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.)
The first versions of the Mosrite Serenade are an Acoustic 6-String Guitar with a Set Neck, but they have a screw accessible through the soundhole, and I'm not sure why it's there except maybe it's for reinforcement. 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 (of which there are multiple types but I don't know how many) are a bolt-on, but I have few of them on the list. Those ones start with two letters in their number, and one example is "FE" and another is "FG." There may be others, but it's unclear.
Japan also reissued the Serenade at some point, its number starts 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.
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Recent Updates:
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April 13, 2023:
Jake Wildwood replied to me a year ago about the weird Bolt-On Serenade, so I added a detail to it (FE-8082.)
July 1, 2023:
F0204 Added. https://reverb.com/item/70699172-vintag ... -w-gig-bag
2024:
February 17, 2024:
Trimmed my excessive replies to this topic, to make it easier to navigate.
Also, F0316 is owned by forum member ElTwang.
Lastly, the weird Bolt-on Serenade FE-8082 is probably a Balladere with the wrong sticker, but I don't know for certain.
February 19, 2024:
Added:
F0167 - Unknown Finish. Mentioned here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mosrite ... 249998486/
December 31 2024:
Added:
F0274A (yes, really) - Natural Finish. Odd number, but both the sticker and fretboard number say it.
FE-8080 - Body only, Sunburst, and a Bolt On. I'm not sure what to make of this, apparently the Serenades really did have a later bolt-on version before the Balladeres showed up? This is the 2nd example of its kind on the list.
January 6 2025:
Added F0134 - Natural, Brown Headstock, Tortoise P.G., White T.R.C. - Showed up on eBay on Jan 5 2025.
Also changed information in the start of the topic, and added info about the unusual bolt-ons.
Lastly, changed a few notes about the oddly numbered Serenades, and added info to another one in a spot I've forgotten already.
April 15 2025:
F0196 (Sunburst) Added.
April 27, 2025:
F0213 updated.
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Legend:
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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
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
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
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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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-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/
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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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Accounted for #s: 17.
Accounted for #s, Partial or Unconfirmed: 3.
Japanese Reissue (Likely: ) 1.
Not Accounted For #s: 4.
No # - 2
Strange #s - 3
30, 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:
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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
