NGD - My first Mosrite

[Greg_L]

Finally!





Neck stamp serial number is 3157. A quick Google search tells me it's probably very early 66? I'm not sure. How can I properly date this thing?

A few minor issues I need to address:
Vibrato arm needs a new felt washer.
Roller saddles are pretty cruddy. Might need to replace one saddle. Whole guitar needs a mild clean up.
Tone pot very stiff.
Pickups are a little microphonic.

Regarding the pickups, I want to use this guitar. I want to play it. And I don't want to rewind or dip the stock pickups in molten wax. I'm not a "high gain" guy, but besides beautiful surfy tones, I like a little Ramones-like aggression too. I think I'll replace the original pickups and save them. Who's making great Mosrite pickups these days?

[GattonFan]

Ed Elliot, Curtis Novak, Dana Moseley - all possibilities for your pickups.

[LoveyX]

Congrats to you!
There should be a date stamp in the neck pocket and on the neck where they attach.
Or, another way would be to check the pot codes.
It looks like a 66 alright but there's a couple more ways to look at it.

[MozRite]

Greg, congrats on your vintage Mosrite. beautiful. I have a vintage Mosrite in red also but it's a Mark V, 1966 model. The pickups are smooth top and a bit weak compared to pole piece Mosrite pickups, but they sound great. I have a Fillmore Mark 5 which is Japanese and the previous owner was kind enough to sell it with vintage Mosrite pickups he had installed. As far as replacing your pickups I can vouch for ed Elliot pickups. I have a set in a 1970 Mosrite avenger. Sound great. I have only tried two Mosrite Mark 1 vintage models so I forgot how they sound but from listening to Ventures music, especially the Christmas album these Elliots come close. The vintage pickups in my Filmore although vintage I don't think they sound as good as the Elliot pickups oddly enough.

From what you want you might check with Novak also. I hear he makes smooth tops and although weaker than polepiece models they sound great. Think "Rock Lobster" by B-52s. Or Chicchi from Strawberry Parfait, out of Japan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3alNMg9v9A

[Greg_L]

Thanks folks!

So it looks like it's a 1965. 34th week of 65 pots, Nov/Dec 65 neck and body.Cool!

[MozRite]

If you don't mind me asking, where did you buy yours? How much was it? I am curious because I see vintage models listed from about $3,500 to 5,000 range. A friend who owns a guitar shop says he sees them listed for about $3,500 all the time and everyone says that is the going rate but no one is buying at that price. Usually priced that but they sell for less.

[MozRite]

Here is mine. Was $2,100 pus $50 shipping

[MozRite]

Another pic. came with original case. These go for $2,000 give or take a couple hundred so I could have waited and maybe got one for slightly less but I liked it so I bought it. No regrets.

[Greg_L]

If you don't mind me asking, where did you buy yours? How much was it? I am curious because I see vintage models listed from about $3,500 to 5,000 range. A friend who owns a guitar shop says he sees them listed for about $3,500 all the time and everyone says that is the going rate but no one is buying at that price. Usually priced that but they sell for less.

I got it in Austin, Tx. Austin Vintage Guitars. I live in far west Houston, so just a two hour drive. They had four Mosrites there. My red one, two sunbursts (one signed by Nokie), and a double neck 6/12. Mine was listed at $3600, I left with it for $2900. It needs some minor TLC, but I feel like I did well for an all original Ventures model. I think that's a reasonable price for what it is compared to the general market for these things.

[MozRite]

If you don't mind me asking, where did you buy yours? How much was it? I am curious because I see vintage models listed from about $3,500 to 5,000 range. A friend who owns a guitar shop says he sees them listed for about $3,500 all the time and everyone says that is the going rate but no one is buying at that price. Usually priced that but they sell for less.

I got it in Austin, Tx. Austin Vintage Guitars. I live in far west Houston, so just a two hour drive. They had four Mosrites there. My red one, two sunbursts (one signed by Nokie), and a double neck 6/12. Mine was listed at $3600, I left with it for $2900. It needs some minor TLC, but I feel like I did well for an all original Ventures model. I think that's a reasonable price for what it is compared to the general market for these things.

You got it for a very good price. You actually scored well.

On eBay right now there is a new set of Ed Elliot pickups for $199 plus about $8 shipping

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ed-Elliott-Cus ... SwP6VcQMqD