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How much does a Framus sell for?

BartmanPDX

BartmanPDX

Supporting Member
Jan 21, 2005
9,798
21,406
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Probably my living room
#1
There's a local guy here selling a 40+ year old Framus -- hollow body, two pickups, red burst finish, extremely thin neck. I'm thinking it's a Thinline 5/150 Star bass like Bill Wyman played.

Any ideas on what one would go for in great condition with the hard case? Anyone a big fan of these basses? The guy says to "make a reasonable offer," but I haven't the foggiest idea what that might be. $2-300???

Any help is appreciated. I'm not sure how interested I am in the bass (I've heard they have about the thinnest neck ever, and I don't like really thin necks), but any bass that old is certainly going to get a second look from me.
 
#7
GlennW said:
Must be this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/FRAMUS-CARAVELL...oryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Wonder how long it'll last.

You never can tell. I've seen Kay basses go for 4-1200 in about equal (to each other) condition.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that was the auction I saw on ebay. The one the local guy has is the model that Wyman played though, not the Caravelle. I'm not sure if the King bass was a much better bass than the Caravelle or not.

One would think that a tiny plywood neck would be a setup nightmare.
 
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#9
As a former Framus owner (I owned a solidbody Strato-Bass), let me give you a little heads up...they suck. The tuners are cheap guitar tuners that drift constantly, and the necks are thin but extremely chunky. There are so many better hollowbody basses on the market that I think the only reason to buy one is because Bill Wyman used one at one time.

YMMV, but that's IMHO.
 
#12
I have a 1969 Framus star bass that my dad got my mom for Christmas that year. I've had it in my possession for 15 years or so and I played it in church a few times. I'm told they are worth around 1000.00 to about 1500.00. I would part with mine for an offer not under $1000.00. eBay sales are extremely low regardless of quality of the bass'. To me it's not only a part of rock history but has sentimental family value as well. Here's some pics...enjoy!
 

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#15
Ok guys, I told you all a lie:(
My bass is not a star bass as I thought. It is a J-144 Serento 4! It has "star bass" on the end piece and I was told it was a star bass but I looked on some Framus vintage website from Germany where these bass' were made and it show one exactly like mine! I stand corrected. The down side is these bass' don't seem to sell for much more than 500-600 dollars. Still, if someone wants mine, it's gonna cost em...lol! Cya guys!
 
#16
BartmanPDX said:
There's a local guy here selling a 40+ year old Framus -- hollow body, two pickups, red burst finish, extremely thin neck. I'm thinking it's a Thinline 5/150 Star bass like Bill Wyman played.

Any ideas on what one would go for in great condition with the hard case? Anyone a big fan of these basses? The guy says to "make a reasonable offer," but I haven't the foggiest idea what that might be. $2-300???

Any help is appreciated. I'm not sure how interested I am in the bass (I've heard they have about the thinnest neck ever, and I don't like really thin necks), but any bass that old is certainly going to get a second look from me.
Click to expand...

I think 2-3 hundred dollars is reasonable and u would even say to go as low as you can to get it. You may be able to flip it and make some extra cash from it. If you just want it for collection, 2-300 is worth it. The star bass like wyman played is worth around 1000 give or take a few hundred!
 
#17
hi guys, ive got a early 60s framus f5/150 in completely original condition ,in an elongated accoustic 60s guitar box . adds to the charm !
its well set up and good working order,it holds tune and intonation well .
from original ,it is only missing a "1 MACHINE HEAD COLLET" . although i have thought of changing the tuners .
i want to swap it out . i dont know whats it maybe worth? dont want to ebay it blind ...
thanks in advance on your advice
carl
serial no 27288
early sixties .heres a web photo no copyright infringement infered its the same model exactly .
 

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#18
I have a Framus Strato 4 that I absolutely love. Yes, the maple neck is deep but narrower than my Fender Jaguar bass. It is straight and the original machines hold their tuning. The body is linden which gives it a beautiful thump, similar to a plucked cello. What surprised me the most was the tonal range. For a passive electronics bass, it has very deep lows to very clear highs, something I don't hear in some of my more modern basses.

I think they are great for collectors and for anyone looking for a vintage sound.

I hope to get another Framus in a couple days for my collection. I'll share it if the sale goes thru. It is a single cutaway, semi-hollow thinline with a single neck pup.

Here is my Strato 4 before I cleaned it up. Only parts I replace were the tuner collets. (not pictured)102_6063.JPG 102_6064.JPG 102_6065.JPG
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#19
LowNloud1 said:
I have a Framus Strato 4 that I absolutely love. Yes, the maple neck is deep but narrower than my Fender Jaguar bass. It is straight and the original machines hold their tuning. The body is linden which gives it a beautiful thump, similar to a plucked cello. What surprised me the most was the tonal range. For a passive electronics bass, it has very deep lows to very clear highs, something I don't hear in some of my more modern basses.

I think they are great for collectors and for anyone looking for a vintage sound.

I hope to get another Framus in a couple days for my collection. I'll share it if the sale goes thru. It is a single cutaway, semi-hollow thinline with a single neck pup.

Here is my Strato 4 before I cleaned it up. Only parts I replace were the tuner collets. (not pictured)View attachment 552008 View attachment 552009 View attachment 552010 View attachment 552008 View attachment 552009 View attachment 552010
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Hi LowNloud1, if you don't mind me asking, what did yours cost? There is a seller in holland offering the strato 4 for 500 euro and i'm wondering if that's a deal or if it's too much.
 
#20
Max Wittebol said:
Hi LowNloud1, if you don't mind me asking, what did yours cost? There is a seller in holland offering the strato 4 for 500 euro and i'm wondering if that's a deal or if it's too much.
Click to expand...

Sorry for the late reply. I paid $150 US. I think it was a steal at that price! They are not as appreciated here as they are in Europe. I have seen them on the Musikkeller site but there was no pricing available.

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