Hi, new forum member in the house:)

[Jazm]

Hi,
Student of the 60's guitar tone here, and from the looks of it i'm in good company in this forum:)

My introduction to the Mosrite was through The Ventures, one of the very first CD's i got as a kid was a Ventures christmas album, and remember really loving it and liked their take on the holiday songs much better than the traditionals. In my teens, a friend who is into guitar instrumentals put on the Ventures '65 live in Japan album when i was visiting, and my jaw dropped! This was not the Ventures that i remembered from the christmases in my childhood, this was a full out rocking album! Raw, energetic, distorted and direct, fast and melodic. I could not believe how rocking this was for a guitar instrumental band in 65, or any band at that time for that matter! Their weapon of choice was all Mosrite, and form that day it's been THE guitar that stands as the preferred tool of the explosive guitar virtuoso of the 60's i my mind.

Fast forward to the present. I have always wanted a Mosrite, but the price and availability here in Europe has always been a prohibitive factor. I have tried a whole lot of different clones, but through all the research i have done, i know that these clones don't even come close to the original and have always passed on them.
I was in London now in october and got to try a real '66 Mosrite at the Wunjo guitar shop (probably the best and most friendly there) in Denmark Street. And i was just blown away by the action of the guitar, the easiest playing guitar i have ever played by far. Such fast action and expressive tone! But as with these guitars here in Europe, their scarcity is only out matched by their price, and a purchase would not be possible for me.
I had originally settled for a '61 Gibson SG reissue for my lead guitar needs, and had found a good deal on one, but the memory of the Mosrite haunted me. I knew i really wanted a Mosrite a lot more then i wanted an SG, so i passed on the SG deal.
The SG got sold to someone else and i still cant afford an original Mosrite, so here i am with out a proper lead guitar and with a bad case of Mosrite fever!

I play "indie rock" music with a 60's guitar driven sound, and modern eclectic compositions drawing from most any type of music that you could string a good tune together with. For me the real sound of stringed electric instruments stem from the 60's, that's where the real tones are.... and i NEED A MOSRITE!!!

[GattonFan]

Welcome, Jazm ... Hope you find something satisfactory and affordable in your Mosrite quest. As you'll find in searching the threads, there are 2 top contenders for consideration for a new guitar, besides a vintage Mosrite, or a custom-built by one of our forum members: The Hallmark 60 Custom from Hallmark Guitars, and the Fillmore reissues from Artie at Front Porch Music, either of which are both affordable and excellent players. Otherwise, eBay offers a great opportunity to pick one off the market, usually at a fair price. Good hunting!

Dennis

[Veenture]

What a pleasant intro Jazm, welcome from me also. Gatton Fan already said it, so I can only endorse what he posted. Here’s a picture of my Hallmark 60 Custom –the perfect Mosrite substitute IMO. It certainly helped cool down my own Mosrite fever that I’ve been having on and off for a good number of years now which peaked to almost boiling point last year…and I needed instant relief.




You can also visit the Hallmark 60 Custom thread here viewtopic.php?f=8&t=24
As well as the Hallmark Owner’s Corner thread: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1863

Lots to read and look at! Enjoy the Forum.

Paul

[Jazm]

Thanks for the welcome and head's up!:)

Dennis, yes, those two are are the options that are currently on the table. I'm trying to get as much info i can about those two guitars to wrap my head around.

Paul, that guitar sure is a beauty! The Hallmark is growing on me fast! How was your experience in getting your guitar sent to Europe, did you have to wait long before it arrived?

[dubtrub]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

I've already posted my feeling about what would be my choice between a Hallmark and a Fillmore on you topic in the clone section. viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2223

Paul, that is one gross looking photo with your head missing.

[101Volts]

Welcome to the forum I can only say what Dennis and Vennture have already said, Hallmark is close to Mosrite. In fact, I'm almost set on buying one right now.

Austin

[Veenture]

Paul, that is one gross looking photo with your head missing.

Yeah, the headless guitar player of Sleepy Hollow...

[vjf1968]

I have to agree that the Hallmark Custom 60 is probably your best bet. I am another satisfied owner and the guitar is one the best I ever played right out of the box. And I do not mean to diss the current Mosrites that are availabel through Filmore but they are just too expensive.
You might do better on the exchange rate. They sell for $899 and that includes the case.

[Veenture]

Paul...How was your experience in getting your guitar sent to Europe, did you have to wait long before it arrived?

Within ONE week it was on my very doorstep! Here's a little sum for ya:

..US$ 899.00 Guitar (including the nice crocodile HSC @ $ 135.00)
..US$ 150.00 Shipping plus insurance
US$ 1,049.00 @ 1.3671 = Euro's 767.32
............Customs/Duty: Euro's 141.94
Total cost to me:..........Euro's 909.26

That's what I like...

[MWaldorf]

Welcome to the forum. Not much else to say - Hallmark is your best bang for the buck. The Japanese Mosrites are also great guitars. They cost a bit more but you get the Mosrite name and the full size vibrato plate that goes under the bridge. Either way I'm sure you'll be aok.

Mel