowing them to use less wood for a neck. It's similar to the Fender slab neck with string-keeper. Without a back-angle, the strings don't sit in the slots of the nut very well, and so you need something to put some back-pressure on 'em.

"From the heart of Bavaria," Framus guitars and banjos were idiosyncratic to say the least. I once considered buying a Framus 'Texan' model (Gibson J-45 copy), but luckily someone else bought it and it was gone from the shop once I came back.

Bob Clayton

Subject: RE: Famos guitars
From: catspaw49
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 01:01 AM

My first 12 was a Framus back in about '69 or so. Framus guitars also have the unique advantage of being able to be used as Field Hockey sticks when you aren't playing them. You can also use them to beat rugs or paddle your canoe with no ill effects to them at all.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Famos guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 06:26 PM

I think there good

Subject: RE: Famos guitars
From: scouse
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 06:03 AM

Thanks Davetnova..........

Subject: RE: Famos guitars
From: GUEST,marty 31
Date: 27 Jul 04 - 05:57 PM

i had an electric framus,it   was a nice looking guitar but the pickups were crap.anyone remember them hideous little egmonds from the seventies............brings tears to my eyes thinking about them,they were dutch too if i am not mistaken.

Subject: RE: Famos guitars
From: GUEST,Anne Croucher
Date: 27 Jul 04 - 06:57 PM

I play a Framus Texan - I have people come up and ask if they can buy it quite regularly. I have had people queueing up to take it off me ever since I bought it.

As I have small hands I have never found another guitar to take its place, except for its twin, a long tima ago and which was still in good condition then but has since been mightilly ill used and is probably no longer useable. It did not sound the same even then - maybe mine is the good one?

Anne

Subject: RE: Famos guitars
From: Mooh
Date: 28 Jul 04 - 08:30 AM

Is there any connection between Famos and Framus guitars other than the confusion of this thread? I've played lots of Framus instruments, and am aware of the Famos name but never played one that I can remember.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Famos guitars
From: Mooh
Date: 28 Jul 04 - 05:14 PM

Hey, so I got to cleaning my shop this afternoon and found, by coincidence, an old Framus I'd forgotten. German made, arch back, flat top, 24.5" scale, burst finish, no frets except the zero fret, missing nut, no bridge. Project guitar. Needs a neck set by the look of it, so I think I'll fill the fret slots and use it for lapstyle...it'll need electrifying to sound decent...anyone got an old Tele pickup?

Wish I'd found a Famos instead!

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Famos guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Aug 04 - 05:48 PM

here's a famos guitar
http://cgi.benl.ebay.be/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=621&item=3741985767&rd=1

Subject: RE: Famos guitars
From: GUEST,Mungo
Date: 18 Aug 04 - 04:07 PM

famos guitars by venlonia -netherlands

Subject: RE: Famos guitars
From: GUEST,Ivo
Date: 31 Jan 09 - 02:14 PM

The brand name is indeed FAMOS and was made in the city Venlo in The Netherlands.
I actually have one for sale in very bad shape.........

Subject: RE: Famos guitars
From: GUEST,Richie
Date: 30 Mar 11 - 05:38 PM

Made by Venlonia in Venlo the Netherlands. Cheap guitars named "Famos" to try to resemble the name of the much better German "Framus" brand. The very best Famos was an OK (not brilliant)guitar. Most were not so hot.