Fantastic! As an aging musician I can relate to your feelings about diminishing ability. But, making music in any way, shape, or form is still satisfying to the soul. Thanks for this video, and I look forward to any future musical offerings you have for us!
@Jon Dhuse - That's must be what I'm going through as well. It got me down a bit, but I decided to keep on keepin' on 'cause I dig it "that much". Arthritis sho' ain't fun, but it ain't gonna stop me.
I feel ya Jon. Sometimes I just crank up a vintage amp and let a monster beauty chord ring out with verb and delay and sonic majesty then lay down, get enveloped in it all and take a nap!
I put down the sticks for 35 years after playing in a variety of bands and clubs and some studio work. Now in retirement I play one rehearsal a week and one public performance with our band a week. I've had a hip replaced from degenerative joint disease and my right shoulder is needing arthroscopic surgery for arthritis. This all causes me to appreciate you and what you do. Fine job Fran; Thanks! You are one of the remarkable people in this world.
What kind of Fran videos do I like? The kind of videos where Fran is doing what she enjoys. I love to see you smile and having a good time. I guess that means we like the same things... Music, electronics, space, classic tech... Pens, pencils...
When I was a kid in the 70's my neighbour was JUST like Fran, even looked the same. She was an activist about climate change - in the 1970's. PhD in biology...
This video means a lot to me for many different reasons. Never stop playing! At age 11 I started playing, and now 60 years later picking up a guitar still gives me a thrill. Thank you for taking time to share this video!
At age 71 with my dexterity going and arthritis creeping into my hands my voice is better than ever. It's ironic that I always wanted to be a musician, not a singer, but nevertheless I keep playing any time I get a chance. Younger folks are getting most of the gigs these days but my phone still rings once in a while and that's enough to keep me smiling. I enjoy your videos. Keep 'em coming.
Ok know the feeling my voice is going, something is happening to my ears, they feel fool of water and it effects my tone pitch, I don't know if its fixable and my strumming hand is starting to shake like uncontrollable tremors I don't know how long I can last its depressing.
@@Moodymongul I'm a Texas beer-joint weekend-warrior. That means I play a lot of old Country, a little old Rock and just a smidge of timeless Blues. Never could get the hang of using a slide. :)
Fascinating! I had no idea that these single string benders existed. When I was playing bass as a hobby, my band had various guitarists some of whom had the regular tremolo arms but nothing like this. When I bought a Rickenbacker 4001S and built my own stereo rig, I found an old dual-action swell pedal like you described. I took out the tone pot and replaced it with a dual balance pot. With my cabinets strategically placed, I could pan my bass across the stage! In the end I gave up for the same reason you did. Early onset arthritis in my early 40s meant I couldn't practice enough to keep up the skills.
take a look at these three guitar players the late great Clarence White, Marty Stuart, and Brad Paisley.. Brad doesn't just have a b Bender he's got a g Bender to I believe...
That’s a crazy amount of work just for the lacquer. Then the attention to detail on the rest? Holy crap. Glad I subscribed for the science. The guitar bonus is amazing.
Thank you so much for addressing aging and it's effect on older musicians -- I'm 65 and it is shocking how fast muscle conditioning deteriorates now .Use it or lose it means so much more . Nice mic, by the way, and the hipshot bender sounds great!
As a 57-year-old , heavily Rush-influenced bassist/vintage tech-geek tech recovering in spectacular fashion from a near career-ending finger injury…you inspire!❤️👍🥂
I flip my control plate around on my Teles, if I don’t do this, when I’m strumming I end up hitting the pickup selector switch and changing what pickup I’m wanting to be using. Good job on the bike!!!
Hey I quit too for years. Then I wanted to jam with My son who was coming for a visit so I bought a guitar and after a week I realized it Hurt iust as much not playing as it does when I do play. Eventually I realized I was feeling better. So I play every day. I lost my chops. Guitar and theory are perishable skills. Every day hurts but I really feel better.
That's a nice b-bender! I've looked at them before but never took the plunge, instead I added a theremin to my old guitar to make the Git-O-Min(TM)! Guitar was my main instrument until I had a bike smash and broke the fingers on my right hand, I recovered but my playing wasn't as sharp and I got disillusioned so started playing bass more and got pretty good at that which would not have happened. I also got more into electronic sounds and synths which today is my main love. So I still play guitar but its not so dominant which I feel is a good thing as it opened up other musical avenues.
