Mosrite 500 Blues Bender model Serial Numbers List (1970s, Les Paul-ish Shape.)

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Re: Bluesbender serial numbers

Postby 101Volts » Thu Jul 22, 2021 1:05 am

Recent Updates:

21 July, 2021:

"Phase Switch" added to Specifications section (previously forgotten to add.)

Photos of one guitar (possibly NO 032) were sent to me, and I saved them.

2 July, 2021:

1 Guitar without a number added.

Model Trivia Section also added, for anyone who just started with the most recent update.

Model Trivia:

The Mosrite Blues Bender 500 Model is a Mosrite take on a Gibson Les Paul, but with typical Mosrite appointments, save for the Humbucker Pickups and the fact that it does not have a Vibrato Tailpiece. It appears that about 205 of them were originally manufactured, but as all Mosrite Serial Number Lists were lost in a factory fire in 1983/1984, we don't know exactly when the numbers stopped.

Model Specifications:

Basswood Body
Bolt-On Maple Neck, Rosewood Fretboard, Binding on Neck
24.50" Scale Length (Typical of Mosrite Guitars)
Mosrite Humbucker Pickups (Mostly a 1970s thing for Mosrite)
Grover Tuners (typically, at least)
Zero Fret
Phase Switch

Knobs are usually Mosrite "M" Knobs, but late models (roughly NO 180 and beyond) may have off-brand knobs. Late models after 190 also tend to have a big pad on the back, akin to the last of the "Acoustic" brand's Black Widow Models that Mosrite were assigned to manufacture.

==================
Serial Numbers List:
==================

No # Stamped (or Number Missing) Section - 5 Guitars:

Blank: Black. Pic saved. Found for sale on Facebook on July 1, 2021, in England. Has a White Pickguard and Knobs that are not "M" Knobs, but otherwise appears original. Has the name of the original owner (who was a Korean War Veteran from Bakersfield, Cailfornia) on the inside of the back plate.
Blank : Black. Owned by forum member TimR. Pic saved.
Blank: Burgundy. Pics and page saved. One pic of it was posted by "Mississippi Ave" on Facebook in 2017. Pic says "BlackBookGuitars" at the bottom, and I found a Sold page for it at that site. https://www.blackbookguitars.com/produc ... c143&_ss=r
Blank - Natural Mosrite / E. F. Elliott Partsrite. Pics and Mosrite Forum Page saved. Brass Rail Deluxe Body and Tailpiece, Mosrite Sooner Neck, Mosrite Humbuckers, Unusual Pickguard, Black "M" Pad on the back. Once owned by Adam (Dorkrockrecords, AKA Expat Guitars.) This is one of the last Blues Benders to ever be built, and it was finalized in 1978. (I can't say "Finished," can I?) Link: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1545&hilit=bluesbender&start=10
Blank : Red Burst, with Deluxe Electronics. Pics and page saved. Owned by Tim Brennan. Has a Bigsby, and 2 M knobs but not 4. This is either a rare Deluxe model, or it's modified, or it may even be the only one that was made with active electronics:
https://www.tymguitars.com.au/blogs/blo ... kpBMie_np0


Partial # Section - 2 Guitars:

NO 002, NO 002x, or NO 062: Black. Pics and pages saved. Found at HewittsGarageStudio, a small site. Photos were posted in 2009. Page is down. http://www.hewittsgaragestudio.com/gall ... ?g2_page=4 UPDATE: New page. A picture here makes it look like this one's NO 062. It also says the owner's name is Sean French. http://www.hewittsgaragestudio.com/Item ... nstruments
NO 03x/04x: White. Once owned by Adam (dorkrockrecords.)

Speculated # Section - 1 Guitar

Blank or NO x25: Red. Pics and page saved. Neck's stripped and neck pickup cavity routed so the bottom end could be closer to the bridge. The pics seem to show that there's no number, but I can vaguely make out a 25 in there, which may or may not be me imagining things. Available from Gonkulator on Reverb Late April 2018, sold later: https://reverb.com/item/11837350-mosrit ... er-project

Unknown # Section - 13 Guitars:
(One or more of these may or may not already be on the list, elsewhere, with a number.)

Moseley Instruments - 1 Guitar:

NO xxx: Has "Moseley by Semie Moseley" on Headstock, and is painted a bright Red. Has a Moseley Vibrato on it without the baseplate, and has a Black Widow type Pad on it, so it has to be a late model. It may be a partsrite, or maybe not. Pics and pages saved. Owned by, or formerly owned by Forum Member "stringbander." (that's "stringbander," not "stringbender.") Links: 1: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6002 2: viewtopic.php?p=61399#p61399

Mosrite - 12 Guitars:

NO xxx: Brown. Pic and page saved. Found at Black Book Guitars. https://www.blackbookguitars.com/collec ... esbender-1
NO xxx: Black. Is missing the truss rod cover in these pics, and has a chunk of finish missing from the lower rear edge, where it would sit on your leg: https://www.gbase.com/gear/mosrite-blue ... 1973-black
NO xxx: Black. Identifying mark: on the back of the neck, from frets 0 - 5, are some in-the-wood marks. This instrument was for sale by Southside Guitars in Brooklyn, New York. For a while, they also had No 016 (the only Sunburst Headstock one I saw.) https://reverb.com/item/351788-mosrite- ... 1976-black
NO xxx: Black. Mentioned at the Marshall Amp Forum in 2020. Owned by one Barry A., and he inherited it. He's had it since 1994, at least. https://www.marshallforum.com/threads/y ... st-2040766
NO xxx: Black. Played by John Reis in 2017. Pic and page saved. Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/BQwF5hQhgXj ... =otisserie
NO xxx: Black. Used in the band Hole in 1990. Youtube video of Hole playing it in 1990: https://youtu.be/vKJCQHxwcms?t=528
NO xxx: Red body and neck. Pics and page saved. Sold from Red Pyramid, in Seattle. https://reverb.com/nz/item/6282103-mosr ... ck-vintage
NO xxx: Red Burst. Seen "in the UK magazine The Guitar Magazine, in the collection of Ross Godfrey, who plays with the band Morcheeba." - Sumlin. The issue is from April 2015, and there are two photos of it there. The guitar's also mentioned in the September 2018 issue of "Computer Music."
NO xxx, Unknown Finish. Owned (or previously owned by) TheGearPage Member "blesscurse."
NO xxx, Unknown Finish with a Vibrato Tailpiece (probably not stock) on it. There's a pic that I couldn't see or download. Owned or formerly owned by Forum Member "Gibby347." viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5839&p=60251#p60251
NO xxx: Black Body, Black neck, and Black Headstock; very unusual. Has a "Black Widow Pad" on the back, and it doesn't have any M Knobs, so it's a late one. Pics and page saved. Was sold by Austin Vintage Guitars in Austin, Texas. https://reverb.com/item/2842098-early-1 ... -rare#full
NO xxx: Black. This should be a later one, somewhere after NO 0180; it has a pad on the back, and it does not have M Knobs. The listing doesn't say the number. https://www.vintageandrare.com/product/ ... lack-65471

