Your input highly encouraged

[Strat-o-rama]

This forum is THE authorative word on all things Mosrite, Semie Moseley, and Mosrite-inspired guitars.
It would be a cryin' shame to see it all go.

Personally, I am here frequently, digging through old threads, etc, and reading the new. I wish I could contribute good info to help others, but alas, I'm just a player who likes Mosrite type guitars, 1. look cool, 2. sound cool, 3. have an interesting history.
As for makes that are not Mosrites: they have their corner. Maybe there is more activity there now because Hallmark just came out with three new models and new colors. But, it will die down once the newness wears off. Actually, I'm happy to see Ed Elliott getting so active again. He is truly working in the tradition of Semie, as is Terry (TNM). They both actually trained/worked for Semie Moseley.
I consider all the "new" Mosrites and clones very much a continuation of what Semie Moseley created, and all the forum action is there because this is where the tradition is active.
Also, I visit a couple of other guitar forums, and when Mosrites come up as a subject (very rare), I will try to direct people to Artie if they are looking for a new Mosrite. As far as I'm concerned, if someone wants a new '65 style The Ventures model Mosrite--go to Front Porch.

As for the historical part of this forum, thanks to folks who knew Semie, such as Elaine, and active collectors like Deke and Adam, I've learned an enormous amount about these unique electric guitars. I would enjoy seeing more.
Keep it going, Danny!

[TimR]

I go along with what everyone else has been saying. I visit here a couple times every day -although I seem to have been contributing less and less. I guess I feel like I've said most of what I had to say -& hate to keep repeating myself.
Also, I've noticed sometimes when someone brings up a new (to them) subject, or maybe asks a question that has already been covered -someone seems to quickly jump on them and say "do a search -we've already had a thread on that..." I think that may squelch some from venturing forth with comments or questions, as they don't want to look ignorant. There are always going to be a lot more "lurkers" than there are contributors. But every time someone peaks my interest with a new thought -or maybe something rekindles an old thought, I jump in, if I feel I have something worth saying. Most of the time, though, I just enjoy being a lurker -as I think a lot of others do. This is truly a great forum, and I know Danny has put a lot of effort into keeping it that way, as there are plenty of goons out there that would love to mess it up if they could.

On the subject of Hallmark, I think it depends on how you look at it. I used to be into classic cars. One of my alltime favorites was the Shelby AC Cobra. Only a handful were made and they go for ungodly sums of money. A lot of companies started making "kit car" versions -some were really crappy (with VW engines, etc.) Some however, if done right are masterpieces and bring hundreds of thousands of dollars. No one views these copies as a threat to the real thing. Mimickry can be the sincerest form of flattery -if done right. I think if Semie were here today -he and Bob Shade would be in business together. The site keeps the subjects separate. If you want to talk real Mosrite, you can see where to go. If you want to talk clones -the same. I hope the site can remain intact -I would really miss it.

Tim

[Sarah93003]

I was thinking of another dynamic that occurs and that is the "traffic" to various areas of the forum. For example, and no disrespect intended, but I rarely visit the Clone area, or the Amp area, etc. I'm not electronically saavy (I know! Shocking isn't it!) so I don't understand a lot of the discussions there and less inclined to read them. I do visit the "Introductions", "Mosrite Guitars", "eBay & Craigslist", and the "For Sale" sections. Actually, I rarely visit the "Off Topic" section so it was fortituous that I even found this thread to comment on.

[gplayer]

I usually go straight to the "View active topics" and see who's talking about what.

[rog43win]

hi Danny.....I've only been a member since early Feb. '10, but I "check in" here at least 2 or 3 times a day to check out any new topics, or to see new comments on older threads.
I don't have the technical knowledge that many here possess, but I'm always interested in the comments that the experienced guitar techs share on various topics.
I've learned alot from them about certain problems found with any guitar.
I bought a new Mosrite Ventures model back in the mid '60's when I thought that only me and the Ventures and Glen Campbell used them, lol......they were virtually non-existent in my part of the country, but the Ventures turned me on to them, and I tripped accidentally across one hanging up in a music store and bought it. It sounded great and played even greater, and I still kick myself for trading it in on whatever new fad was popular.
I'd still love one, and I know that's why I will probably get a Hallmark....because it is basically so "Mosrite-ish" ......but something I can afford. But my mouth still waters whenever I see a nice Mosrite, and I still love to play "Mosrite-era" Ventures albums because of the sound of them.
I've tried to add imput whenever I can, because I am interested in what is being said and like to throw an opinion out there once in a while.
I would hate to see the forum go, and even if lots of the comments and topics are off Mosrite issues, it still is a fantastic place for guitar lovers to join ....I don't go to any other forums at all, just this one. I love to see what other people own and play, and what their concerns are.......it's a beautiful thing to see one person asking a question, and soon one or more answers show up......people helping people....I support any decision you make, Danny....and respect and appreciate you making this forum available.

