About/Contact

After a nasty car accident left me on the couch for a few months in 2011, I decided to start this page as a hobby.  Soon the word spread and this site became like a second job!  I’ve been running this as a labor of love and will continue on as long as I maintain the energy!!

I enjoy talking guitars and guitar history, basically learning new things.  But before you send me a message, here are a few answers to the most common questions I receive…

  1. People always ask me about parts for old guitars… I really don’t have any!
  2. People always ask me about wiring diagrams… again I don’t have them.  I never worried about wiring originality.  I’m always more concerned with how to make guitars sound better.
  3. I don’t know much about the “copy era” guitars featured mostly in the 1970s.  Like Les Paul copies and such, I just don’t have a lot of interest in those guitars.
  4. Acoustic guitars, again I just don’t have a lot of interest there and really don’t know much about them.

Now if you want to contact me, then just fill out the contact form and I’ll get back to you!  Be sure to check the spelling on your email address!

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34 thoughts on “About/Contact”

  2. onelesschristian says:

    Hi Franco,
    Love the work you do here! Wondering if you have a copy of a Supro catalog. I have a what looks like a ’59 Belmont but it either has a pickup added at the neck or it came with one. My guess is the correct model is now a Valcenstein….

    1. drowninginguitars says:

      I do have plenty of Supro catalogs, but I’d need a pic of yours to help you out. From 58-60 all the catalogs show the Belmont with a single pickup at the bridge, but there were other models that were similar to the Belmont with two pickups. And thanks for the kind words!

  5. Leo Vito says:

    Hi and greets from Italy. I need a suggestion and you are the man! I own a kimberly (the bison with four pickups). The guitar after all this time is quite new and im using it for its great sound.
    The suggestion i need is: what kind of stings are better for this guitar? Thank you and go ahead!

    1. drowninginguitars says:

      Ciao Leo! My opinion on the older Japanese stuff is to use heavier strings. .10s and .11s work the best, from experience. All these guitars came from the factory with VERY heavy strings, and the necks were usually specified to handle the torque. .9s don’t usually sound real good, especially if the guitar has a shorter scale. Hope that helps!!

      1. JWR says:

        I too have one of those Bison baritone guitars and have been wondering what string gauges I should use, (after it’s refinished, since someone stripped it years ago.) Thanks for the info given above, and what can I say except great site! – Jess

  6. Philip says:

    Hey, cool site!

    This might be a bit of a stretch, but I was wondering if you could help me out or point to any good resources on Norma guitars. A friend recently left one with me that is in not too great condition. The sound was thumpy and dull, the switches didn’t really do very much, and the volume and tone knobs don’t work right. I took it apart and found that a lot of connections were not soldered, like somebody had tried to connect them with twist ties. Anyway, I’m trying to wire it up again, but don’t really have a clue about how it’s supposed to work. It has 3 pickups with on/off switches, a rhythm/solo switch, one volume, one tone. The biggest mystery to me is the rhythm/solo.

    Anyway, if you know of a good way to figure out how this thing is supposed to be put together, I’d love to hear about it!

  7. Evren says:

    Some great guitar porn here with some absolute gems hidden in there – I hope you keep adding more! Lo-fi heaven…
    Also I love the figure of the fretboards on the Conrad Bison and Imperial, which led me to think they may be Brazilian rosewood?

    Cheers,
    Evren

  8. vheilman says:

    Love the site! I was doing some research on a 60′s Bruno Conqueror guitar I bought. After digging deeper into it, and looking over the guitar, I believe it used to be a Bruno Conqueror Violin-shape Bass that was converted to a 6-string. It’s kind of cool, but not in great shape. If anyone has info about this guitar, I’d like to know more about it’s history. I put up pics : http://www.flickr.com/photos/vheilman/sets/72157632005322118/

  9. brian says:

    hay man i got a 1524g white supro just like the one you have. i got that thing for free and knew nothing about it ive googled binged i went places to get that thang appraised ive done anything your website was the only thing left and you gave very good information thank you butt the question i wood like to ask is how much is it worth because i cant find that out either ive tried and i lost hope and im only 17 so i dont have money for appraisals so heres my number 419-306-3518 if you would call me and give me a clue on what its worth i would very much appreciate it u would be my hero! thanks hope u get back with me

    1. drowninginguitars says:

      Hey Brian,
      Actually email would work better, because I’d need to see some pics of the guitar to give you a good number for its value. A lot of these vintage guitars are all over the place on price, and it’s usually all about condition. If you can, snap a few photos and send them to frankeroo@yahoo.com and I’ll help you out if I can. Sound good?
      Cheers
      Franco

  10. Ahhgh Thin Varrey says:

    Hi Mr,Franco.
    Nice to meet you. I am a guitar producer and the Japanese guitarist.
    I create the model of own by myself under the influence of every Bizarre Guitar.
    And I arrived at your site.
    It is a splendid site. I thank for an encounter.
    It is model and Bizarre Guitars where [http://x72.peps.jp/ahhgh] produced me.
    If there is time, I peep out, and please look.
    In addition, I cannot speak English. An omitted words, the wrong words … Please permit it.
    I love and respect your guitar life heartily from Japan and support you.

  11. Carl says:

    Hi Franco, I love your site, and I wanted to ask you for some help. I just bought what seems to be a vintage guitar, much like one of the beauties you showcase here. The problem is I can’t identify it- the headstock badge was ripped off (but the badge shape remains). Here are some pictures of it:

    Mystery Guitar

    Is there any way you can help me identify it? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Keep up the great work.

    1. drowninginguitars says:

      Hi there, I’ve seen this model before with the Stradolin and Festival badges, a few others I can’t think of at the moment. As for the maker, right now it’s an unknown. That means it wasn’t made by Kawai or Teisco, none of the larger makers in Japan. This was one of the smaller makers that, as of now, are forgotten to history.

  12. Billy says:

    Hi Franco,

    I really enjoy your videos, and I look forward to getting into your website! I especially enjoyed the sound and look of hte Super Astrotone guitars you and Mike demo’d. I’m curious what you think a decent price for one of those guitars would be. There’s one on ebay right now for about $300 USD total, but since they’re so uncommon, I’m not sure what I should be willing to pay. Thanks in advance for any help, and for all of the great videos and information.

      1. Anonymous says:

        Thanks for the response! I’m definitely considering it. Of course I’ll need to get rid of about 6 guitars before I add another one, but you know how that goes.

  13. Carol Aguas says:

    Hi Franco,
    I have all through your site and some youtube footage of Mike playing some cool guitars. I have enjoyed this very much. I recently watched the one of the Lindell VN-4, I have the bones of one. No electronics though. I am wondering if you know of anyone wanting to purchase such a project?

  14. pat johnson says:

    I have an early to mid 60s pyramid guitar that was bought in Quebec Canada around 65-66 by my father and am trying to find out the manufacturer and see other pyramids.can you help?

  15. Tommy D Prinz says:

    Great blog. I should take some photos of one of my mystery guitars see if you can shed some light.
    If you ever want to sell the banjitar, I know a perfect home.
    Tommy

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