From left to right:
Aria Diamond DM-380 - equipped with M3 Pups
Hallmark 60 Custom - 2009 - the one I picked up from Surfing Matze yesterday (Thanks!)
Mosrite Mark I - Dana Moseley re-issue Model.
Mosrite Mark V - bought in Seattle in 2006. Neck Pu died last year and I had it rewound. Still sounds and plays great!
Hallmark 60 Custom - 2013 - ordered last year and got this one about 2 months ago.
A little history/personal thoughts and feelings:
The Aria is not a serious guitar. It plays like a Strat and the whammy is more a toy. The PU swap helped a lot, but still...it's not a bad guitar, but on the other hand not good enough to take it to gigs or the studio.
The Dana Mosrite is not what I suspected. The build quality of the whammy casting is so poor! It just won't stay in tune and feels really cheap. It still sounds and plays like a real Mosrite, but I would not recommend to buy any of these re-issue Mosrites. Save up for a real vintage one or get a Hallmark. I had to learn the hard way.
The Mark V is real. This is a Mosrite. It plays and sounds excellent. WOW! I'll take it to the studio any time. But not to gigs (not to the sh*t holes we play most of the time). That's why I bought the Hallmarks.
The Hallmarks are reliable work horses. They play different than a Mosrite, but still very close and very comfortable. Soundwise they nail that vintage Mosrite tone. Really good craftsmanship! Absolutely great guitars. Bob is also a very nice person to deal with! I'm still tempted to add a Hallmark Mark II...but I guess my wife will kill me.