Fran, I truly enjoyed your video. You spoke my language. I was also a musician serious practicing 2-3 hours a day Great stability endurance could play for hours and like yourself I met Arthur and his family. A ruff bunch to be sure .Eventually I ended up having a double by-lateral in both wrist. Doctor that performed the surgeries showed me that it was the worse he had ever seen. And I related to your comment about depression setting in. So like yourself I began to tinker with kit guitars. Some good some not so much. But truly believing that was my saving grace. Being a player for about 44 yrs it might as well have been a terminal illness. I truly thought I was done for. So I just wanted to say thank you for the share. First time watching your video. And you are not to hard on the eyes either. Hope you keep on keeping on. Best of regards
Fran, you’re the best! Many thank for all your work on the Big Muff and all the best to you and yours! I’m from Kzoo and we all love and miss Les. Bless your heart.
Fran, you keep on doin whateva you wanna do in the lab. ‘Cause EVERYTHING you do, you do great! I started watching your show because I respect your intelligence. Now I’ll watch to see what OTHER mad skills you have!😮
Ok, that was so good! :-) :-) :-) Extremely cool! I mean, just listening to you educate us on all this information is fantastic, also you seem like a GREAT individual my friend, loved the guitar face!!!! Thanks so much for sharing, very unique video indeed!
There used to be a cabinet maker just behind my brother's music store in Tallahassee, FL. I picked out a plank of thick mahogany that had been drying outside for quite a while. Had him bandsaw out a Telecaster shape and I sanded it and hand lacquered it and bought a Stratocaster neck to go on it. Loaded it with the normal Telecaster bridge pickup and added two Gibson SG Standard pickups onto it, and used a set of in-line Grover tuners. Had to grind off the screw lips on the Grovers as they would otherwise stack up, since there were no six-in-a-line Grovers or Schallers or any in-line tuners of any quality back then for a Fender. Oh yeh, that was 1970-1971. Guess I was a little a head of you! Maybe the third Custom Shop Telecaster ever made, after those two rosewood Teles, one of which, went to Harrison. Keep on rocking!
I've watched a few of your other videos on various subjects since I subscribed to your channel last week. Now I know that you play guitar AND you made your own guitar, I love you even more. You are a wonderful woman. I relate to what you say about your diminished playing capability.
@@arbogash1852 That guy (J Nagarya) made a hurtful comment for trolling purposes only. You made a good observation through your question to him and, as you can see, hell never respond. I'm sure he's achieved so much in his life.
Wow Fran, you are an incredibly smart person. Really impressed that you built your own guitar. Also designed numerous pedals, and a scientist, and so much more. Thank you for explaining things in a way that are not all technical terms.
I enjoyed this a lot, I'm no musician, but my son earns his living teaching and playing the guitar therefore I find this type of thing very interesting.
As someone who’s been a musician since eight years old (starting with the trumpet and moving through many different instruments), I started playing the guitar when my mother got one for me when I was 10. I am 50 now, I don’t have problems not playing the guitar because of arthritis, my problem is just not practicing enough anymore. However, you just taught me probably 10 to 20 years of experience of knowledge in the “trick guitar“ genre. I’ve always been a basically straight guitar style player. This video was mind blowing, and now I understand why all the “great guitar players“ were moving their guitars around while getting those awesome sounds as they played. You are an inspiration. Please do play some things for us. I can’t be the only one that wants to hear it.
Ok, I'm impressed. Fran not only knows what a single string bender is, history of where it came from, how it works, plus describe HOW it works. Sounds like she's a respectable player too! For her effort she gets a subscribe.
Fran is the coolest!! Amazing guitar!! Love your pedals too. I've recommended the peach fuzz twice to guitarist while recording them. After they bought them blindly, they thanked me so much for turning them on to it. unfortunately i loaned mine out years back and we know how that story always goes with loaning pedals!! Wish I still had it lately for a bunch of stuff. Cheers
I'm going through the same thing with rheumatoid, I don't play guitar as much as I used to, though going grain & gluten & sugar free really helped with the inflammation; the best thing that really helped me was getting rid of my cell phone and avoiding EMF radiation as much as possible, it also helped my memory in playing guitar also.
