Micro-Frets Plainsman 1248
Micro-Frets was a short lived American guitar brand from the late 1960's.
Sez El Wiki:
" 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 '67 and '74 roughly 3000 were made. Today Micro Frets guitars enjoy a cult status. Past players include Carl Perkins, Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad, Dave Fielding of The Chameleons, and Martin Gore of Depeche Mode. Genesis' Mike Rutherford converted a Micro-Frets into a 6-string bass"
I personnally came across one while watching a video of a Grand Funk Railroad tune.
I was intrigued by that little metal disc glued on the headstock:
That's the "early wireless transmitter"; it used FM waves and needed a special receiver hooked to the guitar amp. Pretty nifty for the period.
So, this is the Plainsman 1248. Kind of a Rickenbacker on drugs.
Looks are deceptive, though. The Plainsman was not just futuristic in design, it was a trailblazer in technology and construction.
Like this body that opens up like a nut:
To read further on the unique features of this guitar, visit:
http://leadingtoneseattle.com/wordpress/2011/10/christians-micro-frets-plainsman/
No demo of the Plainsman, but here is that video footage of Grand Funk Railroad featuring a Micro Frets guitar:
https://shop.microfretsguitars.com/
Sez El Wiki:
" 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 '67 and '74 roughly 3000 were made. Today Micro Frets guitars enjoy a cult status. Past players include Carl Perkins, Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad, Dave Fielding of The Chameleons, and Martin Gore of Depeche Mode. Genesis' Mike Rutherford converted a Micro-Frets into a 6-string bass"
I personnally came across one while watching a video of a Grand Funk Railroad tune.
I was intrigued by that little metal disc glued on the headstock:
That's the "early wireless transmitter"; it used FM waves and needed a special receiver hooked to the guitar amp. Pretty nifty for the period.
So, this is the Plainsman 1248. Kind of a Rickenbacker on drugs.
Looks are deceptive, though. The Plainsman was not just futuristic in design, it was a trailblazer in technology and construction.
Like this body that opens up like a nut:
To read further on the unique features of this guitar, visit:
http://leadingtoneseattle.com/wordpress/2011/10/christians-micro-frets-plainsman/
No demo of the Plainsman, but here is that video footage of Grand Funk Railroad featuring a Micro Frets guitar:
https://shop.microfretsguitars.com/
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