1964 Framus – Television 5/116-54 – Black Rose – ID 5574

The guitar manufacturer Framus produced around 40 different thinline and semi-acoustic instruments from the opening of its factory in Bubenreuth in the mid-fifties to the early seventies.
The Television 5/116-54 Black Rose is a semi-acoustic thinline guitar in offset design (similar to a Jazzmaster electric guitar) with rosewood fingerboard, three Framus single-coil pickups (oval chrome) and black-red sunburst finish.
The circuit includes a rhythm circuit, five slide switches and 4 rotary controls.
The slide switches are located on the upper horn and are arranged in groups of two and three. The functions are as follows from the outside in:
- Group of three: #1: neck PU on/off; #2: middle PU on/off; #3: bridge PU on/off
- Group of two: #4: only works in lead mode and changes the behavior of the tone control; #5: switches between lead and tone control. Rhythm and lead mode.
In rhythm mode, only the neck pickup is active and the two outer controls vary the volume and tone. In lead mode, all pickups can be activated via the slide switches and the two inner controls vary volume and tone (slide switch #4 also affects the tone control).

This guitar dates from 1964, the date stamp on the label in the sound hole is very faded and can hardly be deciphered. The condition is good for its age, there are no breaks or damage, only minor pressure marks and age-related paint cracks. The pots are no longer original, but were replaced by newer ones some time ago.

Our dear colleagues from Vintage Guitar Oldenburg even have a video on youtube video with this guitar.

- Top: laminated maple
- Neck: laminated maple with black lacquered headstock and Framus decal
- Fingerboard: rosewood (12" radius)
- Frets: 21 plus zero fret
- Saddle width: 42 mm
- Neck profile: Medium "C"
- Neck thickness at 1st fret: 21.6 mm
- Neck thickness at the 12th fret: 23 mm
- Neck width at the 12th fret: 51.9 mm
- Scale length: approx. 63 cm
- Construction: Hollowbody Thinline without centerblock
- Color: Black Rose (Sunburst in black and red)
- Bridge: Bridge with 2 bolts in the top and 6 single riders, the mute is unfortunately missing
- String suspension: Trapeze
- Tuning machines: original, encapsulated with pearl buttons
- incl. Gigbag
- Weight: 2,513 gram