D2H,

that is an interesting comment about the strings.

Jaco, want to sell your guitar?



Stuart

Hello everyone, I would very much like to get in touch with Nick Kukich. The first 'serious' guitar I ever bought was a Franklin OM28 back in 1979. It was also the last 'serious' guitar I ever bought. I just have never felt the need to look elswhere. I have been completely satisfied by this guitar, that is until I came across your forum and found that Nick was building guitars again, and that he was building them better than ever, and of the wonderful stash of woods he has and now, perhaps, the prospect of an even sweeter guitar, Its just too much. So if someone could email me at jcmartin@hn.ozemail.com.au with an email address or phone number for Nick it would be much appreciated. Thanks, John

John,

Have sent you an email with contact information.

Tell us about the woods and if you have any sound files, email to my home address.

How is it in alternate tunings.

Stuart

Hey Stuart, Thanks for the offer but I think I'll keep mine for awhile (insert smiley). Love to try out that Walker some day. Kim was one of the other builders I was interested in when the Franklin came along. As for alternate tunings, I'm working on a Michael Hedges piece "Layover" in a very unorthodox tuning (DACGCE). The Franklin kills in this (and other) tuning.

Yes, I would very much like to hear the franklin in alternative tunings.

I find the Collings just a little thin on the treble side in alternate tunings, but strong in regular or drop d or g kind of stuff. But with a .12 on the high E (or D) it's a tad thin (DADEAD).

Interestingly, the Walker 00 is incredible in alternate tunings, subtle richness, not over rich, yet robust tone, and because of the amazing projection, it it works great. I tuned it to CGCGCD at Kims to play Jacque O'Hazeldean and was surprised at how well it performed. So was Kim. Gotta like it.

I'm going to really enjoy the Franklin,, I know it.

I guess you don't have sound files. Would have been nice.

Stuart

Stuart, Thank you very much for the information.

My guitar is Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, German spruce top.

I pretty much only play it in open tunnings, with its fantastic sustain,

to me it just seems made for it. Thanks again, John

No problem.

Nick seems to be a good man, and I look forward to getting to know him a little better.

I think we should all post reviews on here.

Stuart

BTW, There's a dealer in Albuquerque, "Guitar Maven", who's got one just like mine, same year/ model, but not completely pristine.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: D2H2259,

sorry, i haven't read thru all 10 pages of this thread, but has anyone played the (used) franklin OM (koa) at acoustic music in conn.?

I think Marymary has,

Hopefully she'll see your question and chime in,

Stuart

Just saw this thread and I'd like to add that I got a new Franklin Prairie State a couple of years ago. I believe it was the first Franklin Nick made commercially after returning from his sabbatical. My guitar has an Englemann spruce top with Madagascar Rosewood back and sides. Madagascar seems a great alternative to Brazilian if, like me, you can't afford (or rationalize) the Brazilian upcharge. I know someone on this thread said Nick likes German spruce but I have always known him as favoring Englemann. In any case, I left it to Nick's discretion for choice of wood for the top, and he recommended Englemann. The Prairie State has great volume, lots of overtones and decay, and great string separation. During fingerpicking, it really heightens the distinction between the bass and treble--and I need all the help I can get in that regard. Concerning alternate tunings, the Franklin does sound real good in G tuning, and dropped "D" tuning if that counts as an alternate tuning. One "trick" I use is to tune all six strings down half a step. That was a recommendation Nick himself gave me. Anyway, I am mostly a hacker on guitar and certainly my ability does not "deserve" a Franklin, but I was real excited when I heard Nick was re-staring operations and what the heck, you only live once. Moreover, once I got the Prairie State, I have never had any interest in getting another guitar. So in the long run, purchasing the Prairie State was a bargain.

By way of background, I also have a 1993 Collings D-1, 1984 Martin 000-28 Brazilian limited edition, and a more recent Martin 00-15. They are all great guitars and I could live happily with any single one of them as my only guitar. Thankfully, with the Prairie State, I no longer need to consider spending money on any additional guitar purchases. For me at least, it is the Holy Grail. Well, maybe I could purchase another Franklin just so I would have one in reserve.

Hey Blues,

Welcome aboard.

Now your choice of a Franklin is an interesting one. I would love one day to try your guitar out. Particularly with the wood choices. Cool.

I have a Franklin on order and do not really know what woods to buy, but likely mahog or brazil.

I presume you don't have any sound files to share?

How about a picture?

Stuart