I've decided to part ways with my vintage Mosrite Mark I in black. This is an awesome guitar with a ton of vibe, but I've decided to get another Gretsch and something has to go.

Overall it's a nice player's grade guitar that has every bit of that fabled Mosrite tone. Best I can tell, it dates to the late sixties or very early seventies. When I received it the electronics were in need of some work, so I soldered in a fresh set of pots, a Switchcraft switch and made sure everything was grounded properly. The sound is tremendous - Semie truly had his own thing going when he designed these! Unbelievable growl and snap, and with just a few strums you realize how both the Ventures and the Ramones came to love these guitars!

The vibrato is smooth and holds tune perfectly. The neck is in good shape and plays well at all points, and the binding is intact with some minor checking and a few nicks to the neck finish. The body has some cosmetic issues on the face that I can't quite put my finger on - It almost looks like it had stickers on it at one point, and in removing the stickers some of the finish came off. It's tough to see from a few feet away, and for me it just added to the punk vibe of the whole guitar. I've tried to over-expose one of the photos to show this.

I've played recent reissues and other Mos-alikes, and while some of them get close, none of them can match the tone and playability of the vintage ones. I gigged a Hallmark for several years, and there was always something missing from the tone - As soon as I plugged in this vintage one, I finally heard that last 10-15% of the Mosrite sound I'd been missing! There's also a slightly different feel in the vibrato given the differences in construction that give the vintage ones the ability to get a bit more severe - Star Crunch's dips on "Planet Collision" by Man or Astroman? are a perfect example.

It comes with a vintage Guild hardshell case that appears to have been modified to fit the Mosrite perfectly, and I'll also include the original pots/switch/jack just for posterity.

TRADED

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Last edited: Aug 02, 2015 20:41:58

This guitar speaks to me.
I saw the Longboards yesterday at the SG101 Con and was really impressed by Alejandro's playing and his Mosrite tone, maybe the best I heard all day. I didn't get a close look at his axe, but it looked like a white Mosrite Mark I.
I hope to be coming into some insurance money for the guitars stolen from my home late last month; should come to a substantial sum. I am thinking which best single guitar I want when the claim is sorted out, and Mosrite comes to mind as a playing experience I don't want to miss before I'm old. anyone help out a Mosrite newbie here with some advice?

Squink Out!

So, Ty, you feel good about the Hallmark guitars? Do they sound and feel very much like real old Mosrites? How about 70s Mos? I'd like to hear opinions by all who have any on the subject.

Squink Out!

I have a vintage Mark V and a RI Mark I. Since I bought a 60 Custom (actually 2) the Mosrites have stayed in their cases. The tone is little bit different. I would describe it as a more modern sound maybe, but it is hard to tell a difference. And at the price of a Hallmark you can't go wrong IMO.

The Hicadoolas

Last edited: Aug 09, 2015 23:51:31

As I own one of those, I have to say: avoid if possible! The quality is very poor compared to Hallmarks. Just my personal opinion.

The Hicadoolas

If they're actually humbuckers, they won't get you the surf tone you're after.

And to Sancho's point, I don't have any personal experience with the Kurokomos, but I will say that my Hallmark's fit and finish was excellent.

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Last edited: Aug 10, 2015 08:49:28

I have a Hallmark Custom 60 that I got after I had already sold a downmarket Mosrite "...of Classics" model that was made by Fillmore. I liked that guitar a lot, but for the money I'd have to recommend the Hallmark. The Fillmore had a SUPER skinny neck that I liked, but overall quality of the Hallmark is much better, money aside. Add in the price factor and I recommend the Hallmark hands down.

The Mystery Men?
El Capitan and The Reluctant Sadists
SSS Agent #31

Hallmarks are awesome. Period.

JObeast wrote:

Sancho,

Estimation of quality is beyond the realm of mere opinion and I respect yours.

Probably a lot easier to find a used Hallmark than Kuromoko Mosrite. What about Ed Elliott Mosrites clones?

SanchoPansen wrote:

As I own one of those, I have to say: avoid if possible! The quality is very poor compared to Hallmarks. Just my personal opinion.

Thanks man, I appreciate it! I stupidly sold a vintage Gibson to get a Mark I RI that plays terribly. The trem didn't stay in tune, as it does not have bearings like the old Mosrites have. Pots were broken when it arrived (new), etc. Bought 2 Hallmarks afterwards, which everybody here recommended before I bought the RI Mark I, and I couldn't be happier. IMO they are 'missing' only 5% when compared to an original. But I think 'missing' is the wrong term here. They are modern interpretations of Mosrites, while maintaining 'that sound'.

Anyway, I've only read a couple of threads regarding the Ed Elliott guitars. The build quality seems to be top notch, but he seems to have some serious issues with his reliabilty. I've read many stories of money that's been transfered to him and people waiting for their guitars for years. Some of them even took legal action, according to the posts. I suggest you head over the the mosriteforum and check it out yourself. Cheers.

The Hicadoolas

Last edited: Aug 12, 2015 02:13:54

Sancho,
I hear you. I am narrowing the search to a used Hallmark 60 Custom which I hope I find when my insurance settlement comes. I'll be stoked to be able to nail that Ghastly sound that you just can't with a Fender.

Squink Out!