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Frantone Electronics is a Philadelphia-based effects pedal manufacturer run by Fran Blanche. Blanche first made pedals in the 1990s and her boutique fuzz pedals were used by notable musicians including Lou Reed and R.E.M. The company's growth was never steady; Blanche moved Frantone repeatedly, being gentrified out of several NYC-area locations.
Blanche's personal life as a transgender individual also led to online attacks which she has cited as affecting the company's reputation and growth. Blanche's insistence on staying personally involved in manufacturing, instead of outsourcing, may have also limited revenue growth. For a time, Blanche worked as an employee of Electro-Harmonix, where she designed the second version of the Big Muff, one of EH's most popular effects pedals.
In response to Blanche being attacked on social media, Frantone used social media to reach out. Blanche made and still posts videos on wide-ranging topics; some matter-of-factly describe and demo effects pedals, others are quite personal, addressing the issues of being a small business owner, transgender, and the struggles of working in today's music world.
After some years out of production, Frantone has announced the release of new pedals, such as the Vibutron, and reintroductions of the Peach Fuzz and other designs as limited editions.
References
- "An Interview with Fran Blanche of Frantone Electronics". Sheshredsmag.com. 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
{{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires|magazine=(help) - Astley-Brown, Michael (2016-04-19). "Frantone announces return of Cream Puff guitar effects pedal". MusicRadar. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
- Nicholas Kula (2015-06-18). "Welcome Back, Frantone: Her 5 Best". Tone Report. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
- Johanna Fateman (2016-09-24). "The Lenny Interview: Fran Blanche". Yahoo News. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
- "The Return of Real Boutique: A Chat with Fran Blanche of Frantone". tonereport.com. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- "#263 – An Interview with Fran Blanche". The Amp Hour Electronics Podcast. 21 August 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2016.