Unusual Framus Bali 8-string lap steel

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 2 Jul 2010 12:17 pm

I recently picked up this Framus Bali (German) 8-string lap steel, and I thought forum members might like to see it. I like unusual, historical instruments like this. This one has it's original hang tags and receipt written in German, dated 1957. Short scale, and very lightweight. It's not a Fender, but it's not bad!

UPDATE: I just recorded a YouTube video using this guitar ---> CLICK

Stan Schober · Post by **Stan Schober** » 2 Jul 2010 12:21 pm

Nice piece , Doug !

Play us a tune ?

Bill Creller · Post by **Bill Creller** » 2 Jul 2010 1:06 pm

That's a nice looking guitar, and not being a Fender doesn't bother me a bit!!

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 2 Jul 2010 10:08 pm

Looks like a "rare bird" Doug!

I had someone in here with a little
Framus 6 string but it looked nothing
like the one you have there?

New strings with some of your magic
playing added would be nice to hear.

Roy

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 2 Jul 2010 10:25 pm

It's a pretty rare lap steel. Here's some info about it from the Framus site ---> Click

I'll probably do a youtube clip using this guitar fairly soon... when I get caught up on my other projects.

This Bali originally had one of those screw-on connectors (with metric threads) that was damaged and didn't work, so I had my local guitar shop install a standard 1/4" output jack. That makes the guitar a lot easier to use.

Framus made several steel guitar models, lap steels, consoles, multinecks, and a pedal steel... all rather exotic looking. It's not the best sounding lap steel I've ever had, but it's the strangest looking one!

Jason Hull · Post by **Jason Hull** » 3 Jul 2010 5:07 am

Cool! I especially like the unique bump at the end.

Terry Barnett · Post by **Terry Barnett** » 3 Jul 2010 6:19 am

Beautiful guitar Doug and I look forward to hearing it. I bought a National S8 guitar recently and it too had the screw on connection for the cord...non-metric though. Sometimes you're not so lucky when it comes to being able to install a 1/4 inch input without modifying the guitar too much and possibly affecting it's value. I found that I had an old mic adaptor...lo to hi.. from Shure that included another adaptor with a female 1/4" end that screwed onto that adaptor. Fit perfectly on my National. If anyone else has this problem, Shure likely still sells this item in their accessories. Could save a lot of headaches down the road. Meant to ask...how's the pickup? Noisy? Framus had some interesting pickups in their time. Cheers

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 3 Jul 2010 12:56 pm

I bought this cord a few years ago... amphenol connector on one end, 1/4" phone plug on the other end.

It doesn't work on the Framus however because the threads on the Framus are metric. In any event, the original output had been destroyed by the prior owner's nephew. He had never seen such an output, and he thought there was something jammed into it because his guitar cord wouldn't go into it! So he dug it out. Stupid is as stupid does.

Fortunately my local guitar repair shop was able to install a new 1/4" output jack in the guitar, and it looks great.

From what I've seen over the years, changing a screw-on jack to 1/4" does not devalue a lap steel, as long as it's a professional, clean job, not a cob job.

...how's the pickup? Noisy? Framus had some interesting pickups in their time.

The pickup produces a clean, thin tone. It's a little weak, unfortunately. Only measures 4.5K ohms. Yes, it's an interesting sound, clean but not very strong. No "growl" to it. My other lap steels blow it away. Not a problem though. I bought this 8-string for teaching only and it does what I need it to.

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 3 Jul 2010 1:26 pm

Cool steel Doug

clean but not very strong. No "growl" to it.

Maybe put it through a pedal for a light boost that will hit the front end of the amp a little harder.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 3 Jul 2010 2:00 pm

I just tried it with the MXR dyna comp and that really helps a lot. Thanks Tom.

James Kerr · Post by **James Kerr** » 3 Jul 2010 2:56 pm

Doug,
That is a very nice old guitar, it looks very like the National Dynamic in design.

James.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 3 Jul 2010 3:04 pm

...it looks very like the National Dynamic in design.

Wow! I didn't notice that. They're very similar.

James Kerr · Post by **James Kerr** » 3 Jul 2010 3:08 pm

Doug,
That was an original, here is one I made for myself.

James.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 3 Jul 2010 3:14 pm

Beautiful guitar, James! I've been admiring your work here for quite a while.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 5 Jul 2010 10:27 am

I just recorded a YouTube video using this Framus ---> CLICK

James Kerr · Post by **James Kerr** » 5 Jul 2010 11:01 am

Very appropriate tune for that Guitar Doug, and very well played too. Write down your tuning and string guages please.

James.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 5 Jul 2010 11:18 am

Thanks James. For this tune I'm playing C6 with a G on top:

[tab]
1. G .011
2. E .014
3. C .017
4. A .020p
5. G .024w
6. E .030
7. C .036
8. A .042
[/tab]

James Kerr · Post by **James Kerr** » 5 Jul 2010 11:44 am

Thank you Doug, That is my tuning plus two bottom strings, looks like my next model will be an 8 string, I loved those extra bottom tones.

You have a nice guitar there I hope you enjoy it and let us hear more.

James.

J. Wilson · Post by **J. Wilson** » 5 Jul 2010 7:35 pm

Wow! Great playing on a great song. I like the sound off that thing too... a bit of an acoustic bite in the sound. That might have something to do with the pup tho. I like it. It gives it some personality.

Could this song could be done on six string C6?

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 5 Jul 2010 8:04 pm

Could this song could be done on six string C6?

This arrangement uses all 8 strings, so a 6 string version wouldn't sound quite the same. Without the high G you'd probably have to play slants to get the high parts. I have low A on this tuning, but I only pick that string a couple of times in the song.

I believe that any song can be played on any tuning, although some tunings are better suited for certain styles. It's usually just a matter of working out an arrangement for whatever tuning you are using.

I agree about the "acoustic bite" in the sound. I'm wondering if the mic in the recorder is picking up some of the acoustic sound of the instrument? That mic was closer to the guitar than is was to the amp. Also, the pickup is somewhat 'microphonic', so maybe that has something to do with it.

Paul Seager · Post by **Paul Seager** » 12 Sep 2010 4:17 am

I also recently bought a Framus Bali and mine has the original, strange connection too. I live in Germany and having read Doug's experience on finding an appropriate connector, I spent hours surfing, phoning and visiting small and generally older electrical repair guys. Despite them all living in Bavaria (where the Framus was built) none could recall seeing such a connection and I've given up the search.
Like Doug I'll be having the guitar converted. Just wanted to save any prospecive Bali buyers the trouble!

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 12 Sep 2010 8:06 am

Here's the Framus Vintage website page on the Bali model lap steel. The connector looks like the standard Amphenol/Switchcraft connector used on vintage microphones (and some Valco made lap steels). Angela Instruments has both an adapter and a 20 foot cord for sale.

Johan Jansen · Post by **Johan Jansen** » 12 Sep 2010 8:34 am

Maybe Bill Lawrence can and will help out. He had a connection with Framus at that time.

He is on facebook

Regards, Johan

Jay Yuskaitis · Post by **Jay Yuskaitis** » 12 Sep 2010 12:42 pm

Hi Doug, I've listened long enough with out saying "thanks". I'm saying it now! I really enjoy your playing. THANKS! Jay Y.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 12 Sep 2010 9:51 pm

Thanks Jay, it's always nice to hear from another Mass. steel player!

The Steel Guitar Forum

Unusual Framus Bali 8-string lap steel

Unusual Framus Bali 8-string lap steel

about time