mosriteforum.com

Hi Guys, I've just bought this mystery 1960s electric tenor guitar on eBay as a specialist collector of tenor guitars and the seller labelled it as possibly either a Carvin or Mosrite. I'm not really familiar with any of the tenor guitars produced by either Carvin or Mosrite but do you think it is really a Mosrite tenor guitar and do you have any information about it. Many thanks in advance for any advice you can furnish. I've already followed a suggestion I found on this site to contact Artie Niesen of Front Porch Music for his advice. I'm not sure how to upload photos but you can still see the photos here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0294682002 Cheers, Steve

Upon reviewing the photograph's, I cannot recognize any similarities to indicate that this was made be Mosrite. None of Semie's signature features that are normally evident in all his construction methods are apparent. This is just my personal observations and opinion. I could be wrong.

I do not see anything that suggests that Uncle Semie built this. He never used that much deco on the Headstock or on the Fretboard (inlays) unless it was the name of a Celebrity (performer, not the guitar model). The Headstock doesn't resemble anything CLOSE to a Mosrite. The P'ups and Scratchplate are interesting, but again, I do not see any suggestion of Semie's work. Sorry
p.s. Even Semie used a String Guide and a Zero fret on his very early guitars. This looks more like a Gibson set up with the plastic (bone?) nut on it.

Thanks for your responses which are much appreciated. As a matter of interest, do you know if Mosrite ever made ANY tenor guitars? Cheers, Steve

Well, it's probably a custom build, maker unknown. I like it though, it's a nice looking instrument in my opinion. I'd be happy to own it!

Thanks, I agree, it is a great looking guitar and I particularly like the great touch that the two pick ups have four pole pieces rather than using a six pole piece pick ups which is more often the case with tenors, even by the large makes such as Gibson. Cheers, Steve.

The closest I've ever seen to a Mosrite tenor guitar is this custom order Bill Gruggett made for Gene Moles' shop in the mid '80s.

Many thanks - that tenor guitar looks really cool! Cheers, Steve

First: THIS IS AN OLD THREAD. I'm reviving it just to say that there is a Mosrite Tenor. I've seen it although it's been 20 years--or at least I'm 95% sure that's what it was because I specifically remember being perplexed by the guitar and I think that it was because it had 4 strings. I occasionally ask after this instrument to try to get a photo or two.

I talk about it here:

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5151

Perhaps something like this? viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2287#p23409