Help identifying/evaluating this beaut

[88fingers]

Hi guys,
An acquaintance of mine has this amazing specimen to sell, the music store where I work wouldn't take it b/c the neck has *minor* playability issues, and this thing is otherwise dead mint. MINT!

I am having trouble figuring out the model on it, and what it might be worth.
Three toggles, I'm guessing are on-off-on (out of phase), and three pickups. Moseley signature on the back of the neck under the finish.

Could use your help identifying it, price range, deets on the electronics.

Much appreciated!
Having trouble attaching images, here's a link to the pix on Google drive:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8MN1 ... ktZMXl1M0U

Cheers,
p

[panther]

The brochure with it if original to the guitar, it says; "HISTORY comes alive, For the new generation".. Makes me think, reproduction with upgrades. If original Mosrite, what "History" would they be talking about ?
Dan

[tyler]

What playability issues does it have? What's the serial number?

I've never seen a finish or knobs like that, but everything else is characteristic of semie built mosrites afaik.

Also, that brochure came with the 1988 models almost reinforcing that it's legit.

[JayJay]

I think it is a partsrite. Looks like a VIII body with a M88 or V88 neck. Also something is strange with the truss rod cover.

[Bob Shade]

That was called "The American" model. I have not seen any advertising on this 80's beaut, but they made a decent amount of them. It was talked about in a magazine in the 80's (I think Guitar World) It is a real Mosrite offering from that period. I have seen them is a variety of colors and most had a trem.

Bob

[Sarah93003]

I've never seen a TRC shaped like that on a Mosrite. Cool guitar though.

[88fingers]

Thanks for the input guys! I have some more info to add:

Playability issues: minor fret buzz, in a few spots, neck has a touch of a twist. B/c the owner had it in a case for 30 years, it needs a bit of TLC.

Serial #: I forgot to get it when I was taking pix

Build info: a local guy here in Toronto built this; apparently he built several 'Mosrites' after he met Moseley and bought a bunch of parts off of him. This thread might belong in the 'clones' category now!

I didn't take any pix of the back, but it indeed has a Mosely signature, covered in clearcoat.

ANy thoughts on what I should tell the elderly owner what he can expect to get for it? The owner was friends with the builder back in the day, he got it right from him.

Your input is much appreciated,
p

[StevieSTL]

-- Bob is right that it's the VIII American model body, and that model was made in or around '84, but, like tyler said the neck with the 1988 decal on the headstock would be indicative of a M88 or a V88 model, both produced in small numbers in '88. If he did indeed get them directly from Semie, your Toronto builder must have acquired his parts between late 1988 and Semie's passing in '91, and built this sometime after 1988. Necks of all three of the mentioned 80's models bore the man's signature, my VIII is signed 1984. This one is a partsrite, and beautiful one at that. A real American Model would be worth 4 or 5 grand, a M88 or V88, maybe somewhere in the range of half of that. I would say a fair asking price would be in the 1500-2500 range, if you can get the neck straightened out. Perhaps find someone, maybe the builder (?) who would be willing to remove it and put in clamps for a period of time. Or, what may work better, would be to spend some considerable time playing it hard. Super cool guitar you guys have there! Good luck!
-SG

PS- Japanese Ebay would probably be the way to get the most out of it!