History Framus

1 history

1.1 years
1.2 progress
1.3 bankruptcy
1.4 framus today

history
early years

framus originated in town of schönbach, today called luby u chebu in area of eger. city @ foot of erzgebirge shaped music. violins , other string instruments have been manufactured , exported schönbach worldwide. there, in bohemian area, founder of framus, fred wilfer born in 1917. after world war ii, when heard expulsion plans of allied forces in south eastern germany homeland (which becoming part of soviet union), decided build new basis countryman , music industry in west.

even before first train going transport violin makers schönbach other areas, fred wilfer contacted different government authorities in bavaria , told them plans. bavarian government welcomed plans , asked him create conditions needed settlement bavaria. in 1946 founded framus works... name being acronym of franconian musical instruments , designed draw attention fact celebrated violin makers of schönbach had made franconia new home.

when first train transporting violin makers schönbach arrived in erlangen man in charge find housing them. made arrangements establishment of first workshops.

progress

in march 1946 first group of schönbach violin makers arrived in erlangen, fred wilfer , refugee commission arranging accommodations. factory set in former wheel warehouse in möhrendorf in autumn 1946. @ end of 1948 factory moved former brewery in nearby town of baiersdorf. soon, large space proved inadequate.

in late 1949 bubenreuth became center of settlement schönbach violin makers. there, wilfer began building 1 of modern factories of time, , in summer of 1954 170 employees went work @ new facility. 2200 square meters of space @ disposal, producing more 2000 instruments in month.

the guitar - particularly electric guitar - became new bestseller. sales increased enormously due popularity of rock , roll music @ end of 1950s. because of development, several technologic advances introduced (such putting truss rods in guitar necks), , second factory built in pretzfeld, 25 km north of bubenreuth in franconian switzerland, in 1966. framus became largest guitar producer in europe, employing around 300 workers late 1960s.

in 50s paul mccartney owned model of framus ivor mairants zenith guitar. had been given trumpet 14th birthday in 1956 learned not possibly sing playing trumpet swapped framus zenith model 17. used compose of first songs including when m sixty-four . still hangs in studio.

the company included musical kindergarten in bubenreuth factory. supported young teacher, gertrud fischer , book used little, colored note men helped children start learning musical notation @ age of three.

visitors factory in bubenreuth included vienna saengerknaben (boys choir), delivered special concert in framus workshops, , german chancellor konrad adenauer, toured factory , musical kindergarten during visit violin-making-village.

bankruptcy

in interview fred wilfer summarized all-embracing concept following words: s not important produce instruments, on long period important produce customers . motto found in other framus projects, well. price dumping companies japan along other factors, both external , internal forced framus bankruptcy @ end of 1970s.

many aspects of history of framus still in dark. due bankruptcy of company when whole archives lost.

framus today

in 1995, hans-peter wilfer (son of founder fred wilfer) revived framus name produce musical instruments part of warwick gmbh & co music equipment kg in markneukirchen, germany. along range of electric guitars, company produces replacement parts (such knobs, tuners, bridges, , tailpieces) vintage models, , small range of high-end tube amplifiers.

the company produces instruments , amplifiers using carbon-neutral principles. gets electricity needs through own natural-gas-powered plant, solar roof-mounted facilities, boiler fueled wood waste guitars , through wind power. wood sustainable sources (certified forest stewardship council). entire production process follows regulations of european union s eco-management , audit scheme, voluntary program designed continuously improve companies’ environmental performance.