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The Forum has heard little from Semie's brother Andy and the part he played in
the evolution of MOSRITE. I will post a photo of ANDY and define, via close-ups,
of a early pre JOE MAPHIS & Venture Model. As one can see this is not a Venture or a Joe Maphis Model. Headstock is type I found on The Gene Moles Guitar. Location is Bakersfield on Weed Patch Hwy. The tin shop was located behind a house Semie lived at. The worker at right is Bob Hirsh. I probably spelled Bob's name wrong. There were
3 employees at the time.

Notice the Knobs. Photo at Late 58 or early 59.

Luv
Elaine

Photo's copyright 2009

Elaine,

I guess everyone is to shocked to respond, and I'm speechless as well, but those Historical Pix are just incredible!!!

amazing!

The Vibramute post dates the mistake plate favnir bearing home made vibrato, which should put this photo in the 1962 era and was probably taken at the Panama Lane 'tin' shop which wasn't too far from Weedpatch highway. In late 1958 early 59 Semie was still in the L.A. area where Terry knew him. In late 1959-60 was the time I knew Semie when he was on Miner Street in Oildale, after which later in 1960 he moved over to Beardsley Ave. in Oildale, and then a short time later he moved from there out to Panama Lane. That photo definitely looks like inside the shop on Panama. Ed Elliott or Doug Brewer can probably identify the other individual in the photo, but it was my understanding that Joe Hall was working with Semie in that shop on Panama Lane.

All I will say to that is what the family says. They say Weedpatch Hwy.
And that is Bob Hirsh. And this is not 62.

Awesome pictures! I love the photograph in the background on the bench. Sweet!

I saw that also Danny. The earliest style certainly was to see the rough cuts that
allowed the Vibramute's bottom plate to recess below the bodytop surface like again the Gene Moles Guitar. The one I am on now and started working on last year to complete has the goof or cover-up plate surrounding the Vibramute. The picture having a date on them as developing studio's use to do, sometimes can add to confusion and memories. I agree your logic makes sense. However my own experience says this guitar is a cross between Gene Moles features such as the Head Stock showing (Logo and Mosrite of Califronia) only, and later version with the Vibramute setting and mounted on top of the Body surface. One puzzling fact is how many bodies had, if any been made up in advance of orders given any six month period. The Venture Model came out in 63. I saw Semie make many bodies, more than he needed for a Model that was not even released. And in 1986 Brian Lonbeck can concur that the JM-65 was way over produced in roughed out Bodies & Necks. In early 1988 I saw Bodies and Necks which then far exceeded the 20 or so that exsist today as complete. He worked with Semie as I did at various times.

My best
Elaine

OK, I'm confused....I am actually seeing PICKUP HOUSINGS (rings) in this picture accompanied by curved
mistake plates (or covers) on the side of each pickup .....???....yes...no...?? ?

And also, I thought that the early 'Joe Maphis Model' had the straight style Headstock with that type of
Binding Deco on it................ ....................

Elaine - Again I thank you for some great historical photos that is inspiring an informative debate on Mosrite history!!!!

I have seen this same black and white art deco heastock pattern on Joe Maphis models too. Take a look in the Japanese "Vintage Mosrite" book and you will see one in there that Mark Lipco once owned. So we really should not date the guitar based on the paint scheme on the headstock. I have also seen this exact model with no Joe Maphis moniker on the headstock and the pot codes were 1962.

Bob