Franks 00-12 Brw/Adi SOLD
For sale is a 2010 00-12 built by Mike Franks in Rochester Hills, MI. As you’d expect from a guitar modeled after the Martin 00, this Franks has a traditional tone. Its timbre is clear and bell-like with complex overtones: very sweet all around. The 12-fret geometry and Adirondack top endow it with a slightly bigger voice than you might expect, but fundamentally this is designed to be and succeeds as an intimate fingerstyle instrument. It has a focused, articulate response. I have a light touch and I love how this Franks is brimming with musical potential: the sound just wants to leap out of this guitar.
https://i.imgur.com/fR1vMVol.jpg https://i.imgur.com/eXVMqc1l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/9PufZ6Ql.jpg https://i.imgur.com/qKNltT4l.jpg The soundboard is Red “Adirondack” Spruce sourced from Randy Lucas. Mike almost exclusively builds with Red Spruce so he really knows how to get the most from it. For a small-bodied factory build Adirondack might not be the best choice, but here in the hands of a builder who knows how to voice it properly it sure is a fine fingerstyle top. And this particular top is perfectly quartersawn with no runout and all the silking you want. https://i.imgur.com/ReqO2EBl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/1gfhR8Ql.jpg https://i.imgur.com/P7K9k4Gl.jpg The back and sides are constructed from a lovely set of Brazilian Rosewood. The back has a rich chocolaty hue with light curl while the sides introduce some orange color variegation that really pops against the flamed Koa binding. Mike buys his Brazilian directly from a supplier in Brazil and imports it with CITES and Fish & Wildlife license. The Brazilian in this guitar is flitch-matched and quartersawn. No flatsawn or knotty stump material here. Mike’s supplier reclaims his wood from old logs and beams. https://i.imgur.com/JIm8Ciwl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/MnEW2RUl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/mRAiqvul.jpg https://i.imgur.com/6w3wdmZl.jpg In addition to the classic Brazilian/Adirondack tonewood combination and the Martin-inspired voicing, the fine herringbone trim, slotted headstock, “diamonds and squares” fingerboard inlays, carved “dart” volute, and pyramid bridge all evoke a traditional aesthetic. The Snakewood Waverlys (see how their figure matches the Brazilian headstock overlay!) and aforementioned Koa binding are the only hints of a modern vibe—and most welcome ones for I cannot abide plastic on my guitars. Hot Hide Glue construction for the top braces, bridge, and fingerboard continues the vintage theme. And the gorgeously figured, aged walrus bone saddle and end pins—crafted by John Mickelson of Seldovia, Alaska—testify to the highest quality of material and detail even in the most minute of appointments. https://i.imgur.com/kUu7W2cl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/J6esusul.jpg https://i.imgur.com/LhWVquel.jpg Here are the full specs: • Date: August 2010 • Soundboard: mastergrade Red “Adirondack” Spruce • Back & sides: quartersawn, old growth Brazilian Rosewood, flitch-matched • Neck: figured Honduran Mahogany ----Frets to body: 12 ----Shape: medium C ----Joint: solid Mahogany blocks with mortised joint • Fingerboard: Ebony inlaid with Style 28 “diamonds and squares” in Abalone ----Radius: 16” • Bridge: Ebony, pyramid • Bridge Pins & End Pin: figured, aged walrus bone with inlaid center dot ----crafted by John Mickelson of Seldovia, Alaska • Purfling: fine Herringbone • Backstrip: thin zigzag • Rosette: fine Herringbone with rings • Binding: Flamed Koa, double bound body • Heel Cap & End Graft: Flamed Koa • Headstock: slotted with Brazilian Rosewood veneer, carved dart volute, abalone inlay • Nut: 1 3/4” width, aged bone ----String spacing: 1-9/16” • Saddle: 2-5/16” spacing, aged boned, compensated • Bracing: Red “Adirondack” Spruce, 0.275” scalloped • Tuning Machines: Waverly Vintage Gold Snakewood Buttons • Construction: Hot hide glue for the top braces, bridge, and fingerboard; LMI Luthier’s glue for neck joint, back braces, and body • Soundhole: 3-7/8” • Scale: 24.9” • Dimensions: ----Body Length: 19-5/8 ----Upper Bout Width: 9-3/4” ----Waist: 8-1/4” ----Lower Bout Width: 14-1/8” ----Upper Bout Depth: 3-1/4” ----Lower Bout Depth: 4-1/16” • Finish: Polished Catalyzed Polyester by Joe White (GETGO on the AGF) I have always kept the guitar in a properly controlled, pet- and smoke-free environment. It’s in excellent+ condition with no cracks, loose braces, neck warp, bridge lift, or worn-out frets. There are a couple negligible marks on the headstock from string changes and the faintest of swirls here and there on the back. That’s it. This is about as close to flawless as you’ll find. It’s never felt the touch of a pick. Before playing I always remove anything (belt, watch, shirt buttons) that could scratch it and I’m fastidious about wiping it down afterward. The base price for this model is $4,200. This guitar has the following upgrades: • old growth Brazilian Rosewood, notably high quality • flamed Koa binding • slotted headstock • extra rings on rosette • partial Hot Hide Glue construction • aged toner soundboard finish • pyramid bridge* *now part of the basic Franks 00-12 package, but this guitar predates the 00 as a standard Franks model https://i.imgur.com/dfBPrKfl.jpg I myself upgraded this guitar with Gold Waverly tuners/Snakewood buttons ($235) and a Hoffee Deluxe case (dark blue exterior/blue interior) with a sunlight deflection spray and Thinsulate ($1,400). This Franks is the guitar I've owned the longest and, even after acquiring a couple 1-13/16" nut guitars over the past few years (which better fit my big hands than 1-3/4"), I've continued to delay listing it time and time again because I truly love this little fellow; it's now my last remaining 1-3/4" nut guitar and time to find this gem a new home. Guitar is in NYC and I’m happy to work out a local pickup. I've sold and purchased several guitars and accessories on the AGF and Reverb can provide references upon request. I’ll consider trades for an instrument with 1-13/16” nut width, 2-5/16”–2-3/8” saddle spacing, and 15-16” lower bout. Cash can go in either direction. |
Rare to see 2 Franks for sale at the same time. This one's just gorgeous. Best with the sale....Robert
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Wowsers
This is a BEAUTY for sure
BOLOTS have a fun Sunday Paul |
Gorgeous guitar. And what an awesome ad to truly showcase it - well done!
Very tempting... :guitar: |
Robert, Paul, and Andy - thank you!
It is indeed a looker. The classic Style 28 appointments highlight the lovely woods Mike employed all the more. |
Yeah, this listing should win an award... I pretty much want to eat this guitar. Only thing I could imagine adding is an actual video demo (hint, hint - no I'm not in the market, 2 5/16" is a bit too wide for my small hands).
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Ah shucks - thanks, brandall10!
I don't have the resources of a store so don't expect an audio-visual demo anytime soon, but for serious buyers I can record some audio samples using my cell phone (not great quality, but I don't own any recording equipment, sorry!). |
Another feature contributing to this guitar's delightful tone is the thin finish: on the back you can just faintly feel the wavy figure of the Brazilian (you can kind of make this out where the light hits the guitar in the angled photo of the back above). The finish is thick enough to protect the instrument, but not overly so where it adds a layer of dense plastic that muffles the tone.
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The smell is strong with this one.
Every time I open the case I’m hit with the spicy-sweet fragrance of Brazilian Rosewood—this is the species that gives name to the Rosewood genus. |
The craftsmanship is impeccable all across the board: tight jointwork, clean lines, etc. This guitar is a piece of art as well as an artistic tool.
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I own a Mike franks Brazilian legacy Dread -it is an amazing guitar ,
this is a instrument i would love to own - you cant go wrong with a Mike franks guitar -their like having an original ( but better in many ways ) Good luck with the sale , hope it gets a good home |
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Thanks, Tony! |
As already stated, what a wonderfully done listing. Of course, it helps having such a great guitar. I wish this had a wider fretboard, but then you clearly would not be selling it.
GLWS! |
Haha yep, I don't wax so eloquent about run-of-the-mill instruments. This is a very special guitar. I too wish it had a nut wider than 1-3/4" so I could keep it.
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Some context: I chose this Franks 00-12 after spending a day playing a number of exceptional instruments including:
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