Semie Moseley's PERSONAL Mosrite Blue Gospel Prototype 1965-67 Transparent Blue

BACKGROUND: Semie Moseley was a much better Gospel musician than he was a businessman and, together with the Reverend Ray Boatright, they founded the Mosrite Guitar Company. Because he so loved Gospel music, Semie thought Gospel musicians should have the best instruments, regardless of their financial status, and so he continued to experiment and research the Luthier's Art, toward that goal. He was so impressed with a Spanish Luthier's design of building guitars with violin joints, instead of the customary form blocks that reinforce the joint of the top, back, and sides, that he decided to build Gospel instruments that way.

CHASING PERFECTION: Sometime in late 1965, he began a group of 10 guitars, as Gospel prototype instruments. A few were less than a perfect fit so he cut them down and made them into conventional guitars. Continuing his efforts, he worked at this technique for about 3 years, and became adept at the method by the time he reached the last two instruments, building them in perfect form, after scrapping or converting to conventional form, all the rest. These last two guitars were finished perfectly, one all natural, no color whatsoever, which he gave to the Reverend Boatright. The other he completed for himself, finishing the neck all natural and the body in transparent blue, for his personal Gospel playing. He took the "Blue Gospel Guitar" out on Gospel tours, making enough money performing to assist in keeping the Mosrite Guitar Company afloat, once again. He also earned enough money with "Blue" at times, so that he was able to fund church charity work. This guitar that I am offering, is that Blue Gospel Prototype and is the only one that exists, today.

RARITY: The only other Gospel prototype was, of course, the natural blonde instrument that was given to Ray Boatright. Sadly, the Reverend was attacked and killed, in front of his church, in Watts, and the blonde Gospel guitar was smashed. The only known Gospel prototype, which survives to this day, is Semie Moseley's Blue Gospel Guitar.

DESCRIPTION: This guitar is a thick-bodied acoustic/electric instrument, built to exacting tolerances utilizing violin joints and has none of the traditional form blocks that most hollow body guitars contain. This is not a production instrument. Research has shown that this was hand-built by Luthier Semie Moseley as his own personal instrument which he played while on Gospel Tour. It carries the Mosrite, oval-shaped, orange "Bakersfield" label and has a slightly scalloped headstock, instead of the jagged "M" found on the celebrity and others. It is also much more severely arched, front and back, almost forming a "bell-shape" on the back. This shape is in stark contrast to the shape and form of other Mosrite instruments.

DETAILS: The color is transparent blue, over highly defined woodgrain. The maple neck is all natural, having no color added to the finish. The headstock bears a special "seal" containing the sign of the cross and the words "Gospel Guitar" are positioned on the headstock so as to be easily read by the congregation as the guitar is held in the playing position. The body is a double cut-away, similar to the early Gibson ES-355, but the Gospel is much thicker in the body dimension. It has white knob and pick guards, nickel plated brass hardware, and the body is fully bound, including the "f" holes. The rosewood fingerboard is edgebound but the peghead remains plain maple. Serial Number: GA 009.

DOCUMENTATION: This is probably one of the best documented collectable guitars, and is very well known. The entire background of the guitar and its creation, has been extensively researched by many people in the past, and most of the details have been authenticated by Semie's brother, Andy, his nephew, the noted artist and recording studio owner, Mark Moseley, as well as several other family members, and a number of former employees of the Mosrite Guitar Company. The exact value of the instrument is extremely difficult to determine, but appraisals, over the years, speculate this instrument would sell at high level collector auctions, such as Christies in New York, in the range of $150,000 to $200,000 or more, and expert opinions dictated that it be insured for at least $100,000.00, as far back as 1980.

EXAMPLES: Many great players have played production Mosrites, including The Ramones, Curt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, The Ventures and others. Some of these production Mosrites, such as Curt Cobain's, sold at auction for in excess of $130,000 and they were regular production models. This prototype was Semie Moseley's PERSONAL guitar!

SOURCE: This fine instrument came to me directly from Semie Moseley, himself, through the Lester Gospel Family, who were my neighbors. I have owned it continuously since December of 1969. It is always properly stored in temperature and humidity controlled safe storage. I have treasured it and cared for it, keeping it in pristine condition.

MOTIVATION to SELL: I am currently offering this piece of history and fitting tribute to a great man, that Semie Moseley truly was, because of my advanced age and the desire to have someone continue to appreciate this great guitar and tell Semie's story to all who will listen. I have toured the country with it, showing it many times over the years. It has been on television programs, in books and magazines, and I have done what I could to spread the word about Semie Moseley and the great charitable works he did. He was a truly wonderful man and should never be forgotten.