Mosrite Celebrity 3 with odd features

[brrobert]

Greetings... haven't posted here since 2010. Good to be back!

I was doing some post Christmas shopping and came upon this Celebrity 3. Once I saw it, I knew I'd be leaving with it-- I've owned several Ventures Models over the years but never had a Celebrity. It is a Transparent Red model faded to a Gretsch Orange with bound F holes and unbound neck. The trapeze tailpiece has been replaced by a Hallmark Vibramute.


https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipM ... I_h1JOojLM


https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipM ... F5OQhocshz


https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipN ... sKiYi578Am

The oddest features involve the neck. The first odd things are the triangle inlays at 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, and 15. The small dot inlays are found at 17, 19, and 21. I thought they were a later edition but the triangles have two small dots on either side, which look identical to small dots at upper registers.


https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipN ... zVlKZwsULD


https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipM ... CWnz72nr72


https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipN ... gbOIL4vQzg

The other odd thing is the three screw neck plate. It appears original and there is no evidence of the four bolt attachment found on other Celebrities.


https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipN ... D8ga3Ry0MD

Here is where it gets kind of weird. I found another Mosrite with this exact neck (inlays and three bolt plate). Here is a link

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/66-mosrite-mosrite-celebrity-iii-173540277
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ ... -173540277

So, either the same person did the inlays and had access to the small dots, or else this was some kind of factory creation. The identical neck plate seems to indicate factory.

The other uncommon feature is the pickup covers-- screws exposed, smooth, no logo. I know these exist, but I've never seen them in person before.


https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipN ... vy6GxiFVYu

The knobs still have the V and T


https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipM ... RIsQgOFHWs

The label lists the model as "Celeb. #3" and serial number as K-0116, which matches the numbers at the end of the neck.


https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipN ... SngvxlGHpF


https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipP ... iY1iCNc8si

The tuner have metal buttons. I'm not sure if they are replacements, but I don't see any other footprint.


https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipN ... gS3yM-XHvV

Needless to say, it sounds great!

Any ideas on this one?

Thanks,

Bob

[panther]

Bob;

None of the photos open.

Dan

[brrobert]

I was afraid of that! The Img button doesn't seem to work and none of the Google pics links are working either? Dang.

I'll try to figure something out....

Does this give access to the pictures?

https://photos.app.goo.gl/7238kEuostHHGms39

[LoveyX]

Yes! That latest link opens the album with the pics.

[brrobert]

Put the pics here, but just can't figure out how to use the Img button with any success

https://imgur.com/gallery/Fmu8yXd

[brrobert]

Greetings... haven't posted here since 2010. Good to be back!

I was doing some post Christmas shopping and came upon this Celebrity 3. Once I saw it, I knew I'd be leaving with it-- I've owned several Ventures Models over the years but never had a Celebrity. It is a Transparent Red model faded to a Gretsch Orange with bound F holes and unbound neck. The trapeze tailpiece has been replaced by a Hallmark Vibramute.







The oddest features involve the neck. The first odd things are the triangle inlays at 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, and 15. The small dot inlays are found at 17, 19, and 21. I thought they were a later edition but the triangles have two small dots on either side, which look identical to small dots at upper registers.







The other odd thing is the three screw neck plate. It appears original and there is no evidence of the four bolt attachment found on other Celebrities.



Here is where it gets kind of weird. I found another Mosrite with this exact neck (inlays and three bolt plate). Here is a link

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/66-mosrite-mosrite-celebrity-iii-173540277
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ ... -173540277






So, either the same person did the inlays and had access to the small dots, or else this was some kind of factory creation. The identical neck plate seems to indicate factory.

The other uncommon feature is the pickup covers-- screws exposed, smooth, no logo. I know these exist, but I've never seen them in person before.



The knobs still have the V and T



The label lists the model as "Celeb. #3" and serial number as K-0116, which matches the numbers at the end of the neck.





The tuner have metal buttons. I'm not sure if they are replacements, but I don't see any other footprint.



Needless to say, it sounds great!

Any ideas on this one?

Thanks,

Bob

[LoveyX]

Hi Bob,
First of all, congrats on your purchase, it is a nice looking guitar. How does it play? Would you care to divulge how much it cost?
You seem to have already noticed the subtle differences between this one and a stock Celeb #3.
The tuners would normally have white plastic buttons and say 'Kluson Deluxe' on the backs. The neck inlays and plate and the pickups appear to be mods, as the pickups would normally be smooth and have the Mosrite of California logo molded into the covers.
I wouldn't be surprised if both the bridge and vibrato are Hallmark as well.
I don't suppose the seller would have any insight as to who might have done any work on the guitar previously?
Maybe someone else on the forum has some information on it?
If Sarah sees this post she may have some ideas as to what you have there besides a nice looking guitar... she is a Celebrity expert.
Anyway, it is both a different and nice one, thanks for posting!

[brrobert]

Thanks Lovey... it plays and sounds great. As I mentioned, I've had many Mosrites over the years, but never a celebrity.

I'd agree on the inlays if there wasn't another guitar with the exact same neck out there. That is what is throwing me off. Exact same inlays, exact same three bolt plate-- the three bolt plate has to be original as there is no fourth hole anywhere. Odd.

Regarding the pickup covers, from what I've been able to locate, Mosrite did use non logo covers at points during the 60's. They definitely have THE sound...

I know Gibson used to do what they called "shop sweepings" guitars, where they would assemble a guitar with what they had left lying around. Mosrite was such a small operation that this probably happened on occasion,too. Especially with a Guitar like Celebrity 3, which was kind of low end.

Seller is a well loved second used guitar shop here in Chicago who got it at a show. He doesn't know anything about it.

It plays/sounds amazing, for sure. Quite happy with it!

[panther]

Nice looking Celebrity. Do you mind me asking how much did you pay ?

Dan

[brrobert]

Thanks Dan. It involves a trade on the other end, etc. I think I'm into it for around $700.