Mosrite Celebrity III-- Label says Style 220-v

[brrobert]

Recently came into Celebrity III-- best I can tell, from 1966

But the label says "Style 220-v", not Celebrity.

Can anyone explain?

[LoveyX]

Hi brrobert,

I will admit I have never seen this type of designation on the label of a Celebrity.

But I would be willing to take a guess, maybe the guitar was designed to be used with an amp running on 220 Volts?

Sarah93003, a forum member, who has done extensive studies of the Celebrity models might have an idea.

Is there anything else about the guitar you would care to discuss?

[101Volts]

That's a new one on me. I'm wondering if it means anything significant, or if maybe they used the wrong label. Mosrite did make a few misprints from time to time (my 1966 model is a misprint, "B641" under B670,) so it wouldn't be outside the realm of possibility. But that said, I don't know for sure if it's a misprint or not. Maybe this was a label change later on.

Sarah is far more knowledgeable about the Celebrity models than I am. I haven't yet started a serial # list on here for the many Celebrity models, and I'm beginning to wonder how I'd organize it.

- Austin

[brrobert]

I had it on approval and ended up returning it because of a wonky bridge and vibrato.

It seems to be from '66 based upon the features (PAT on the VIbrato, smooth pickup covers with the "r" registered mark, knobs that still have the V and T

Here it is: https://www.musicgoround.com/product/gr ... guitar-red

[101Volts]

I had it on approval and ended up returning it because of a wonky bridge and vibrato.

It seems to be from '66 based upon the features (PAT on the VIbrato, smooth pickup covers with the "r" registered mark, knobs that still have the V and T

Here it is: https://www.musicgoround.com/product/gr ... guitar-red

My 66 was the same way with saddles that didn't fit right, so I ended up swapping the bridge from my 76 on to it while putting a Hallmark Bridge on the 76.

This III model is strange; Mosrite usually made the III model without the Vibrato Tailpiece, but with a Trapeze Tailpiece instead. There might be a few exceptions to the rule, like this one - or maybe it's a much later non-original addition, I couldn't say.

- Austin

[brrobert]

Bob Shade has original bridges for a pretty fair price.... I was thinking about buying one, but I'd be into the guitar for way too much at that point. Plus, the arm wouldn't stay in position, so that needed some work, too.

It's too bad because it played and sounded great and was all original--- including the Victoria case.

[101Volts]

Darn. I would have suggested to just place some plastic between the arm and the top of the tailpiece, which is what I did with my 66. I used a worn guitar pick for it, which works fine; I drilled a hole in it, then sanded down the edges to fit under the arm. With this mod, you get to tighten the arm down, but then it stays snug in whatever position you place it in.

- Austin

[t-bone]

there is a thread about fixing the loose arms by some old-schoolers on here if you use the search function. it involves a lock washer and a washer made from six-pack plastic. i use that method for mine. i note that there is a non-roller bridge on it which would have paired with a trapeze tailpiece. i would pass on that one as well. there are some really great celebrities on reverb that are maybe 10% more in price than that one. ultimately, best of luck to you, brr. be prepared to possibly shim a neck and deal with some 60 cycle hum. celebrities are awesome, under the radar guitars. btw..Mr. Shade is an excellent source for all things Mosrite, i have a bridge from him iirc, on one of mine. one of his “shade” pickups as well.

[Sarah93003]

Recently came into Celebrity III-- best I can tell, from 1966

But the label says "Style 220-v", not Celebrity.

Can anyone explain?

Sorry I haven't been on the site in a while. From the 1966 Mosrite catalog, Style 220 designated the Celebrity 6-string. Style 221 designated the Celebrity Bass. Style 222 designated the Celebrity 12 string. For the early Celebrities, the tremolo bar was a $30 upgrade. So, your label establishes this guitar as a Celebrity 6 string with the upgraded tremolo.

As for the loose tremolo arm, it is a common issue with these old guitars. It is an easy fix as has been stated. I prefer cutting a circle from a plastic milk carton as it provides a very smooth "lubricated" feel when operating the tremolo. Remember, these are also adjustable to create the amount of resistance that you prefer.

[Sarah93003]