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Anyone in this forum like clones or modern Mosrite's better than vintage? What are some reasons why?

I have 3 vintage, 2 modern & 1 clone. I haven't received the clone yet, it's a Hallmark Sheena & it'll be here on 1/11/10.

In some way I like my V88 & Celebrity better, but quite honestly I like playing my Ranger the best of any of 'em.

Just popped in my head & sounded like a good topic for the forum.

Your thoughts?

I like the bigger neck and frets on my Hallmark.

GTSP wrote:Anyone in this forum like clones or modern Mosrite's better than vintage? What are some reasons why?

They're all different. I need to add at least a reissue '66 Fillmore to my Hallmark 60 Custom and then one or two vintage Semie mades...and then start comparin'

Veenture wrote:

GTSP wrote:Anyone in this forum like clones or modern Mosrite's better than vintage? What are some reasons why?

They're all different. I need to add at least a reissue '66 Fillmore to my Hallmark 60 Custom and then one or two vintage Semie mades...and then start comparin'

I suggest you start buying them right away. Tell the wifey that it is a science project.

GTSP wrote:I suggest you start buying them right away. Tell the wifey that it is a science project.

Well, It's been about a year since Veenture bought his Hallmark... Do I sense another guitar on the horizon?

Austin

101Volts wrote:

GTSP wrote:I suggest you start buying them right away. Tell the wifey that it is a science project.

Well, It's been about a year since Veenture bought his Hallmark... Do I sense another guitar on the horizon?

Austin

Well, since the Hallmark I did buy a reissue Fender American Vintage '57 Strat w/case (brand new) which set me back about $2,424.00 and this week I almost went for a 2004 reissue Fender American Vintage ’62 Precision Bass on ebay ($1,100 starting price) but withdrew my interest after many e-mails back and forth with the seller. The seller proposed to end the listing early and do business with me on his conditions, outside of PayPal and ebay. No way.
The thin neck on the Mosrite is still a bit scary for me at the moment...I need to get over that first I want to play it rather than display it

I have no wife to contend with (since 2005) and my 18 year old son is always enthusiastic but I am living on a Pension- and Old Age Scheme so I need to keep myself in check (now and then)

Veenture wrote:

101Volts wrote:

GTSP wrote:I suggest you start buying them right away. Tell the wifey that it is a science project.

Well, It's been about a year since Veenture bought his Hallmark... Do I sense another guitar on the horizon?

Austin

Well, since the Hallmark I did buy a reissue Fender American Vintage '57 Strat w/case (brand new) which set me back about $2,424.00 and this week I almost went for a 2004 reissue Fender American Vintage ’62 Precision Bass on ebay ($1,100 starting price) but withdrew my interest after many e-mails back and forth with the seller. The seller proposed to end the listing early and do business with me on his conditions, outside of PayPal and ebay. No way.
The thin neck on the Mosrite is still a bit scary for me at the moment...I need to get over that first I want to play it rather than display it

I have no wife to contend with (since 2005) and my 18 year old son is always enthusiastic but I am living on a Pension- and Old Age Scheme so I need to keep myself in check (now and then)

I'd suggest a trip to California, maybe for Deke's Guitar Geek Festival in 2011. Head up to Bakersfield, check out Artie's place, and I bet you'll find a gem to take home. So long as you don't buy a set neck you cound disassemble it and put it in your luggage for the trip home. If the Euro stays strong (and the tariffs high) you could probably come out ahead!

Mel, I like what you say and I shall keep that thought in mind ...and continue saving some dough in the meantime

Meanwhile, back to the original question. I think that I prefer the Hallmark's slightly wider neck, It's just more comfortable to me, but it almost seems too small when I first start playing. I'm not a big guy, but I have long fingers. When I first start playing, the "A minor" at the nut is a little painfull for my index finger to wrap around. I have the same problem on the Mosrites that I have access to, so not a lot of difference there. The Hallmark is quieter compared to the V88 that I get to play now and then. But, considering that it's 20 years old now, that might be expected. The primary difference between the guitars though is the neck, and I think that most of us can adapt, so it's really a matter of taste.
Don

The vintage Mosrites have super slim necks and speed frets. Most modern reproductions have wider, chunkier necks and larger frets. To me, personally, these are pretty key features of making a Mosrite. In combination with the high output pickups, vintage Mosrites almost play themselves - it takes very little effort to fret and do hammer on/offs, at least to me.

Some of the Japanese Mosrites come close to the vintage neck profiles and the frets on these could be filed down to speed fret height, and you'd have a generally equivalent guitar.

Of course, many players complain about these aspects of the vintage Mosrites, and so would prefer the clones.