Hi all, can anyone help identify this Japanese Mosrite

[Lachstar]

Hi all,
I am a newb from Melbourne, Australia. Been reading for quite a while but didn't want to join until I had a Mosrite! This one turned up in the local 2nd hand music shop about a week ago and I couldn't wait to go and try it out, I knew within about 2 minutes of strumming it that it was coming home with me. Looks all original to me other than Grover tuners, apparently the seller was fairly certain it was early 80's and probably Kurokomo made. It's been very well looked after and is in pretty good condition if it is that old. It has the Ventures logo, Moseley on the bridge and no "of California" beneath Mosrite on the headstock, pickups or bridge. If anyone has any info they could offer on who made it and/or roughly what year I'd be very interested to hear. I'm very happy with it! Great guitar to play

[BRRanger]

Welcome Lachstar!
Scott

[Bob Shade]

That is a Mosrite Ranger from the early 70's. It is the first Japanese made Mosrite model made. There were a few other model guitars the manufacturer offered as well, but the name of the company escapes me.

Hope this helps, Bob

[mosriteforever]

Firstman?

[Bob Shade]

Yes, Firstman. That's what I was trying to remember. They had other models as well.

[Lachstar]

Thanks for the welcomes guys! A Firstman Mosrite Ranger from the early 70's? Very interesting thanks Bob! What are the telltale signs that reveal that? Someone else suggested that they thought it was a Firstman from 68-69 being the only 2 years they had a catalog and went bankrupt shortly after. Was their main model at that stage the Avenger? So Ranger was a later one I'm guessing? Thanks again for the input. Cheers, Lach

[Bob Shade]

Adam, can you jump in here? I think you are more familiar with the minor details on the Japanese gear.

[halfblank]

Square back neck plate is an indicator. No "of California" under "Mosrite" on the headstock. Tuning keys look wrong. String nut is wrong. Just a couple of things I noticed, I'm sure I'm not telling you guys anything new...still a beautiful guitar!

[dorkrockrecords]

I think you mean Firstman Avenger. The Ranger is a Fillmore model.
Cheers,
Adam

[Bob Shade]

Right you are Sir!