620 or Micro-Frets?

[harquahalas]

I just picked up a 1969 Micro-Frets Swinger recently. Anyone here ever here of them? I'm really liking it's sound. I can't decide if I want to keep the Micro or my 620 that I put HB1s and a trapeze tail piece on. I want to want the 620, but i think I like the Micro better, it's a whole different world from both my 620 HB and 360 w/highgains. When I consider all 3 guitars, I feel like the 620 sounds similar to the 360, but not nearly as good. Any related experience or advice would be appreciated.

[jdogric12]

Got pics Nate?

[harquahalas]

I'll try to get some up tonight. The Micro is a crazy looking guitar. I just bought a set of 80s-90s high gains that I might put in the 620 if I sell it. I figure the HBs might bring down the value. Than I can just sell the HBs separately.

[doctorwho]

You might want to try selling it with the humbuckers first, just to see whether there is a buyer out there looking for that configuration; then, if there is no interest, switch the HBs out and repost it for sale.

[harquahalas]

Thanks for the advice Gary. Maybe I'll try that.

[harquahalas]

1990 620 w/HBs:

[harquahalas]

Here's a couple more of the 620. There's a chip of paint missing on the back corner of the body near the jacks:

[harquahalas]

Here's the Micro-Frets:

[jingle_jangle]

That's a very clean MicroFrets piece. Truthfully, though, I've never been happy with the looks of them. They were designed by amateurs who to my eye were just trying too hard, though they certainly look reasonably well-built. I am very intrigued by what these could sound like. Perhaps you could post an mp3 somewhere and post a link for us?

[harquahalas]

I'll work on the mp3. It's the sound and not the look that got me. I definitely like the looks of my 620 better, that's why this is a difficult decision for me. The clean on the Micro blows me away, though it can't compete with my 360 on overdrive!

[jdogric12]

That MicroFrets is COOL!!!

[brian_l]

Personally, if you absolutely have to choose between the 620 and the Micro-Frets, I would keep the Micro-Frets. Why? Micro-Frets guitars and pretty hard to find and are becoming more and more collectible. The 620, on the other hand would be easy to replace if you ever decided you wanted another one. Whatever you decide, you get an awesome guitar either way.

BTW-Did you know that the adjustable nut on Micro-Frets guitars was designed to give the guitar perfect intonation? It is kind of a precursor to the Buzz Feiten and Earvana tuning systems of today.

[beefandbones]

I'd keep the Micro-Frets, too, for the same reasons Brian gave. I know a guy who has a Micro-Frets guitar - it's got a very bright trebly cutting sound, a bit like a cross between a toaster pickup and a P-90. Not a ton of sustain, but it's got a great clean sound. I think they're pretty cool, solid, funky, American-made instruments. Carl Perkins played a Mico-Frets in the late 60s and early 70s, and there are a few videos of him on youtube that can demostrate the Micro-Frets sound. Here's a clip of Carl, Johnny Cash, and Derek and the Dominos playing 'Matchbox':

http://youtube.com/watch?v=uaGF6WPuSpM

[harquahalas]

Yes, it has a very bright sound. What I like, is that I can put the tone knob up at about half way to get the sound I really like. Every guitar I've ever played, I turn the treble all the way up, and I always thought it would be cool if the tone was more extreme than you would want, so you could adjust it to exactly what you want.....And the Micro does that in both directions. If I twist the tone all the way counter clock-wise, it sounds like I'm playing under water or something. Here's a song, it's one I thought had the least effects added to the guitar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdJ07LVWw8U

[harquahalas]

This one looks cool!

Jerry Lee Lewis & Carl Perkins - Mean Woman Blues/Blue Suede

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Kz1Y1ekHhF8& ... F4&index=4