Joe Maphis Model 1

[burntheflags]

Hello,
For a long time now i have really been wanting a Joe Maphis model 1. There's just
something about the oddly shaped body that i've been really drawn to. But as someone
that makes very little money i never thought that i would be able to afford what vintage
mosrites are going for these days. Then last week i check our local craigslist here in
Greensboro, NC and someone has one for sale........for $600. i called the guy and
fifteen minutes later it was mine. It has obviously been used a lot. It has heavy checking,
the finish on the neck is worn and the trem arm has a good bit of pitting. All of which just add
to it's charm for me. i looked at the neck to check the serial number and it is D005. Does this
mean it was the 5th one? The trussrod adjustment is at the base of the neck not the headstock
which differs from others i've seen.
Later that day i went out to my practice space and plugged it up. The guitar feels and plays great
after getting used to the neck a bit. The pickups are very microphonic and although the neck pickup
sound good the bridge seems to be lacking a bit. It has very little high end and though it reads
13.26K the output is lower than my 9K texas blues tele pickup. i'm not really sure how this guitar
is supposed to sound, but the bridge pickup just doesn't have a very good tone. Any thoughts?
Lastly, not to start a huge debate about it, but the frets are pretty worn and i do feel like this
guitar would play better with a refret. Have any of you tried standard frets on a mosrite? i know,
i know, it hurts the value but i'm a guitarist not a collector and have no intention of ever selling
this one.

[Desert Surfer]

Congratulations! it is a nice find. And the price is unbelievable. I have one too and love it.

Is it in natural color? Show us some photos if you would.

[burntheflags]

Yes. It is natural with a tortoise pickguard. Seems to be the most
common finish. i have pics but i'm not very good with computers
and don't know haw to post them.

[Strat-o-rama]

I would call Bob Shade at Hallmark Guitars about restoration work you may want done. He is very expert in matters Mosrite, is a collector himself and could help with the pick up and fret issues.

[DazzRite]

Hi burntheflags! I'm about as new as you are here. I've had a Model I for about 6 years now. Won it on ebay without a case. I kept it behind a chair in the 'junk room' for a couple of years before I scored a case the right size for the job.

So proud I was of the new case that I immediately stored my Model I in it. The next time I took the guitar out (a month or two later?) I noticed some pitting of the chrome on the trem. It's caused by off-gassing from the cool tortoise guard. Now my Model I has a case but roams free while at home. I like reliced stuff okay, but I hate to be the relicer!

I love the looks of mine too---and find it one of the most comfortable guitars I've ever played. Standing or sitting, Mosrites are very ergonomic!

[MOSDAN]

Congrats on a great find at a super price. Don't fret about the condition of the guitar. It just shows that it has vintage vibe and has had a life of playing as guitars should have. I love my Model 1. As for the pickups I would check with Dana Moseley or with Art at Front Porch Music for replacement and just keep the originals in the case. Art can tell you how to contact Dana. Art is also a member of this forum as "bakeoboy" and Dana also is a member of the forum as "Dana". Here is Art's contact info:

Front Porch Music
1711 19th St
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 325-7161

Enjoy your new find!!!!!

[jtr654]

Bob Shades will also have pickups and will hand wind them to restore them. I'ld check his prices 1st very reasonable and a great guy to work with.

[jtr654]

Ed Elliott also can do your pickups or make them.

[ElTwang]

Well, I have new frets on mine and it takes a little bit of the original 'feel'. I've found that the biggest issue has been, that I can't get that same low action as it had before without fret-buzz. I'm currently considering to get the frets 'speed fret'ed' to get it even closer to original specs. There was without a doubt some excellent thinking going on when Semie M. invented this.

BTW, I just got mine restored with the original tone-cap and string guide.

[oipunkguy]

awesome find! wish it was me. hard to know whats up with that pickup, maybe the guitar just needs a good setup done, or possible the pickup could be going bad, who knows.
personally, if I was you i would try to give the speed frets a chance first and see if you get use to them before refretting them. I'm only saying this because i had the same experence buying my first mosrite, and was use to jumbo frets on modern day les pauls.
after a while if it still bothers you then get it refretted, just one person's humble opinion.