Chicago Vintage Show

[zarfnober]

Saw a handful of Mosrites at the show, one of which was purchased by a forum member. A sunburst combo in very nice shape that only needs a proper cleaning to look great. Talked to the buyer about music and guitars.


Was that you, Haole Jim?

Rocco

[Sarah93003]

Did you get any pictures? Any of the Mosrite a Celebrity model? How was the pricing?

[zarfnober]

A 65 burst Ventures was priced at $4,250.00 and did not sell, nice guitar though. Also a Burst Ventures Bass, forget price. the combo was priced at $1,450.00, I believe the buyer talked hin down some. It really was a very nice guitar that needs a proper cleaning to look great, the only downside was that the polepiece screws were a little rusty, but not bad. there was another 65 Ventures with vibramute that has a faded finish that looks orange with a lot of checking, silver painted tailpiece and bar, priced in the 5K range. I've been seeing it at the shows for a couple years now. It's overpriced by a long shot, imo.

Saw a 12 string, but don't recall any celebrities.

Rocco

[Sarah93003]

Boy, I'd have a field day at a guitar show. All we seem to get is gun and knife shows in Ventura...yawn....zzzz

[Haole Jim]

'Been away from the Forum for a while...

...yes, Rocco, the (sunburst) Combo Mk I came home from the 2nd day of the Chicago Vintage Show. Seller had it priced at $1750 and the transaction was (gleefully!) for $1450. Quite a number of subsequent hours were lovingly spent de-molding (is that a word?) cleaning and readjusting and polishing and all that other stuff which goes with...

...an instrument which apparently belonged to a bus driver in Austin, Texas, who "liked one-off guitars." He passed to the next realm over 15 years ago (at like only 42, take care of your health, folks!). His sister inherited the (about 70-instrument) collection. Reportedly, the Combo and many others were stored in a barn near Austin, for most of the above-referenced 15 years.

As you noted, the polepieces are not in the best of condition and the volume control is scratchy. Fingerboard is worn-grooved on the lower frets (esp., middle strings). Frets have been filed down to flat-ish tops and the lower (middle strings) ones are pretty seriously grooved. Binding is yellowed and there are a couple not-great areas.

A few nicks and dings, but the instrument is in (really) remarkably good shape, considering it's likely a '65 or '66. (sorry, 'do not know how to take and post photos) Back of the neck is amazing-especially nice. Tuners are kind of sloppy and the buttons corroded. The original case is structurally intact but needed many hours of cleansing and is still at best, "rough." This guitar and case has many, many miles on the odometer.

Still, she plays well, sounds true and exudes gallons of vibe. A keeper.