When I update the list, the most recent update will be to this main topic. I'll also bump up the thread, but without the update pasted in the reply.
(If you had a broken link while trying to come here from another site, I previously updated this topic with replies only. I wasn't always the admin here.)
Model Specifications:
There are multiple versions of the Serenade.
1st Version:
Acoustic
6-String
Set Neck with a screw accessible through the soundhole, and I'm not sure why it's there except maybe it's for reinforcement.
24.50" Scale Length
This earliest version of the Serenade seems to have started production in 1965 or 1966, I'd guess no earlier than mid to late 1966 because the truss rod is located at the headstock. These earliest versions start with "F" for the serial number.
Later Versions:
Few are listed, and not much is known about them. They all appear to have shown up at the same time, most if not all are bolt-on, and they start with "FE," "FG," and "FH" number prefixes similar to the Balladere prefixes. There may be more Serenade types that haven't surfaced, but it's unclear. These late versions all appear to have the "Diamond Tuners" which seem to indicate that they are very late in Mosrite's 1960s run, from shortly before the bankruptcy period. I haven't seen any sales literature of these later models.
FE Prefix:
Bolt On Neck (3 screws)
3 1/4" Deep Body
24.50 Scale Length expected
No Neck Binding
Appears to have White/Black/White/Black Binding around soundhole
FG Prefix:
Neck Attachment unknown (likely to be a bolt-on)
24.50 Scale Length expected
Appears to have neck binding
Appears to have Black Ring painted around soundhole, then Black/White/Black Binding around soundhole.
I only have low resolution photos of one of these guitars now, so there's not much to go on.
FH Prefix:
Bolt On Neck (3 screws)
3 1/4" Deep Body
24.50 Scale Length expected
No Neck Binding on FH 8119, but FH 8126 has binding (the later one was customized, so FH 8119 might be the more typical example.)
Appears to have Black Ring painted around soundhole, then Black/White/Black Binding around soundhole.
Japanese Reissues:
Japan reissued the Serenade at some point, numbers of the reissues start as "XNS" and one of those is in the list as an example. Every one of these reissues I've seen is finished in White, although I've only seen a few.
Also, one bit of trivia: Mosrite Guitars, at least some of them, have a Truss Rod Design that can be removed from the neck by just slackening the strings and then loosening the rod, then pulling it out. I've done this on my 1966 Electric twice, but its truss rod is at the neck heel and not the headstock end. I've never tried to do this on a model with the rod at the headstock, and I don't know if it differs.
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Recent Updates:
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August 13, 2025:
Moved from the Balladere list:
FH8126 - Natural. This belongs to Ronnie Sessions. It looks like a Balladere III, and I'm told it has 3 bolts instead of 4. This is the first guitar with this number prefix that I had seen, and until August 13 2025, I thought it was a Balladere type (no pics were taken of the soundhole label.) Pics saved. https://www.facebook.com/groups/5297862 ... 825927139/
Added FH 8119 - Sunburst, Natural Headstock. Tortoiseshell Pickguard. Belongs to John Minutaglio.
Lastly, organized the strange numbers section.
August 14, 2025:
Added info about the later Serenades and how they differ from each other.
August 16, 2025:
Added more info to the "FE" models; they're 3 1/4" deep.
Also added these:
F0286 - Sunburst.
F0305 - Natural.
Both were mentioned here at Kiyoshi Mochizuki's site: https://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyos ... rlist.html
August 17, 2025:
Clarified a few things in the post. Also re-organized the total guitars tally.
August 24, 2025:
Added F0065A - Natural. Tortoiseshell P.G., White T.R.C.
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Legend:
========
When I describe an instrument's "P.G.," that's its Pickguard.
When I describe an instrument's "T.R.C.," that's its Truss Rod Cover.
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Accounted for # List:
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F0001 - Natural, Brown Back, Natural Headstock. Dark P.G., White T.R.C. - Showed up on Youtube from John Horak (who does not own it, but who played it for the video.) Owned by John's father in law, who bought it used in the 1970s for $150. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbe7SbWFWBk
F0046 - Natural, ??? Back, Natural Brown Headstock. Tortoise P.G., White T.R.C. - Deke Dickerson's Guitar. Truss Rod's supposed to rattle at a specific frequency (not unheard of with Mosrites, my Ventures II is the same.) Seen in the comments here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3294258 ... 186939538/
F0055 - Finish Unknown. Page saved. Mentioned here, in comments under F0256. Bought by the original owner in 1966. It was repaired, but not well: https://www.collectorsweekly.com/storie ... e-serenade ----- Second reference at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Vintage ... 509820734/
F0058 - Natural, Natural Back, Natural Headstock. P.G. Missing, White T.R.C. - Page saved. Sales ad says it was first purchased in 1966 in "St. Pete, Florida." Seems to have a 1 piece neck. https://www.collectorsweekly.com/storie ... de?in=1789
F0065A - Natural. Tortoiseshell P.G., White T.R.C. - Showed up on Facebook.