Known # Section: 39 Guitars

NO 001: Unknown Finish. Mentioned at Let's Talk Guild (Forum,) in July 2019: https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php ... st-1848337
NO 003: Unknown Finish.
NO 015: Black, appears to be unmodified. Pics and page saved. Showed up for sale from Guitar Wishes in 2019, and they made a video about it. https://guitarwishes.com/product/mosrite-blues-bender/ and the YT video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf88_jsz33k Later, showed up on Reverb on February 21, 2020 from "Weird/Unique Guitars." Reverb Ad: https://reverb.com/item/32577326-mosrit ... 1970-black UPDATE for May 16, 2021: Owned by Ryan Tucker, who's on the Mosrite Fan Page on Facebook.
NO 016: Black with Sunburst Headstock. Pics and page saved. Showed up on Reverb in November 2019 in a case and in very good if not excellent condition. This is the only model currently listed with a Sunburst Headstock, and it may be the only one. 1st Reverb Ad from Reverend Guitar Man in Marysville, WA: https://reverb.com/item/29460726-1971-m ... -500-black YT Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iO_qqE77jA | 2nd Sales Ad from Southside Guitars in Brooklyn, NY on February 2, 2021: https://reverb.com/item/38647011-mosrit ... 70-s-black
NO 028: Black. Pic saved. Described as "Dark Burgundy," but it just appears to be the standard Black for these models.
Source: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html
NO 031: Black. Pics saved. Owned by Tim Brennan (of Tym Guitars in Australia.) https://tymguitars.com.au/blogs/blog/14 ... O-ptJ6SsAo
NO 032: Refretted and modified. Type of knobs unknown. Seen on eBay in October 2010. viewtopic.php?f=27&t=3676 | Update, 21 July 2021: More pics of what's probably this guitar were sent to me the previous month, and saved. It has Gibson type Humbuckers on it, without the covers.
NO 039: Unknown Finish.
NO 040: Refinished in some sort of Pink / Yellow. Pic saved. Belongs to Michael Flores.
NO 041: Unknown Finish.
NO 045: Formerly owned by forum member "moaimen." viewtopic.php?p=71553#p71553
NO 049: Black. Has heavy weather checking.
NO 068: Black. Missing original pups & knobs. Seller said it's a 1972 model. Update, April 14 2020: For sale from "Britt's Gear Depot" in Texas. The pickups have been replaced with Hallmark Humbuckers, a good replacement. Still doesn't have original knobs. Also has a worn "Lew's Music Center" sticker on the back of the headstock. Comes with a case, maybe the case is original? Reverb Link: https://reverb.com/item/33259555-mosrit ... k-burgundy Update, May 29 2020: Now owned by Forum member Steelaire17. viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7990
NO 071: Black. Pic and page saved.
Source: http://home.insightbb.com/~marksma/wsb/ ... ip-35.html
NO 077: Refinished in a Metallic Pink (Originally Black.) Does not have M Knobs, they may have been replaced. Pics and page saved. Has TV Jones Pickups on it. Knobs aren't original. Body has binding on both sides, which is unusual, to say the least. I'm uncertain if the binding is original or not. Sold by "RETROVERB MUSIC, INC." Listed in early April, 2020. https://reverb.com/item/33130313-mosrit ... 4Q3AJFzg1k
NO 081: Black. Owned by Jim Diamond.
NO 083: Red.
NO 087: Red (not sure if it was refinished or not.) Had a neck repair that wasn't touched up. Seen on eBay in October 2010. viewtopic.php?f=27&t=3663
NO 101: Brown. Owned by forum member chartbreaker who bought it (apparently) new in 75 - 76. Played hard, well enjoyed, and has a knife mark between pickups.
NO 107: Brown. Does not have M Knobs, though I'm not yet sure if they're original or not. Does not have its original bridge, it has Tune O Matic type bridge, and beneath that, the base for an acoustic. This guitar surfaced at the Facebook page "Mosrite Guitar Fans," posted by Rosey Storey; it was her Father's guitar. Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3294258 ... 996838729/
NO 110: Black. Pic saved. Number is according to Photobucket pictures, which I couldn't download. Has a pink-ish ring around the pickup selector, and is missing one original knob. Also has an odd looking logo on the headstock. Found on Facebook, posted by Rozhan Bin Asaad in Kota Kinabalu.
NO 113: Brown. The second owner, Cary Zaborowski (who owned it since 1972) has it. Found on Facebook under the "Mosrite Guitars" Group in December 2020. Pic saved.
NO 119: Brown. Pics and page saved. Seems to have been parted out on eBay. Sources:
https://reverb.com/item/2852359-brown-c ... del-guitar
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mosrite-1970-B ... SwuoxanXpS
NO 127: Brown. Pics and page saved. Showed up on Reverb on September 1st or 2nd 2019, from West Kentucky Music and Pawn (Location: Mayfield, KY.)
Source: https://reverb.com/item/26263169-mosrit ... 1970-brown
NO 133: Unknown Finish.
NO 135: Black. Pics saved. Seen for sale on eBay U.K. in May 2012. Once owned by Forum Member "ron," and I'm not sure if he still has it. viewtopic.php?p=54702#p54702
NO 140: White. Perhaps this was dorkrockrecords' guitar listed in the unknown exact numbers section?
NO 153 "Deluxe:" Black. Pic and page saved. Does not have M Knobs in the saved photo. "Made in 1969. It is black with a red tortoise shell pick guard. The scale is 1/8" shorter than the Gibson scale. After taking this picture, it has since been completely restored by my father, the master luthier Bill Gruggett, an original member of the Mosrite Guitars team. Original Mosrite parts were used from his personal stock, except for new high-quality PC-USA pickups, which I requested." Note: I think the "1/8 shorter than Gibson scale" note is wrong; it probably doesn't differ from the typical 1/4 shorter than Gibson scale.
Source: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html
NO 160: Unknown Finish.
NO 162: Black. Does not have M Knobs, it has Radio Shack-type Knobs. Pic saved from Ne.jp. Was owned by Sumlin, and is currently owned by Mark Burletson. Update, June 15 2020: Better photos found and downloaded from the Gretsch Talk Forum. 1st Link: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html 2nd Link: https://www.gretsch-talk.com/threads/ng ... dd.193415/ Update, February 14 2021: Showed up for sale in the United Kingdom in July 2020, from "Markeebee" at the "TheFretBoard.co.uk" Forum. https://thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/1 ... d-mosrites
NO 170: Owned by forum member "moaimen." viewtopic.php?p=71553#p71553
NO 172: Sunburst.
NO 177: Black. Pics and page saved. Number's according to the seller. Appears to be stock. Finish has much checking, and a spot of paint's missing by the output jack. Seller is "RETROVERB MUSIC, INC." https://reverb.com/item/312458-mosrite- ... t-bXLAho0k
NO 180: Brown or Natural. Does not have M Knobs, but the Radio Shack-type knobs may be original. Pics and page saved.
Source: https://reverb.com/item/3369670-mosrite-bluesbender
NO 190: Cherry Burst. Pic Saved. Does not have M Knobs, but the Radio Shack-type knobs may be original. I can't tell if it has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back, or not. This instrument was on eBay in 2010. Pic found here: https://www.popscreen.com/prod/MTI5MTU3 ... N0190-eBay
NO 195: Unknown Finish. Has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back.
NO 196: Black. Pic and 2010 eBay description saved. Signed by Nokie Edwards. I don't know if it has a Black Widow-type Pad, or not; there was only 1 photo of it in the listing.
NO 202: Black. Pics saved. Has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back. Was for sale on eBay in April 2011.
NO 203: Unknown Finish.

This list is up to 60 individual guitars (or fewer, depending on ones in the unknown # section.)

39 with Numbers,
2 with partial numbers,
1 with a speculated number,
5 with no numbers,
13 unknown.

Finishes (and variants) Accounted For:

Cherry Burst. (Only a few are known.)
Red. (Only a few are known.)
Black ("Dark Burgundy".) Most common finish.
Black with Sunburst Headstock: NO 016. May be the only one.
Black with Black Neck and Headstock: Only 1 is known, and it's late in the production run (evidenced by the black widow type pad on the back,) but its number isn't known.
Brown. Second most commonly known finish.
Sunburst (Only NO 172 is known, and I have no pics. It may or may not be original.)
White (NO 140. It may or may not be original.)

- Austin
1966 Ventures II (German Carved, B670.)
1970s "Not a Blues Bender" Bodies: 2.
1976 Brass Rail Deluxe #10.
2013 Fender Pawn Shop Bass VI.

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Re: Bluesbender serial numbers

Postby 101Volts » Fri Oct 08, 2021 2:06 pm

Recent Updates:

8 October, 2021:

NO 122: Stripped Finish, otherwise original, added.

I also added more to the "Model Trivia" section, and another "If you'd like to contribute a guitar" section.

21 July, 2021:

"Phase Switch" added to Specifications section (previously forgotten to add.)

Photos of one guitar (possibly NO 032) were sent to me, and I saved them.

Model Trivia:

The Mosrite Blues Bender 500 Model is a Mosrite take on a Gibson Les Paul, with typical Mosrite appointments, save for the Humbucker Pickups and a Stop Tailpiece instead of a Vibrato Tailpiece.

It seems that about 205 - 225 were originally manufactured in a rough range of 1971 - 1974, with a few others up to 1978. Serial Number Lists were lost in a factory fire in 1983/1984, we don't know when the numbers started or stopped.

Model Specifications:

Basswood Body
Bolt-On Maple Neck, Rosewood Fretboard, Binding on Neck
24.50" Scale Length (Typical of Mosrite Guitars)
Mosrite Humbucker Pickups (Mostly a 1970s thing for Mosrite)
Grover Tuners (typically, at least)
Zero Fret
Phase Switch

Knobs are usually Mosrite "M" Knobs, but late models (roughly NO 180 and beyond) may have off-brand knobs. Late models after 190 also tend to have a big pad on the back, akin to the last of the "Acoustic" brand's Black Widow Models that Mosrite were assigned to manufacture.

If you'd like to contribute a Blues Bender to the list:

If anyone would like to contribute info of their guitar, please do. We will need to know these key points:

1: Body Finish.
2: Neck and Headstock Finish.
3: Serial Number (on the fretboard, between some of the highest frets, near the neck pickup.)
4: If you have the original pickups and are willing to remove them to check, then please check their bottoms for dates.
5: (Generally only applying to later ones, somewhere after B165: ) What kind of knobs does it have? Later models do not have the typical Mosrite "M" Knobs.
6: (Also only applying to later ones: ) Does it have a big pad on the back, akin to the Mosrite built Acoustic Black Widow models?

If you can share photos of the guitar, that would be well appreciated in these efforts to preserve Mosrite history; I'll save the photos.

Or, if you just found one online somewhere that I missed, just share the link.

==================
Serial Numbers List:
==================

No # Stamped (or Number Missing) Section - 5 Guitars:

Blank: Black. Pic saved. Found for sale on Facebook on July 1, 2021, in England. Has a White Pickguard and Knobs that are not "M" Knobs, but otherwise appears original. Has the name of the original owner (who was a Korean War Veteran from Bakersfield, Cailfornia) on the inside of the back plate.
Blank : Black. Owned by forum member TimR. Pic saved.
Blank: Burgundy. Pics and page saved. One pic of it was posted by "Mississippi Ave" on Facebook in 2017. Pic says "BlackBookGuitars" at the bottom, and I found a Sold page for it at that site. https://www.blackbookguitars.com/produc ... c143&_ss=r
Blank - Natural Mosrite / E. F. Elliott Partsrite. Pics and Mosrite Forum Page saved. Brass Rail Deluxe Body and Tailpiece, Mosrite Sooner Neck, Mosrite Humbuckers, Unusual Pickguard, Black "M" Pad on the back. Once owned by Adam (Dorkrockrecords, AKA Expat Guitars.) This is one of the last Blues Benders to ever be built, and it was finalized in 1978. (I can't say "Finished," can I?) Link: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1545&hilit=bluesbender&start=10
Blank : Red Burst, with Deluxe Electronics. Pics and page saved. Owned by Tim Brennan. Has a Bigsby, and 2 M knobs but not 4. This is either a rare Deluxe model, or it's modified, or it may even be the only one that was made with active electronics:
https://www.tymguitars.com.au/blogs/blo ... kpBMie_np0


Partial # Section - 2 Guitars:

NO 002, NO 002x, or NO 062: Black. Pics and pages saved. Found at HewittsGarageStudio, a small site. Photos were posted in 2009. Page is down. http://www.hewittsgaragestudio.com/gall ... ?g2_page=4 UPDATE: New page. A picture here makes it look like this one's NO 062. It also says the owner's name is Sean French. http://www.hewittsgaragestudio.com/Item ... nstruments
NO 03x/04x: White. Once owned by Adam (dorkrockrecords.)

