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I had decided to get a real guitar tech to check out my Hallmark. It turns out that he was holding a V88 for a customer who left it for repairs three years ago and has not returned for it since. The guitar was not in the best of shape but it looked pretty authentic to me. It was a metallic red with some light metal flaking and white pickups. It had a number of signatures on the back of the headstock, including Semie's. The finish was sort of dull, but a little polish would surely do wonders.
It turns out that a company here in Charlotte (NC) had done some chrome plating for Semie and due to a cash flow problem, Semie gave them several guitars as payment. (Where was I then ?) The current owner had worked at the firm and was given the guitar for a sum not known to my tech. Any way, the guitar did not seem very resonant at first. Then I noticed that it had tiny strings (maybe 8's) installed on it and there was no relief in the neck whatsoever. The tech was hesitant to do anything to the guitar untill the owner authorized it. The neck needed some alignment also as the high E sting was almost off the fingerboard. The question of the owner's whereabouts and intentions was also the reason that the tech did not want any pictures taken. I still may be able to let him allow me to photograph bits and pieced, particularly that headstock. Someone might recognize some of the names. I mentioned to the tech that if he should decide to let the guitar go, that I have a few Fenders that I would trade for it. (also a couple of amplifiers, cats, hamsters, etc)Oh, It was in a black case with the Mosrire logo on the top.
Just thought you would be interested.
Don

Very interesting story. You can read my postings to learn of my Mosrite findings here in East Tenn. It would stand to reason that there are several others yet to be discovered here in the Mid-Atlantic area. I hope you end up with that Guitar, take my advice and stay after it. Also I learned years ago to always throw a number out there. I've had several deals where people said "I could never sell it".......... untill I made an offer to them

Great story there LV. I'll cross my fingers for a happy ending .

Sounds interesting with the signatures..?

Well, the tech is an old friend and a very good guitarist as well, so as much as I would love to have that guitar, I know it has a good home for the time being. I can certainly understand his position. The owner seems to have some substance abuse problems and we don't know whether he'll remember that he left the instrument with the tech or not. It's probably better that the guitar stays where it is for the time being.
Don

I think it is a good idea to periodically let the tech know that you are interested and if you can throw a price out there just in case it decides to come live at your house! Cool story though!

Thanks Sarah, he knows that I'm interested and we talk frequently, so .....

Hey, What color is the finish on this V88? Is it orange? (I don't see orange V88s often)

The best description I could make would be a metal-flaked deep red. Definitely not orange. Fairly shallow body had me thinking that it might be a M88. I happened to have some 1988 broshures at home that confirmed the difference.
Don

Hey thanks, I've seen pictures of Red V88s before. If you ever get any pictures of it let me know

LOSTVENTURE wrote:Thanks Sarah, he knows that I'm interested and we talk frequently, so .....

...man, a guitar you really want is so near...and yet so far hope it'll find it's way to you eventually!