Franchin Guitars Mercury Black Very Heavy Relic – John Mayer Black1 Inspired

Description

Franchin Mercury – Black Very Heavy Relic

John Mayer Black1 Inspired

The Franchin Guitars Mercury represents the philosophy of modern boutique guitar building: traditional inspiration, carefully selected tonewoods, and exceptional craftsmanship. Built by hand in Italy, Franchin guitars have quickly gained recognition among professional players and collectors who appreciate instruments with vintage character, outstanding playability, and uncompromising build quality.

Founded in Vicenza, Italy, Franchin Guitars combines traditional luthiery techniques with meticulous attention to detail and tonal balance. Every instrument is built in small numbers, ensuring that each guitar receives individual care throughout the entire construction process – from wood selection to final setup. The result is a guitar that feels alive in the hands and responds dynamically to every nuance of the player.

The Mercury model is Franchin’s interpretation of the iconic S-style guitar. While inspired by the legendary instruments of the 1960s, the Mercury offers modern comfort, superb playability, and a refined tonal response. This particular instrument features a striking Very Heavy Relic finish inspired by the famous John Mayer “Black1” Stratocaster, recreating the appearance and feel of a well-loved vintage instrument that has spent years on stage.

Body & Finish

The body is built from two-piece American Red Alder, one of the most respected tonewoods for S-style guitars. Alder provides a beautifully balanced tonal response with tight low end, rich midrange presence, and clear, articulate highs.

The guitar is finished in Black nitrocellulose lacquer and aged using Franchin’s Very Heavy Relic treatment, which includes authentic lacquer wear, checking, and hardware aging. The result is a guitar that visually and physically resembles a well-played vintage instrument while maintaining the structural integrity of a new build.

Neck & Playability

The neck is crafted from maple, paired with a rosewood fingerboard, delivering the classic tonal combination known from many iconic vintage instruments.

A comfortable C neck profile, 9.5″ radius, and 22 jumbo frets provide excellent playability. This configuration allows for effortless bending, smooth vibrato, and precise articulation, making the guitar equally comfortable for rhythm playing and expressive lead work.

Pickups & Electronics

The guitar is equipped with a set of Franchin hand-wound Alnico 5 single-coil pickups, designed to capture the essence of classic vintage Strat tones while maintaining clarity and dynamic response.

These pickups deliver:

• bell-like clean tones

• articulate high end

• rich midrange character

• excellent touch sensitivity and dynamic response

The electronics follow a traditional vintage-style wiring layout, preserving the authentic tonal character and feel of a classic S-style guitar.

Specifications

Model: Franchin Mercury
Serial Number: 21260825
Production Date: 31 October 2025

Body: American Red Alder (2-piece)
Configuration: SSS

Finish: Nitrocellulose lacquer
Color: Black
Relic: Very Heavy Relic
Inspiration: John Mayer Black1

Neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Neck Profile: C
Radius: 9.5″
Frets: 22 Jumbo
Nut: Bone

Pickguard: Mint Green
Pickup Covers: White
Knobs / Switch Tip: Vintage White

Pickups: Franchin Hand-Wound Alnico 5 Set

Bridge: Gotoh Vintage Style (Relic)
Tuners: Gotoh Relic
Hardware: Chrome

Guitar2Amp – Official Franchin Dealer

This instrument is offered by Guitar2Amp, an official dealer and distributor of Franchin Guitars. Guitar2Amp specializes in boutique electric guitars and amplifiers, carefully selecting instruments from some of the most respected builders in the world.

Each guitar offered by Guitar2Amp is professionally inspected, set up, and delivered ready to play. Customers benefit from expert advice, direct contact with the builder when necessary, and full support before and after purchase.

Condition & Package

The instrument is brand new.

Included with the guitar:

• original case

• manufacturer documentation

• full set of accessories

The guitar is sold with VAT invoice and full manufacturer warranty.