Speculated # Section - 1 Guitar

Blank or NO x25: Red. Pics and page saved. Neck's stripped and neck pickup cavity routed so the bottom end could be closer to the bridge. The pics seem to show that there's no number, but I can vaguely make out a 25 in there, which may or may not be me imagining things. Available from Gonkulator on Reverb Late April 2018, sold later: https://reverb.com/item/11837350-mosrit ... er-project

Unknown # Section - 13 Guitars:
(One or more of these may or may not already be on the list, elsewhere, with a number.)

Moseley Instruments - 1 Guitar:

NO xxx: Has "Moseley by Semie Moseley" on Headstock, and is painted a bright Red. Has a Moseley Vibrato on it without the baseplate, and has a Black Widow type Pad on it, so it has to be a late model. It may be a partsrite, or maybe not. Pics and pages saved. Owned by, or formerly owned by Forum Member "stringbander." (that's "stringbander," not "stringbender.") Links: 1: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6002 2: viewtopic.php?p=61399#p61399

Mosrite - 12 Guitars:

NO xxx: Brown. Pic and page saved. Found at Black Book Guitars. https://www.blackbookguitars.com/collec ... esbender-1
NO xxx: Black. Is missing the truss rod cover in these pics, and has a chunk of finish missing from the lower rear edge, where it would sit on your leg: https://www.gbase.com/gear/mosrite-blue ... 1973-black
NO xxx: Black. Identifying mark: on the back of the neck, from frets 0 - 5, are some in-the-wood marks. This instrument was for sale by Southside Guitars in Brooklyn, New York. For a while, they also had No 016 (the only Sunburst Headstock one I saw.) https://reverb.com/item/351788-mosrite- ... 1976-black
NO xxx: Black. Mentioned at the Marshall Amp Forum in 2020. Owned by one Barry A., and he inherited it. He's had it since 1994, at least. https://www.marshallforum.com/threads/y ... st-2040766
NO xxx: Black. Played by John Reis in 2017. Pic and page saved. Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/BQwF5hQhgXj ... =otisserie
NO xxx: Black. Used in the band Hole in 1990. Youtube video of Hole playing it in 1990: https://youtu.be/vKJCQHxwcms?t=528
NO xxx: Red body and neck. Pics and page saved. Sold from Red Pyramid, in Seattle. https://reverb.com/nz/item/6282103-mosr ... ck-vintage
NO xxx: Red Burst. Seen "in the UK magazine The Guitar Magazine, in the collection of Ross Godfrey, who plays with the band Morcheeba." - Sumlin. The issue is from April 2015, and there are two photos of it there. The guitar's also mentioned in the September 2018 issue of "Computer Music."
NO xxx, Unknown Finish. Owned (or previously owned by) TheGearPage Member "blesscurse."
NO xxx, Unknown Finish with a Vibrato Tailpiece (probably not stock) on it. There's a pic that I couldn't see or download. Owned or formerly owned by Forum Member "Gibby347." viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5839&p=60251#p60251
NO xxx: Black Body, Black neck, and Black Headstock; very unusual. Has a "Black Widow Pad" on the back, and it doesn't have any M Knobs, so it's a late one. Pics and page saved. Was sold by Austin Vintage Guitars in Austin, Texas. https://reverb.com/item/2842098-early-1 ... -rare#full
NO xxx: Black. This should be a later one, somewhere after NO 0180; it has a pad on the back, and it does not have M Knobs. The listing doesn't say the number. https://www.vintageandrare.com/product/ ... lack-65471

Known # Section: 40 Guitars

NO 001: Unknown Finish. Mentioned at Let's Talk Guild (Forum,) in July 2019: https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php ... st-1848337
NO 003: Unknown Finish.
NO 015: Black, appears to be unmodified. Pics and page saved. Showed up for sale from Guitar Wishes in 2019, and they made a video about it. https://guitarwishes.com/product/mosrite-blues-bender/ and the YT video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf88_jsz33k Later, showed up on Reverb on February 21, 2020 from "Weird/Unique Guitars." Reverb Ad: https://reverb.com/item/32577326-mosrit ... 1970-black UPDATE for May 16, 2021: Owned by Ryan Tucker, who's on the Mosrite Fan Page on Facebook.
NO 016: Black with Sunburst Headstock. Pics and page saved. Showed up on Reverb in November 2019 in a case and in very good if not excellent condition. This is the only model currently listed with a Sunburst Headstock, and it may be the only one. 1st Reverb Ad from Reverend Guitar Man in Marysville, WA: https://reverb.com/item/29460726-1971-m ... -500-black YT Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iO_qqE77jA | 2nd Sales Ad from Southside Guitars in Brooklyn, NY on February 2, 2021: https://reverb.com/item/38647011-mosrit ... 70-s-black
NO 028: Black. Pic saved. Described as "Dark Burgundy," but it just appears to be the standard Black for these models.
Source: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html
NO 031: Black. Pics saved. Owned by Tim Brennan (of Tym Guitars in Australia.) https://tymguitars.com.au/blogs/blog/14 ... O-ptJ6SsAo
NO 032: Refretted and modified. Type of knobs unknown. Seen on eBay in October 2010. viewtopic.php?f=27&t=3676 | Update, 21 July 2021: More pics of what's probably this guitar were sent to me the previous month, and saved. It has Gibson type Humbuckers on it, without the covers.
NO 039: Unknown Finish.
NO 040: Refinished in some sort of Pink / Yellow. Pic saved. Belongs to Michael Flores.
NO 041: Unknown Finish.
NO 045: Formerly owned by forum member "moaimen." viewtopic.php?p=71553#p71553
NO 049: Black. Has heavy weather checking.
NO 068: Black. Missing original pups & knobs. Seller said it's a 1972 model. Update, April 14 2020: For sale from "Britt's Gear Depot" in Texas. The pickups have been replaced with Hallmark Humbuckers, a good replacement. Still doesn't have original knobs. Also has a worn "Lew's Music Center" sticker on the back of the headstock. Comes with a case, maybe the case is original? Reverb Link: https://reverb.com/item/33259555-mosrit ... k-burgundy Update, May 29 2020: Now owned by Forum member Steelaire17. viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7990
NO 071: Black. Pic and page saved.
Source: http://home.insightbb.com/~marksma/wsb/ ... ip-35.html
NO 077: Refinished in a Metallic Pink (Originally Black.) Does not have M Knobs, they may have been replaced. Pics and page saved. Has TV Jones Pickups on it. Knobs aren't original. Body has binding on both sides, which is unusual, to say the least. I'm uncertain if the binding is original or not. Sold by "RETROVERB MUSIC, INC." Listed in early April, 2020. https://reverb.com/item/33130313-mosrit ... 4Q3AJFzg1k
NO 081: Black. Owned by Jim Diamond.
NO 083: Red.
NO 087: Red (not sure if it was refinished or not.) Had a neck repair that wasn't touched up. Seen on eBay in October 2010. viewtopic.php?f=27&t=3663
NO 101: Brown. Owned by forum member chartbreaker who bought it (apparently) new in 75 - 76. Played hard, well enjoyed, and has a knife mark between pickups.
NO 107: Brown. Does not have M Knobs, though I'm not yet sure if they're original or not. Does not have its original bridge, it has Tune O Matic type bridge, and beneath that, the base for an acoustic. This guitar surfaced at the Facebook page "Mosrite Guitar Fans," posted by Rosey Storey; it was her Father's guitar. Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3294258 ... 996838729/
NO 110: Black. Pic saved. Number is according to Photobucket pictures, which I couldn't download. Has a pink-ish ring around the pickup selector, and is missing one original knob. Also has an odd looking logo on the headstock. Found on Facebook, posted by Rozhan Bin Asaad in Kota Kinabalu.
NO 113: Brown. The second owner, Cary Zaborowski (who owned it since 1972) has it. Found on Facebook under the "Mosrite Guitars" Group in December 2020. Pic saved.
NO 119: Brown. Pics and page saved. Seems to have been parted out on eBay. Sources:
https://reverb.com/item/2852359-brown-c ... del-guitar
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mosrite-1970-B ... SwuoxanXpS
NO 122: Stripped. All original, otherwise. Showed on 8 - October - 202, on Facebook Marketplace. Pics saved. https://www.facebook.com/groups/3294258 ... 344197959/
NO 127: Brown. Pics and page saved. Showed up on Reverb on September 1st or 2nd 2019, from West Kentucky Music and Pawn (Location: Mayfield, KY.)
Source: https://reverb.com/item/26263169-mosrit ... 1970-brown
NO 133: Unknown Finish.
NO 135: Black. Pics saved. Seen for sale on eBay U.K. in May 2012. Once owned by Forum Member "ron," and I'm not sure if he still has it. viewtopic.php?p=54702#p54702
NO 140: White. Perhaps this was dorkrockrecords' guitar listed in the unknown exact numbers section?
NO 153 "Deluxe:" Black. Pic and page saved. Does not have M Knobs in the saved photo. "Made in 1969. It is black with a red tortoise shell pick guard. The scale is 1/8" shorter than the Gibson scale. After taking this picture, it has since been completely restored by my father, the master luthier Bill Gruggett, an original member of the Mosrite Guitars team. Original Mosrite parts were used from his personal stock, except for new high-quality PC-USA pickups, which I requested." Note: I think the "1/8 shorter than Gibson scale" note is wrong; it probably doesn't differ from the typical 1/4 shorter than Gibson scale.
Source: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html
NO 160: Unknown Finish.
NO 162: Black. Does not have M Knobs, it has Radio Shack-type Knobs. Pic saved from Ne.jp. Was owned by Sumlin, and is currently owned by Mark Burletson. Update, June 15 2020: Better photos found and downloaded from the Gretsch Talk Forum. 1st Link: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html 2nd Link: https://www.gretsch-talk.com/threads/ng ... dd.193415/ Update, February 14 2021: Showed up for sale in the United Kingdom in July 2020, from "Markeebee" at the "TheFretBoard.co.uk" Forum. https://thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/1 ... d-mosrites
NO 170: Owned by forum member "moaimen." viewtopic.php?p=71553#p71553
NO 172: Sunburst.
NO 177: Black. Pics and page saved. Number's according to the seller. Appears to be stock. Finish has much checking, and a spot of paint's missing by the output jack. Seller is "RETROVERB MUSIC, INC." https://reverb.com/item/312458-mosrite- ... t-bXLAho0k
NO 180: Brown or Natural. Does not have M Knobs, but the Radio Shack-type knobs may be original. Pics and page saved.
Source: https://reverb.com/item/3369670-mosrite-bluesbender
NO 190: Cherry Burst. Pic Saved. Does not have M Knobs, but the Radio Shack-type knobs may be original. I can't tell if it has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back, or not. This instrument was on eBay in 2010. Pic found here: https://www.popscreen.com/prod/MTI5MTU3 ... N0190-eBay
NO 195: Unknown Finish. Has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back.
NO 196: Black. Pic and 2010 eBay description saved. Signed by Nokie Edwards. I don't know if it has a Black Widow-type Pad, or not; there was only 1 photo of it in the listing.
NO 202: Black. Pics saved. Has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back. Was for sale on eBay in April 2011.
NO 203: Unknown Finish.

