1960s Framus 5/156 Strato Star Electric Bass Guitar

Overview: While the overall line of Strato Star basses is somewhat prevalent, this version with the yellowed "olympic white" look and tortoise pickguard is a bit harder to find. When you do find them, they often play really funky as well. Ancel had his "glorified setup work" challenges to overcome, but it's now a quick player with a big, up-front sort-of sound. The neck is narrow like an old Vox or EKO bass neck but it's deeper and bigger-feeling front to back.

Interesting features: It has a super-multi-ply-maple neck which is nice and durable, but it has the odd choice of a scarf joint for attaching the headstock. This eliminates string tree needs but means that the seam often comes a little undone over time. This was glued-up again before it ever got here and is good and sturdy. The single-coil pickup has a big, clean sound with a nice "thwang" about it. The tortoise pickguard is somewhat see-through, too, so you can glimpse control cavities under it. The knobs are cool and the tailpiece cover is, too, and something almost always missing on other versions that come through the shop.

Repairs included: Ancel moved the bridge slightly and then gave it a thorough level/dress job and setup work. It's playing bang-on and ready to serve. The strings are roughly 100w-45w or so and are lightly-used spares from our bins.

• Weight: 6 lbs 8 oz
• Scale length: 29 7/8"
• Nut width: 1 3/8"
• Neck shape: medium C/D
• Board radius: flat
• Depth at first fret: 1"
• Depth at seventh fret: 1"
• Body width: 12 3/4"
• Body depth: 1 1/4"
• Body wood: unsure
• Bridge: adjustable
• Fretboard: rosewood
• Neck wood: multi-ply maple
• Pickups: 1x single coil
• Action height at 12th fret: 3/32" bass 1/16" treble (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 100w-45w or close to it
• Truss rod: adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: medium-wider

Condition notes: While original throughout, it does show a good amount of weather-check and crackling and yellowing to the finish in all the best ways. The bridge needed to be relocated aft on the bass side as well, so its original mounting post hole was filled and a new one drilled. 

It comes with: Sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: DVCH (not for sale at the moment)