Framus custom shop series User manual

Manual for all Framus
Custom Shop Guitars
ENGLISH
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ENGLISH
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Markneukirchen in May 2015
Dear Customer,
“Made in Germany” stands for quality, and that, along with more than 60 years of tradition and experience
in guitar manufacturing, is what the Framus brand stands for.
As a pioneer, and one of the oldest electric guitar manufacturers in Europe, Framus is committed to the
tradition of guitar manufacturing. Here in Markneukirchen we continue to develop our own ideas and de-
signs with this awareness in mind.
Technical innovation, the best selected woods and one of the most modern instrument manufacturing pro-
cesses in the world are the foundations of our success. But there is still plenty of manual work necessary
for building our instruments and so we also provide our workers with cutting-edge in-house training. This
symbiosis of tradition, state-of-the-art technology and attention to detail helps us create instruments daily
that then nd their way to acionados all over the world.
Our claim is to make the individual wishes of musicians a reality. Unusual wood, pickup and color combi-
nations - as well as dierent type of nishes - have the power to make each guitar lover’s heart beat that
much stronger. Each satised customer, and our continued success worldwide, shows that Framus is on
the right path into the future.
Framus, a family-owned company, is very proud of its history. In this regard we founded the Framus Muse-
um, which is unrivaled worldwide. Please come visit us here in Markneukirchen.
We wish you lots of fun and enjoyment with your new Framus guitar.
Yours truly,
Hans Peter Wilfer
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Index
1) Tuners / Stringing and Tuning 5
2) Frets and the Plek®-Technology 5
3) String Action Setup and Gauges 6
4) Adjustmenrt of the Trussrod 6
5) Nuts 7
6) Pickup Setup 7
7) Bridges and Vibratos 8
8) Electronics Layout for all Models 11
AK1974 / AK 1974 S 13
AZ10 1PU 13
AZ10 2 PU 11
Diablo 11
Diablo Progressive 11
Diablo Progressive X 11
Diablo Supreme 11
Diablo Supreme X 11
Diablo 7-string 11
ES Humbucker 12
ES P90 11
Idolmaker 12
Idolmaker Stevie Salas Signature 13
Idolmaker 5’R 13
Mayeld Custom 11
Mayeld Legacy 11
Mayeld Pro 11
Panthera 12
Panthera Legacy 12
Panthera Supreme 12
Panthera Studio 12
Panthera Studio Supreme 12
Panthera 7-string 11
Panthera 8-string 11
Phil XG Signature Humbucker 13
Phil XG Signature P90 13
Wolf Homann Signature 12
9) Tips for Body, Neck and Fingerboard Care 14
10) Easy Access Electronics Compartment 15
11) Security Locks 15
12) User Kit 16
13) Warranty / Customer Service 16
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Stringing your guitar is simple. First, make sure that the knurled head screw located at the back of the
tuner is loosened all the way. Next, insert the string through the hole in the tuning post, while tightening
it by pulling on it gently with one hand. Then lock the string in position by turning the knurled head screw
clockwise as far as it will go. Subsequently, tune the string to pitch as normal. If you would like to remo-
ve it again, loosen the string tension and turn the knurled head screw counter-clockwise until the string
comes loose.
See P. 10 for a description of the stringing/tuning-process with the Floyd Rose Vibrato.
Graph Tech Machine Heads Framus Vintage Machine Head
5
1) Tuners - Stringing/Tuning
Locking Tuners:
2) Frets and Plek®-Technology
All of our Framus guitars made in Germany with the exception of the ES model come standard with Graph
Tech Ratio Locking Machine Heads which are famous for their tuning stability, smooth movement, and
ease of use.
Stringing/tuning:
The Plek®technology guarantees 100% perfect fret dressings on all Framus guitars. An optimal guitar
setup is provided thanks to this technology. The neck measuring procedure, accurate down to 1/100th of
a millimeter (10 µ), scans the ngerboard on all relevant points (basically every possible playing position on
the guitar). Measuring is done with the machine concurrently simulating string tension. Fret dressing is not
done with the usual manual sanding and fret crowning procedures, because the Plek®machine dresses
every fret individually according to the previous measurements with a custom-shaped wheel cutter. This
preserves the radius and shape of the fret even after the dressing is done. Tolerances that would normally
occur with manual fret dressing are thus eliminated.
The end result is a perfectly seated, dened string action along the ngerboard and optimal playability.
Plek®Technology means:
- Computer-driven fret dressing
- Dressing is done while simulating string tension
- Cutting procedure with an accuracy down to 1/100th of a mm (10 µ)
- Exact fret crowning
- Dened string action
- Optimal playability
For further information please visit: http://www.plek.de
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6-String 25,5” Scale
Cleartone EMP 009“, 011“, 016“, 026“, 036“, 046“
6-String 24,75” String
Cleartone EMP 010“, 013“, 017“, 026“, 036“, 046“
7-String 25,5” String
Cleartone EMP 009“, 011“, 016“, 026“, 036“, 046“, 056“
AZ10 /LP10/MM10 Jazz Archtop 24,75” String
Cleartone EMP 013“, .017“, .026“, .034“, .044“, .054“
Wolf Homann Signature 25,5”
Cleartone EMP 010“, 013“, 017“, 026“, 036“, 046“
8-String 27” String
Cleartone EMP 009“, 011“, 016“, 026“, 036“, 046“,056“,064“
How often should I change strings?