This list is up to 61 individual guitars (or fewer, depending on ones in the unknown # section.)

40 with Numbers,
2 with partial numbers,
1 with a speculated number,
5 with no numbers,
13 unknown.

Original Finishes (and variants) Accounted For:

Cherry Burst. (Only a few are known.)
Red. (Only a few are known.)
Black ("Dark Burgundy".) Most common finish.
Black with Sunburst Headstock: NO 016. May be the only one.
Black with Black Neck and Headstock: Only 1 is known, and it's late in the production run (evidenced by the black widow type pad on the back,) but its number isn't known.
Brown. Second most commonly known finish.
Sunburst (Only NO 172 is known, and I have no pics. It may or may not be original.)
White (NO 140. It may or may not be original.)

- Austin
1966 Ventures II (German Carved, B670.)
1970s "Not a Blues Bender" Bodies: 2.
1976 Brass Rail Deluxe #10.
2013 Fender Pawn Shop Bass VI.

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Re: Bluesbender serial numbers

Postby 101Volts » Sat Oct 09, 2021 11:16 am

Recent Updates:

9 October, 2021:

Update to NO 122; it has both Red and Black Paint in the control cavity, the Black being on the edge. Also, updates to descriptions of 196 and 202; I hadn't noted that they don't have M Knobs.

8 October, 2021:

NO 122: Stripped Finish, otherwise original, added.

I also added more to the "Model Trivia" section, and another "If you'd like to contribute a guitar" section.

21 July, 2021:

"Phase Switch" added to Specifications section (previously forgotten to add.)

Photos of one guitar (possibly NO 032) were sent to me, and I saved them.

Model Trivia:

The Mosrite Blues Bender 500 Model is a Mosrite take on a Gibson Les Paul, with typical Mosrite appointments, save for the Humbucker Pickups and a Stop Tailpiece instead of a Vibrato Tailpiece.

It seems that about 205 - 225 were originally manufactured in a rough range of 1971 - 1974, with a few others up to 1978. Serial Number Lists were lost in a factory fire in 1983/1984, we don't know when the numbers started or stopped.

Model Specifications:

Basswood Body
Bolt-On Maple Neck, Rosewood Fretboard, Binding on Neck
24.50" Scale Length (Typical of Mosrite Guitars)
Mosrite Humbucker Pickups (Mostly a 1970s thing for Mosrite)
Grover Tuners (typically, at least)
Zero Fret
Phase Switch

Knobs are usually Mosrite "M" Knobs, but late models (roughly NO 180 and beyond) may have off-brand knobs. Late models after 190 also tend to have a big pad on the back, akin to the last of the "Acoustic" brand's Black Widow Models that Mosrite were assigned to manufacture.

If you'd like to contribute a Blues Bender to the list:

If anyone would like to contribute info of their guitar, please do. We will need to know these key points:

1: Body Finish.
2: Neck and Headstock Finish.
3: Serial Number (on the fretboard, between some of the highest frets, near the neck pickup.)
4: If you have the original pickups and are willing to remove them to check, then please check their bottoms for dates.
5: (Generally only applying to later ones, somewhere after B165: ) What kind of knobs does it have? Later models do not have the typical Mosrite "M" Knobs.
6: (Also only applying to later ones: ) Does it have a big pad on the back, akin to the Mosrite built Acoustic Black Widow models?

If you can share photos of the guitar, that would be well appreciated in these efforts to preserve Mosrite history; I'll save the photos.

Or, if you just found one online somewhere that I missed, just share the link.

==================
Serial Numbers List:
==================

No # Stamped (or Number Missing) Section - 5 Guitars:

Blank: Black. Pic saved. Found for sale on Facebook on July 1, 2021, in England. Has a White Pickguard and Knobs that are not "M" Knobs, but otherwise appears original. Has the name of the original owner (who was a Korean War Veteran from Bakersfield, Cailfornia) on the inside of the back plate.
Blank : Black. Owned by forum member TimR. Pic saved.
Blank: Burgundy. Pics and page saved. One pic of it was posted by "Mississippi Ave" on Facebook in 2017. Pic says "BlackBookGuitars" at the bottom, and I found a Sold page for it at that site. https://www.blackbookguitars.com/produc ... c143&_ss=r
Blank - Natural Mosrite / E. F. Elliott Partsrite. Pics and Mosrite Forum Page saved. Brass Rail Deluxe Body and Tailpiece, Mosrite Sooner Neck, Mosrite Humbuckers, Unusual Pickguard, Black "M" Pad on the back. Once owned by Adam (Dorkrockrecords, AKA Expat Guitars.) This is one of the last Blues Benders to ever be built, and it was finalized in 1978. (I can't say "Finished," can I?) Link: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1545&hilit=bluesbender&start=10
Blank : Red Burst, with Deluxe Electronics. Pics and page saved. Owned by Tim Brennan. Has a Bigsby, and 2 M knobs but not 4. This is either a rare Deluxe model, or it's modified, or it may even be the only one that was made with active electronics:
https://www.tymguitars.com.au/blogs/blo ... kpBMie_np0


Partial # Section - 2 Guitars:

NO 002, NO 002x, or NO 062: Black. Pics and pages saved. Found at HewittsGarageStudio, a small site. Photos were posted in 2009. Page is down. http://www.hewittsgaragestudio.com/gall ... ?g2_page=4 UPDATE: New page. A picture here makes it look like this one's NO 062. It also says the owner's name is Sean French. http://www.hewittsgaragestudio.com/Item ... nstruments
NO 03x/04x: White. Once owned by Adam (dorkrockrecords.)

Speculated # Section - 1 Guitar

Blank or NO x25: Red. Pics and page saved. Neck's stripped and neck pickup cavity routed so the bottom end could be closer to the bridge. The pics seem to show that there's no number, but I can vaguely make out a 25 in there, which may or may not be me imagining things. Available from Gonkulator on Reverb Late April 2018, sold later: https://reverb.com/item/11837350-mosrit ... er-project

Unknown # Section - 13 Guitars:
(One or more of these may or may not already be on the list, elsewhere, with a number.)

