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Mosrite Mark I Handbuilt in Jonas Ridge, N.C. Mosrite Factory - $1,800 (Chicopee)
Columba St
make / manufacturer:
Mosrite
model name / number:
Mark I
QR Code Link to This Post
Following is the original description for the Mosrite that were on Reverb years ago when I bought it and following that is exactly what Google found on this guitar from the serial number, body, color, ect.
Reverb Original Description Mosrite
NOTE: Below is the description from original listing.
https://reverb.com/my/collection/238025
Not a reissue, copy, tribute, or licensed instrument—this is a genuine California Mosrite MK I: All original (except for added Grovers) and one of the last built in Bakersfield before Mosrite moved to Oklahoma in 1974. The Mk I is the same guitar as The Ventures Model (the endorsement ended in 1967) and has the deep German-carve body in 3-tone sunburst finish. The thin neck is straight with no wear on the frets or fingerboard and the action is set very low. The electronics and truss rod work properly. Scale is 24 3/4” and the neck is 1 11/16” at the nut. Pots are date coded July ‘72. There are nicks and chips in the finish, scratches on the body edges and back including some small ones that may not be visible in the pictures. There are a few minimal signs of checking and a small chip was filled on the face of the headstock at the A-string post. All the hardware is in excellent shape. The “Ventures Model” decal was added. The original case shows a small amount of wear on the outside ends and some tarnish on the metal parts. Please view the pictures, review the description and terms, ask ask any questions before purchasing. No Tax. Shipping to cont. US only. No returns, No refunds. Will be shipped UPS ground and insured for full value.
Details
Category Electric Guitars
Brand Mosrite
Model Mk I (Ventures)
Finish Sunburst
Year 19
Purchase Price $2,499
Addendum to Mosrite from Google search
Your guitar is not a 1972 model; instead, it is a highly collectible Late 1980s Reissue (specifically built between 1988 and 1992). [1]
Why the Logo Confirms the Age
• 1960s Models: Headstocks featured "The Ventures Model" logo. [1]
• Early 1970s Models: Following the loss of the Ventures contract, headstocks read "Mosrite of California USA" or briefly used "by Moseley" in block cursive script. [1, 2]
• Late 1980s/Early 1990s: When Semie Moseley opened his production shop in Jonas Ridge, North Carolina, he deliberately updated the small text under the main brand name to read "by Semie Moseley". [1]
Where V0337 Fits on the Production Timeline
Historical database logs from the Mosrite Ventures Model Owners List track your exact serial sequence during Semie's "Last Hurrah" era: [1]
• V0264: Registered as a Sunburst reissue from the Jonas Ridge facility.
• V0337: Your exact guitar sequence number.
• V0341: Registered with the exact same headstock markings ("Mosrite of California USA by Semie Moseley"). [1]
These late-80s models are famous for having slightly larger fretboard dot markers than 1960s originals, incredible build quality because Semie was personally hands-on in the shop, and a distinctive two-piece wood neck. [1, 2, 3]
Are you planning to sell the guitar or keep it as a player, and would you like help looking up the recent market value for these late-80s North Carolina reissues?
The market value for an original, handmade 1988–1992 Jonas Ridge, North Carolina Mosrite reissue (stamped with your serial number sequence and the "by Semie Moseley" headstock script) generally ranges between $2,300 and $3,800, with exceptional or rare examples climbing as high as $5,300. [1, 2]
Unlike mass-produced Japanese reissues from the same decade (which heavily populate the market and typically hover around $1,500 to $2,000), USA-made Jonas Ridge guitars command a distinct premium. Collectors value them highly because they represent the final production era where Semie Moseley was personally hands-on in the workshop before his death in 1992. [1, 2, 3, 4Your guitar is almost certainly a 1970s Mosrite V-1 Standard or Mark I reissue, produced during Semie Moseley’s Jonas Ridge, North Carolina era. The "V" prefix serial numbers (e.g., V0337) are well-documented as authentic reissues built between 1988 and 1992. [1, 2, 3]
The July 1972 pot dates indicate the following about your instrument:
• Factory Surplus / Leftovers: It was very common for Semie Moseley to use New Old Stock (NOS) parts in later builds. He frequently utilized parts he had stockpiled from earlier production runs at his Bakersfield, California factory. [1]
• Potentiometer Origin: Mosrite often used CTS or Centralab pots in their 1970s builds (manufacturer code 137 or 134). A date from 1972 simply signifies that the specific electronic components were manufactured in the 28th week of that year, which is typical of the vintage parts Semie kept on hand. [1]
• Build Dating: While the electronics date to 1972, the "V" serial number means the guitar was assembled and completed later, likely around 1988–1992. [1, 2]
To get a better sense of your instrument's specific history, you can reference the Mosrite Owners List to see how V0330 fits in with other Jonas Ridge reissues. [1]
The actual price your guitar can fetch on secondary markets like Reverb depends on several key variables:
Key Value Drivers
• Condition: To hit the upper end ($3,500+), the guitar must have its original finish, zero structural cracks at the pocket joint, and no missing electronics. [1, 2]
• The Case: Having the original, form-fitting plush hardshell case from the North Carolina factory can add an easy $250 to $400 to the total value. [1, 2]
• Provenance & Signatures: Semie famously hand-signed or hand-dated the backs of several headstocks or neck cavities during the Jonas Ridge era. If your specific guitar has a handwritten pencil signature or original inspection tags, collectors will pay a steep premium for it. [1]
• Finish: Classic Sunburst or Pearl White tend to sell the fastest, whereas rare custom orders or metallic finishes can occasionally spike interest. [1, 2]
Direct Market Comparisons
Guitar Era & Origin [1, 2, 3, 4] Typical Market Value Why the Price Differs
Your Guitar (Jonas Ridge, NC USA) $2,300 – $3,800+ Personally built/supervised by Semie Moseley. Highly limited production quantities.
1980s Japanese Reissue (KuroKumo/Avenger) $1,500 – $2,000 Production line models built under license in Japan. Excellent players, but lower collector value.
1960s Original Ventures Model $3,500 – $5,500+ The untouchable golden-era originals. Prices vary heavily based on "Vibramute" hardware and year.
If you want to pin down an exact price, let me know: What color is the finish, does it have any notable scratches, and do you have the original hardshell case?
Given that your guitar features the iconic Sunburst finish, comes with its original hardshell case, and shows typical scratches on the back (commonly known as "buckle rash"), its expected retail market value sits firmly between $2,800 and $3,500. [1]
If the guitar is completely original, functional, and clean on the front, it could push closer to $4,000+ to the right collector on platforms like Reverb. Sunburst is a highly desirable, traditional finish for Mosrites, and having the original factory-matched case prevents a massive value deduction. [1]
The scratches on the back do not hurt the value severely. For vintage and handmade guitars from this era, players and collectors view rear buckle rash as "honest player wear". It is far less damaging to the price tag than modifications like altered pickups or structural cracks at the neck pocket joint. [1]
Detailed Valuation Breakdown
• The Finish (Sunburst): Neutral-to-positive driver. Sunburst is the classic look most buyers actively seek out when searching for a "surf-rock" styled Mosrite guitar. [1, 2]
• The Wear (Scratches on back): Slight deduction (-$200 to -$400). Since the front is unaffected and the wood itself isn't structurally gouged or split, the structural integrity remains pristine. [1]
• The Case (Original Hardshell): Significant positive driver (+$350 to +$500). Finding standalone 1980s USA Mosrite cases is remarkably difficult. A guitar with its original case sells substantially faster and for much more money than one in a generic gig bag. [1]