Hang Ten

Ventures Reissue

1976-81 – Bakersfield, CA, Yuba City, CA and Carson City, NV

Mosrite Ventures Reissues 1976–1981

Gospel Encounters

1982-84 – Jonas Ridge, NC

serial numbers: GExxx

Gospel Encounters

Ventures Reissue

1982-85 – Jonas Ridge, NC

Regular serial numbers in Jonas Ridge started with NC (North Carolina), interrupted with AF (After Fire) numbers for a short period of time after the fire on November 22, 1993. Later 1984 made guitars had NC numbers again.

Mosrite Ventures Reissues 1982–1985

American (aka Mark VII and VIII)

1983-84 – Jonas Ridge, NC

serial numbers: AFxxx and NCxxx

Similar to the Ventures model, but without pickguard. The Mark VIII has the wide carving also on the right (e-string) body side and no carving but a rounding between the horns, the Mark VII has a narrow routing around the whole body’s front. The Mark VIII’s three pickups are mounted parallely sloped or diversified.

Mosrite American aka Mark VII and VIII

Double Axe

1984-90 – Jonas Ridge, NC

Double Axe

Terry model

1985-90 – Jonas Ridge, NC

serial numbers: T0xx

Made for the Japanese market as a Terauchi Takeshi signature model. Very rare, less asymmetric than a regular Ventures model, with humbuckers and a rose on the headstock.

Terry model

Ventures Reissue

1986-87 – Jonas Ridge, NC

serial numbers: 0xx86, 86xx, 0xx87, 87xx

The 2001 eBay auction of 37 NOS Ventures ’65 reissues

The following guitars are all 1965 Reissues made in Jonas Ridge, NC, in 1986 and 1987. 37 of them have been sold on eBay in 2001; here’s the original text of those auctions:

“I have been hired by the widow of Semie Mosley’s most significant partner/owner to sell the last 37 Mosrite guitars from the North Carolina Mosrite manufacturing facility. These guitars have been warehoused since they were made in 1986 and 1987. They are all unsold, as-new, not “pre-owned”. They are mostly in dead-mint condition, except for a few that have extremely minor dings or marks from having been stored for 13 years. All guitars are hand made by Semie Mosley and are signed by Semie Mosley on the backs of the pegheads. They all still have the original strings that were put on by Semie at the shop. Since all are hand-made, no two are exactly alike. There are the slightest variations in features such as binding, position dots, peghead shape, etc. They are all made of alder, with maple necks. Each guitar weighs about 8 or 9 pounds. Most of these guitars have a beautiful Sunburst finish, about the best I’ve seen by any maker (including the early Mosrites). Others have rare custom colors, such as white, black, or candy-apple red. Some also have shaded or colored necks. Sixteen of these guitars come with very expensive flight cases that were specially ordered for these uniquely shaped guitars when they were made. I have been told that these cases cost about $250 wholesale when ordered. These cases are covered with the same durable gray carpet-like material that is used on heavy-duty road cases for PA equipment. The cases are heavy, weighing twice as much as the guitars at about 16 to 18 pounds.

These guitars will be sold one at a time, exclusively through ebay.

Included with each guitar will be a signed letter of authenticity from the widow of Semie’s North Carolina partner, stating the serial number, and that it is an original Mosrite guitar, hand-made by Semie Mosley that has been in storage in Morganton, North Carolina since it was made at Semie’s shop in North Carolina. All guitars were made or at least completed at Jonas Ridge, N.C. Also included (by special request) will be photocopies of some important factory papers from the time the shop folded, including invoices, financial figures, letters, etc. Please e-mail me for details on these papers. The original documents may be sold separately on ebay in the future.”

A letter from Semie Moseley to Mosrite’s customers, December 1, 1986

“Thank you all for your interest in Mosrite. I am going to try to explain, in this letter, what has been happening with Semie Moseley and Mosrite.

First, let me apologize for this being a form letter. I have over one thousand letters which have accumulated during my illness and shutdown. Some day, in the near future, the Semie Moseley and Mosrite Guitar story will be in process, it will read like a fairytale – a drama – a love story; from rags to riches – to rags – to the fight back, from one major tragedy to another, from the very beginning through its evolution to the 1980’s.

My wife, Loretta, and I were in an automobile accident which should have taken our lives. A few months in the hospital and more than a year being disabled left us financially depleted and nothing to brag about physically. I went through another major surgery. Our entire factory was destroyed by fire causing a total loss of guitars, inventory, equipment, and much more. It was well over a million dollar loss. The story doesn’t end there, now you have a general idea of where we’ve been and why. It has been only through strength from God that we have survived all of this. I still am determined that we will win.