Moseley Instruments - 1 Guitar:

NO xxx: Has "Moseley by Semie Moseley" on Headstock, and is painted a bright Red. Has a Moseley Vibrato on it without the baseplate, and has a Black Widow type Pad on it, so it has to be a late model. It may be a partsrite, or maybe not. Pics and pages saved. Owned by, or formerly owned by Forum Member "stringbander." (that's "stringbander," not "stringbender.") Links: 1: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6002 2: viewtopic.php?p=61399#p61399

Mosrite - 12 Guitars:

NO xxx: Brown. Pic and page saved. Found at Black Book Guitars. https://www.blackbookguitars.com/collec ... esbender-1
NO xxx: Black. Is missing the truss rod cover in these pics, and has a chunk of finish missing from the lower rear edge, where it would sit on your leg: https://www.gbase.com/gear/mosrite-blue ... 1973-black
NO xxx: Black. Identifying mark: on the back of the neck, from frets 0 - 5, are some in-the-wood marks. This instrument was for sale by Southside Guitars in Brooklyn, New York. For a while, they also had No 016 (the only Sunburst Headstock one I saw.) https://reverb.com/item/351788-mosrite- ... 1976-black
NO xxx: Black. Mentioned at the Marshall Amp Forum in 2020. Owned by one Barry A., and he inherited it. He's had it since 1994, at least. https://www.marshallforum.com/threads/y ... st-2040766
NO xxx: Black. Played by John Reis in 2017. Pic and page saved. Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/BQwF5hQhgXj ... =otisserie
NO xxx: Black. Used in the band Hole in 1990. Youtube video of Hole playing it in 1990: https://youtu.be/vKJCQHxwcms?t=528
NO xxx: Red body and neck. Pics and page saved. Sold from Red Pyramid, in Seattle. https://reverb.com/nz/item/6282103-mosr ... ck-vintage
NO xxx: Red Burst. Seen "in the UK magazine The Guitar Magazine, in the collection of Ross Godfrey, who plays with the band Morcheeba." - Sumlin. The issue is from April 2015, and there are two photos of it there. The guitar's also mentioned in the September 2018 issue of "Computer Music."
NO xxx, Unknown Finish. Owned (or previously owned by) TheGearPage Member "blesscurse."
NO xxx, Unknown Finish with a Vibrato Tailpiece (probably not stock) on it. There's a pic that I couldn't see or download. Owned or formerly owned by Forum Member "Gibby347." viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5839&p=60251#p60251
NO xxx: Black Body, Black neck, and Black Headstock; very unusual. Has a "Black Widow Pad" on the back, and it doesn't have any M Knobs, so it's a late one. Pics and page saved. Was sold by Austin Vintage Guitars in Austin, Texas. https://reverb.com/item/2842098-early-1 ... -rare#full
NO xxx: Black. This should be a later one, somewhere after NO 0180; it has a pad on the back, and it does not have M Knobs. The listing doesn't say the number. https://www.vintageandrare.com/product/ ... lack-65471

Known # Section: 40 Guitars

NO 001: Unknown Finish. Mentioned at Let's Talk Guild (Forum,) in July 2019: https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php ... st-1848337
NO 003: Unknown Finish.
NO 015: Black, appears to be unmodified. Pics and page saved. Showed up for sale from Guitar Wishes in 2019, and they made a video about it. https://guitarwishes.com/product/mosrite-blues-bender/ and the YT video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf88_jsz33k Later, showed up on Reverb on February 21, 2020 from "Weird/Unique Guitars." Reverb Ad: https://reverb.com/item/32577326-mosrit ... 1970-black UPDATE for May 16, 2021: Owned by Ryan Tucker, who's on the Mosrite Fan Page on Facebook.
NO 016: Black with Sunburst Headstock. Pics and page saved. Showed up on Reverb in November 2019 in a case and in very good if not excellent condition. This is the only model currently listed with a Sunburst Headstock, and it may be the only one. 1st Reverb Ad from Reverend Guitar Man in Marysville, WA: https://reverb.com/item/29460726-1971-m ... -500-black YT Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iO_qqE77jA | 2nd Sales Ad from Southside Guitars in Brooklyn, NY on February 2, 2021: https://reverb.com/item/38647011-mosrit ... 70-s-black
NO 028: Black. Pic saved. Described as "Dark Burgundy," but it just appears to be the standard Black for these models.
Source: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html
NO 031: Black. Pics saved. Owned by Tim Brennan (of Tym Guitars in Australia.) https://tymguitars.com.au/blogs/blog/14 ... O-ptJ6SsAo
NO 032: Refretted and modified. Type of knobs unknown. Seen on eBay in October 2010. viewtopic.php?f=27&t=3676 | Update, 21 July 2021: More pics of what's probably this guitar were sent to me the previous month, and saved. It has Gibson type Humbuckers on it, without the covers.
NO 039: Unknown Finish.
NO 040: Refinished in some sort of Pink / Yellow. Pic saved. Belongs to Michael Flores.
NO 041: Unknown Finish.
NO 045: Formerly owned by forum member "moaimen." viewtopic.php?p=71553#p71553
NO 049: Black. Has heavy weather checking.
NO 068: Black. Missing original pups & knobs. Seller said it's a 1972 model. Update, April 14 2020: For sale from "Britt's Gear Depot" in Texas. The pickups have been replaced with Hallmark Humbuckers, a good replacement. Still doesn't have original knobs. Also has a worn "Lew's Music Center" sticker on the back of the headstock. Comes with a case, maybe the case is original? Reverb Link: https://reverb.com/item/33259555-mosrit ... k-burgundy Update, May 29 2020: Now owned by Forum member Steelaire17. viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7990
NO 071: Black. Pic and page saved.
Source: http://home.insightbb.com/~marksma/wsb/ ... ip-35.html
NO 077: Refinished in a Metallic Pink (Originally Black.) Does not have M Knobs, they may have been replaced. Pics and page saved. Has TV Jones Pickups on it. Knobs aren't original. Body has binding on both sides, which is unusual, to say the least. I'm uncertain if the binding is original or not. Sold by "RETROVERB MUSIC, INC." Listed in early April, 2020. https://reverb.com/item/33130313-mosrit ... 4Q3AJFzg1k
NO 081: Black. Owned by Jim Diamond.
NO 083: Red.
NO 087: Red (not sure if it was refinished or not.) Had a neck repair that wasn't touched up. Seen on eBay in October 2010. viewtopic.php?f=27&t=3663
NO 101: Brown. Owned by forum member chartbreaker who bought it (apparently) new in 75 - 76. Played hard, well enjoyed, and has a knife mark between pickups.
NO 107: Brown. Does not have M Knobs, though I'm not yet sure if they're original or not. Does not have its original bridge, it has Tune O Matic type bridge, and beneath that, the base for an acoustic. This guitar surfaced at the Facebook page "Mosrite Guitar Fans," posted by Rosey Storey; it was her Father's guitar. Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3294258 ... 996838729/
NO 110: Black. Pic saved. Number is according to Photobucket pictures, which I couldn't download. Has a pink-ish ring around the pickup selector, and is missing one original knob. Also has an odd looking logo on the headstock. Found on Facebook, posted by Rozhan Bin Asaad in Kota Kinabalu.
NO 113: Brown. The second owner, Cary Zaborowski (who owned it since 1972) has it. Found on Facebook under the "Mosrite Guitars" Group in December 2020. Pic saved.
NO 119: Brown. Pics and page saved. Seems to have been parted out on eBay. Sources:
https://reverb.com/item/2852359-brown-c ... del-guitar
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mosrite-1970-B ... SwuoxanXpS
NO 122: Stripped, and is Red in the control cavity with Black around the edges, so I'm not quite sure what to make of this one; was it Red or Black? Otherwise, this one's all original. Showed on 8 - October - 2021, on Facebook Marketplace. Pics saved. https://www.facebook.com/groups/3294258 ... 344197959/
NO 127: Brown. Pics and page saved. Showed up on Reverb on September 1st or 2nd 2019, from West Kentucky Music and Pawn (Location: Mayfield, KY.)
Source: https://reverb.com/item/26263169-mosrit ... 1970-brown
NO 133: Unknown Finish.
NO 135: Black. Pics saved. Seen for sale on eBay U.K. in May 2012. Once owned by Forum Member "ron," and I'm not sure if he still has it. viewtopic.php?p=54702#p54702
NO 140: White. Perhaps this was dorkrockrecords' guitar listed in the unknown exact numbers section?
NO 153 "Deluxe:" Black. Pic and page saved. Does not have M Knobs in the saved photo. "Made in 1969. It is black with a red tortoise shell pick guard. The scale is 1/8" shorter than the Gibson scale. After taking this picture, it has since been completely restored by my father, the master luthier Bill Gruggett, an original member of the Mosrite Guitars team. Original Mosrite parts were used from his personal stock, except for new high-quality PC-USA pickups, which I requested." Note: I think the "1/8 shorter than Gibson scale" note is wrong; it probably doesn't differ from the typical 1/4 shorter than Gibson scale.
Source: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html
NO 160: Unknown Finish.
NO 162: Black. Does not have M Knobs, it has Radio Shack-type Knobs. Pic saved from Ne.jp. Was owned by Sumlin, and is currently owned by Mark Burletson. Update, June 15 2020: Better photos found and downloaded from the Gretsch Talk Forum. 1st Link: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html 2nd Link: https://www.gretsch-talk.com/threads/ng ... dd.193415/ Update, February 14 2021: Showed up for sale in the United Kingdom in July 2020, from "Markeebee" at the "TheFretBoard.co.uk" Forum. https://thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/1 ... d-mosrites
NO 170: Owned by forum member "moaimen." viewtopic.php?p=71553#p71553
NO 172: Sunburst.
NO 177: Black. Pics and page saved. Number's according to the seller. Appears to be stock. Finish has much checking, and a spot of paint's missing by the output jack. Seller is "RETROVERB MUSIC, INC." https://reverb.com/item/312458-mosrite- ... t-bXLAho0k
NO 180: Brown or Natural. Does not have M Knobs, but the Radio Shack-type knobs may be original. Pics and page saved.
Source: https://reverb.com/item/3369670-mosrite-bluesbender
NO 190: Cherry Burst. Pic Saved. Does not have M Knobs, but the Radio Shack-type knobs may be original. I can't tell if it has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back, or not. This instrument was on eBay in 2010. Pic found here: https://www.popscreen.com/prod/MTI5MTU3 ... N0190-eBay
NO 195: Unknown Finish. Has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back.
NO 196: Black. Pic and 2010 eBay description saved. Does not have M Knobs. Signed by Nokie Edwards. I don't know if it has a Black Widow-type Pad, or not; there was only 1 photo of it in the listing.
NO 202: Black. Pics saved. Does not have M Knobs. Has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back. Was for sale on eBay in April 2011.
NO 203: Unknown Finish.

