The X Factor

Framus, that funky brand from the 60s, produces modern German-made guitars that use innovative high-tech production methods – and should be on your radar

You don’t need us to tell you that there’s a rich seam of very highquality guitar makers throughout Europe that, if we’re honest, we often overlook. Framus, owned by Warwick, certainly falls into that category – and visiting its factory a few years ago was like dropping into an otherworldly futuristic dream. Nobody that we’re aware of makes guitars (or world-class basses) quite like Warwick.

That said, the modern Framus instruments that we’ve played over the past few years have an almost organic quality – obviously imbued by the spirit of Warwick – and from the moment we pull it out of its sturdy Rockbag gigbag, our Idolmaker sample feels very luthier-made. Exactly the origin of the Idomaker design we’re not sure, but we’d wager the good old reverse Firebird was there in the inspiration. One of the many clever things about this design, however, is that it doesn’t feel huge – like Gibson’s big ol’ ’bird – and it’s no boat anchor, either.

The mahogany body is actually quite sculptural. Both top and back are curved, while the centre maple section is raised approximately 4.5mm above the mahogany – at its thickest point by the neck join it’s actually 20mm thick dropping slightly by the base, closer to 18mm. The body is also a lot thinner by the bass-side lower bout,