Re: Mystery Framus 12-string Acoustic Guitar... 'JMS' ?

: : I have a Framus 12-string guitar that was manufactured under the 'JMS' brand name -- it even mentions 'Franconian Western Germany' on the label. It was purchased, according to the plate on the headstock, from the Mollenhauer Musikhaus in Fulda. The construction is identical to the 'Texan' but the bridge is mounted upsidedown and it has a few other minor differences. I have been told that the 'JMS' brand was for import to Poland. Is this true? Since it was made in April of 1968 -- according to the Framus stamp '68D' -- I am guessing it never made it into Eastern Europe and that is why is was bought in Germany. Can anyone shed any light on the 'JMS' brand? Were there other Framus pseudonyms? (I think 'Contessa' may be one...)

: : I played a '65 Epiphone FT-85 'Serenader' 12-string for seven years, but I'm enjoying my strange and beautiful little orphan Framus 12 even more. It sounds great with a vintage Schaller soundhole pickup and my old Acoustic 'Beach Boy' amplifier.

: I have a 6 string JMS that I bought at a pawn shop in 1975 in Houston Texas. It came with a very well traveled hard travel case. It is Model No J 306, SN 7628, built 69A. A luthier told me several years ago that the designers were 3 Nashville cats looking to market a good acoustic guitar to hop onto the folk music bandwagon. She sounds so sweet, and I wouldn't part with her unless I had to choose between her and my Taylor! Yes she makes sweet folk music!

I rescued a JMS 6-string acoustic from an attic about 10yrs ago. Had a crack on side of body...I did some repair work and sounds pretty good! Don't know much about this guitar...but it's model no. j-306 sn 78c4 69f
any info. on this brand on guitar is appreciated! Thanks

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