Funny present - 1953 Framus

[Montelovesco]

This is what my dad gave my for my birthday: An 1953 Framus “Billy Sorento” guitar. Seems like a former electric guitar, but now a bit butchered. 
Probably a nice “It’s alive. IT’S ALIIIIVEEE!”/restauration project.

[mrjamiam]

Happy birthday!

[Steve Haynie]

Would that guitar have a floating pickup attached to a pickguard?

[hamerhead]

Love that. Make it work!

[velorush]

20 hours ago, Steve Haynie said:

Would that guitar have a floating pickup attached to a pickguard?

A quick Google search leads me to believe that to be the case:

Also found under Billy Lorento:

[RobB]

Wasn’t, “Lorento”, Bill Lawrence’s stage name in Europe?

[velorush]

1 hour ago, RobB said:

Wasn’t, “Lorento”, Bill Lawrence’s stage name in Europe?

Dude! Amazing memory! 

From the Vintage Guitar Bill Lawrence obituary:

Quote

Renowned pickup maker/guitarist/performer Bill Lawrence passed away November 2. He was 82. Born Willi Lorenz Stich in Germany, he began to play guitar as a teen inspired by the records of Oscar Moore, Barney Kessel, and Les Paul. He earned a reputation locally for his guitar playing, and in 1948 wound a pickup that would help him be heard above the horns and drums played by post-war jazz bands. Using the stage name Billy Lorento, his reputation grew as he performed on American military bases throughout Europe, where he shared stages wtih Roy Acuff, Hank Williams, Sam Cooke, Dinah Washington, and other noted stars of the era. By the early ’60s, his stage name had morphed to Bill Lawrence and he became a Fender endorser.

That's nothing short of amazing! 

[Montelovesco]

My bad. It is Lorento, and yes, that was before he became Bill Lawrence. 
Question now: Where to get the electronic? And the neck (glued) needs to be reglued too.. 🥴

[kizanski]

I like it so much better without the electronics and pickguard.

[Steve Haynie]

A custom pickup maker could likely make something thin enough to mount on a pickguard. 

Or you could search for parts on eBay and Reverb if you are patient.  Here is one:  https://ebay.io/m/PAdHda

And another:  https://reverb.com/item/72475469-framus-pickguard-silver

And one more:  https://reverb.com/item/72520438-framus-pickup-assembly-circa-1960-silver

[velorush]

30 minutes ago, kizanski said:

I like it so much better without the electronics and pickguard.

Agreed. I'd leave it as-is, or, if you need a pickup, go with one of those neck-mounted humbuckers like the old Gibson Johnny Smith:

 

$40 at Guitarfetish: GOLD GFS Thin Jazz Alnico Neck pickup- Vintage Archtop Picku ($33 in chrome).

[DaveH]

[Montelovesco]

You are the best - as always. I will keep you updated…

[kizanski]

On 9/28/2026 at 2:01 PM, velorush said:

Agreed. I'd leave it as-is, or, if you need a pickup, go with one of those neck-mounted humbuckers like the old Gibson Johnny Smith:

 

$40 at Guitarfetish: GOLD GFS Thin Jazz Alnico Neck pickup- Vintage Archtop Picku ($33 in chrome).

Exactly what I was thinking.

That's what I would do, were it mine.

 

 

 

Then I'd sell it, of course.

 

[joshoowah]

Check Kent Armstrong's handwound offerings. Neck or side (pickguard/finger rest) mount, P90, PAF, smooth-top minihum (the original Benedetto)... He's been at it for decades, and is the first place most archtop builders look, for good reason. Made me a custom pair 25 years ago. Someday, I'll finish that guitar!

[hamerhead]

On 9/28/2026 at 12:26 PM, kizanski said:

I like it so much better without the electronics and pickguard.

Wrong! Clean slate:

[velorush]