About Us

In the world of electric guitars, there are countless models and manufacturers, but none quite like Travis Franklin Guitars. Each guitar handcrafted Travis is a labor of love and a testament to his passion for both playing and building the instrument.

 

These elite guitars are designed for both experienced gigging musicians and amateur guitarists who appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship of a truly unique instrument. Join us as we take you on a journey through the story of Travis Franklin Guitars.

 

Born with a natural affinity for music, Travis began playing guitar at the tender age of five on a plastic model given to him for Christmas in 1971. A few years later, with a good ear and a chord book, he taught himself how to play bluegrass standards that his Dad loves so much. He and some friends started gigging by throwing a drumset, bass and guitar/amps into the Suburban of a friend who was old enough to drive and crashing country churches.

 

By the age of 18, he was gigging and playing lead with his first rock bands in college. From 18-20 Travis learned the craft of body work and painting by putting in about 5,000 hours in a  big truck body shop. Painting everything from UPS trucks to motorcycles and even a few guitars, he learned how to handle all kinds of paints, spray rigs and tools that would come in handy later. 

 

At age 20, Travis solicted himself over the course of a few weeks and won a job at the legendary Longhorn Guitars (now defunct) - in Fort Worth, which was once one of the city's most highly sought repair shops (they even did some work on Willie Nelson's guitar Trigger!)

 

Initially managing the counter, he persistently sought to learn guitar repair from the skilled craftsmen around him. Namely: Mark Cigainero and Kerry Cash, who are still two of the best working luthiers in DFW. Despite their initial and continued reluctance to train him, they eventually acquiesced and either recognized Travis' potential or they got tired of his incessant curiosity and taught him just to shut him up! Either way, thousands of guitars a year went through their hands and Travis was a devout and motivated student, dedicated to learning the ins and outs of the craft. 

 

In 1989, Travis moved to Austin to complete his college education in Finance, only to return to Longhorn Guitars for a short time afterward. He later ventured into the "real world," as a financial analyst, real estate broker and entrepreneur - but his passion for music never waned. Around 2000, Travis started putting a band back together, and between 2001 and 2002, he began gigging again. In 2009, he was invited to join the Jessica Brooks Band, and was playing gigs on the main stage at Grapevine Grapefest and the Fort Worth Stock Show as well as countless other venues throughout DFW. Over his career, Travis has played nearly 1,000 gigs and is still working 40-50 times a year today. 

 

In 2009, while gigging three times per week, Travis began building custom, tribute electric guitar copies and full on custom electric guitars for his clients/friends along with his mentor Kerry Cash. As the years went by, his desire to build a set neck, carved top guitar of his own design finally came to fruition. In 2022, along with brilliant engineer Joel Bennett, they developed and perfected his signature BXG model, which is a carved top, set-neck design available with any pickup configuration - including 3-single coils. This is unheard of for a custom, double cutaway solid body electric guitar.

 

Travis is that rare individual who possesses a beautiful, analytical mind, is articulate and has a great business acumen - but the artist in him remains well after the analyst has hung it up for the day. His exceptional ear for music and tone, combined with his craftsman skills and ability to shred a guitar have led us right back to the present.

 

The BXG combines all of the features Travis demanded from the guitars he played over the years, while taking away all the thing you don't need.  Franklin's BXG model guitars are designed to sound exceptional in any environment, stage - studio - or just jamming. Guitarists can confidently take their BXG to any gig or session without worrying about whether it will sound good and stay in tune.

 

At Travis Franklin Guitars, each instrument is a singular masterpiece. No two guitars are exactly alike. Trav's passion, expertise, and dedication to his craft are embodied in every guitar that leaves his workshop. From hand picking the wood by tap test, to hand joining it - to perfectly intonating it - when you choose a Travis Franklin Guitar, you're not just buying an instrument – you're investing in a piece of musical history and a legacy of excellence.