Mosrite, Mouradians, & Maine

[oipunkguy]

i really dig the wave design except the headstock. i can't get use to it.

[Edward Lopez]

Hey Tommy,

I will be visiting Jim & (son) Jon at the Winchester, MA store in a few weeks.

I will get the low-down on the "Lunch with Semie".

And, with regard to Bob's observation on the Mosrite being out of place in this setting; I believe that Semie was a spiritual man, and if this backdrop isn't one of "God's Country", I don't know what is (and I am a city boy). And of course, Bob, no umbrage taken. It's all great stuff on this Forum.

A little dramatic, but what the heck, just trying to make it interesting.

Thanks,
Alan.

No, I didn't mean to imply that the Mosrite was out of place. The Mouradians are out of place being posed with the beautiful, ergonomic Mosrite. The Mouradians would be out of place regardless of where they were posed. Their shape is just too much and I've never seen anyone playing or posing with one and I doubt that I will, normally. The Mosrites enhance their setting wherever they're posed. IOW, harmony and discordance.

I asked my wife for her opinion on the Mouradians in the photo and she used one word: "Painful". For the Mosrite: "Neat". I could spend the rest of my life sitting at the water's edge admiring nature's handiwork.

[apossibleworld]

The Mouradians are out of place being posed with the beautiful, ergonomic Mosrite. The Mouradians would be out of place regardless of where they were posed.

Mouradian is a Boston legend. While those guitars don't appeal to me personally, I have a lot of respect for anyone who will go out on a limb to follow his or her own vision. I also have a lot of respect for someone who enjoys the absurdity of posing a couple of wacky looking guitars in front of a gorgeous nature scene. They're manmade objects, and a labour of love. A Mosrite doesn't enhance a lake anymore than a Mouradian does! It's all cool by me.

[dorkrockrecords]

I concur, Jim Mouradian is a legend. And any guy who will trade repair work for old Lionel trains is one of a kind. When I was living on the right coast he was the only luthier I'd let touch my guitars. I do remember Jim mentioning his meeting with Semie to me once, but can't recall the details for the life of me.

[eltuce]

Thanks Adam, Jim is awesome, as I'm sure you already know, and he has worked on sooooo many notable player's guitars. All the local yokels, legendary local bands, my guitars, and right up to Joe Perry. Whether you're an Aerosmith fan or not, it's very respectable. Jim KNOWS what he's doing.

[Black Headstock]

One additional "sort-of" Mosrite-Mouradian connection is the often notorious Ed Roman. Check out the Ed Roman site. Under Ed Roman made guitars you of course will find "his" Mosrites; but also check out the Ed Roman "Mysterion"; yes it is the Mouradian CS-74 Bass & LS-74 Guitar.

Now the noteworthy thing here is that he states (exploits) that this guitar is being "Built with permission from Jim Mouradian". Well, when I spoke with Jim Mouradian's son Jon, a few months back we discussed this and Jon told me in no uncertain words the NO SUCH PERMISSION was ever granted to Ed Roman. And then proceeded to give me his opinion of the quality of Ed Roman's "Mysterions"; let's say it was less than favorable.

Also, when on the Ed Roman site, look under "Weird Guitars" and down a way you will find another Mouradian LS-74 copy stating, "Made for Brad Gillis".

I don't know how Ed Roman's Mosrites are, but just like I wouldn't buy a Mosrite not made by the hand of Semie, I wouldn't buy a Mouradian that wasn't made by Jim Mouradian. (just my opinion).

Again, I will get together with Jim & Jon hopefully in the upcoming weeks (I know how busy these guys are) , and get more info on any encounter/s he may have had with Semie.

Alan.

[dubtrub]

Hey gang,

Since this topic has nothing to do with vintage Mosrites but more of a discussion about Mouradians, I'm moving it to the 'Other Guitar' section of the forum.

[jfine]

There's an excellent article on Mouradian in the current Vintage Guitar magazine. According to the article, Mouradian's body design was first used on a bass (he's a bass player), and the first one was a custom order for Chris Squire of Yes. It's based somewhat on a Jazz Bass, and the swooping cutouts sort of form the letters "CS". The guitar version came a bit later. And I can't wait to hear about Jim Mouradian's lunch with Semie!

[twango the clown]

It was a sad day for me when Jim Mouradian left his shop up above Cambridge Music in Porter Square. The store was my favorite music store, and they went under, as so many others have. You could always walk right in on him filing frets or wiring a pickguard assembly and waste his time talking about Eddie Murray and E.U Wurlitzer in the Old Days.
Of course, you had to have some work for him.
I only got out to his new shop one time to try to sell him a Gibson flat-top to get the money for my first Hallmark C60.
He's got a big store with guitars on one side, and motor vehicles on the other. I think he also does custom automotive finishes.