Fran Blanche Bio, Wiki, Age, Wife, Partner, Parents, Electronics and Net Worth

February 2024 · 9 minute read

Fran Blanche Biography

Fran Blanche is an American Engineer who was born in the United States. She is the owner and founder of Frantone Electronics (1994-present) which is among the world’s very first boutique guitar effects companies.

Blanche is a completely self-taught electronic engineer, artist, musician, published photographer, space technology researcher as well as historian, mechanical engineer, woodworker, as well as YouTube vlogger.

A former professional AM and FM radio DJ as well as videographer. Fran has served on the restoration of the one-of-a-kind Maillardet Automaton at the Franklin Institute and served on vintage Apollo flight hardware at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. She now operates FranLab, producing educational science content for YouTube.

Artist Statement: “My participation in Project Egress was a transcendent experience that challenged my resolve and problem-solving abilities. I had never put in so many hours over so few days to complete a single project, and finally completing my own small piece of such a large project was immensely satisfying on so many levels.

Being at the NASM to witness the build really solidified the reality of what I was asked to do, and the completion of the hatch left me with a tremendous appreciation of having participated in something that truly became more than the mere sum of its parts.”

10 Quick Facts About Fran Blanche

  • Name: Fran Blanche
  • Age: 55 years
  • Birthday: September 3
  • Zodiac Sign: Virgo
  • Height: Average
  • Nationality: American
  • Occupation: Engineer
  • Marital Status: Single
  • Salary: Under review
  • Net worth: $26,000 thousand

    • Fran Blanche Age

     Blanche is 55 years old as of 2021, she was born on September 3, 1966, in the United States. Blanche celebrates her birthday on September 3 every year and birth sign is Virgo.

    Fran Blanche Height

    Fran Blanche stands at an average height. She appears to be quite tall in stature if her photos, relative to her surroundings, are anything to go by. However, details regarding her actual height and other body measurements are currently not publicly available. We are keeping tabs and will update this information once it is out.

    Fran Blanche Education

    Blanche’s education details are not available to the public. Nevertheless, we are keeping tabs and will update you once this information is available.

    Fran Blanche Parents

    Blanche was born and raised by her parents in the United States. She is of American nationality and white ethnicity. After doing our research, details about her parents are not known to the public and it is also not known if she has any siblings. However, this information will be updated as soon as it is available.

    Fran Blanche Wife

    Blanche likes to keep her personal life private hence information about her dating life is under research. It is not known whether she is married, dating, or has any children. However, this information will be updated as soon as it is available.

    Fran Blanche Net Worth

    Blanche has an estimated net worth of $26,000 thousand dollars as of 2022. She has accumulated her wealth from her successful career as owner and founder of Frantone Electronics.

    Fran Blanche Measurements and Facts

    Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Fran Blanche.

    Fran Blanche Wiki

    Fran Blanche Birthday

    Fran Blanche Body Measurements

    Fran Blanche Family and Relationship

    Fran Blanche Networth and Salary

    Fran Blanche Partner Merton Kenniston

    “I started Frantone with my first business partner, Merton Kenniston. He had come from Digital Computer Corporation, and he had this business out in Central Pennsylvania that I worked for. We always, in the off-hours, talked about engineering and computers. He said, “Well, I’d really like to get into manufacturing again.”

    At the same time, I had tinkered together a pedal that I needed because I was in a band and I needed to get overdrive for my little amp. What I really wanted to get was a Big Muff, but I couldn’t afford it. It was like $60 for the old gray Russian Big Muffs, which were crap, but I couldn’t afford it. I went to Radioshack and bought some parts and tinkered together a little overdrive pedal.

    I brought it to Mert and said, “I made this, and this is the kind of thing people might want.” He didn’t know anything about music, so I had to pitch the idea. There wasn’t such thing as a boutique market in ‘94. There were growing pains, but after about a year we came out with a box called The Hepcat. In ‘96, Mert ended up selling his business and working for a company doing virtual reality glasses. I bought out his share of Frantone and took it on myself. I came out with the Peachfuzz in ‘97 and was getting really tired of making pedals, so I took a job working for Electro-Harmonix.

