NEWS FROM THE SHOP
Press coverage and more directly from the M.J. Franks workshop floor. Consider yourself an insider.
FEBRUARY 2022: Bracing the top for a new L-00 build for the incredible Drew Holcomb. If you aren’t familiar with Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, go check out his new album “Coming Home.” Here’s his website. Drew goes way back with M.J. Franks Guitars and I couldn’t be happier to be creating a new guitar for a genuinely great guy.
UPDATE: June 01, 2022, Just shipped Drew Holcomb his latest Franks, an Indian Rosewood & German Spruce L-00. Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors will be performing at the Ryman Auditoreum in Nashville on June 3&4, 2022 for his 40th birthday bash with some special guests. Visit Drew’s website for info on tickets or live stream.
OCT 2021: I love my “new” antique apothecary cabinet. 27 drawers of tools and goodies to keep my shop organized. Thank you Dan Anderson!
AUGUST 2021: The legendary Bobby Osborne performs at the televised Larry's Country Diner with Joe Miller playing his Franks Legacy 18 Dreadnought guitar while the sheriff looks on.
AUGUST 2021: While at the Pickin In Parsons bluegrass festival, I had the pleasure of meeting Chris Davis, guitarist for the award-winning Grascals Bluegrass band. www.Grascals.com. Chris has an amazing history with such notable bands as Larry Cordle, Wildfire and Diamond Rio prior to joining the Grascals. Chris is a true gentleman and took time from his busy day to visit the motor home and treat me to some of his amazing playing on my Brazilian Rosewood “Outhouse” guitar.
Thank you Chris!
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THE BEE GUITAR • ACOUSTIC GUITAR MAGAZINE
"A sweet bluegrass-ready dreadnought, pollinated with charm."
"The idea for the inlay originated from lifelong love of beekeeping," says Mike Franks, a guitar maker based in Rochester Hills, Michigan.
Click the image to the left to read more from the Acoustic Guitar Magazine story about the Bee Guitar.
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THE OUTHOUSE GUITAR • ACOUSTIC GUITAR MAGAZINE
"The Outhouse Guitar has the whiff of rare tonewood."
The rare Brazilian rosewood used on the back, sides, and headplate was salvaged from an old, abandoned outhouse in Brazil.
Click the image to the left to read more from the Acoustic Guitar Magazine story about the Outhouse Guitar.
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PARLOR GUITAR • VINTAGE GUITAR MAGAZINE
"I built the parlor guitar last fall for the Woodstock Show. The top is German Spruce and came from a stock of tonewoods that were stored in an attic of an Ann Arbor guitar shop for more than 50 hot summers. The wood was very dry and beautifully aged. I play this guitar every day." -- Mike Franks
Click the image to the left to read more from Vintage Guitar Magazine.