F0104 - Sunburst Body, Front. Black Headstock. Tortoise P.G., White T.R.C. - One pic only, so I can't see the back. Pic and page saved. https://www.reddit.com/r/guitarporn/com ... _a_little/
F0134 - Natural, Brown Headstock, Tortoise P.G., White T.R.C. - Showed up on eBay on Jan 5 2025.
F0137 over F0157 (Misprint) - Sunburst Body and Neck, Black Headstock. Tortoise P.G., White T.R.C. - This guitar was rescued from the trash around 1980 - 1981. It has damage on the sides, to some spots of binding, but it's playable. Was for sale on eBay from seller "d_vicalvi1" in Massachusetts. Pics and eBay Page saved.
F0167 - Unknown Finish. Mentioned here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mosrite ... 249998486/
F0174 - Sunburst Body and Neck, Black Headstock. Tortoise P.G., Black T.R.C. - Pic and page saved. http://home.insightbb.com/~marksma/wsb/ ... 27239.html
F0196 - Sunburst - Showed up in Alaska.
F0204 - Natural Body (Front, Back, and Sides,) Natural Neck, Natural Headstock. Has a crack in the top between the Bridge and End Strap Pin, and has a broken truss rod. https://reverb.com/item/70699172-vintag ... -w-gig-bag --- UPDATE, May 7 2025: The truss rod was repaired and the current owner is in a Mosrite group on Facebook.
F0213 - Sunburst, Tortoise P.G., Black T.R.C. - Mentioned here, in comments under F0256. Page saved. https://www.collectorsweekly.com/storie ... e-serenade --- UPDATE: Owned by forum member "duojet55."
F0223 - Natural, Brown Back, Light to Light Brown Burst Neck and Headstock. P.G. Missing, Black T.R.C. - 2-Piece Neck. Page saved. Was for sale on Reverb from "BrandX Kemper Profiles" in San Diego, CA, U.S.A.: https://reverb.com/item/23831-mosrite-s ... -condition
F0256 - Sunburst, Sunburst Back, Black Headstock. Tortoiseshell P.G., White T.R.C. - Can't tell how many pieces of wood were used to build the neck; photos are too far away and blurry. Page saved. - Mentioned here, with photos: https://www.collectorsweekly.com/storie ... e-serenade ----- More Pics at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OpenTheG8/post ... JD2c7iTtRl
F0260 - Natural Spruce top, Mahogany back, sides, neck, and probably headstock. Brazilian Rosewood Bridge. Tortoiseshell P.G., White T.R.C. - Owned by forum member "t-bone," who bought it on eBay in 2017. I had mentioned the serial number myself, in this thread linked. Most pics saved (but not all.) viewtopic.php?f=6&t=7004&hilit=mosrite+acoustic - UPDATE, Jan 2 2022: Neck has some bolts attached to it from the inside of the guitar.
F0274A - Natural Front, Back, Neck, and Headstock. Tortoiseshell P.G., White T.R.C. --- https://reverb.com/item/70817423-mosrit ... ginal-case
F0286 - Sunburst, Black Headstock. Black P.G. (which looks like it may not be original,) Black T.R.C. - Mentioned here at Kiyoshi Mochizuki's site: https://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyos ... rlist.html
F0305 - Natural front, Natural sides, Unknown back, Headstock seems a bit darker. Tortoiseshell P.G. and dark T.R.C. - Mentioned here at Kiyoshi Mochizuki's site: https://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyos ... rlist.html
F0316 - Natural front, Natural back, Natural neck, Natural headstock but with a unusual dark section at its end near the M cutout (which may or may not be original.) Neck is a 2-piece. Tortoiseshell P.G., Black T.R.C. Showed up for sale on Reverb in Sonoma, California. Pics and page saved. Currently owned by forum member ElTwang. https://reverb.com/item/61050141-mosrite-serenade-1965
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Partly Accounted For # and Unconfirmed # Section:
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F010 or F0103 - Sunburst Body & Neck, Black Headstock. Tortoise P.G., White T.R.C., Found Here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3294258 ... 570049635/
F0112 - Uncertain number. Found on Facebook.
F02?? - Sunburst Body, Sunburst Neck, Black Headstock. Tortoiseshell P.G., Black T.R.C. - Pages saved. For sale from Nationwide Guitars. Link 1, to their photos: http://www.nationwideguitars.com/1965mo ... enade.html Link 2, to their ad: https://www.gbase.com/gear/mosrite-sere ... 5-sunburst
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Not Accounted For # Section:
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F???? - Natural, Dark Red-looking Back and Headstock, Missing P.G., White T.R.C. - Seems to have a 1 piece neck. Page saved. Has noticeable damage to the front, somewhat in line with a strum pattern. Was for sale on Reverb from "The Guitar Broker" in Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA. https://reverb.com/item/496123-mosrite- ... 65-natural
F???? - Natural Body and Headstock. Dark P.G., White T.R.C. - Pic and Page saved. https://artyousee.tumblr.com/post/80938 ... 4-serenade
F???? - Stripped Paint and Logo, Missing P.G. and T.R.C. - Has no metal string guide, so that may or may not be original. The page said it was a "1964" model. Maybe it never had a pickguard? It looks as though it did, but the pic is not very good to tell that. Pic and page saved. https://artyousee.tumblr.com/post/80938 ... 4-serenade
F???? - Yellow to Brown to Black Burst. Tortosieshell P.G., can't tell about the Neck or Headstock. - Pic of the body saved. Was on eBay at some point.
