1960s Framus Star Bass

How about them short-scale apples? Hey, it's even red. Framus Star Basses have a long history with rockers of fame. This one's got to be early-on judging by the self-contained "podded" control unit and old-style truss rod cover and tuners.

It was in great shape when it arrived, save the neck was at a terrible angle. It appears all-original, too, except for a couple replacement tuner buttons. The original buttons on these old Framus tuners tend to die because the small, square shafts that hold them often strip over time.

It has a fast, narrow neck and extra-lightweight hollowbody construction -- yielding a very "Hofner Club" sort-of feel and sound. It has an interesting tone selector knob that gives a couple of "fat" sounds and a couple of "thinner" sounds -- all useful. The boomiest one is where it's at, though.

You'll have to forgive my slightly-suspect tuning on the low E in the video. My ears were having a really hard time nailing the note with the way it sounds. The strings are ancient flats that are quite stiff (though not huge in gauge). I threw a set of take-off LaBella Hofner-style flats in the case for the owner, however, in case he wants to swap-out.

Repairs included: neck reset, fret level/dress, setup, ground wire added to the tailpiece.

Made by: Framus

Model: 5/194 Star Bass

Made in: West Germany

Serial number: 52842-621

Body wood: ply maple?

Bridge: ebony

Fretboard: rosewood

Neck wood: maple black-stained?

Pickups: Framus bar-style single coil (DeArmond-y)

Tone: fat, clean, boomy

Suitable for: blues, country, vintage rock,  rockabilly, folk, etc.

Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
String gauges: 105w-45w (I think) flats

Neck shape: medium C

Board radius: ~14"

Truss rod: adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium-wider

Scale length: 30"

Nut width: 1 5/8"

String spacing at nut: 1 3/8"

String spacing at bridge: 1 11/16"

Body length: 17 1/8"

Body width: 12 3/4"

Body depth: 2" + arching

Weight: 4 lb 9 oz

Condition notes: all-original, quite clean. There's a little binding shrink/separation on the back near the cutaway. Frets are in good order and there's only the most minor usewear throughout. The sleeves for the tuners are a little old and starting to crack and two tuner buttons are replacements but older.