Framus AK74 (Warwick, Germany c.2001) - Refinished in Vintage Sunburst Nitro

Framus AK74 (made by Warwick, Germany c.2001) - Refinished in Vintage Sunburst Nitrocellulose 

A superb and increasingly hard-to-find Framus AK74, built in Germany by Warwick around 2001 as part of the reissue run inspired by the iconic 1974 Jan Akkermann signature model. This example was originally produced for Framus artist/demo use and showcases the intelligent refinements Warwick introduced while retaining the unmistakable character of the original AK 74.

The modernised AK74 moves to a neck-through construction, a feature Jan Akkermann originally wanted in the 1970s but couldn’t be implemented at the time. Combined with its updated D-profile neck and a comfortable nut width, just under 43mm, the guitar plays noticeably smoother than the wide-neck originals.

A defining AK74 feature of this instrument is the large f-hole, this paired with a body that is hollowed on both sides of the flamed maple neck, not only keeps weight down but also adds to the guitar’s open, airy acoustic response. Instead of the spruce top found in the original 1974 model, this reissue uses a beautifully figured, two-piece 20mm flamed maple top, together with a flamed maple back and a flamed sycamore maple neck-through core.

The electronics faithfully reproduce the original 6-way switching concept, complete with the large rotary selector. However, Warwick upgraded the pickups to Seymour Duncan humbuckers (SSH-2 N & SSH-4), addressing the bass-heavy reputation of the 1970s guitars and giving the updated instrument a far more versatile and articulate voice.

Originally finished in Cherry Sunburst, the factory lacquer unfortunately failed over time. Around 2021, the guitar underwent a refinish/refurbishment by the late Fern of Fern Evergreen Guitars, now presented in a stunning Vintage Sunburst Nitrocellulose finish. As the refinish was carried out in a small custom guitar workshop, it is not 100% perfect; however, some of the minor flaws add genuinely to its character, and the instrument has been priced accordingly. These small imperfections are clearly shown in the photos and video under direct lighting. During the restoration, the original nut was also upgraded to a hand-cut bone nut.

The guitar comes complete with an Epiphone hardcase and a rare Official Framus Instruments Owner Manual, a collectible item in its own right.

The 6-way rotary switch:

1: Both humbuckers

2: Neck humbucker

3: Neck single coil (inner) and bridge single coil (inner)

4: Bridge humbucker

5: Neck single coil (outer) and bridge single coil (inner), out of phase

6: Both humbuckers, out of phase

Technical specifications:

-              Made in Markneukirchen, Germany, c.2001

-              2-piece selected, 20mm thick beautiful matched flamed maple top

-              2-piece flame maple body

-              Neck-through neck of selected flamed sycamore maple

-              Eastern Indian ebony fingerboard

-              Celluloid binding on the body

-              Framus gold machineheads

-              Framus Tunomatic bridge with stop tailpiece

-              Original Seymour Duncan pickups (SSH-2 N & SSH-4)

-              Framus 6-way rotary switch

-              Bone nut

-              Epiphone hardcase included

-              Rare original Framus Owners Manual included