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No Number Section:
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Blank (Number lost?) - Natural Body, Darker Neck, Black Headstock. Black P.G., White T.R.C. - on eBay on 9 December, 2022. I asked about a serial number, nothing was present, according to the seller. Pics & Page saved.
Blank - Demonstration model, one of a kind. I'm not sure if this counts as a Serenade or not, but I'm leaving it here for lack of a better place to put it, for now.
This blank guitar has a Natural Front, Brown Back, Brown 1970s style Mosrite Headstock. Missing (or no) P.G., Black T.R.C. - Found at Ed Roman's Site. Pics & Page Saved. http://www.edroman.com/detail_sheets/mo ... uitar.html -
UPDATE, Jan 2 2022: Guitar surfaced at a Facebook Page; it's explained here by the current owner that it's a one of a kind demo model, and he's had it since he was in 6th grade, in 1969. https://www.facebook.com/groups/mosrite ... 495782754/
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Strange Numbers Given Section:
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These appear to be several different model types, but no sales brochures have yet surfaced and been shared with me.
"FE" type - Body Depth 3 1/4"
FE 8080, Style Serenade (Body Only) - Sunburst Body, Bolt On (3 bolts) Neck. Pickguard is missing in the 2017 Reverb Ad. --- https://reverb.com/item/6282218-mosrite ... dy-vintage
FE 8082, Style Serenade (Sticker reads FE-8082, neck reads FF8082) - Natural Front, Brown Back. Tortoise P.G., Black T.R.C., 3 Bolt Neck and "Diamond" Tuners. Jake Wildwood added some string trees to it. Pics & page saved. https://jakewildwood.blogspot.com/2021/ ... attop.html
"FG" type with a reportedly 3" deep body:
FG-8103 - Natural Body, Natural Headstock, Tortoise P.G., Black T.R.C. - Page and pics saved. The sticker still says "Serenade" and the owner says it's a Bolt-On with a 3" deep body. Curious. https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ ... -117390642 --- Later talked about on Facebook, mistakenly as FG-8403 at first: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1108953 ... 657409013/
"FH" type - Body Depth 3 1/4"
FH 8119 - Sunburst, Natural Headstock. Tortoiseshell Pickguard, Bolt On Neck with 3 Bolts. Does not have neck binding. Belongs to John Minutaglio.
FH 8126 - Natural. This belongs to Ronnie Sessions and the Pickguard says "Ronnie" on it. I'm told it has 3 bolts instead of 4. Has neck binding, which might have been a customization to this specific guitar and not the FH series. This is the first guitar with this number prefix that I had seen, and until August 13 2025, I thought it was a Balladere III type (no pics were taken of the soundhole label.) Pics saved. https://www.facebook.com/groups/5297862 ... 825927139/
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Likely to be a Japanese Reissue:
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Xns939 - White Body, White Headstock. Dark P.G., White T.R.C. - The title said the Serial Number is "Xns939." Found in a web search, the link went to a long gone eBay listing. Pic saved. UPDATE, 15 Jan 2023: This is likely to be a Japanese Reissue. I saw a definite reissue in the same finish in late 2022, but I didn't see a number on it.
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Total of Guitars:
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Early Models with the "F" prefix:
Accounted for #s: 20
Partially Accounted for #s: 3
Not Accounted For #s: 4.
Blank - 2 (one might not be a Serenade.)
Later Models:
Accounted For with "FE" Prefix: 2
Accounted For with "FG" Prefix: 1
Accounted For with "FH" Prefix: 2
Accounted for with "XNS" Prefix (Japanese Reissue) - 1.
35, in total.
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Finishes and variants accounted for:
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I don't account for Pickguards or Truss Rod Covers here.
Natural Body, Brown Back, Natural Headstock - 1; (F0001.)
Natural Body, Brown Back, Brown Headstock - 2.
Natural Body, Natural Back, Light to Brown Burst Back of Neck that goes to both sides of Headstock - 1; (F0223.)
Natural Body, Natural Neck, Natural Headstock - 1; (F0058.)
Natural Body, Dark Red Back, Dark Red Back of Neck, Dark Red Headstock - 1.
Sunburst Body, Sunburst Neck, Black Headstock - 4; (F002x, F0137, F0174, F0256.)
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Finishes partly accounted for:
============================
Natural Front & Back, Natural Neck, Natural Headstock - 1. (F0316.)
Natural Front, Probably Brown Back, Brown Headstock - 1. (F0260.)
Natural Body, Unknown Neck, Natural Headstock, - 1. (Unknown #.)
Yellow to Brown to Black Burst Body, all else is unknown - 1. (Unknown #.)
White Body, Unknown Neck (but probably white,) White Headstock - 1: "Xns939."
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- Austin