    I ended up being the head tech and supervisor of production. I went on to design the new Big Muff in 2000—it was ironic because the only reason I started making pedals was that I couldn’t afford the Big Muff four years earlier! It ended up being the foundation of the most popular series of Big Muffs ever made. I should have designed it on a commision basis! I would have loved to get .5% of the revenue from that design laughs.

    When I left Electro-Harmonix Mia Theodoratus left with me, so we entered a partnership. She was going to do all the sales, and I was going to do all the building. I didn’t have to worry about selling, I could keep a low profile. If people called the office, they talked to Mia. Even when Dave Hunter released his book on pedals and Vibutron was on the cover, I didn’t want to be interviewed.

    I let Mia do it, even though she gave me the questions and I gave her the answers. I kept a really low profile. It was ideal because I was spending 80 hours a week building. I was working until three or four in the morning in Williamsburg, and what people think of Williamsburg at that hour now is not what it was like back in 2000. Back on the waterfront in the middle of the night, it was scary.”

    Fran Blanche History and Frantone Electronics

    Frantone Electronics is a Philadelphia-based hand made effects pedal manufacturer run by Fran Blanche. Blanche operates a YouTube channel where she discusses the company’s history as well as showcases various electronics projects.

    Frantone Electronics first began selling effect pedals in the early 1990s. Over the years, the company’s boutique pedals would be 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.

    In the early 1990s, Blanche built an effects pedal for herself named the “Fuzzy-Wuzzy,” inspired by the popular Big Muff. She subsequently founded Frantone as well as designed the Hep Cat, the company’s first commercial product, which was followed by more pedal designs in the years to follow. Blanche took a hiatus from operating Frantone and served at Electro-Harmonix, from about 1997 through 2000, where she designed the company’s new version of the Big Muff pedal.

    Blanche is a strong supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, as her personal identity as a transgender person has led to attacks on her character, which she has cited as harming the company’s reputation and growth.

    After several years out of production, the company reported the release of new pedals in the year 2017, such as the Vibutron as well as reintroductions of the Peach Fuzz and Cream Puff designs as limited editions.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Fran Blanche

    Who is Fran Blanche?

    Fran Blanche is the owner and founder of Frantone Electronics (1994-present) which is among the world’s very first boutique guitar effects companies. She is a completely self-taught electronic engineer, artist, musician, published photographer, space technology researcher as well as historian, mechanical engineer, woodworker, as well as YouTube vlogger.

    How old is Fran Blanche?

    Fran Blanche is an American born on September 3, 1966, in the United States. She is 53 years old as of 2019.

    How tall is Fran Blanche?

    Blanche stands at an average height, she has not shared her height with the public. Her height will be listed once we have it from a credible source.

    Is Fran Blanche married?

    Details about her love life are still under review. We will let you know when she gets in a relationship or when we discover helpful information about her love life.

    How much is Fran Blanche worth?

    Blanche has an approximate net worth of $26,000 thousand dollars. This amount has been accrued from her successful career as an Engineer

    Where does Fran Blanche live?

    Because of personal reasons, Blanche has not shared her precise location of residence. We will immediately update this information if we get the location and images of her house.

    Is Fran Blanche dead or alive?

    Blanche is alive and in good health. There have been no reports of him being sick or having any health-related issues.

    Where is Fran Blanche Now?

    Blanche is a famous owner and founder of Frantone Electronics (1994-present) which is among the world’s very first boutique guitar effects companies.

    Fran Blanche Contacts

    Related Biographies.

    You may also like to read the Bio, Career, Family, Relationship,  Body measurements, Net worth, Achievements, and more about:

    About InformationCradle Editorial Staff

    This Article is produced by InformationCradle Editorial Staff which is a team of expert writers and editors led by Josphat Gachie and trusted by millions of readers worldwide.

    We endeavor to keep our content True, Accurate, Correct, Original and Up to Date. For complain, correction or an update, please send us an email to informationcradle@gmail.com. We promise to take corrective measures to the best of our abilities.

    ncG1vNJzZmihnpu8s7nAraCoppOnrqW4xGeaqKVfm7%2Biuoybo5qmk52ycA%3D%3D