Mosrite

Mosrite

57

Also known as: Mosrite of California, Mosrite Guitars

Unclaimed

Mosrite is an American guitar brand founded in 1956 by Semie Moseley and his brother Andy, with backing from gospel minister Ray Boatright — the name a portmanteau of Moseley and Boatright. Semie had apprenticed at the Rickenbacker factory under renowned German luthier Roger Rossmeisl and trained under Paul Bigsby, bringing a distinctive craft sensibility to what became Mosrite of California. T...

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Mosrite is an American guitar brand founded in 1956 by Semie Moseley and his brother Andy, with backing from gospel minister Ray Boatright — the name a portmanteau of Moseley and Boatright. Semie had apprenticed at the Rickenbacker factory under renowned German luthier Roger Rossmeisl and trained under Paul Bigsby, bringing a distinctive craft sensibility to what became Mosrite of California. The company built its reputation around guitars with thin, fast necks and high-output pickups, centered in Oildale and later Bakersfield, California.

The brand's signature instrument, the Ventures Model (also called the Mark I), was developed in collaboration with surf rock group The Ventures and became one of the most recognizable guitar silhouettes of the 1960s. The lineup expanded to include the Ventures II, the Mark X bass, and the Mark XII 12-string, among custom double-neck and acoustic instruments. At peak production in the mid-1960s, the factory was shipping hundreds of guitars per month to meet demand driven by the surf music boom.

Mosrite guitars attracted a broad range of players across genres. Country artists Joe Maphis and Buck Owens were early adopters, while The Ventures' Nokie Edwards helped cement the brand's surf rock identity. Johnny Ramone of the Ramones played a 1965 Mosrite Ventures II as his primary instrument throughout the band's recording and touring career, introducing the guitar to a new generation of punk and rock players. Kurt Cobain and Ricky Wilson of the B-52s also played Mosrites. Semie Moseley continued building instruments until his death in 1992, and his daughter Dana has carried on the tradition of handbuilding Mosrite instruments.

Mosrite has 26 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Solid Body Electric Guitars, Electric Basses, and Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars. Their gear is featured by 71 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Pop, and Folk, World, & Country. Notable users include Johnny Ramone, Ricky Wilson (B-52's), and Kurt Cobain.

Artists Who Use Mosrite

Ricky Wilson (B-52's) uses 4 Mosrite products

Ricky Wilson (B-52's)

Guitarist, Composer · The B-52's

Johnny Ramone uses 3 Mosrite products

Johnny Ramone

Guitarist · Ramones

Kurt Cobain uses 2 Mosrite products

Kurt Cobain

Singer, Guitarist · Nirvana

John Frusciante uses 2 Mosrite products

John Frusciante

Guitarist · Red Hot Chili Peppers

Mac DeMarco uses 2 Mosrite products

Mac DeMarco

Singer, Guitarist · Mac DeMarco

Robert Smith uses 2 Mosrite products

Robert Smith

Singer, Guitarist · The Cure

Elliot Easton uses 2 Mosrite products

Elliot Easton

Guitarist · The Cars

Win Butler uses 2 Mosrite products

Win Butler

Singer, Guitarist · Arcade Fire

Dave Alexander uses 2 Mosrite products

Dave Alexander

Bassist · The Stooges

Davie Allan uses 2 Mosrite products

Davie Allan

Guitarist · Davie Allan & The Arrows

Jerry Cantrell uses 1 Mosrite product

Jerry Cantrell

Singer, Guitarist · Alice in Chains

Kevin Shields uses 1 Mosrite product

Kevin Shields

Singer, Guitarist · My Bloody Valentine

Jimi Hendrix uses 1 Mosrite product

Jimi Hendrix

Guitarist · The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Gustavo Cerati uses 1 Mosrite product

Gustavo Cerati

Singer, Guitarist · Soda Stereo

Troy Van Leeuwen uses 1 Mosrite product

Troy Van Leeuwen

Guitarist, Bassist · Queens of the Stone Age

Geddy Lee uses 1 Mosrite product

Geddy Lee

Singer, Bassist · Rush

Buzz Osborne (aka King Buzzo) uses 1 Mosrite product

Buzz Osborne (aka King Buzzo)

Singer, Guitarist · Melvins

John Entwistle uses 1 Mosrite product

John Entwistle

Singer, Bassist · The Who

Ron Asheton uses 1 Mosrite product

Ron Asheton

Guitarist, Bassist · The Stooges

Josh Klinghoffer uses 1 Mosrite product

Josh Klinghoffer

Singer, Guitarist · Red Hot Chili Peppers

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