1967 Mosrite Melobar Red

Up for sale is a cool and rare 1967 Mosrite Melobar in its original Red finish. Very cool and quite unique! Pot codes are 1966, and the fretboard overlay is (c)1967. I believe this example is from the original 300 made in 1967, and that it is one of just four that were painted red. Weight: 8lbs. 10oz.

This Melobar was originally a 9-string guitar and the 10th tuner is obviously added later. The bridge and nut have been modified for 6 strings. I have seen pictures of several other Mosrite-era Melobars with that exact same 10th tuner in the exact same position. I'm thinking it may have been added at the factory but cannot confirm for certain. After those initial 300 Mosrite guitars, Melobar changed to Rosac-made bodies and hardware, they made 10 strings the factory standard.   

The really first production Melobars were manufactured for Walt Smith at the Mosrite factory in Bakersfield California and released in 1967.  The identifying factors are: Mosrite body, Mosrite labeled pickups, Mosrite knobs, Chrome control panel that goes completely around pickups as one piece with that half round area. Kluson Keys, an angle on the top of the head so the treble side is longer than the bass side of the head. Most were sunburst, with 6 white, 4 red and 4 blue that are known as originals from the Mosrite batch.

Cool and rare! No case with this one