 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Musical instruments |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Founder | Ralph Jones |
| Defunct | 1975 (re-introduced 2017) |
| Headquarters | , |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Electric guitars |
| Website | microfretsguitars.com |
Micro-Frets is an Americanmusical instrumentsmanufacturing company established by Ralph Jones,[1] inFrederick, Maryland. The company producedelectric guitars andbasses until its factory closed in 1975.[2]
In 2017 after many years of hiatus, Micro-Frets returned to production. The company currently produces electric guitars only.
The company was founded by Ralph Jones in 1967, originally under the name "Micro Tech". Jones and a small group of builders set up in a 15,000-square-foot factory financed by business partner Francis Marion Huggins on Grove Road. Apart from cutting guitar bodies and necks, they also machined components including the company'sMicro-Nut andCalibrato tailpiece.[3] The first four models of guitars introduced that same year were the "Orbiter", "Huntington", "Plainsman" and "Covington", withbass guitars models added later.[2]
The guitars combined unique body shapes and idiosyncratic color schemes with proprietary technology such as the Calibrato vibrato, adjustable nut for intonation, and even an early wireless transmitter. Between 1967 and 1974 roughly 3,000 were made. In April 1972, Jones died from a heart attack, with Hazel Jones continuing operations with builder Gary Free in charge of construction and design. For nearly four years, Free designed and built models made with remaining inventory.
The company was briefly revived in 2004 when Will Meadors bought the "Micro-Frets" name with the purpose of relaunching the brand, although it was just to make a small run of guitars. In 2017, 50 years after the company was created, Micro Frets went back into production, with an initial launch of four models: Spacetone, Swinger, Stage II and Signature.[2]
Today Micro Frets guitars enjoy a cult status. Past players includeCarl Perkins,Mark Farner ofGrand Funk Railroad, Dave Fielding of The Chameleons, andMartin Gore ofDepeche Mode.Genesis'Mike Rutherford converted a Micro-Frets into a 6-string bass. Wreckless Eric continues to play the same Spacetone model he has used since the 1970s[4] Micro-Frets also made signature models forTommy Cash andBuddy Merrill.[3]