A handsome Framus model 5/149 'Star Bass', made in Germany circa 1963.
Framus alongside Hofner were one of the major exporters of musical instruments to the UK in the 60s, having taken advantage of the US-UK trade embargo the decade prior. Framus guitars were played by many prominent musicians - most notably the Rolling Stones' Bill Wyman who was pictured many a time with a Framus Star Bass.
The Star Bass was a fully hollow-bodied short scale with a 'snooker cue' neck profile - the thinnest available at the time and a signature feature of these basses. This example is one of the earlier models with desirable specs unique to this year - notably the body-mounted pickup and tone controls (on other iterations these were both pickguard-mounted).
A true short scale bass (30'), wonderfully comfortable for smaller players or those primarily used to a 6 string guitar.
It features a beautiful factory Red Sunburst finish, deep in hue and wholly unfaded.
In rather clean condition, evidently well looked after by its previous owner. 100% original, save for the pickguard which was clearly removed some time ago - though this opens up the beautiful Sunburst top in full. No breaks, or much in the way of any notable damage. Original frets in good condition with plenty of life left in them. There is the odd mark to the finish which I've tried to capture in the photos, as well as mild finish hazing commensurate with gentle use over the past 60+ years.
The lone pickup packs quite a punch, with the capacity to roll the bass/treble off individually owing to separate knobs for each.
It is currently strung with a lovely set of black flatwounds which complement the guitar superbly (these are all that should be on this kind of guitar, in my opinion).
Neck angle is great as is the action - fully adjustable via the thumbwheel-driven bridge, truss rod adjustable and fully working.
The guitar does not have a case, but will be very well packed for transit.
An original 60s short scale hollow body in excellent condition, complete with period-correct flatwound strings.