Mark V style Gospel question

[paulramon1962]

Hey all. Been a while since my last post, but I've been lurking around when i'm not in school. I've been searching for info on the Mark V/Cobain style Gospel model, but I guess the Mark V in general. I'm a little fascinated by this guitar. I think that it is one of the more beautiful guitars made by Mosrite. It's understated and simple, which I love. Does anyone know the reasoning behind this model? Was it a student model or aimed at a lower price point? Also, why Gospel? Where did that come from? I'm considering saving up for one of the Fillmore reissues, but I'll ask opinions on that in the Modern Mosrite forum. Here I just want to know the history.

Any info would be awesome!

[jfine]

The Mark V was a lower-priced model, below the Mark I. The early ones were branded "Mosrite Ventures Model" like the Mark I's. The "Gospel" versions were made to market to gospel performers--Semie Moseley was a gospel musician and preacher, and he wanted to have a line specifically for players in that genre. I don't know if every model in the Mosrite line had a Gospel equivalent, but the Mark V certainly did. If it hadn't been for Kurt Cobain's use of that Gospel-branded Mark V, they'd be a footnote in Mosrite history, but his guitar was for all intents and purposes a Mark V, as the two models were identical except for the name. In fact, until I saw Kurt's, I'd never seen a Gospel-branded Mark V. Most of the Gospel guitars were hollowbodies like the Celebrity, but they're scarce too--it appears that regular Mosrite production far outnumbered Gospel production. There are some Gospel Mark I's out there with different body contours and finishes than the Mosrite versions, but they seem to date from a later period--'70's or '80's. There's also a Gospel model in the current Hallmark line--it's basically a 60 Custom (Mark I-style) in white pearl with gold hardware and blue pearloid pickup covers with white mounting rings, and the Gospel logo.

[paulramon1962]

That's interesting. I understand that Semie Mosely lost the name Mosrite at some point in the 70's and just started making "Gospel" guitars to clean out the inventory. Is that true?

I didn't know he was a religious man, but I suppose that makes sense. I don't know what the state of gospel music was back in the 70's but I take it by the small numbers of Gospel Guitars produced, it wasn't large enough to become a successful venture (Pun, take it or leave it.)

I actually have a friend who had a "Gospel" branded Celebrity, but the neck was so warped he replaced it. The thing wasn't a looker; it had been poorly refinished, the original electronics were gutted, so basically all that was left was the tailpiece and body/neck. He wondered what the Gospel was about, and all I knew was the Cobain reference.