This list is up to 61 individual guitars (or fewer, depending on ones in the unknown # section.)

40 with Numbers,
2 with partial numbers,
1 with a speculated number,
5 with no numbers,
13 unknown.

Original Finishes (and variants) Accounted For:

Cherry Burst. (Only a few are known.)
Red. (Only a few are known.)
Black ("Dark Burgundy".) Most common finish.
Black with Sunburst Headstock: NO 016. May be the only one.
Black with Black Neck and Headstock: Only 1 is known, and it's late in the production run (evidenced by the black widow type pad on the back,) but its number isn't known.
Brown. Second most commonly known finish.
Sunburst (Only NO 172 is known, and I have no pics. It may or may not be original.)
White (NO 140. It may or may not be original.)

- Austin[/quote]
1966 Ventures II (German Carved, B670.)
1970s "Not a Blues Bender" Bodies: 2.
1976 Brass Rail Deluxe #10.
2013 Fender Pawn Shop Bass VI.

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Re: Bluesbender serial numbers

Postby 101Volts » Sat Oct 09, 2021 1:02 pm

Recent Updates:

9 October, 2021:

Update1, to NO 122; it has both Red and Black Paint in the control cavity, the Black being on the edge. Also, updates to descriptions of 196 and 202; I hadn't noted that they don't have M Knobs.

Update 2: Note to NO 032 added. I hadn't mentioned the finish.

8 October, 2021:

NO 122: Stripped Finish, otherwise original, added.

I also added more to the "Model Trivia" section, and another "If you'd like to contribute a guitar" section.

Model Trivia:

The Mosrite Blues Bender 500 Model is a Mosrite take on a Gibson Les Paul, with typical 1970s Mosrite appointments, save for the Humbucker Pickups and a Stop Tailpiece instead of a Vibrato Tailpiece. These also have a wider neck than 1960s models, but that's typical of 1970s Mosrites.

It seems that about 205 - 225 were originally manufactured in a rough range of 1971 - 1974, with a few others up to 1978. Serial Number Lists were lost in a factory fire in 1983/1984, we don't know when the numbers started or stopped.

Model Specifications:

Basswood Body
Bolt-On Maple Neck, Rosewood Fretboard, Binding on Neck
24.50" Scale Length (Typical of Mosrite Guitars)
Mosrite Humbucker Pickups (Mostly a 1970s thing for Mosrite)
Grover Tuners (typically, at least)
Zero Fret
Phase Switch

Knobs are usually Mosrite "M" Knobs, but late models (roughly NO 180 and beyond) may have off-brand knobs. Late models after 190 also tend to have a big pad on the back, akin to the last of the "Acoustic" brand's Black Widow Models that Mosrite were assigned to manufacture.

If you'd like to contribute a Blues Bender to the list:

If anyone would like to contribute info of their guitar, please do. We will need to know these key points:

1: Body Finish.
2: Neck and Headstock Finish.
3: Serial Number (on the fretboard, between some of the highest frets, near the neck pickup.)
4: If you have the original pickups and are willing to remove them to check, then please check their bottoms for dates.
5: (Generally only applying to later ones, somewhere after B165: ) What kind of knobs does it have? Later models do not have the typical Mosrite "M" Knobs.
6: (Also only applying to later ones: ) Does it have a big pad on the back, akin to the Mosrite built Acoustic Black Widow models?

If you can share photos of the guitar, that would be well appreciated in these efforts to preserve Mosrite history; I'll save the photos.

Or, if you just found one online somewhere that I missed, just share the link.

==================
Serial Numbers List:
==================

No # Stamped (or Number Missing) Section - 5 Guitars:

Blank: Black. Pic saved. Found for sale on Facebook on July 1, 2021, in England. Has a White Pickguard and Knobs that are not "M" Knobs, but otherwise appears original. Has the name of the original owner (who was a Korean War Veteran from Bakersfield, Cailfornia) on the inside of the back plate.
Blank : Black. Owned by forum member TimR. Pic saved.
Blank: Burgundy. Pics and page saved. One pic of it was posted by "Mississippi Ave" on Facebook in 2017. Pic says "BlackBookGuitars" at the bottom, and I found a Sold page for it at that site. https://www.blackbookguitars.com/produc ... c143&_ss=r
Blank - Natural Mosrite / E. F. Elliott Partsrite. Pics and Mosrite Forum Page saved. Brass Rail Deluxe Body and Tailpiece, Mosrite Sooner Neck, Mosrite Humbuckers, Unusual Pickguard, Black "M" Pad on the back. Once owned by Adam (Dorkrockrecords, AKA Expat Guitars.) This is one of the last Blues Benders to ever be built, and it was finalized in 1978. (I can't say "Finished," can I?) Link: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1545&hilit=bluesbender&start=10
Blank : Red Burst, with Deluxe Electronics. Pics and page saved. Owned by Tim Brennan. Has a Bigsby, and 2 M knobs but not 4. This is either a rare Deluxe model, or it's modified, or it may even be the only one that was made with active electronics:
https://www.tymguitars.com.au/blogs/blo ... kpBMie_np0


Partial # Section - 2 Guitars:

NO 002, NO 002x, or NO 062: Black. Pics and pages saved. Found at HewittsGarageStudio, a small site. Photos were posted in 2009. Page is down. http://www.hewittsgaragestudio.com/gall ... ?g2_page=4 UPDATE: New page. A picture here makes it look like this one's NO 062. It also says the owner's name is Sean French. http://www.hewittsgaragestudio.com/Item ... nstruments
NO 03x/04x: White. Once owned by Adam (dorkrockrecords.)

Speculated # Section - 1 Guitar

Blank or NO x25: Red. Pics and page saved. Neck's stripped and neck pickup cavity routed so the bottom end could be closer to the bridge. The pics seem to show that there's no number, but I can vaguely make out a 25 in there, which may or may not be me imagining things. Available from Gonkulator on Reverb Late April 2018, sold later: https://reverb.com/item/11837350-mosrit ... er-project

Unknown # Section - 13 Guitars:
(One or more of these may or may not already be on the list, elsewhere, with a number.)

Moseley Instruments - 1 Guitar:

NO xxx: Has "Moseley by Semie Moseley" on Headstock, and is painted a bright Red. Has a Moseley Vibrato on it without the baseplate, and has a Black Widow type Pad on it, so it has to be a late model. It may be a partsrite, or maybe not. Pics and pages saved. Owned by, or formerly owned by Forum Member "stringbander." (that's "stringbander," not "stringbender.") Links: 1: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6002 2: viewtopic.php?p=61399#p61399

Mosrite - 12 Guitars:

NO xxx: Brown. Pic and page saved. Found at Black Book Guitars. https://www.blackbookguitars.com/collec ... esbender-1
NO xxx: Black. Is missing the truss rod cover in these pics, and has a chunk of finish missing from the lower rear edge, where it would sit on your leg: https://www.gbase.com/gear/mosrite-blue ... 1973-black
NO xxx: Black. Identifying mark: on the back of the neck, from frets 0 - 5, are some in-the-wood marks. This instrument was for sale by Southside Guitars in Brooklyn, New York. For a while, they also had No 016 (the only Sunburst Headstock one I saw.) https://reverb.com/item/351788-mosrite- ... 1976-black
NO xxx: Black. Mentioned at the Marshall Amp Forum in 2020. Owned by one Barry A., and he inherited it. He's had it since 1994, at least. https://www.marshallforum.com/threads/y ... st-2040766
NO xxx: Black. Played by John Reis in 2017. Pic and page saved. Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/BQwF5hQhgXj ... =otisserie
NO xxx: Black. Used in the band Hole in 1990. Youtube video of Hole playing it in 1990: https://youtu.be/vKJCQHxwcms?t=528
NO xxx: Red body and neck. Pics and page saved. Sold from Red Pyramid, in Seattle. https://reverb.com/nz/item/6282103-mosr ... ck-vintage
NO xxx: Red Burst. Seen "in the UK magazine The Guitar Magazine, in the collection of Ross Godfrey, who plays with the band Morcheeba." - Sumlin. The issue is from April 2015, and there are two photos of it there. The guitar's also mentioned in the September 2018 issue of "Computer Music."
NO xxx, Unknown Finish. Owned (or previously owned by) TheGearPage Member "blesscurse."
NO xxx, Unknown Finish with a Vibrato Tailpiece (probably not stock) on it. There's a pic that I couldn't see or download. Owned or formerly owned by Forum Member "Gibby347." viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5839&p=60251#p60251
NO xxx: Black Body, Black neck, and Black Headstock; very unusual. Has a "Black Widow Pad" on the back, and it doesn't have any M Knobs, so it's a late one. Pics and page saved. Was sold by Austin Vintage Guitars in Austin, Texas. https://reverb.com/item/2842098-early-1 ... -rare#full
NO xxx: Black. This should be a later one, somewhere after NO 0180; it has a pad on the back, and it does not have M Knobs. The listing doesn't say the number. https://www.vintageandrare.com/product/ ... lack-65471