For a while, during the time I was sick, I tried to get help in order to continue building my Mosrite Guitars. But I was not too happy with the quality and the way things were going without my direct attention, so I shut Mosrite down one more time. About eleven months ago, after the last shutdown, I required radical colon surgery. I am now fully recovered and weight two hundred pounds. Our factory is back in Jonas Ridge, North Carolina.

Once again, I am going to build Mosrite Guitars in limited quantity. I will re-introduce the Ventures Model. I will also build a new model which will have the option of my newly designed dual coil Mosrite pickups. I will also offer, once again, the Joe Maphis double neck and single neck. I will be directly involved in this production, and will guarantee my guitars for my lifetime.

If you have not given up on me, please write and let me know of your interest. I will respond to your request immediately.

Mosrite Forever,

Semie Moseley, President

P.S. I don’t plan on making any National Promotion until after my guitars are offered to you and my other Mosrite friends. Hope to hear from you soon.”

Mosrite Ventures Reissues 1986–1987

Semie Moseley Model

1986-92 – Jonas Ridge, NC and Booneville, AR

serial numbers: Txxx, SMxxx

Semie Moseley model

Tone Chamber

serial numbers seem to be in the regular 1987-range, so impossible to tell the number of guitars made (very few).

1987 – Jonas Ridge, NC

Tone Chamber

Ventures 25th Anniversary

1987-88 – Jonas Ridge, NC

serial numbers: 25xx

Allegedly 12 of planned 25 made; silver or silverburst, set neck, no body binding, smooth cover pickups, M-knobs, top jack, plexi pickguard with 25th anniversary logo, “Anniversary model” headstock logo, special headstock M-carving, opaque-to-translucent burst with a opaque streak on the back of the neck, signed by Semie Moseley on the headstock’s back.

Ventures 25th Anniversary

Ventures ’63 Reissue

1988-95 – Jonas Ridge, NC and Booneville, AR

Mosrite Ventures ’63 Reissues 1988–1995

Ventures ’64 Reissue

1988-95 – Jonas Ridge, NC and Booneville, AR

Mosrite Ventures ’64 Reissues 1988–1995

Ventures ’65 Reissue

1988-95 – Jonas Ridge, NC and Booneville, AR

Mosrite Ventures ’65 Reissues 1988–1995

M88, M89

1988-89 – Jonas Ridge, NC

serial numbers: xxx88, xxx89

rounded body, no carve, no pickguard, triangeled plate on back, Moseley tremolo or fixed TP; normally: white PUs with polepieces, white backplate, normal roller bridge. Unbound rosewood fretboard on 2 piece maple neck at the early examples; the later examples have a maple fretboard with rosewood board below or on a 3 piece maple neck, large space between zero fret and stringguide. 1988 logo, signed by Semie on headstock front and back.

M1988

V88, V89

1988-89 – Jonas Ridge, NC

serial numbers: xxx88, Vxxx, Vxx88, 89xxx

softly carved Ventures style body; normally: black PUs with polepieces, normal roller bridge, rosewood fretboard, 1988 logo, signed by Semie on headstock’s back or neck’s back, rarely on headstock’s front

V1988

Late 1990 letter regarding the January 1991 NAMM

“PICK ON A MOSRITE GUITAR

AT THE 1991 NAMM WINTER SHOW IN ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA ON JANUARY 18th through 21st

Dear Dealers:

I would like to extend am invitation to you to visit our booth #4493 at the Anaheim Convention Center – where you will see the REAL MOSRITE GUITARS, BUILT BY THE REAL SEMIE MOSELEY. Semie Moseley is the founder and creator of the world famous Mosrite Guitars; the guitars with “THE BUILT IN SOUL”.

It has been many years since I have exhibited my guitars at the Winter Show; so I have made a very special effort to bring the most beautiful guitars in the world to the show. I think it will be worth your while to visit our booth.

While at our booth you will experience the following:

1. The re-introduction of the Joe Maphis Single Neck Model. This, as some of you may remember, is the guitar which I designed in 1952. It was so well received that it was later endorsed by a group called The Ventures; it was then called the VENTURES Model.

2. The NOKIE Model which is endorsed by Nokie Edwards who was the lead guitar player for the Ventures for many years.

3. The RAMONES Model which is endorsed and played by the Ramones.

4. The GOSPEL Model which is played and has been played for many years by many Gospel musicians.

5. I have decided to build 40 very unique and beautiful guitars in honor of my 40th year, in 1992, building my Mosrite Guitars. These forty guitars will be custom made by me before the end of 1992. I will have the prototype on display at the show.

