NGD: I thought I was over this scenario

[Willie G. Moseley]

As noted in a thread about a Peavey Dyna Bass I acquired a while back, I'll still poke my head into pawn shops on occasion if I'm out of town and ahead of schedule for some kind of business or medical appointment. There are certain sections of larger towns that have turned into combat zones, and I no longer look into shops in such areas. Made that (easy) decision after hearing nearby gunfire when I left such a store a few years back. 

So this '72 Micro-Frets Stage II came from an alternate location, and once again, I just stumbled into it. It's in Near-Mint condition and I paid too much for it but should be able to make it back if and when I flip it

...And it may be a while before I flip it on accounta this Maryland-made oddity has all sort of cool attributes and innovations: A "Calibrato" vibrato (feels like a Mosrite), a tuneable  nut, and a reportedly-Bill-Lawrence-designed "Hi-Fi" circuit that suppresses 20% of the coil windings to offer a switchable tone shift. Neck profile feels like a Mosrite as well (YMMV), Instrument is fully original.

Moreover, It's got the original plush-line hard case, instructions, and a November 1972 newsletter...checking out case candy is always a cool experience. 

Pickups are P-90ish (IMO) and it plays like butter.

Micro-Frets only made about 3000 instruments during its initial existence. Finding one this nice from that era is probably a rare experience. HFC members from the Old Line State can probably relate.

Edited April 25 by Willie G. Moseley

[mrjamiam]

Headstock looks like it's glad to see you.  Congrats on the find and enjoy!

[velorush]

With the case! 

I have only seen one Micro Frets in person and that was more than 40 years ago. Amazing condition!

[cmatthes]

I’ve seen a few MicroFret guitars pop up over the last few years - they were made just up 270 from me In Frederick.

I played a really cool greenburst not too long ago - interesting!

[kizanski]

[Whoismarykelly]

The MicroFrets trem is really quite delightful and maybe the best design of all the vintage trems I've used. I hesitated on a really cool green one with a nice refret at Atomic a couple years ago and I've been on the lookout since. 

[Willie G. Moseley]

^^^One of the hype facets was that the trem was supposed to maintain the integrity of an entire chord, not just a couple of strings, when the vibrato was used. Wonder how it compares to later vibratos like Steinberger's Trans=Trem

[tbonesullivan]

Wow, I'd never even heard of this brand before! Definitely some interesting "ahead of their time" innovations, like an adjustable nut? Is the tremolo based on a big leaf spring like that later Gibson trems they used on SG specials, or is it something different? 

[ARM OF HAMER]

                                           That IS a very rare guitar to come across, saw one several years ago at a guitar show here in Minnesota but it was in poor shape and had no case. That one is a beauty and having the OHSC makes it even more of a treasure.

[Zork]

 

[tomteriffic]

They advertised pretty heavily in Guitar Player for a minute.  Wish I'd been able to get my mitts on one to try out.  That one there is an absolute beaut.

[Menehune]

Very nice. I coincidentally watched a vid the other day on Micro-Frets' founder's innovations, and the rise and demise of the company. Neat to see one in the digital flesh now caught in the HFC gravity well.

Edited April 27 by Menehune

[velorush]

5 hours ago, Menehune said:

Very nice. I coincidentally watched a vid the other day on Micro-Frets' founder's innovations, and the rise and demise of the company. 

Have a link handy?

[specialk]

2 hours ago, velorush said:

Have a link handy?

Click the vid in Menehune's post. 

[Willie G. Moseley]

I just checked out that video and it's very informative. There aren't any historical photos of personnel, the plant or of famous players gigging with the instrument; just pictures of assorted models that don't coordinate with the narration. Still, it appears did an appropriate job researching the brand's history.