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Vintage restored Microfrets Signature bass guitar, very very rare!
Estimated price for orientation: 980 $
Category: Electric Guitars
Class:
Description Condition: Seller refurbished: An item that has been restored to working order by the eBay seller or a third party not approved by the manufacturer. This means the item has been inspected, cleaned, and repaired to full working order and is in excellent condition. This item may or may not be in original packaging. See the seller’s listing for full details. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition Brand: Microfrets Model: Vintage Body Color: Dark Walnut String Configuration: 4 String Body Type: Semi-Hollow Dexterity: Right-Handed
MICROFRETS SIGNATURE BASSCirca 1970. Serial #2066, “Series 2” type construction. The Microfrets Signature is a semi-hollowbody but without soundholes. This originally had two white pickups, but only had the bridge pickup when I acquired it. I had two new pickups installed; these were made by the rejuvenated Microfrets company in the early 2000's to the original spec's, the only difference being black plastic covers instead of sealed white plexiglass. No routing was necessary. Otherwise it is completely original (less a few screws, see below) and very clean. There are a few minor scratches on the back and front (can only be seen in bright light or at an angle but the neck shows no wear whatsoever. Complete with the all-important Micro-Nut, double-dot position markers, a double pickguard (one on body, one elevated) and Schaller tuners (these were standard on Microfrets basses.) These basses are wired for phase reversal capability. The Micro-Nut, neckplate and bridge/tailpiece all are feature the Microfrets logo. A couple unusual details; the back of the headstock is very faintly stamped "GUITAR DEPT" and the five screws on the neckplate all seem to be different. Okay then...The photos show the joint in the body where the two halves meet and the neck has to be removed to get inside the body; perhaps the original screws were lost when someone removed the neck at one time. This is a very lightweight bass, with a fast neck and very low frets (insert pun here.) It is quite comfortable; the offset location of the strap button at the bottom of the body helps to position the bass very comfortably. The very dark finish appears black in most light but is actually a transparent walnut. Just restrung with Rotosound Flats and comes with a brand new Roadrunner hard case.Some folks in Maryland revived the brand and production again for a few years in the early 2000’s, which is how I got replacement pickups. I acquired them from fellow MF enthusiast Jim Sellers and he bought them directly from Will Meadors, as described in the March 2017 Vintage Guitar magazine article on Microfrets history. I had been looking for over a decade for original replacement pickups and they just don't exist so this is about as complete a restoration (excepting some neck plate screws) as possible.THESE ARE AMONG THE RAREST OF AMERICAN MADE PRODUCTION INSTRUMENTS!The original Microfrets company was only around for a few years in the late 1960's and early '70's, with a total estimated production of about 3000 instruments. Most of these were 6 string guitars, so basses in good condition are very rare. Get it while you can!
Description
| Condition: | Seller refurbished: An item that has been restored to working order by the eBay seller or a third party not approved by the manufacturer. This means the item has been inspected, cleaned, and repaired to full working order and is in excellent condition. This item may or may not be in original packaging. See the seller’s listing for full details. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition | Brand: | Microfrets |
| Model: | Vintage | Body Color: | Dark Walnut |
| String Configuration: | 4 String | Body Type: | Semi-Hollow |
| Dexterity: | Right-Handed |
MICROFRETS SIGNATURE BASSCirca 1970. Serial #2066, “Series 2” type construction. The Microfrets Signature is a semi-hollowbody but without soundholes. This originally had two white pickups, but only had the bridge pickup when I acquired it. I had two new pickups installed; these were made by the rejuvenated Microfrets company in the early 2000's to the original spec's, the only difference being black plastic covers instead of sealed white plexiglass. No routing was necessary. Otherwise it is completely original (less a few screws, see below) and very clean. There are a few minor scratches on the back and front (can only be seen in bright light or at an angle but the neck shows no wear whatsoever. Complete with the all-important Micro-Nut, double-dot position markers, a double pickguard (one on body, one elevated) and Schaller tuners (these were standard on Microfrets basses.) These basses are wired for phase reversal capability. The Micro-Nut, neckplate and bridge/tailpiece all are feature the Microfrets logo. A couple unusual details; the back of the headstock is very faintly stamped "GUITAR DEPT" and the five screws on the neckplate all seem to be different. Okay then...The photos show the joint in the body where the two halves meet and the neck has to be removed to get inside the body; perhaps the original screws were lost when someone removed the neck at one time. This is a very lightweight bass, with a fast neck and very low frets (insert pun here.) It is quite comfortable; the offset location of the strap button at the bottom of the body helps to position the bass very comfortably. The very dark finish appears black in most light but is actually a transparent walnut. Just restrung with Rotosound Flats and comes with a brand new Roadrunner hard case.Some folks in Maryland revived the brand and production again for a few years in the early 2000’s, which is how I got replacement pickups. I acquired them from fellow MF enthusiast Jim Sellers and he bought them directly from Will Meadors, as described in the March 2017 Vintage Guitar magazine article on Microfrets history. I had been looking for over a decade for original replacement pickups and they just don't exist so this is about as complete a restoration (excepting some neck plate screws) as possible.THESE ARE AMONG THE RAREST OF AMERICAN MADE PRODUCTION INSTRUMENTS!The original Microfrets company was only around for a few years in the late 1960's and early '70's, with a total estimated production of about 3000 instruments. Most of these were 6 string guitars, so basses in good condition are very rare. Get it while you can!