I gotta say, I somehow stumbled across this video. It is not anything like I would normally watch, as I'm a guitarist in a post hardcore metal band, BUUT.... I loved this video. Fran seems like a great person, and I love the way she describes things. So much better than other you tube videos! I could watch her all day long! I'm a new fan of Fran!!
This is the first time I ran into Fran. Wow I like you. I will be coming back for more. You are a cool person and I have a lot to learn from you. Take care Fran
Boy, do I get what you're saying. I've had arthritis since my teens, which is why I went for bass rather than lead, as I found chords pretty much impossible.
I’ve played fingerstyle guitar since I was eight. I’m 60. I just can’t play like I used to ...I can’t. Thankfully I can still hold a pen and write. I totally dig these videos. Living out here on the west coast of Canada, in the most “west coast” place of all (Robert’s Creek), your frequency comes in loud and clear.
It's really impressive that the guitar you built stays in tune with all that string bending going on and the harmonics seem to be perfect. Did you know you had such luthier skills or are you just a natural at building guitars. I say all of this because I've built a guitar from scratch before, with less than optimal results. Well done and what an awesome little Franocaster you've built there. I'm turning green as I type this. 👍🎸
I'm a keyboard player and I watch a lot of music channels and I guess that's why you popped up. You are fascinating to watch. I just can't explain why.
Agreed. I work with live plants and don't understand all the circuit board,tech and wire stuff but wow! She is captivating in her humble genius and funny way. I learn cool stuff and wishing I found you sooner Fran,thank you.
@@zappababe8577 I am a curious nag. 😅 I love that she built her own guitar! Also, I am fearless. Thanks for your concern. I was driving but pulled over to say thanks! 🥰
The more I watch this channel the better I like it. I understand all too well the limits arthritis impose. You have to work smarter, because harder is no longer an opinion...
i’ve only just stumbled upon a few of these videos - it feels like finally talking to the neighbor down the street and discovering they’re rad as hell. i could easily see a towering diy modular synthesizer in the background of this video - not only given your experience/abilities, but also as a method of music generation in parallel with changes in dexterity, arthritis, etc. truly inspiring and awesome content, and that’s a real gem of a guitar too. thank you!
after being busy busy busy ,this is what Fran does in her spare time ,among a million other things no doubt . As a guitar player ..I know what you mean .Practice just is nt enough . Soft action guitars would greatly encourage learners .thanks for your hard work.
Fran.. I love the back-stories. That's great that you spent lots of time with Steve Miller's God father. Les Paul has had my enginerd brain respect for many years. Keep doing you. Pull from your soul. If you want to cover some song feel free. ✌❤
are you were spending time with less where you in Milwaukee you ever go to Chicago and spend some time with Steve King and Jonnie Putman. they were great friends
You are officially my favorite RUclips channel ...as a musician and vague science geek, I approve of all of this. Swamp ash sounds great. That is also an insane lacquer technique.
your fran in the lab themesong is one of the funkiest parts! I love it. I somehow knew right away it was just you on that thing and now it's extra special. The eureka moments whith the teardowns and fixing stuff really does it, and then we get that funky ass groove. epic
Great stuff, Fran! Great job building that guitar and telling your stories. Not just anyone can either build something so sleek or say they cultivated a friendship with Les Paul. I was just dying to hear a reference to Clarence White and Gene Parsons.
Fran as a keys player since I was a kid, whose left hand no longer works (ulnar nerve) I empathise with you completely. When we were kids, I guess we never thought that we'd be screwed by health isues in years to come - such things were for elderly aunts and the guy down the hall. Anyway, I love your videos - and the understated "I designed and built this years ago...'' Just bloody wonderful. All the best from kilt / haggis country..:-)
WOW!! Fran That was an amazing vid for me to catch!! I'm an older guy looking at the channels to see whats out there in music and playing and keeping up on the players I have admired over the years. Kota Jade made a comment on you being inspirational and she was so right!!!! I've been trying to play again because I have the problems you have and Les had. Bod can't do what the brain wants it to. This vid has inspired me deeply to do some things and ideas for some things. I want to thank you for bringing a new light into my life!!!! I'm thinking now with a brighter outlook on some things!! Maybe I can help some people brighten their outlook too!! You're very talented and I'm sure you have inspired others to play again. Or maybe to start playing!!
