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Franchin Mercury HSS Monaco Yellow Heavy Relic (2025)
First owner · top condition · Franchin handwound pickups · split humbucker · only 3.37 kg and more
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| Model | Franchin Mercury HSS · custom order |
|---|---|
| Year | 2025 |
| Serial number | 21120725 |
| Finish | Monaco Yellow · nitro lacquer · heavy relic with lacquer checking |
| Body | American red alder, three-piece |
| Neck | Maple · C profile |
| Fretboard | Indian rosewood · 9.5" radius · 22 jumbo frets · dot inlays (aged) · bone nut |
| Pickups | Franchin handwound: P.A.F. replica Alnico 5 humbucker (bridge), splittable via push/pull · Alnico 5 staggered single coils (middle & neck) |
| Electronics | Vintage style wiring · push/pull split for the bridge humbucker |
| Hardware | Gotoh vintage style tremolo, relic · Gotoh tuners, relic · chrome |
| Pickguard | Vintage white, incl. pickup covers and knobs |
| Weight | 3.37 kg |
| History | First owner · ordered from Franchin to our specs in 2025 |
| Included | Original Franchin hard case · Certificate of Authenticity · spec sheet · strap · case candy · as pictured |
'25 Franchin Mercury HSS heavy relic Monaco Yellow, first owner, custom order handmade in Italy, handwound pickups, split humbucker, only 3.37 kg and more
Yellow, loud, a comfortable 3.37 kg and a splittable humbucker – this Mercury is back!
We ordered this Strat from Franchin Guitars in 2025 to our own specs. Now it is back with us from its first owner and in top condition.
Meister Ede has owned a handmade Franchin Tele for several years (see Private Stock), which is mainly used in the studio. When we were looking for a maker of slightly more "modern" T- and S-style guitars, we didn't have to think long and approached the Franchin team based on Ede's positive experience.
The goal of this order was a Strat that stands out above all in rock settings and never goes unnoticed on stage. Classic dot inlays and a regular headstock.
To secure the rock character, a punchy yet always open-sounding Franchin handwound P.A.F. replica humbucker (Alnico 5) was wound for the bridge in close consultation. It was not supposed to sound like a blanket over the pickup, but to deliver plenty of dynamics and an open frequency range. The highlight: a push/pull lets you split the humbucker! So besides the fat humbucker sound you also get snappy single-coil tones at the bridge – a true all-round Strat. Add to that quacky handwound Alnico 5 single coils in the middle and neck, perfectly matched. Rarely does a humbucker blend so harmoniously with the single coils of an HSS Strat.
What also stands out is the impressive sustain and juicy midrange, which suits overdriven sounds particularly well. Creamy, sustaining leads respond finely to the player's dynamics. A first-class rock Strat with more than enough character for singing blues and punchy rock to hard rock. Clean sounds from funk to jazz suit it just as well, without getting harsh in the highs. Mattia Franchin selected the woods specifically for tone, and you can hear it. And then the weight: at only 3.37 kg it is a real relief on the strap – you barely feel it on your shoulder even after a long gig.
The looks are anything but inconspicuous, too: the Monaco Yellow colour turned out extremely well, and the heavy relic in nitro lacquer comes with lovingly made "battle scars" and fine lacquer checking that give the guitar a sweaty, well-worn character.
The C-profile neck is best described as a good medium and should feel more than comfortable for most players. The 22 jumbo frets on the Indian rosewood fretboard with 9.5" radius ensure exemplary, modern playability, and bends are effortless.
The guitar comes from its first owner and – apart from the intended relic – is in top condition. It comes in the original Franchin hard case with Certificate of Authenticity, spec sheet, strap and case candy, as pictured.
A handmade Strat from Italy with custom order specs, split humbucker, only 3.37 kg, quality case and top condition for €2,290 – a sensational price for the sound gourmet at home as well as for the touring musician!
Price€2,290 VAT not outlined (§ 25a UStG)