Changing strings is a matter of individual preference. It also depends on many dierent factors. Hand
sweat and inappropriate room conditions can attack the strings and negatively inuence the sound of the
guitar and its playability. We recommend changing the strings once or twice a month to ensure brilliant
tone and playability.
clockwise = back bow, fretboard straitens
counter clockwise = forward bow
6
3) String Action Setup and Gauges
String Action Setup:
Thanks to our collaboration with Plek®, optimal string action setup is predetermined, which in turn should
be perceived as comfortable by the majority of players.
Due to the physical characteristics of wood and strings in conjunction with the vibration process please
keep in mind that with a very low string action setup, string buzzing is quite possible. The guitar has an
optimal setup when your individual requirements are met. String gauge, playing techniques, pick gauge,
string attack, are all variables that cannot be considered when performing a factory setup.
Standard String Gauges (Framus Strings):
4) Truss Rod Adjustment
The neck is setup correctly if it has a slight forward bow. You can verify the neck’s relief by pressing the
lowest string at the rst and last fret (simultaneously). The gap between fret and string should be appro-
ximately between 0.1 and 0.3 mm (100µ-300µ) at the 9th fret. This value is independent from the actual
string action setup of the instrument.
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Turning the truss rod wrench clockwise will tighten the truss rod and give the neck a back bow; turning
the wrench counterclockwise will loosen the truss rod and give the neck a forward bow. These adjust-
ments should be done in small steps of 1/4 to 1/2 turn because the neck’s reaction is not instantaneous.
You should check the results after approximately one hour and probably check again the following day.
Readjust the truss rod if needed. Particularly during the changing of seasons or during strong weather
uctuations you should pay attention to the neck’s setup and the corresponding truss rod adjustment, as
changes in humidity and temperature can aect the neck.
7
5) Nuts
Since June 2010 all Framus electric guitars are equipped with GraphTech BLACK TUSQ XL™ nuts. Graph-
Tech BLACK TUSQ XL nuts have a Teon lubrication impregnated all the way through the material, which
improves the tuning performance of the guitar signicantly, especially when using a vibrato or bendings.
The highly resonant BLACK TUSQ XL material also brings out hidden harmonics in the guitar.
Locking Nut:
GraphTech BLACK TUSQ XLTM:
Guitars that come with a Floyd Rose Vibrato System feature our specially designed locking nut. This nut
locks the strings and guarantees tuning stability even during extreme use of the Floyd Rose Vibrato Sys-
tem.
The factory setup for the pickups is such that pressing the lowest and highest string at the highest fret will
create a distance of 2 mm (0.08“) between strings and pickup. Use a Philips head screwdriver to adjust
the pickup height.
The closer the pickup is to the strings, the higher the output and the sustain decreases. Normally the
bridge pickup should be closer to the strings then the neck pickup.
6) Pickup Setup
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Ebony Bridge & Framus AZ-10 Stringholder
8
7) Bridges and Vibratos
Fixed Bridges:
TonePros Tune-O-Matic & Stop Tailpiece
Models: Mayeld Pro, Mayeld Custom, Mayeld, AK 1974, Panthera, Panthera Supreme, Panthera Stu-
dio, Panthera Stuido Supreme, Panthera 7-String, Diablo 7-String or Custom Shop, ES 90/Humbucker,
Idolmaker, Idolmaker Stevie Salas, Phil XG P90 / Humbucker
The Tune-o-Matic Bridge and the Stop-Tailpiece are lockable with screws.
Models: AZ-10
TonePros Wraparound Bridge
Models: Diablo Progressive, Diablo Supreme oder Custom Shop
With the wraparound bridges the strings are threaded through the bridge from the pickup side.
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9
Graph Tech Wraparound Bridge
Models: Idolmaker 5’R
The strings are threaded through the bridge from the pickup side.
Hipshot Fixed Bridge
The strings are threaded from the back of the instrument through the bridge.
Models: Panthera 8-Saiter
Vibratos:
Models: Diablo / Diablo Supreme X
The strings are threaded from the back of the instrument through the vibrato block.
Framus by Wilkinson
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Models: Diablo Progressive X / Wolf Homann Signature oder Custom Shop
The Floyd Rose vibrato is mounted together with a locking nut (see P. 7).
Bigsby B5 vibrato with Roller Bridge
10
Guitars that come with a Floyd Rose Vibrato System feature our specially designed locking nut. This nut
locks the strings and guarantees tuning stability even during extreme use of the Floyd Rose Vibrato Sys-
tem.
When stringing and / or tuning a guitar with a Floyd Rose Vibrato System keep the following steps in mind:
1. Cut o the string’s ball end and insert the string between the saddle and the string holder block of the
Floyd Rose Vibrato System and tighten the string stopper screw.
2. Feed the strings through the nut and under the loosened pressure pads.
3. Tune the guitar with the nut still unlocked. Keep in mind that the overall tuning with an unlocked nut
should be below the correct pitch. When the pressure pad screws are tightened the strings will tune up
slightly due to the additional pressure.
4. Once the guitar is tuned, tighten the screws on the locking nut pressure pads with the supplied Allen
wrench.
5. Fine tuning is done with the ne tuning screws of the Floyd Rose Vibrato.
Original Floyd Rose vibrato
Models: Panthera Legacy, ES P90/Humbucker oder Custom Shop
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