Wow, you are incredible, I have arthritis in my entire body too, got it at 34. Playing guitar is my life, and it is a struggle, but I shall take your inspiration and continue to press on
Fantastic! As an aging musician I can relate to your feelings about diminishing ability. But, making music in any way, shape, or form is still satisfying to the soul. Thanks for this video, and I look forward to any future musical offerings you have for us!
*Frantastic
@Jon Dhuse - That's must be what I'm going through as well. It got me down a bit, but I decided to keep on keepin' on 'cause I dig it "that much". Arthritis sho' ain't fun, but it ain't gonna stop me.
I feel ya Jon. Sometimes I just crank up a vintage amp and let a monster beauty chord ring out with verb and delay and sonic majesty then lay down, get enveloped in it all and take a nap!
@@sryburn641
I'll have to try that. And I don't even play.
It doesn't take speed or flash to sound awesome on a guitar, luckily!
I have nothing but admiration for people who can build whatever they need.
Franlab, Francaster, Frantastic.
Like if you've been Franned.
I'm a Fran fan.
👍👍👍
Oh, Man, I Can!! I am also a Fan of Fran! Damn!...She's Good.
Are you a Franatic? XD
SupercaliFRANilisticexpialidocious!
frimmin on the frim fran
I love her Poke Salad video!
I put down the sticks for 35 years after playing in a variety of bands and clubs and some studio work. Now in retirement I play one rehearsal a week and one public performance with our band a week. I've had a hip replaced from degenerative joint disease and my right shoulder is needing arthroscopic surgery for arthritis. This all causes me to appreciate you and what you do. Fine job Fran; Thanks! You are one of the remarkable people in this world.
What kind of Fran videos do I like? The kind of videos where Fran is doing what she enjoys. I love to see you smile and having a good time.
I guess that means we like the same things... Music, electronics, space, classic tech...
Pens, pencils...
You're that cool aunt we never knew we had. Well done on an epic guitar!
Cool aunt, cool mom, cool friend, cool teacher, cool cop,...
The cool aunt I wish I had.
When I was a kid in the 70's my neighbour was JUST like Fran, even looked the same. She was an activist about climate change - in the 1970's.
PhD in biology...
Yep, I'm a Fran fan too! Anyone who makes their own guitar and tricks it out is absolutely Frantastic.
Living the Frantasy
Amazing. I've never ever seen a 'hip shot' device. Amazing, too, the nice looking and sounding guitar. Good on ya!
You're an amazing person. I love people who inspire creativity. Keep it up.
This video means a lot to me for many different reasons. Never stop playing!
At age 11 I started playing, and now 60 years later picking up a guitar still gives me a thrill. Thank you for taking time to share this video!
At age 71 with my dexterity going and arthritis creeping into my hands my voice is better than ever. It's ironic that I always wanted to be a musician, not a singer, but nevertheless I keep playing any time I get a chance. Younger folks are getting most of the gigs these days but my phone still rings once in a while and that's enough to keep me smiling. I enjoy your videos. Keep 'em coming.
Ok know the feeling my voice is going, something is happening to my ears, they feel fool of water and it effects my tone pitch, I don't know if its fixable and my strumming hand is starting to shake like uncontrollable tremors I don't know how long I can last its depressing.
you probably already do but, play more slide! :)
There are so many styles of slide playing, Derrick Trucks is a good place to start ;)
@@Moodymongul I'm a Texas beer-joint weekend-warrior. That means I play a lot of old Country, a little old Rock and just a smidge of timeless Blues. Never could get the hang of using a slide. :)
Dare I say a singer IS a musician!
@@csxblackmusic You must be a singer. lol
Music comes from the heart. Whether it's playing a guitar, keyboard, or drum set or just banging on pots and pans, it's beautiful.
@Fermati Chebellosei but what keeps you motivated to keep practicing? A love of what you're doing, that's what. And where does that love come from?