Roger

[101Volts]

Well Danny, I may not have much to contribute to the forum at this moment but I would really hate to see it go. I come here several times a day and I appreciate the forum a lot, I'd probably never have been really interested in the Brass Rail if it weren't for the Mosrite Forum. And I agree with Stratorama, Hallmark just got done releasing several new models so there has been a lot of talk of those models lately. I'm still looking for a Brass Rail as well so I can build one so there's something to look forward to.

Austin

[Veenture]

Towards the end of 2008, after I had a severe attack of MAS (Mosrite Acquiring Syndrome), I had yet to discover the rocky road to find my first-to-be Ventures model Mosrite, let alone an affordable one!

The bug had bitten me particularly hard so I kept the search on but became very frustrated on the internet (forget about looking for one in your regular guitar shop…).
I can’t read and write Japanese, so the “Japanese option” was out. I was not a member of ebay etc. at the time, so…where else to go?

The availability of Mosrite seemed to have become very remote to me now but the fever wouldn’t subside…and then I stumbled across the Hallmark name one day and immediately fell for the 60 Custom.

Gasp, at last…finally the Mosrite shape and sound was within EASY reach and needless to say I had a 60 Custom within 6 days on my doorstep! My enthusiasm therefore should not be too hard to understand and I’ve been raving about it here, ever since.
Here’s my point; if it had been a “Mosrite” branded beast, all my raving and enquiries would have been different, so forgive me if I have sounded like a Hallmark PR man in the past sometimes but my H60C has been such a wonderful substitute to me. It is only through the Mosrite Forum that I have learned about Front Porch Music where Artie is actually selling the real deal (forget about Loretta’s merchandise for the moment…)

I have also learned, since joining here, that the Mosrite shape and sound can also be had through Eddie Elliott, Terry (TNM) and maybe a few others, so, my quest for getting an actual Mosrite guitar one day (either Japanese or USA) is still very much alive

My other point; if something is popular, it gets talked about… a lot. It is something you cannot avoid or prevent.

Perhaps a different planning of the Mosrite Forum could deal with that (e.g. a stricter separation of the different boards to avoid too much “cross contamination”. Or someone may even want to start a "Hallmark Forum" (not me) but then it would be hard to sever the Mosrite connection that there is, after all…

I’ve learned a lot about Mosrite to date thanks to the Forum and I enjoy it every day…I usually go straight to the “View active topics” also…

The forum has become part of my life...

[Strat-o-rama]

Paul, I'm in the same boat. I have a Hallmark 60 Custom for the same reasons you stated. Now, mostly because of this forum, I want the real thing...and I know it will be expensive....but one of these days.

Actually, I could buy one, but my house needs some maintenance and another car will soon be a necessity-it's where spare cash needs to go at this time.

[gman]

Its only a snapshot but the board index shows the forum at its busiest just a couple of weeks ago:

Most users ever online was 49 on 27 Feb 2010, 21:26

[dubtrub]

Its only a snapshot but the board index shows the forum at its busiest just a couple of weeks ago:

Most users ever online was 49 on 27 Feb 2010, 21:26

I understand what you are saying, but just so everyone understands, those numbers include not only registered members but also unregistered guest and worst of all a multitude of robotic spam crawlers. I delete about 5 to 10 spammers that actually get through the process and register to the forum everyday. These are 'real' people that intervene for the automated robotic spam to get past the security CAPTCHA. People actually get paid to do that. Ever see those job offerings where they state 'earn big money right at your own home'. Well now we now know how some people earn that money. That is one of the most irritating aspects of administering a forum.

At any rate, as stated before, thanks to all for their supportive response.