Known # Section: 40 Guitars

NO 001: Unknown Finish. Mentioned at Let's Talk Guild (Forum,) in July 2019: https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php ... st-1848337
NO 003: Unknown Finish.
NO 015: Black, appears to be unmodified. Pics and page saved. Showed up for sale from Guitar Wishes in 2019, and they made a video about it. https://guitarwishes.com/product/mosrite-blues-bender/ and the YT video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf88_jsz33k Later, showed up on Reverb on February 21, 2020 from "Weird/Unique Guitars." Reverb Ad: https://reverb.com/item/32577326-mosrit ... 1970-black UPDATE for May 16, 2021: Owned by Ryan Tucker, who's on the Mosrite Fan Page on Facebook.
NO 016: Black with Sunburst Headstock. Pics and page saved. Showed up on Reverb in November 2019 in a case and in very good if not excellent condition. This is the only model currently listed with a Sunburst Headstock, and it may be the only one. 1st Reverb Ad from Reverend Guitar Man in Marysville, WA: https://reverb.com/item/29460726-1971-m ... -500-black YT Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iO_qqE77jA | 2nd Sales Ad from Southside Guitars in Brooklyn, NY on February 2, 2021: https://reverb.com/item/38647011-mosrit ... 70-s-black
NO 028: Black. Pic saved. Described as "Dark Burgundy," but it just appears to be the standard Black for these models.
Source: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html
NO 031: Black. Pics saved. Owned by Tim Brennan (of Tym Guitars in Australia.) https://tymguitars.com.au/blogs/blog/14 ... O-ptJ6SsAo
NO 032: Black. Refretted and modified. Type of knobs unknown. Seen on eBay in October 2010. viewtopic.php?f=27&t=3676 | Update, 21 July 2021: More pics of what's probably this guitar were sent to me the previous month, and saved. It has Gibson type Humbuckers on it, without the covers.
NO 039: Unknown Finish.
NO 040: Refinished in some sort of Pink / Yellow. Pic saved. Belongs to Michael Flores.
NO 041: Unknown Finish.
NO 045: Formerly owned by forum member "moaimen." viewtopic.php?p=71553#p71553
NO 049: Black. Has heavy weather checking.
NO 068: Black. Missing original pups & knobs. Seller said it's a 1972 model. Update, April 14 2020: For sale from "Britt's Gear Depot" in Texas. The pickups have been replaced with Hallmark Humbuckers, a good replacement. Still doesn't have original knobs. Also has a worn "Lew's Music Center" sticker on the back of the headstock. Comes with a case, maybe the case is original? Reverb Link: https://reverb.com/item/33259555-mosrit ... k-burgundy Update, May 29 2020: Now owned by Forum member Steelaire17. viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7990
NO 071: Black. Pic and page saved.
Source: http://home.insightbb.com/~marksma/wsb/ ... ip-35.html
NO 077: Refinished in a Metallic Pink (Originally Black.) Does not have M Knobs, they may have been replaced. Pics and page saved. Has TV Jones Pickups on it. Knobs aren't original. Body has binding on both sides, which is unusual, to say the least. I'm uncertain if the binding is original or not. Sold by "RETROVERB MUSIC, INC." Listed in early April, 2020. https://reverb.com/item/33130313-mosrit ... 4Q3AJFzg1k
NO 081: Black. Owned by Jim Diamond.
NO 083: Red.
NO 087: Red (not sure if it was refinished or not.) Had a neck repair that wasn't touched up. Seen on eBay in October 2010. viewtopic.php?f=27&t=3663
NO 101: Brown. Owned by forum member chartbreaker who bought it (apparently) new in 75 - 76. Played hard, well enjoyed, and has a knife mark between pickups.
NO 107: Brown. Does not have M Knobs, though I'm not yet sure if they're original or not. Does not have its original bridge, it has Tune O Matic type bridge, and beneath that, the base for an acoustic. This guitar surfaced at the Facebook page "Mosrite Guitar Fans," posted by Rosey Storey; it was her Father's guitar. Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3294258 ... 996838729/
NO 110: Black. Pic saved. Number is according to Photobucket pictures, which I couldn't download. Has a pink-ish ring around the pickup selector, and is missing one original knob. Also has an odd looking logo on the headstock. Found on Facebook, posted by Rozhan Bin Asaad in Kota Kinabalu.
NO 113: Brown. The second owner, Cary Zaborowski (who owned it since 1972) has it. Found on Facebook under the "Mosrite Guitars" Group in December 2020. Pic saved.
NO 119: Brown. Pics and page saved. Seems to have been parted out on eBay. Sources:
https://reverb.com/item/2852359-brown-c ... del-guitar
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mosrite-1970-B ... SwuoxanXpS
NO 122: Stripped, and is Red in the control cavity with Black around the edges, so I'm not quite sure what to make of this one; was it Red or Black? Otherwise, this one's all original. Showed on 8 - October - 2021, on Facebook Marketplace. Pics saved. https://www.facebook.com/groups/3294258 ... 344197959/
NO 127: Brown. Pics and page saved. Showed up on Reverb on September 1st or 2nd 2019, from West Kentucky Music and Pawn (Location: Mayfield, KY.)
Source: https://reverb.com/item/26263169-mosrit ... 1970-brown
NO 133: Unknown Finish.
NO 135: Black. Pics saved. Seen for sale on eBay U.K. in May 2012. Once owned by Forum Member "ron," and I'm not sure if he still has it. viewtopic.php?p=54702#p54702
NO 140: White. Perhaps this was dorkrockrecords' guitar listed in the unknown exact numbers section?
NO 153 "Deluxe:" Black. Pic and page saved. Does not have M Knobs in the saved photo. "Made in 1969. It is black with a red tortoise shell pick guard. The scale is 1/8" shorter than the Gibson scale. After taking this picture, it has since been completely restored by my father, the master luthier Bill Gruggett, an original member of the Mosrite Guitars team. Original Mosrite parts were used from his personal stock, except for new high-quality PC-USA pickups, which I requested." Note: I think the "1/8 shorter than Gibson scale" note is wrong; it probably doesn't differ from the typical 1/4 shorter than Gibson scale.
Source: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html
NO 160: Unknown Finish.
NO 162: Black. Does not have M Knobs, it has Radio Shack-type Knobs. Pic saved from Ne.jp. Was owned by Sumlin, and is currently owned by Mark Burletson. Update, June 15 2020: Better photos found and downloaded from the Gretsch Talk Forum. 1st Link: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html 2nd Link: https://www.gretsch-talk.com/threads/ng ... dd.193415/ Update, February 14 2021: Showed up for sale in the United Kingdom in July 2020, from "Markeebee" at the "TheFretBoard.co.uk" Forum. https://thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/1 ... d-mosrites
NO 170: Owned by forum member "moaimen." viewtopic.php?p=71553#p71553
NO 172: Sunburst.
NO 177: Black. Pics and page saved. Number's according to the seller. Appears to be stock. Finish has much checking, and a spot of paint's missing by the output jack. Seller is "RETROVERB MUSIC, INC." https://reverb.com/item/312458-mosrite- ... t-bXLAho0k
NO 180: Brown or Natural. Does not have M Knobs, but the Radio Shack-type knobs may be original. Pics and page saved.
Source: https://reverb.com/item/3369670-mosrite-bluesbender
NO 190: Cherry Burst. Pic Saved. Does not have M Knobs, but the Radio Shack-type knobs may be original. I can't tell if it has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back, or not. This instrument was on eBay in 2010. Pic found here: https://www.popscreen.com/prod/MTI5MTU3 ... N0190-eBay
NO 195: Unknown Finish. Has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back.
NO 196: Black. Pic and 2010 eBay description saved. Does not have M Knobs. Signed by Nokie Edwards. I don't know if it has a Black Widow-type Pad, or not; there was only 1 photo of it in the listing.
NO 202: Black. Pics saved. Does not have M Knobs. Has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back. Was for sale on eBay in April 2011.
NO 203: Unknown Finish.

This list is up to 61 individual guitars (or fewer, depending on ones in the unknown # section.)

40 with Numbers,
2 with partial numbers,
1 with a speculated number,
5 with no numbers,
13 unknown.

Original Finishes (and variants) Accounted For:

Cherry Burst. (Only a few are known.)
Red. (Only a few are known.)
Black ("Dark Burgundy".) Most common finish.
Black with Sunburst Headstock: NO 016. May be the only one.
Black with Black Neck and Headstock: Only 1 is known, and it's late in the production run (evidenced by the black widow type pad on the back,) but its number isn't known.
Brown. Second most commonly known finish.
Sunburst (Only NO 172 is known, and I have no pics. It may or may not be original.)
White (NO 140. It may or may not be original.)

- Austin
1966 Ventures II (German Carved, B670.)
1970s "Not a Blues Bender" Bodies: 2.
1976 Brass Rail Deluxe #10.
2013 Fender Pawn Shop Bass VI.

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101Volts
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Re: Bluesbender serial numbers

Postby 101Volts » Sat Oct 09, 2021 10:21 pm

[quote="101Volts"]Recent Updates:

10 October, 2021:

I looked at the Red Morcheeba Guitar more closely. I can safely say it is *not* 190: the Morcheeba Guitar is missing the Aluminum String Guide, and it has M Knobs. 190 has the String Guide, and Radioshack (?) Knobs.