Fascinating! I had no idea that these single string benders existed. When I was playing bass as a hobby, my band had various guitarists some of whom had the regular tremolo arms but nothing like this. When I bought a Rickenbacker 4001S and built my own stereo rig, I found an old dual-action swell pedal like you described. I took out the tone pot and replaced it with a dual balance pot. With my cabinets strategically placed, I could pan my bass across the stage! In the end I gave up for the same reason you did. Early onset arthritis in my early 40s meant I couldn't practice enough to keep up the skills.
take a look at these three guitar players the late great Clarence White, Marty Stuart, and Brad Paisley.. Brad doesn't just have a b Bender he's got a g Bender to I believe...
Don't ever give up Fran. With or without arthritis, you've still got more going for you than most people. Far more.
There’s a chap called Brian May who built his own guitar too, apparently he’s done quite well.
...or do both!
Never heard of him. JK. Lol 😂
@Jimmy Durex And he didn't build it, his father did.
Also Eddie Van Halen built his own. Nothing wrong with building what YOU want!!
@@johnlorenz2855 Eddie just assembled parts to create the"frankenstrat" (he could not afford the expensive guitar he needed)
That’s a crazy amount of work just for the lacquer. Then the attention to detail on the rest? Holy crap. Glad I subscribed for the science. The guitar bonus is amazing.
When I was a teenager, the person I wanted to grow up to be is pretty much like Fran...
Thank you so much for addressing aging and it's effect on older musicians -- I'm 65 and it is shocking how fast muscle conditioning deteriorates now .Use it or lose it means so much more . Nice mic, by the way, and the hipshot bender sounds great!
Very interesting. I‘d love you covering stuff like this every now and then 😀👍.
As a 57-year-old , heavily Rush-influenced bassist/vintage tech-geek tech recovering in spectacular fashion from a near career-ending finger injury…you inspire!❤️👍🥂
Wow, I loved the history lesson, and you were clearly joyful about this. It was nice to see you happy!
I flip my control plate around on my Teles, if I don’t do this, when I’m strumming I end up hitting the pickup selector switch and changing what pickup I’m wanting to be using.
Good job on the bike!!!
Seriously, flipping the control plate on a Tele makes it a much more usable guitar. I'm amazed this is "the exception" rather than "the rule"!
Didn't know about the dropper. Switching to a drop-D tuning by flicking a lever is a very cool enhancement.
I’m more of a metal guy but I love this channel. Fran is awesome!! I totally subbed
Fellow metal head here becoming a Fran fan as well.
@@stevenwilliams1805 yeah idk how I got here but that's what's up toobz
I'm not gonna play a long time..." No. Go ahead Fran...play it...drone out...I'm listening(!)
Oh my. Bright has always been my go-to word when describing the sound of a Tele, but the Frano goes beyond that. Love it.
I love the Fran Blanche naming convention
all the years im playing guitar I never new about the hip bender!!! cool.. very very cool.
I don't play but, I found it very cool.
You play guitar!? This is a meeting of my hobbies. Glorious!
ruclips.net/video/s6sh_FPUicA/видео.html
There’s literally no end as to how freaking cool you are Fran.
🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼
Beautiful instrument, wow she's amazing
Hey I quit too for years. Then I wanted to jam with My son who was coming for a visit so I bought a guitar and after a week I realized it Hurt iust as much not playing as it does when I do play. Eventually I realized I was feeling better. So I play every day. I lost my chops. Guitar and theory are perishable skills. Every day hurts but I really feel better.
'Franocaster'! Love it. Ever play a Blanchenbacker?
Wow your recounting of what transpired with Les was riveting, and diminshed or not, your guitar skills will always be worlds ahead of mine.
Wow, that's really cool you got to spend so much time with Les Paul! Talk about having a good mentor lol
I've been playing guitar for fifty years, and I never saw a bender like that! Something new every day.
@@anonyninja7737 Amazing!
Despite being nowhere near professional, this has only strengthened my desire to build my own guitars.
Do it. You can donut. I’m on number two and number one isn’t complete yet.
Hope to see more Fran Tone, to what ever extent you are able and willing.
