Copy or real

[Chrispdekker]

A friend of mine has this Mosrite. Apparently it has no serial number, but it looks like the real deal. I know there are old USA Mosrites, later Japanese ones, modern ones. Can someone shine a light on this one? Thanks in advance!

I already posted this on another bass forum and there were some comments: (thanks, Ilan)

0 The tuners look like the type that went on cheap 70's Japanese copies. They are smaller than the units Moseley used, but there are no visible screw holes on the back of the headstock.
- In addition to that, tuner holes are too close. They should be farther apart.
- As already mentioned, the neck plate is wrong.
- The treble pickup is too far from the bridge.
- Neck heel is also wrong.
- I have always thought that real ones always had "of California" under the Mosrite logo, and counterfeits didn't.
- Too many things don't look right with this one. If I had to guess, I'd say a fake, maybe with some original Mosrite parts.

Any more? Does anybody knows more about this nice bass?

[Chrispdekker]

This '68 Maphis has the pickup also more to the middle of the body:

http://www.rocknrollvintage.com/proddet ... assNatural

[Bob Shade]

Hi Chris and welcome to the forum!

This is from the first Japanese run of Mosrites from the 70's.

This is rare, you see the 6 string models infrequently but rarely ever a bass. I have no idea how many of each were produced, but this may be the first bass I have noticed from this period. The 6 strings I have seen around since conception.

The 6 strings trade for about $800.00 to $1300.00 depending on condition. Some guys and even dealers don't know that these are early Japanese models and have been advertised at vintage USA prices.

Study these and be sure if you are looking for a real USA Mosrite that you are getting the right guitar.

Bob

[bakeoboy]

And remember that you can get the real Mosrite original guitars and basses at Front Porch Music in Bakersfield Ca.