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Framus Announces Signature Archtops, "Tears of Dracula" Mayfield Pro

Framus announces signature archtops for Leo Ponikvar and Mitja Mastnak, along with a Special Edition Germany "Tears of Dracula" Mayfield Pro

Markneukirchen, Germany (May 16, 2009) -- Framus has announced two new signature archtops, the LP-10 Leo Ponikvar Signature and the MM-10 Mitja Mastnak Signature. They also have announced a Special Edition Gearmany "Tears of Dracula" Mayfield Pro.

Mayfield Pro Special Edition Germany
The new Mayfield Pro Special Edition Germany features a “Tears Of Dracula” maple-veneer that gets its name from a maple tree that stood before a certain castle in Transylvania. The body and neck of the guitar are made from maple, with a burgundy red oil finish. The maple 24.75” scale set-neck has a rosewood fingerboard with 22 frets and standard dot inlays.

This Special Edition is equipped with black Seymour Duncan SAPH-1 (neck) and SAPH- (bridge) pickups with open coils.

Features:
- Set-neck
- Framus locking machineheads
- Framus low friction nut
- Scale: 24.75”
- 22 frets
- Rosewood fingerboard
- Standard Dot inlays
- Maple neck
- “Tears Of Dracula maple top” veneer
- Burgundy red oil-finish
- Pickups: Seymour Duncan SAPH-1 (Neck) / SAPH-1 (Bridge)
- Tune-O-Matic bridge
- Standard security locks
- Black hardware


Framus LP-10 Leo Ponikvar Signature Archtop Jazzguitar
Besides Attila Zoller himself, Leo Ponikvar (1917 – 1992) was the most prominent endorser of the legendary Framus AZ-10 Archtop Jazz guitar. Together with accordion player Slavko Avsenik, Leo Ponikvar founded the well-known “Original Oberkrainer“ sound.

The Framus Custom Shop now has released a Special Edition based on the popular AZ-10 Attila Zoller Archtop jazz guitar. Framus looks to on one hand honor the work and musical influences of Leo Ponikvar, and on the other hand give musicians who want to step into his shoes, or have done so already, an instrument which could pass on the musical flair and the spirit of Leo Ponikvar to them. The Framus LP-10 Leo Ponikvar Signature is a full-resonance jazz guitar, where Framus has concentrated on old traditions as for the AZ-10 and now newly presents a classic of the early company history in a modernized form.

For the arched top, the Framus Custom Shop used solid Spruce, the body sides and bottom are made of solid AA Flamed Maple. The Flamed Maple set-neck with its Tigerstripe Ebony fingerboard perfectly harmonizes with the body in terms of sound and style. 21 accurately trimmed frets using the Plek-technology, as well as traditional Custom inlays made of nacre have been inserted into the fingerboard. The LP-10 is a single pickup instrument; its active floating single-coil pickup by MEC gives it a very unique and concise voice. The volume and tone control have been inserted discreetly into the body side.

The Framus LP-10 Leo Ponikvar Signature again proves the fine art of craftsmanship coming from the Framus Custom Shop. This instrument in a High Polish finish is also available as a left-hand version without extra charge. The Framus “User Kit” as well as a “Deluxe Line” RockCase is included in the price.

Features:
- Archtop Jazz guitar with set neck
- Lefthand version available without extra charge
- Arched top of selected solid Spruce
- Body sides and bottom of solid AA Flamed Maple
- Flamed Maple neck
- Tigerstripe Ebony fingerboard
- Traditional Custom Inlays (Nacre)
- Scale: 24.75“ (628 mm)
- 21 Jumbo frets
- Frets perfectly trimmed using Plek-technology
- Active floating single-coil pickup by MEC
- Volume and tone control integrated into the body side
- High Polish finish (for optional finishes refer to the color table)
- Framus machine heads
- Height adjustable Ebony bridge with trapezoid tailpiece
- Warwick Security Locks
- Chrome hardware
- Low friction Framus nut
- Weight: ca. 3.7 kg
- GHS Flatwound Medium Strings (.013“ - .054“)
- Framus “User Kit“ included
- Including “Deluxe Line“ RockCase RC 10724 B


Framus MM-10 Mitja Mastnak Signature Archtop Jazzguitar
In 2006, the guitarist Mitja Mastnak founded the "Mitja Kvintet" in the tradition of the "Original Oberkrainian” (Oberkrainer) style. This was in attempt to make the music of Slavko and Vilko Avsenik more popular again and bring this music the value which it deserves. Thus, most of his gigs take place in Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Italy.

Based on the AZ-10 Attila Zoller Archtop Jazz guitar, the Framus Custom Shop has developed the MM-10 Mitja Mastnak Signature. The Framus MM-10 Mitja Mastnak Signature is a full-resonance jazz-guitar, based on traditional Framus models. Framus now presents a classic of the early company history in a modernised and modified form as a Signature-instrument.

For the body, solid woods are being used exclusively. The top is contoured using the archtop construction method, bottom and body sides are made of AA Flamed Maple. The set neck is made of Flamed Maple as well, carrying a Tigerstripe Ebony fingerboard. 21 accurately trimmed frets using the Plek-technology, as well as traditional Custom Nacre inlays have been inserted into the fingerboard. The MM-10 is actually a two pickup instrument -- the active floating single-coil pickup by MEC together with a separately controllable piezo-pickup, additionally mounted on the Ebony bridge, opens up a wide range of tonal variations. The volume and piezo volume control have been discretely inserted into the body side.

This instrument in a Vintage 3-Tone Sunburst High-Polish finish demonstrates the superior craftsmanship of the Framus Custom Shop. The Framus MM-10 Mitja Mastnak Signature is also available as a left-hand version without extra charge. Included in the price is the Framus "User Kit", as well as a "Deluxe Line" RockCase.

Features
- Archtop jazz-guitar with set neck
- Lefthand version available at no extra charge
- Arched top of selected solid Spruce
- Body sides and bottom of solid AA Flamed Maple
- Flamed Maple neck
- Tigerstripe Ebony fingerboard
- Traditional Custom Inlays (Nacre)
- Scale: 24.75" (628 mm)
- Frets perfectly trimmed using Plek-technology
- Active Floating Single-coil pickup by MEC, plus additional piezo pickup
- Volume and Piezo volume control integrated into the body side
- Exclusively available in a Vintage Sunburst High Polish finish
- Framus machine heads
- Piezo Ebony bridge with MM-10 tailpiece
- Warwick Security Locks
- Chrome hardware
- Low friction Framus nut
- Weight: ca. 3.7 kg
- GHS Flatwound Medium Strings (.013" - .054")
- Framus "User Kit" included
- Including "Deluxe Line" RockCase RC 10724 B

For more information:
Framus

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