That's a nice b-bender! I've looked at them before but never took the plunge, instead I added a theremin to my old guitar to make the Git-O-Min(TM)!
Guitar was my main instrument until I had a bike smash and broke the fingers on my right hand, I recovered but my playing wasn't as sharp and I got disillusioned so started playing bass more and got pretty good at that which would not have happened. I also got more into electronic sounds and synths which today is my main love.
So I still play guitar but its not so dominant which I feel is a good thing as it opened up other musical avenues.
You r s most interesting person Fran love the wY u come off very humble 4 I believe u r. Your a good looker too
Blessings to u and your family!
Fran,
I truly enjoyed your video. You spoke my language. I was also a musician serious practicing 2-3 hours a day
Great stability endurance could play for hours and like yourself I met Arthur and his family. A ruff bunch to be sure .Eventually
I ended up having a double by-lateral in both wrist. Doctor that performed the surgeries showed me that it was the worse he had ever seen.
And I related to your comment about depression setting in. So like yourself I began to tinker with kit guitars. Some good some not so much.
But truly believing that was my saving grace. Being a player for about 44 yrs it might as well have been a terminal illness. I truly thought I was
done for. So I just wanted to say thank you for the share. First time watching your video. And you are not to hard on the eyes either. Hope you keep on keeping on.
Best of regards
You never ceases to amaze me Fran! Thank you for sharing this! So awesome!
Fran, you’re the best! Many thank for all your work on the Big Muff and all the best to you and yours! I’m from Kzoo and we all love and miss Les. Bless your heart.
Never tried the bend bar, but I reversed the switches on my Telecaster in the 70's. Preferred having the volume pot there for finger volume rolls.
Fran, you keep on doin whateva you wanna do in the lab.
‘Cause EVERYTHING you do, you do great!
I started watching your show because I respect your intelligence.
Now I’ll watch to see what OTHER mad skills you have!😮
Ladies, and gentleman. Here she is. The multi talented, and fellow Brooklynite: FRAN!!!!!!!!!!!
What fun. Not too many folk that say "I want one of those, I wonder if I can make one" Then go and do it! Nice job Fran.
Ok, that was so good! :-) :-) :-)
Extremely cool! I mean, just listening to you educate us on all this information is fantastic, also you seem like a GREAT individual my friend, loved the guitar face!!!!
Thanks so much for sharing, very unique video indeed!
There used to be a cabinet maker just behind my brother's music store in Tallahassee, FL. I picked out a plank of thick mahogany that had been drying outside for quite a while. Had him bandsaw out a Telecaster shape and I sanded it and hand lacquered it and bought a Stratocaster neck to go on it. Loaded it with the normal Telecaster bridge pickup and added two Gibson SG Standard pickups onto it, and used a set of in-line Grover tuners. Had to grind off the screw lips on the Grovers as they would otherwise stack up, since there were no six-in-a-line Grovers or Schallers or any in-line tuners of any quality back then for a Fender. Oh yeh, that was 1970-1971. Guess I was a little a head of you! Maybe the third Custom Shop Telecaster ever made, after those two rosewood Teles, one of which, went to Harrison. Keep on rocking!
Really cool...I love seeing homemade guitars...I have a strat I built 13 years ago..its heavenly modded ..lol
I've watched a few of your other videos on various subjects since I subscribed to your channel last week. Now I know that you play guitar AND you made your own guitar, I love you even more. You are a wonderful woman. I relate to what you say about your diminished playing capability.
Fran looks like a retired indie artist who spend most of her time doing side project.
Aint it so cool!
And as result getting nothing in particular finished.
J Nagarya Mmmm like a whole line - whole LINE - of boutique guitar pedals doesn't qualify as 'getting something done'?
She kinda is
@@arbogash1852
That guy (J Nagarya) made a hurtful comment for trolling purposes only. You made a good observation through your question to him and, as you can see, hell never respond. I'm sure he's achieved so much in his life.
Simply Brilliant as always and that "guitar face" is epic. Been playing for 40 + years and this is truly priceless.
Wow Fran, you are an incredibly smart person. Really impressed that you built your own guitar. Also designed numerous pedals, and a scientist, and so much more. Thank you for explaining things in a way that are not all technical terms.
