Hello from San Jose, Earth!

[Elco]

Hi everyone,
I'm a new member here, so glad to have found this forum. I don't own a Mosrite anymore, but I used to and I've regretted giving it up ever since. It was a Joe Maphis Mark I, spruce and walnut, like you'd expect, but it only said "Mosrite of California" on the headstock—it didn't say "Joe Maphis"—I've never seen one like it since. (If that makes it even more exceptionally rare or valuable, please don't tell me.) It played so well, super fast action from its super low frets, the vibrato made it just sing. And the tone. Oh the tone... Biggest mistake ever, selling that guitar. Long story short, I pawned it for $300 so I could get a drink, and then blacked out for more than 30 days. By the time I came to, it was sold. I wish I could go back in time and break my leg or something, anything to prevent me from selling that one of a kind instrument. A few years later, I saw it—yes IT!—MY Mosrite online. It had sold for nearly $3,000. I recognized it immediately. Aside from no "Joe Maphis" on the headstock, it has a distinctive scratch from an SM57, from when a mic stand got knocked over one night. It was even in the crappy, modified Flying V Case, which was the only one I could ever find to fit it. (The listing said it was original, ha!) Anyway, If you happen to have seen my old Mosrite around, (last seen in Portland about 2003 or so.) let me know! I'd give just about anything to get it back.

But hey, that was a long time ago, and <sniffle> I've moved on. I don't drink like that anymore, and since then, I've learned my way around a metal shop and a wood shop, and I got a degree in industrial design. I'm currently designing my first guitar, a cross between a Mosrite and a Telecaster. The body shape will be mostly Tele, with a slight reverse offset and German carve, and the rest will be all Mo! Pickups (I just ordered a pair of Ed Elliotts today), frets, vibrato, even the turned, nickel-plated brass pickup selector and strap buttons. I'm also toying with the idea of making my own "Mosrite Inspired" vibrato and bridge... but we'll see.

Anyway, I'm glad to be here. You can expect a lot of questions from me as I proceed with the build. It will go pretty slowly, though. I work a lot and don't get to play in the shop as much as I'd like to.

See you around!

Elco

[FrankJames]

Interesting story, welcome to the forum, Elco !!

[BRRanger]

Welcome Elco, from not to ferr frum ya. I have a similar story about selling my first Mosrite, but substitute the drink for a '71 Javelin and it's pretty close. Your Mosrite inspired Tele sounds interesting...looking forward to seeing the finished product.
Scott

[Stefaan88]

welcome!