MICRO-FRETS CALIBRA I
- 22-fret rosewood fingerboard, adjustable metal nut, 6-on-a-side tuners, adjustable bridge, chrome hardware, 2 Micro-Frets pickups, volume/tone controls, pickup selector switch, mfg. 1969-circa 1972.
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MICRO-FRETS
During the expansion of the popmusic market in the 1960s, many smaller guitar producers entered the electric instrument market to supply the growing public demand for guitars. One such visionary was Ralph J. Jones, who founded the Micro-Frets organization in 1967. Jones, who primarily handled design concepts, electronics, and hardware innovations, received financial backing from his former employer (a successful Maryland real estate magnate). It is estimated that Jones began building his prototypes in 1965, at his Wheaten, Maryland workshop. By 1967 production began at the company factory located at 100 Grove Road in Frederick, Maryland. Ralph J. Jones was the company president and treasurer, and was assisted by F.M. Huggins (vice-president and general manager) and A.R. Hubbard (company secretary) as well as the working staff.
Micro-Frets guitars were shown at the 1968 NAMM show. The company did the greatest amount of production between 1969 and 1971, when 1,700 of the less than 3,000 total guitars were made. Jones passed away sometime in 1973, and was succeeded by Huggins as president.
When Micro-Frets closed operations in Maryland in either 1974 or 1975, the company assets were purchased by David Sturgill. Sturgill, who served as the company president of Grammer Guitars for three years, let his sons John and Danny gain access to leftover Micro-Frets parts. In addition to those parts, they had also purchased the remains of New Jersey´s Harptone guitar company. The two assembled a number of solid body guitars which were then sold under the "Diamond-S" trademark. Unfortunately, that business venture did not catch on, and dissipated sometime in 1976, (Micro-Frets enthusiast Jim Danz, began detailing a listing of Micro-Frets serial numbers. His results appeared in a company history by Michael Wright in Vintage Guitar magazine).
Micro-Frets is back in business and run by Will Meadors and Paul Rose. After the trademark spent many years in mothballs, these two men revived it and are selling guitars again. The new models are based on the vintage models of the past. Parts are also available. For more information contact Micro-Frets directly.
Micro-Frets guitars were shown at the 1968 NAMM show. The company did the greatest amount of production between 1969 and 1971, when 1,700 of the less than 3,000 total guitars were made. Jones passed away sometime in 1973, and was succeeded by Huggins as president.
When Micro-Frets closed operations in Maryland in either 1974 or 1975, the company assets were purchased by David Sturgill. Sturgill, who served as the company president of Grammer Guitars for three years, let his sons John and Danny gain access to leftover Micro-Frets parts. In addition to those parts, they had also purchased the remains of New Jersey´s Harptone guitar company. The two assembled a number of solid body guitars which were then sold under the "Diamond-S" trademark. Unfortunately, that business venture did not catch on, and dissipated sometime in 1976, (Micro-Frets enthusiast Jim Danz, began detailing a listing of Micro-Frets serial numbers. His results appeared in a company history by Michael Wright in Vintage Guitar magazine).
Micro-Frets is back in business and run by Will Meadors and Paul Rose. After the trademark spent many years in mothballs, these two men revived it and are selling guitars again. The new models are based on the vintage models of the past. Parts are also available. For more information contact Micro-Frets directly.
Instruments currently built in Frederick, MD since 2004. Previously built in Frederick, MD between 1967 and 1974.
MICRO-FRETS Electric Guitars Models
MICRO-FRETS RENDEVOUS
- similar to the Thundermaster, except features one pickup, mfg. 1967-69.
MICRO-FRETS Calibra
- similar to the Calibra I, except features a fixed bridge/tailpiece, mfg. 1971-circa 1972.
MICRO-FRETS SIGNATURE BASS
- solid body, 30 in. (or 34 in.) scale, 20-fret rosewood fingerboard, adjustable metal nut, 4-on-a-side tuners, adjustable bridge, chrome hardware, 2 Micro-Frets pickups, volume/tone controls, pickup selector switch, mfg. 1969-circa 19...
MICRO-FRETS HUNTINGTON
- maple top/back/sides, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard, adjustable metal nut, 6-on-a-side tuners, adjustable bridge, chrome hardware, 2 Micro-Frets pickups, volume/tone controls, pickup selector switch, mfg. 1967-circa 1973.
MICRO-FRETS STAGE II BASS
- slightly offset double cuataway body, maple body, 30 in. (or 34 in.) scale, maple neck, 20-fret rosewood fingerboard, adjustable metal Micro-nut, 2-per-side tuners, adjustable bridge, chrome hardware, Micro-Frets Hi Fi pickup, volume...
MICRO-FRETS ORBITER
- triple cutaway body, controls on the bottom edge of the pickguard, features a built-in wireless transmitter, mfg. 1968-69.
MICRO-FRETS THUNDERMASTER BASS
- thin dual rounded cutaway maple body, white celluloid body binding, 30 in. (or 34 in.) scale, 20-fret rosewood fingerboard, adjustable metal Micro-nut, 2-per-side tuners, adjustable bridge, chrome hardware, 2 Micro-Frets Hi Fi pickup...
MICRO-FRETS SIGNATURE
- thin dual cutaway hardwood body with pointed horns, maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard, adjustable metal Micro-nut, 6-on-a-side tuners, Calibrato bridge, chrome hardware, 2 Micro-Frets MF pickups, volume/tone controls, pickup select...
MICRO-FRETS SPACETONE
- dual rounded cutaway thin body, maple top/back/sides, white celluloid body binding, maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard, adjustable metal Micro-nut, 6-on-a-side tuners, Calibrato tremolo, chrome hardware, split level white pickguard,...
MICRO-FRETS STAGE II
- maple top/back/sides, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard, adjustable metal nut, 6-on-a-side tuners, adjustable bridge, chrome hardware, 2 Micro-Frets pickups, volume/tone controls, pickup selector switch, mfg. 1969-circa 1971.