45 years guitar playing and learned a lot new things today. Thanks.
Thank you for speaking of diminished abilities. There are many of us trying to find our way back to playing our instruments with a little dignity.
Fran has great videos and knowledge of many subjects and all that I have seen are fantastic snd entertaining .
Great work
I enjoyed this a lot, I'm no musician, but my son earns his living teaching and playing the guitar therefore I find this type of thing very interesting.
I love it when Fran plays the guitar. Thanks!
Wonderful video Fran! I don't have a musical bone in my body but I find this kind of stuff fascinating
As someone who’s been a musician since eight years old (starting with the trumpet and moving through many different instruments), I started playing the guitar when my mother got one for me when I was 10.
I am 50 now, I don’t have problems not playing the guitar because of arthritis, my problem is just not practicing enough anymore.
However, you just taught me probably 10 to 20 years of experience of knowledge in the “trick guitar“ genre.
I’ve always been a basically straight guitar style player. This video was mind blowing, and now I understand why all the “great guitar players“ were moving their guitars around while getting those awesome sounds as they played.
You are an inspiration. Please do play some things for us. I can’t be the only one that wants to hear it.
I always learn something new from you. Thank You!!
Ok, I'm impressed. Fran not only knows what a single string bender is, history of where it came from, how it works, plus describe HOW it works. Sounds like she's a respectable player too! For her effort she gets a subscribe.
Fran is the coolest!! Amazing guitar!! Love your pedals too. I've recommended the peach fuzz twice to guitarist while recording them. After they bought them blindly, they thanked me so much for turning them on to it. unfortunately i loaned mine out years back and we know how that story always goes with loaning pedals!! Wish I still had it lately for a bunch of stuff. Cheers
Telecasters are my favorite. Great build you have there, color me impressed!
Oh wow, Fran, you are wonderful. So much talent and knowledge makes you simply adorable.
I'm going through the same thing with rheumatoid, I don't play guitar as much as I used to, though going grain & gluten & sugar free really helped with the inflammation; the best thing that really helped me was getting rid of my cell phone and avoiding EMF radiation as much as possible, it also helped my memory in playing guitar also.
I gotta say, I somehow stumbled across this video. It is not anything like I would normally watch, as I'm a guitarist in a post hardcore metal band, BUUT.... I loved this video. Fran seems like a great person, and I love the way she describes things. So much better than other you tube videos! I could watch her all day long! I'm a new fan of Fran!!
I really appreciated this (for multiple reasons). I love what you do.
Fran - That was so cool that you got to meet him and get to know him. Thanks for sharing that story! I really enjoyed it!
This is the first time I ran into Fran. Wow I like you. I will be coming back for more. You are a cool person and I have a lot to learn from you. Take care Fran
Boy, do I get what you're saying. I've had arthritis since my teens, which is why I went for bass rather than lead, as I found chords pretty much impossible.
I’ve played fingerstyle guitar since I was eight. I’m 60. I just can’t play like I used to ...I can’t. Thankfully I can still hold a pen and write. I totally dig these videos. Living out here on the west coast of Canada, in the most “west coast” place of all (Robert’s Creek), your frequency comes in loud and clear.
It's really impressive that the guitar you built stays in tune with all that string bending going on and the harmonics seem to be perfect. Did you know you had such luthier skills or are you just a natural at building guitars. I say all of this because I've built a guitar from scratch before, with less than optimal results. Well done and what an awesome little Franocaster you've built there. I'm turning green as I type this. 👍🎸
I don't know.. but I've been told that quality strings resist stretching.
I'm a keyboard player and I watch a lot of music channels and I guess that's why you popped up. You are fascinating to watch. I just can't explain why.
Fran, could you ever do a segment on 10cc's Gizmo?
Agreed. I work with live plants and don't understand all the circuit board,tech and wire stuff but wow! She is captivating in her humble genius and funny way. I learn cool stuff and wishing I found you sooner Fran,thank you.
Wow - I hope that you stay safe! You saying that you work on that stuff without completely understanding all the elements and components worries me
@@zappababe8577 I am a curious nag. 😅 I love that she built her own guitar! Also, I am fearless. Thanks for your concern. I was driving but pulled over to say thanks! 🥰
Fran shreds. Who knew? I'm in the midst of a Tele build myself. They're super fun and leave no where to hide as a player. Rock on Fran!