6. We will have two special guest artists at our booth; Brian Lobeck, who began his career as lead guitar player with the Mandrell Family––also taught Barbara to play the guitar. Jody Maphis, the son of Joe and Rose Lee Maphis.

Who knows what other surprises we may have for you. So maybe you should visit our booth #4493, or you might miss something.

SEE YOU AT THE NAMM SHOW!

Semie Moseley, President of
(the one and only)
MOSRITE GUITARS!!!!”

The Nokie model

1988-92 – Jonas Ridge, NC

serial numbers: xxx88, Nxxx, 90xxx, N91-xx

The Nokie model

Ramones

1989-99 (?) – Jonas Ridge, NC and Booneville, AR

Early ones without ramone’s logo. The first may be the white custom made guitar that was made by Semie for Johnny. Some without logo seem to be 1-pickup-versions of other Mosrites.
The ones with the “The Ramone’s model”-logo may’ve been made by Unified Sound Association after Semie’s passed away or more probably years later by Loretta Moseley’s very small team (Jesus Diaz Huipe) in the lete 1990s.

Ramones

Gospel Fourth Man

1990 – Jonas Ridge, NC

serial numbers: FM001–FM100 (planned)

I have no idea how many of the planned 100 were made, but I guess way less. The prototype was made for Fred Mann with a Jesus portrait painted in oil. The body of the white finished guitars is that of The Nokie model.

Gospel Victory I, II, III

1990 – Jonas Ridge, NC

serial numbers: G90xx, G10xx, G20xx, G30xx, GB0xx

Gospel Victory

The Joe Maphis Single Neck Model

1990-91 – Jonas Ridge, NC

serial numbers: J0xx, 910xx

Nokie 30th Anniversary

1992 – Booneville, AR

serial numbers: ooxx NA30

Bound Ventures Body, sidejack

Nokie 30th Anniversary

40th Anniversary

1992-93 – Booneville, AR

serial numbers: 0xxx

Expat Guitars: “Mosrite of California 40th Anniversary The Ventures Model 63 bound sidejack Reissue produced in 1992 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the company. (…) Prototyped by Semie Moseley before his death, (…) only 40 made. Built in Booneville, Arkansas, exclusively for the Japanese market. An accurate recreation of Mosrite’s most iconic design, complete with hot handwound smooth cover pickups, spun knobs, Vibramute, and convex carve on the treble edge. These came in two colors, Nokie (Sunburst) or Don (Strawberry Red) (…). Highly collectible, unseen outside of Japan (…), opaque-to-translucent burst on the back of the neck.”

40th Anniversary

Built in Soul model

1992-93 – Booneville, AR

serial numbers: SM0xx

M88 body with small pickguard

Built in Soul model

Equalizer model

1993 – Booneville, AR

serial numbers: ME0xx

Slab body Ventures model, actually very similar to the 1990/91 Ramones Model/Gospel Victory III but with a bevelling on the lower bout and back (similar to a strat). Allegedly made for the Japanese market; a Mosrite flyer (Booneville, 1993) calls it “V–1 Series”.

Equalizer model

The Golden Commemorative model

1993 – Booneville, AR

serial numbers: 30xx

Ventures model 30th Anniversary, allegedly 30 built for Japan (golden hardware) and 10 built for the USA (chrome hardware); headstock logo Ventures (without “The”). Actually a 1963 reissue with Vibramute and smooth pickups, according to the certificate it’s a limited edition of 60 and distributed in Japan by Sun Pacific, Inc.

The Golden Commemorative model

Yuzo Kayama model

1993 – Booneville, AR

serial numbers: KK0xx, KC0xx

Allegedly 50 in Marine Blue and 10 in Pearl White have been built in the USA in 1993. Unique Vibramute tremolo and headstock logo, build in fuzz!

Yuzo Kayama model

Mini-Combo

1994 – Booneville, AR

serial numbers: MC0xx

Joe Maphis Double neck

1981-94 – Jonas Ridge, NC and Booneville, AR

Doublenecks

Bass

1981-94

Summary of bass guitars that can be found in the model’s category, too.

Customs, One-Offs, Prototypes

1981-92 – Jonas Ridge, NC

Guitars that can’t be subsumed in any other category.

Customs, One-Offs, Prototypes

last modification: March 19, 2023