mosriteforum.com

A guy at Surfguitar101 just asked about this guitar on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/2010-MOSRITE-USA-DR ... 2a0cf6b919

With my newfound Mosrite expertise (hehe) I know Mosrite USA is propbably one of Ed Roman's factory jobs? Although aren't "Mosrite Originals" on the headstock the guitars Dana is assembling for Fillmore? But, this guitar is highly suspicious. Also, don't like the seller who knows nothing about the guitar and doesnt list a location. Probably a fake?

(how'd I do)?

Bill

It's a Fillmore, made in Japan.

I once struggled with this stuff and had to draw the line about 1992. Vintage before, and you-can-call-it-whatever-you-want after. Semie died in 1992 and I feel it's arguable that the brand ended with him. Not to say that guitars built after his 35-plus years aren't great--just that I need a point of reference for Mosrite and I choose 1992 or earlier. Just makes life simpler than trying to keep track of the several rightful (or not) successors to the trademark.

And not to suggest that you have to be slavish to a maker that's been gone for 20 years. I'm a big fan of the small builders who Semie influenced personally (Ed Elliott, Terry McArthur, Danny Ellison and many others).

I just think it's pretty difficult to navigate the proliferation and dilution of such a unique (and troubled, no doubt) instrument maker. If you're interested in the Mosrite legacy, I'd look closely at the few people (and getting fewer) who worked with Semie and, while building their own instruments, are bringing his passion and innovations to life.

So, Dreamer Boy model or whatever rolls off the CNC machine, I encourage you to enjoy the effort others may put into establishing its lineage while you decide into which Fender (the vintage or the re-issue) to plug your handmade E.F.Elliott/TNM/Ellison piece of living heritage.

Cheers!

SurferBill wrote:A guy at Surfguitar101 just asked about this guitar on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/2010-MOSRITE-USA-DR ... 2a0cf6b919

With my newfound Mosrite expertise (hehe) I know Mosrite USA is propbably one of Ed Roman's factory jobs? Although aren't "Mosrite Originals" on the headstock the guitars Dana is assembling for Fillmore? But, this guitar is highly suspicious. Also, don't like the seller who knows nothing about the guitar and doesnt list a location. Probably a fake?

(how'd I do)?

Bill

SurferBill wrote:...doesn't list a location.

If you click on "See other items", you'll find most of the stuff he's offering is made in Japan and are also located in Japan...and I would have no objection whatsoever of adding this 'fake' to my humble collection

handbrake wrote:I just think it's pretty difficult to navigate the proliferation and dilution of such a unique (and troubled, no doubt) instrument maker.

Well said...I agree.

Bill

Hey SurferBill,

That "Mosrite Original Made in USA" has bothered me for a while.
It's just like you bough a brand new Made in USA Fender Strat, and found
out it was really made in China, corpered Fender thought the
guitars would sell better if they said made in USA on them, and who's
the wiser, Isn't fraud still illegal??
Eddy

I've been watching the eBay/craigslist section to see if this guy would pop up for discussion.

I am no expert but it seems to me that Mosrite in Japan is a much different beast then it is here. They seem to have been making Mosrites for a long time now and there seems to be a rather large market for Mosrites in Japan.
We have vintage reissue strats, fat strats, roadhouse strats, artist strats, etc. They have Royal 63s, Dreamer Boy LTDs, MKII Standards/Deluxes, etc.
I'm sure the parallel I'm drawing here isn't 100% accurate but you get the idea. Have you ever been to a Japanese website that sells Mosrites? The various options are overwhelming.

Bottom line is that Fillmore seems to be making some great stuff and if I had the scratch, I'd be all over this guy. I am very interested if anyone has any experience with this type of pickup? Looks like the pups on JohnnySonic's MKII Deluxe but with pole pieces. Anyone?

As for why they say "Made in USA" or "Mosrite of California USA," isn't that like if USA Fenders had "Made in Japan" on them? It raises some interesting questions. My guess is that people in Japan are much like people in the US (or anywhere) in that the original guitars they idolize say "Mosrite of California" on the headstock and not "Mosrite of Japan." Just a thought.

Jordan

I don't think there is a place called "California" in Japan...or is there?

Interesting question Jordan. My guess is that when certain parts of the (Japanese) guitar are made and/or assembled in the US, (like handwound pickups by Dana Moseley for Fillmore) it would provide sufficient legal grounds for the company to slap "California" and/or "USA" on it

Veenture wrote:I don't think there is a place called "California" in Japan...or is there?

Interesting question Jordan. My guess is that when certain parts of the (Japanese) guitar are made and/or assembled in the US, (like handwound pickups by Dana Moseley for Fillmore) it would provide sufficient legal grounds for the company to slap "California" and/or "USA" on it

That's a good point. I didn't think about that. This specific guitar seems to have never left Japan, however, so I don't think that would work on this one.
I don't know the details of the lawsuit that Fillmore won but I've read that part of it was the right to use specific Mosrite terms like "Vibramute" and so on. Is it possible that somehow they won the right to use "USA" as well (or something to that effect)? It appears as though they won the right to use "Mosrite of California" as that's what's on all the Fillmore headstocks I see.

Once again, I am only speculating and, apparently, there are many threads throughout this forum that cover this point.

Jordan

Well the forum is full of the info on who, when and where the ownership of Mosrite has been/is.
Regardless of the quality of this guitar, the subject is MADE IN USA.

We know Dana can use this mark, she is in the USA. Probably even Ed .

Fender tried this once and the US Commerce Department frowned.
They had their butt wooped and their clock cleaned, as well as a fairly exact definition as to what it took to carry a Made in USA label.
In short you better apply this label inside the United States of America.

Many old brands are owned by someone else today. Many with parts from around the world. But if it says USA on it, someone inside the US touched it and applied the label.

Now if the puppy in question had its neck sent to Dana or someone in the US and the label was applied, I guess that works. If not! Filmore is in Japan not China. The United States Commerce Dept should arrange a reminder as to what the label means - to the tune of a couple million bucks.