Thank you for letting me know about Speedy West. I will definitely check that out. It's great to hear new influences.
It's amazing what Fran's been able to do, while being self taught
SELF TAUGHT ??? NO WAY ISNT SHE FROM N A S A
I've got a B-Bender and G-Bender. Love these guitars. They are so fun to play.
The more I watch this channel the better I like it.
I understand all too well the limits arthritis impose. You have to work smarter, because harder is no longer an opinion...
Smarter is always better, arthritis or no.
@@pd4165 True. Arthritis just makes it all but mandatory...
i’ve only just stumbled upon a few of these videos - it feels like finally talking to the neighbor down the street and discovering they’re rad as hell. i could easily see a towering diy modular synthesizer in the background of this video - not only given your experience/abilities, but also as a method of music generation in parallel with changes in dexterity, arthritis, etc. truly inspiring and awesome content, and that’s a real gem of a guitar too. thank you!
"Impressive. Most impressive."
after being busy busy busy ,this is what Fran does in her spare time ,among a million other things no doubt . As a guitar player ..I know what you mean .Practice just is nt enough . Soft action guitars would greatly encourage learners .thanks for your hard work.
Fran..
I love the back-stories.
That's great that you spent lots of time with Steve Miller's God father. Les Paul has had my enginerd brain respect for many years.
Keep doing you. Pull from your soul. If you want to cover some song feel free.
✌❤
are you were spending time with less where you in Milwaukee you ever go to Chicago and spend some time with Steve King and Jonnie Putman. they were great friends
You are officially my favorite RUclips channel ...as a musician and vague science geek, I approve of all of this. Swamp ash sounds great. That is also an insane lacquer technique.
In Mussel Sholes they got the swamp ash.
Fran, please keep doing exactly what your doing, rock on girl!!
your fran in the lab themesong is one of the funkiest parts! I love it. I somehow knew right away it was just you on that thing and now it's extra special. The eureka moments whith the teardowns and fixing stuff really does it, and then we get that funky ass groove. epic
Just when you thought Fran couldn't get any cooler...
first time ive seen one of her vids, but i already think she is super cool!
Fran play, play, play no matter what. It's good for the soul.
Jimmy Page used a b bender on songs like Ten Years Gone I believe.
👍 Also,Heavily used on the track “All of my Love”
Great stuff, Fran! Great job building that guitar and telling your stories. Not just anyone can either build something so sleek or say they cultivated a friendship with Les Paul.
I was just dying to hear a reference to Clarence White and Gene Parsons.
It runs through everyone’s life, we all have to make concessions to getting old, so we all get it sooner or later.
This has to be the most versatile guitar I've ever seen. I envy your drop D switch. I would LOVE to have one of those.
proof positive that there's no hope for humanity when 51 people don't like this video. smh
Twang on, Fran!
Fran as a keys player since I was a kid, whose left hand no longer works (ulnar nerve) I empathise with you completely.
When we were kids, I guess we never thought that we'd be screwed by health isues in years to come - such things were for elderly aunts and the guy down the hall.
Anyway, I love your videos - and the understated "I designed and built this years ago...''
Just bloody wonderful. All the best from kilt / haggis country..:-)
You’re adorable 😁
WOW!! Fran That was an amazing vid for me to catch!! I'm an older guy looking at the channels to see whats out there in music and playing and keeping up on the players I have admired over the years. Kota Jade made a comment on you being inspirational and she was so right!!!! I've been trying to play again because I have the problems you have and Les had. Bod can't do what the brain wants it to. This vid has inspired me deeply to do some things and ideas for some things. I want to thank you for bringing a new light into my life!!!! I'm thinking now with a brighter outlook on some things!! Maybe I can help some people brighten their outlook too!! You're very talented and I'm sure you have inspired others to play again. Or maybe to start playing!!
Together with writers and painters, musicians are some of the most depressed people in the world.
Also police officers and airline pilots
Wow, you are incredible, I have arthritis in my entire body too, got it at 34. Playing guitar is my life, and it is a struggle, but I shall take your inspiration and continue to press on