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Post by Laker on Jan 16, 2020 14:32:53 GMT -5
I was watching an old Hee Haw show with a young Dolly Parton where the Porter Wagoner band (think they’re called the Wagonmasters) are playing some oddball electric guitars. I can’t place the headstock design. I did a screen save off of their performance where you can see the guitar and bass. Anyone know the brand? Attachments:
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Jan 16, 2020 15:46:22 GMT -5
Microfrets bass, and Microfrets Golden Melody guitar.
These were made in Frederick, MD in the 60s and early 70s.
*VERY* collectable.
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Jan 16, 2020 15:48:59 GMT -5
The brand introduced some really advanced features for the time--most notably, an adjustable compensated nut on all models. Some models also had built-in radio transmitters for wireless operation. Edited to add a pic:  |
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sirWheat
Wholenote
For a better future, play Stevie Wonder for your children.
Posts: 318
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Post by sirWheat on Jan 16, 2020 18:22:02 GMT -5
I have a Spacetone, no idea what year (no records survived) but likely toward the end of the run. An interesting trem system and, if you didn't know, the bodies are two-piece (top and bottom) and are held together with metal clips. Take the neck off and pop it apart to get to the electronics. Neat guitar, but they ain't all that the internet has 'em cracked up to be.
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Post by Laker on Jan 16, 2020 18:55:20 GMT -5
I can't figure out how this board works...tried to respond to Peegoo's post with the three guitars and couldn't understand how to respond. Thank you for the response to my question. I never saw that headstock before and spent a good part of an afternoon searching for the answer! Cool info about Micro Frets |
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Jan 16, 2020 23:31:17 GMT -5
They definitely are quirky, in the same vein as a Lindert or Harvey Thomas.
Here's one in action. Chances are good the guitar was not used to track this cut because guitarist Duke McVinnie is a Strat guy.
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Jan 16, 2020 23:57:24 GMT -5
Another interesting thing about 'em...compare the headstock with that of the original Fender Starcaster, produced from 1976 to 1982. Micro Frets was just shutting its doors when the Fender hit the market.  |
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Post by Joe Potts on Jan 17, 2020 15:49:04 GMT -5
It’s been a good while since I’ve heard Microfrets mentioned. Used to see them mentioned once in a while in Guitar Player.
And, Peegoo, that Shivaree song is pretty cool. Hadn’t heard it before.
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Jan 18, 2020 6:58:24 GMT -5
Joe, it's a spooky tune with a *crackin'* chord progression. If you have a gal singing in your band, put it on the setlist!
It was out for a while and then it was used in the soundtrack for Kill Bill IIRC; that's what got it broader exposure. Ambrosia Parsley still records and tours.
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Post by Laker on Jan 18, 2020 9:25:57 GMT -5
The nut used on these guitars is really unique. Attachments:
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Jan 18, 2020 10:28:08 GMT -5
Definitely. Some of the features on these were years ahead of their time. But the nut and vibrato were clunky and not really practical; that's why the brand didn't last.
I saw these fairly often in DC-area music stores' used racks back in the 80s.
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sirWheat
Wholenote
For a better future, play Stevie Wonder for your children.
Posts: 318
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Post by sirWheat on Jan 18, 2020 14:39:42 GMT -5
"But the nut and vibrato were clunky and not really practical"
I wouldn't say that at all. They work just fine though the whole "tunable trem" thing is not really a big deal. What you're doing is changing the string tension of each string individually to achieve that; makes for a different playing feel and to me I think I like the usual sound that a normal trem makes. I wish I'd have known this before I bought mine. Mine is a great example of a Spacetone, and an equally nice hardtail would've been $800 or a grand cheaper.
The neck on mine is the narrowest and thinnest of any guitar I've ever played and is dead flat with a loose truss rod. When I got it the action was 1/32" at the twelfth fret and it didn't buzz. Pickups are not balanced well, volume-wise (a shim would have to be made to spec to fix this) and the bridge was installed approximately 1/16" off center (look at pics of these guitars and you'll see that this was common). The middle position is a fantastic rock & roll rhythm guitar sound and the short scale (24") would make it a nice jazz guitar. String spacing is pretty tight for me and I think it'll accompany me on my next trip to Elderly.
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Jan 18, 2020 14:54:25 GMT -5
I agree with you on the neck. If you think older Mosrites have teensy necks, try a Micro Frets!
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Post by spud1950 on Jan 18, 2020 18:55:39 GMT -5
In the hands of a master.
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