Mosrite - info wanted

Chris P. · October 10, 2013, 03:49:09 AM

A friend of mine has this Mosrite. Apparently it has no serial number, but it looks like the real deal. I know there are old USA Mosrites, later Japanese ones, modern ones. Can someone shine a light on this one? Thanks in advance!

Dave W · October 10, 2013, 12:16:40 PM

It does look real, the problem is that there have been so many issues of the same bass, some by Semie Moseley himself and others that were authorized.

It's not an original Mosrite Ventures Bass, that would have "The Ventures" on the headstock.

Pilgrim · October 10, 2013, 12:18:22 PM

The asymmetrical bridge cover and other visual cues all seem to be there. I agree with Dave, not the original one with the Ventures ID on it...but still a very nice looking instrument. Should be a nice bass to play.

drbassman · October 11, 2013, 12:54:50 PM

Since I've dabbled in Mosrite over the years, several things don't look right for an original vintage. The tuners are wrong. The headstock logo doesn't look vintage to me. The neck plate on the back isn't one I've seen before, most are the funky footprint one. I also can't imagine they'd let one leave the factory without the SN stamped into the last fret.

The pickups, tailpiece, bridge cover and knobs look legit. It could be a parts bass, I don't know!

Go to the Mosrite forum, they have a bunch of really knowledgeable guys there.

Dave W · October 11, 2013, 04:35:35 PM

Agreed, not an original vintage but still could be a legitimate Mosrite.

Hörnisse · October 11, 2013, 05:05:42 PM

Similar one on GC's used site.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/-i3448556.gc

Chris P. · October 12, 2013, 03:54:25 AM

I tried to register at the Mosrite forum. I filled in all my info and I was immediately blocked because of spam or something:D

But thanks! Maybe someone can post the link of this thread in that forum?

ilan · October 12, 2013, 09:32:09 AM

Not an expert on these, but here's my 2 cents:

* The tuners look like the type that went on cheap 70's Japanese copies. They are smaller than the units Moseley used, but there are no visible screw holes on the back of the headstock.

* In addition to that, tuner holes are too close. They should be farther apart.

* As already mentioned, the neck plate is wrong.

* The treble pickup is too far from the bridge.

* Neck heel is also wrong.

* I have always thought that real ones always had "of California" under the Mosrite logo, and counterfeits didn't.

Too many things don't look right with this one. If I had to guess, I'd say a fake, maybe with some original Mosrite parts.

drbassman · October 12, 2013, 01:33:14 PM

Ditto.

Pilgrim · October 12, 2013, 02:05:02 PM

Quote from: drbassman on October 12, 2013, 01:33:14 PM
Ditto.

amptech · October 13, 2013, 05:38:29 AM

Hurumph..

Chris P. · October 16, 2013, 05:43:04 AM

This '68 Maphis has the middle pickup also a lot more to the front.....

http://www.rocknrollvintage.com/proddetail.asp?prod=mosriteVenturesBassNatural

ilan · October 16, 2013, 01:27:33 PM

That is correct for a Maphis. The solidbodies had the pickup closer to the bridge.

Chris P. · October 17, 2013, 01:28:39 AM

I'm now gathering some info at the Mosrite forum. Thanks!

ilan · October 17, 2013, 04:53:27 AM

Please share your conclusions here... I'm curious to hear what they say. Especially regarding the headstock logo.