| Visit Our Catalog at SteelGuitarShopper.com |

Post new topic Franklins and Shobuds
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Franklins and Shobuds
Brian Henry

 

Post  Posted 8 Aug 2009 5:35 am    
Reply with quote

In light of seemingly exorbitantly priced Franklins for sale recently, could someone explain the difference between a Franklin and a Shobud. I believe Paul Franklin Sr got his training at the Sho Bud Factory and made many Sho buds before he started making Franklins.
_________________
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN GEORGIA
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
CrowBear Schmitt


From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
Post  Posted 8 Aug 2009 6:18 am    
Reply with quote

Sho Bud built lotsa steels
some were good & some were bad
Franklin built a few & they were all good
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 8 Aug 2009 7:19 am    
Reply with quote

The old law of "supply and demand". Very Happy
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Larry Bell


From:
Englewood, Florida
Post  Posted 8 Aug 2009 8:00 am    
Reply with quote

Paul Franklin, Sr. helped build the Sho-Bud guitar into what it became. I think it's a bit denigrating to say that he got his training at Sho-Bud. From my perspective, it was guys like Duane Marrs and Paul, Sr., all working as a team with Shot and his sons, who refined the design and made major innovations that other brands are still using. Not exactly what an apprentice does.
_________________
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
My CD's: 'I've Got Friends in COLD Places' - 'Pedal Steel Guitar'
2021 Rittenberry S/D-12 8x7, 1976 Emmons S/D-12 7x6, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Quilter ToneBlock 202 TT-12
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Jack Stoner


From:
Kansas City, MO
Post  Posted 8 Aug 2009 9:41 am    
Reply with quote

Paul had built some steels before he ever went to work at Sho-Bud. They are not the "Fanklin" steels of today which is a combination of his innovation, craftsmanship and his time at Sho Bud where he built a lot of the "custom" Sho-Buds for the big name Nashville steeler's such as Hal Rugg.

I recently visited with Paul, Sr., and he is still building a very limited number of steels. He told me he has a "long list" of people that are willing to pay "big bucks" for a used Franklin in good condition.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Brian Henry

 

Post  Posted 8 Aug 2009 10:47 am    
Reply with quote

Larry, I was not denigrating paul Sr. He is a great man and I have met him. I was only pointing out that since he had only made a few guitars prior to going to Sho bud, that Shot gave him an opportunity, together with many others,to train with him and experiment with various designs.
_________________
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN GEORGIA
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Zach Keele

 

From:
Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA
Post  Posted 8 Aug 2009 2:32 pm     Franklin
Reply with quote

Mr. Franklin's guitar is a lot different from a Sho-bud. It is a fine guitar. A Sho-bud is a good guitar, but it is not precision built like the Franklin. Sho-buds were just assembled from a stack of parts, but Mr.Franklin makes sure everything is perfect, down to the .001. The Franklin is a modern all-pull guitar that is capable of pretty much any changes you can dream up.

As to your original question though, I'm sure he got some training at Sho-bud, and without that experience, he would likely not have seen what improvements would most improve the tone and playability.

I have played a lot of guitars, but nothing else I've played plays like a Franklin.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Francis Chamberlain

 

From:
Franklin, KY, USA (deceased)
Post  Posted 8 Aug 2009 4:12 pm     Franklin and ZB Guitars
Reply with quote

I have a Franklin S/10,3&5 that Paul built for me
in 1981 and I also have a ZB that I had built in
1969 and after I got my Franklin I had Paul take
all the mechanical parts off the ZB and install all
his parts on the ZB. I have never had a real desire
to own any other guitar. I feel that Paul Franklin
is one of the best builders out there and one of
nicest people that you would ever want to meet.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  
Please review our Forum Rules and Policies
Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction, and steel guitar accessories
www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

The Steel Guitar Forum
148 S. Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale, CA 95425 USA

Click Here to Send a Donation

Email SteelGuitarForum@gmail.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for Band-in-a-Box
by Jim Baron