General Consensus RE: Clones

[MOSDAN]

For everything to be correct the Mosrite Original made by Dana Moseley is the closest in my opinion. Even though she is working with Fillmore for the guitar bodies her pickups and electronics are the same as the pickups and electronics used on her Dad's guitars. The Kurokumo and the Hallmark are great guitars, however, they do have differences from the Semie Mosrites while the Dana made Mosrites don't have these differences. Dana's guitars are the best when it comes to getting the real thing. The Hallmark is a great guitar but the bridge-tailpiece is not the same. The Hallmark neck profile is also not the same as a real Mosrite. I'm not knocking down the Hallmark-I'm just pointing out differences. Oh yes, I do have Semie made Mosrites, a Hallmark c-60, Dana made Mosrites, Kurokumos, a Fullerton Movibe and even a Eastwood Sidejack w/Burns vibrato so I have compared them to draw my conclusions. Keep in mind this is just my opinion.

[JimPage]

MOSDAN wrote:
>>the Mosrite Original made by Dana Moseley is the closest in my opinion . . .

How is the neck on those Dana Mosrite Originals? Is it the same as the Semie-made Mosrites? I realize that even those changed over the years.

--Jim

[MOSDAN]

Jim,
I can't tell the difference between the neck profiles on the Dana made Mosrites and the Semie Mosrites by feel. I haven't measured them using a micrometer or other measuring device. I'm just going by feel. The frets on the Dana Mosrites are slightly bigger and not as flat as the Semie Mosrites. Dana told me in 2009 she can put speed frets on her guitars if somebody wants them but most players find the speed frets too flat for bending. Personally, I like the frets on the Dana Mosrites better than the frets on the Semie guitars. You're correct on the Semie Mosrites changing over the years. Semie made his necks by hand as he didn't have CNC machines at the time and if you measure very closely on the Semie Mosrites you will find very fine variations, however, the Semie Mosrites were so close, for instance in the 1960's, you could not tell the differences without intricate measuring devices. Later year neck profiles were different than early years but still very close tolerances to other guitars of the same later year periods. Dana Mosrites are closer to the Semie Mosrite made in the 1960's and that is why she terms them 1964 and 1965 for instance if you check her web site. I'm not sure if Fillmore uses CNC on the necks for the Dana Mosrites but my guess is they do and that is how they consistantly get so close to the neck profile of the Semie Mosrites. I know Dana is very picky about the body and necks she gets from Fillmore before she completes her magic on them. If you ever get a chance to play one-you will be greatly pleased at how easy the Dana Mosrites are to play-just fabulous necks and awsome sound.

[JimPage]

Hey, MOSDAN--

Super interesting. I haven't had a chance to see one of the Mosrites that Dana puts out, but now I'd like to!

I'll check out her website, too.

Thanks!!!

--Jim

[MOSDAN]

Jim, Here is the URL to Dana's websight:
http://www.mosrite-guitars.com/

[JimPage]

Thanks! I'll check that out!

--Jim

[Diggey]

I love my Hallmark 60 Custom. I actually like it because it is but isn't a Mosrite Clone. Everyone that asks me about it, gets my whole speech about Mosrite and the man, and then I talk about Bob Shade, and about the history of Hallmark.

So, for me it's the clone thing that I like most. Not exactly a Mosrite, but one of the best guitars I've ever owned. It also is a show stopper...... (Red Silver and Blue). I also will say, it has a nice size neck for people like me with big paws. And the pickups are great through my Supro amp.

Don't get me wrong, Mosrites are why we all are members here on a fan forum. But, for me, the Hallmark has become the better fit.