MY MOSRITES

MOSRITE HISTORY

MOSRITE SERIAL # AND MODEL LISTING

MOSRITE TIMELINE

MOSRITE PICS (THE EARLY YEARS)

MOSRITE PIC OF THE MONTH

MOSRITE MYTHS AND ANSWER PAGES

MOSRITE LINKS

MOSRITE CATALOGUES
THESE MAY HELP YOU IDENTIFY YOUR MOSRITE

This page is an attempt to help everyone who wants to know, date their Mosrite. Use this in conjunction with the serial number listing to hopefully get a close date of manufacture. If you still have problems/ questions, by all means contact me with all your information and pics and I will try and help out.

Here's a couple of points to get you started :

Mosrites from 1970 to the late 70's had either "Mosrite of California USA by Semie Moseley" OR "Mosrite of California USA" as the headstock logo. This logo was not used at all in the 60's. In the mid 70's some Mosrites (mainly Brassrails) also had "The NEW Mosrite of California" Some 80's Mosrites have appeared with one of these headstock logos as well. Some 80's Mosrites have the "M" in a square instead of the usual serrated circle.

80's and 90's Ventures reissues sometimes had serial numbers that correspond with the year of manufacture e.g. 87034. This was the 34th guitar of that series made in 1987. They also had larger dot markers in the fretboard than the early "original" Ventures models. These did have the Ventures logos back on the headstock and some had the original Vibramute trems.

The Ventures model without the Ventures logo will be referred to as "the Non Ventures model" here. These were essentially a Mosrite ventures model.

Date: Model: Comments:
1969   Semie has built guitars under the Gospel name in 1969 and 1970 until he bought back the Mosrite name which he had lost when the company closed down in '69.
1970   Mosrite starts back up after the shut down in Bakersfield. Most 60's models are offered inc. the Ventures model guitars and basses (without logo), the Celebrity series, the Joe Maphis, the Dobro style resonator guitars, all in 6 and 12 string versions.
    Most bass models were carried over as well.
  Gospel The Gospel name is put back into production.
1971 Non Ventures
model V I		 The Non Ventures models (no Ventures logo) back in production.
  Non Ventures bass. Model V I The Basses back in production.
  Mono/Stereo 350 This solid body, single cutaway model becomes a standard production model. Also available in bass.
  Bluesbender Offered in 6 string guitar only.
1972 Acoustic Semie made approximately 200 Black Widow guitars and basses for the Acoustic company.
  Brassrail A few Brassrail prototypes are made. At least one had an aluminium rail, which was founds to be too unstable to use.
    Mosrite signs a deal with Kustom in Kansas to distribute their guitars inc hollowbodies, solidbodies and Dobro style guitars.
1973 Mono 300 A one pick up mono version of the 350
  Bass 300  
  V II This was a Ventures shape guitar with Mosrite humbuckers and 4 control knobs. Also available in bass.
1974   Mosrite signs an exclusive distribution deal with Pacific Music Supply Co to distribute all Mosrite products. The catalogue shows all the standard models and includes the new VII and 300 and 350 guitar and basses.
1976   Semie moves the Oklahoma city
  Brassrail Same shape as a Bluesbender with a brass rail running down the fretboard. Brassrail deluxe had active electronics and removable cartridges for changing to 6 different tones.
  76 Anniversary Semie was originally going to make 76 special Celebrity style guitars for the US anniversary. Only about 9 are completed before a fire burns down the factory in Oklahoma city.
    Some flat body Bluesbenders are made as a "budget" guitar.
    Some guitars are made with "the NEW Mosrite" headstock logos. Mainly Brassrail models. The location of where these guitars were built is unknown.
1977   Semie moves to Yuba City, California
1979   Semie moves again to Carson City, Nevada
1981   Semie moves to an old school building in Jonas Ridge, NC in 1981 to set up the new factory and start fresh.
  Ventures Production starts up again for Ventures models made primarily for a Japanese dealer.
1983   In November 1983 the factory burned down. Semie had little insurance on the building so production had to shut down yet again.
    Semie sets up shop in Morganton, NC to make small runs of guitars on a custom order basis. He probably works here until the new factory is set up.
1984 Ventures Ventures models with AF prefix in the serial number after the fire in Jonas Ridge, NC.
1987 25th Anniversary model Metallic silver Ventures model commemorating the 25th anniversary of the release of the first Ventures guitar. Only 12 of a proposed 25 were made.
  V III Ventures shape with carved top and no scratch plate with three Mosrite single coil pick ups. Also available in two pick up model.
1988 V88 Ventures model reissue made in 1988/89. No Ventures logo.
  M88 Ventures shape without German carve or scratch plate.
1988 Tonechamber Ventures model with acoustic chambers routed out of the body. Essentially a semi hollow body with no F holes.
  Nokie model Prototype made in 1988, but released in '89. This was a set neck, side jack reissue Ventures model. Finished in metallic paint.
1989   ONE GUITAR WAS MADE IN 89 when the State of Arkansas helped Semie move to Leachville, Ark
    Action by investors no longer interested in Mosrite in Arkansas failed to follow thru with financing and Semie went back to Jonas Ridge, NC
1991   The State of Arkansas put money up for Semie to relocate to Boonville. This is where Semie would have been very successful as everything was coming back together.
    New factory was set up in an old Wal-Mart building in Boonville, Ark on March 9,1991.
    Semie had 15 employees that had built Gretsch guitars but 3 months after the move he was diagnosed with multiple Myaloma, Cancer of the Bone.
  40th Anniversary model Ventures model released to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Mosrite name.
    Set neck, side jack Ventures models are produced in medium quantities mainly for the Japanese market.
1992   Flat bodied Ventures shape as a budget model started.
1994   Last Mosrites made in the US are sold.
     

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