Your opinions of early 70s Mark Is?

[101Volts]

I'm only looking to spend about $2,000. And I should have said earlier - Moseley or Vibramute not as in Brass vs. Aluminum but Brass vs. Whatever metal Semie was making the Vibramute out of in 1964 and 1965, 1963 models are too "out there" for me. And I'm not afraid of modifying my instruments so I could put a different bridge on my future Mosrite guitar if I wanted to so long as the screw holes line up the same way.

But I'm going far off topic, I should start another one...

Austin

[dorkrockrecords]

It is very unlikely you could find any Mosrite with a Vibramute for your 2K budget.

[101Volts]

Yeah, I probably won't get one with a Vibramute, At least not one that is stock. Maybe I'll add that later or build a Mosrite styled guitar and put a Vibramute on it.

Anyway, Are the frets on 70s Mark I models still pretty comparable to the 60s speed frets?

Austin

[dorkrockrecords]

I have a big soft spot for Mosrites of the 1970s, but in general I find the early '70s Mark Is to be rather crude. The bodies are kind of chunky and heavy, and the necks sit too high in the pocket - requiring the bridge and pickup heights to be nearly maxed out (as the following image illustrates nicely).

[101Volts]

Good grief, I don't want that in a guitar. Is there anything I should know about Mark Is (With a Moseley bridge) From the 60s before I have my sights set on one?

Austin

[oipunkguy]

interesting, i dont have this issue on mine. maybe you should look for a mark I from the 73-74 time frame????? they also carry a price range roughly what you are looking to spend.

[101Volts]

I think I'm going to end up buying whatever refinished Mark I pops up on eBay within a reasonable price range. The reason why I wanted to get a 70s Mark I in the first place was because of the sunburst headstock, It looked really sweet but the guitars may be bad players.

Austin

[oipunkguy]

the sunburst on the neck and headstock was fairly rare in the 70's in my experience, I have only seen them in the 70-71 period, and these usually carry a price tag as large as the late 60's versions. I think it's a good idea to just keep looking, with the way the economy is, and some luck I bet you can find a deal right now.

Good Luck!

[TimR]

Semie cranked out quite few Mark I's in the late '80's/ early '90's. I've seen several of them go for under $3 grand, on ebay (some with vibramutes) .........

For what it's worth, I never cared for the '70's MK I's I played. However, Semie was all over the board in the '70's -experimenting with new ideas, etc. I think each 70's guitar would have to be based on it's own merit.

[oipunkguy]

Agreed.