mosriteforum.com

Hi...I'm Terry, I live in Seattle, and I just joined, minutes ago. I've been a guitar player since my teens (nearly 50 years now) but mostly accoustic. I'm an okay player. I do have a few electric instruments--mandolins, lap steels, a Gibson ES 175--- though don't play them often. I've been interested in getting a solid body guitar, and have lately been focusing on a Mosrite. But, I know next to nothing about them---other than I've heard of them forever and that Joe Maphis played one---in apparent contrast to everyone else on this site. About that--having this forum-- I'm very happy and lucky. So, to my questions: Elderly Instruments currently has two shown on the website, both, they say, from 1966: a Celebrity, and a Ventures model. The sound demo of the Ventures model sounded very nice, but, again, what do I really know? What guidance can the knowledgeable members of this forum give me as to where to look, what to think about, specific to Mosrites, what kind of prices are typical/reasonable, idiosyncratically wonderful or challenging aspects of Mosrites, anything like that that'll give me some guidance and shape my thinking? I'm prepared to take the plunge as soon as I'm up to speed.

Thanks,

TRG

You've landed on a great wealth of Mosrite info alright ...Welcome to the forum!

If you want to understand Mosrite, you can't find a better source.

Dan

Welcome to the forum, Terry !!

Terry welcome aboard! Glad you joined. You will learn a lot here from discussions people start or discussions you may start if you are looking into a certain topic just like the one you started here.

Terry check your inbox. I replied to you by making some suggestions in a private message. The reason for this is rather than a post here because the reply is pretty long and don't want to take up a public message with a really long message.

Personally, I would never buy a used guitar because I don't want to have to possibly deal with someone else's problems, and used Mosrites are generally over-priced for the condition they may be in. In my mind, there are only 2 choices.

1) Dana-Mo Mosrite from Dana Moseley with her own hand wound pickups
2) Hallmark Custom series

The '65 models of each brand are very similar as the Ventures model on Elderly Instruments. Both are probably built better. The Dana-Mo sounds exactly like a vintage Mosrite would sound if it was new. The Hallmark sounds very close, but it has a slightly wider neck, making it easier to play chords, and switching out the pickups for Dana-Mo's will bring the sound 100% there. The advantage of the Hallmark is that it's less than 1/3 the price of either the Dana-Mo or that vintage Ventures model and it's a really high quality instrument.

Tronman, I like your suggestion of the Hallmark. I've read nothing but good about these and yes put some actual Mosrite P/Us in it and it should sound like a real Mosrite.

In my PM to the original poster I suggested Firstman Mosrite Avengers if one is going used but they are very old. They were made about 1970 for a couple years then became Firstman. I have one and although old and being very vintage in wear and tear I don't have any problems with it but I understand what you mean about old guitars having problems. In 2002 I bought a 1965 Gretsch Country Club and although nice it has one problem and that is binding rot. Other than that the neck is good, no reset needed. Electronics are great. Sounds and feels great but a binding job will probably run me about $500 to $600.

I think the Hallmark suggestion is right on perfect.

Welcome to the forum.