9 October, 2021:

Update1, to NO 122; it has both Red and Black Paint in the control cavity, the Black being on the edge. Also, updates to descriptions of 196 and 202; I hadn't noted that they don't have M Knobs.

Update 2: Note to NO 032 added. I hadn't mentioned the finish.

8 October, 2021:

NO 122: Stripped Finish, otherwise original, added.

I also added more to the "Model Trivia" section, and another "If you'd like to contribute a guitar" section.

Model Trivia:

The Mosrite Blues Bender 500 Model is a Mosrite take on a Gibson Les Paul, with typical 1970s Mosrite appointments, save for the Humbucker Pickups and a Stop Tailpiece instead of a Vibrato Tailpiece. These also have a wider neck than 1960s models, but that's typical of 1970s Mosrites.

It seems that about 205 - 225 were originally manufactured in a rough range of 1971 - 1974, with a few others up to 1978. Serial Number Lists were lost in a factory fire in 1983/1984, we don't know when the numbers started or stopped.

Model Specifications:

Basswood Body
Bolt-On Maple Neck, Rosewood Fretboard, Binding on Neck
24.50" Scale Length (Typical of Mosrite Guitars)
Mosrite Humbucker Pickups (Mostly a 1970s thing for Mosrite)
Grover Tuners (typically, at least)
Zero Fret
Phase Switch

Knobs are usually Mosrite "M" Knobs, but late models (roughly NO 180 and beyond) may have off-brand knobs. Late models after 190 also tend to have a big pad on the back, akin to the last of the "Acoustic" brand's Black Widow Models that Mosrite were assigned to manufacture.

If you'd like to contribute a Blues Bender to the list:

If anyone would like to contribute info of their guitar, please do. We will need to know these key points:

1: Body Finish.
2: Neck and Headstock Finish.
3: Serial Number (on the fretboard, between some of the highest frets, near the neck pickup.)
4: If you have the original pickups and are willing to remove them to check, then please check their bottoms for dates.
5: (Generally only applying to later ones, somewhere after B165: ) What kind of knobs does it have? Later models do not have the typical Mosrite "M" Knobs.
6: (Also only applying to later ones: ) Does it have a big pad on the back, akin to the Mosrite built Acoustic Black Widow models?

If you can share photos of the guitar, that would be well appreciated in these efforts to preserve Mosrite history; I'll save the photos.

Or, if you just found one online somewhere that I missed, just share the link.

==================
Serial Numbers List:
==================

No # Stamped (or Number Missing) Section - 5 Guitars:

Blank: Black. Pic saved. Found for sale on Facebook on July 1, 2021, in England. Has a White Pickguard and Knobs that are not "M" Knobs, but otherwise appears original. Has the name of the original owner (who was a Korean War Veteran from Bakersfield, Cailfornia) on the inside of the back plate.
Blank : Black. Owned by forum member TimR. Pic saved.
Blank: Burgundy. Pics and page saved. One pic of it was posted by "Mississippi Ave" on Facebook in 2017. Pic says "BlackBookGuitars" at the bottom, and I found a Sold page for it at that site. https://www.blackbookguitars.com/produc ... c143&_ss=r
Blank - Natural Mosrite / E. F. Elliott Partsrite. Pics and Mosrite Forum Page saved. Brass Rail Deluxe Body and Tailpiece, Mosrite Sooner Neck, Mosrite Humbuckers, Unusual Pickguard, Black "M" Pad on the back. Once owned by Adam (Dorkrockrecords, AKA Expat Guitars.) This is one of the last Blues Benders to ever be built, and it was finalized in 1978. (I can't say "Finished," can I?) Link: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1545&hilit=bluesbender&start=10
Blank : Red Burst, with Deluxe Electronics. Pics and page saved. Owned by Tim Brennan. Has a Bigsby, and 2 M knobs but not 4. This is either a rare Deluxe model, or it's modified, or it may even be the only one that was made with active electronics:
https://www.tymguitars.com.au/blogs/blo ... kpBMie_np0


Partial # Section - 2 Guitars:

NO 002, NO 002x, or NO 062: Black. Pics and pages saved. Found at HewittsGarageStudio, a small site. Photos were posted in 2009. Page is down. http://www.hewittsgaragestudio.com/gall ... ?g2_page=4 UPDATE: New page. A picture here makes it look like this one's NO 062. It also says the owner's name is Sean French. http://www.hewittsgaragestudio.com/Item ... nstruments
NO 03x/04x: White. Once owned by Adam (dorkrockrecords.)

Speculated # Section - 1 Guitar

Blank or NO x25: Red. Pics and page saved. Neck's stripped and neck pickup cavity routed so the bottom end could be closer to the bridge. The pics seem to show that there's no number, but I can vaguely make out a 25 in there, which may or may not be me imagining things. Available from Gonkulator on Reverb Late April 2018, sold later: https://reverb.com/item/11837350-mosrit ... er-project

Unknown # Section - 13 Guitars:
(One or more of these may or may not already be on the list, elsewhere, with a number.)

Moseley Instruments - 1 Guitar:

NO xxx: Has "Moseley by Semie Moseley" on Headstock, and is painted a bright Red. Has a Moseley Vibrato on it without the baseplate, and has a Black Widow type Pad on it, so it has to be a late model. It may be a partsrite, or maybe not. Pics and pages saved. Owned by, or formerly owned by Forum Member "stringbander." (that's "stringbander," not "stringbender.") Links: 1: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6002 2: viewtopic.php?p=61399#p61399

Mosrite - 12 Guitars:

NO xxx: Brown. Pic and page saved. Found at Black Book Guitars. https://www.blackbookguitars.com/collec ... esbender-1
NO xxx: Black. Is missing the truss rod cover in these pics, and has a chunk of finish missing from the lower rear edge, where it would sit on your leg: https://www.gbase.com/gear/mosrite-blue ... 1973-black
NO xxx: Black. Identifying mark: on the back of the neck, from frets 0 - 5, are some in-the-wood marks. This instrument was for sale by Southside Guitars in Brooklyn, New York. For a while, they also had No 016 (the only Sunburst Headstock one I saw.) https://reverb.com/item/351788-mosrite- ... 1976-black
NO xxx: Black. Mentioned at the Marshall Amp Forum in 2020. Owned by one Barry A., and he inherited it. He's had it since 1994, at least. https://www.marshallforum.com/threads/y ... st-2040766
NO xxx: Black. Played by John Reis in 2017. Pic and page saved. Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/BQwF5hQhgXj ... =otisserie
NO xxx: Black. Used in the band Hole in 1990. Youtube video of Hole playing it in 1990: https://youtu.be/vKJCQHxwcms?t=528
NO xxx: Red body and neck. Pics and page saved. Sold from Red Pyramid, in Seattle. https://reverb.com/nz/item/6282103-mosr ... ck-vintage
NO xxx: Red Burst. Seen "in the UK magazine The Guitar Magazine, in the collection of Ross Godfrey, who plays with the band Morcheeba." - Sumlin. The issue is from April 2015, and there are two photos of it there. The guitar's also mentioned in the September 2018 issue of "Computer Music." UPDATE, 10 Oct 2021: This guitar has M Knobs, and it's missing the Aluminum String Guide.
NO xxx, Unknown Finish. Owned (or previously owned by) TheGearPage Member "blesscurse."
NO xxx, Unknown Finish with a Vibrato Tailpiece (probably not stock) on it. There's a pic that I couldn't see or download. Owned or formerly owned by Forum Member "Gibby347." viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5839&p=60251#p60251
NO xxx: Black Body, Black neck, and Black Headstock; very unusual. Has a "Black Widow Pad" on the back, and it doesn't have any M Knobs, so it's a late one. Pics and page saved. Was sold by Austin Vintage Guitars in Austin, Texas. https://reverb.com/item/2842098-early-1 ... -rare#full
NO xxx: Black. This should be a later one, somewhere after NO 0180; it has a pad on the back, and it does not have M Knobs. The listing doesn't say the number. https://www.vintageandrare.com/product/ ... lack-65471

Known # Section: 40 Guitars

NO 001: Unknown Finish. Mentioned at Let's Talk Guild (Forum,) in July 2019: https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php ... st-1848337
NO 003: Unknown Finish.
NO 015: Black, appears to be unmodified. Pics and page saved. Showed up for sale from Guitar Wishes in 2019, and they made a video about it. https://guitarwishes.com/product/mosrite-blues-bender/ and the YT video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf88_jsz33k Later, showed up on Reverb on February 21, 2020 from "Weird/Unique Guitars." Reverb Ad: https://reverb.com/item/32577326-mosrit ... 1970-black UPDATE for May 16, 2021: Owned by Ryan Tucker, who's on the Mosrite Fan Page on Facebook.
NO 016: Black with Sunburst Headstock. Pics and page saved. Showed up on Reverb in November 2019 in a case and in very good if not excellent condition. This is the only model currently listed with a Sunburst Headstock, and it may be the only one. 1st Reverb Ad from Reverend Guitar Man in Marysville, WA: https://reverb.com/item/29460726-1971-m ... -500-black YT Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iO_qqE77jA | 2nd Sales Ad from Southside Guitars in Brooklyn, NY on February 2, 2021: https://reverb.com/item/38647011-mosrit ... 70-s-black
NO 028: Black. Pic saved. Described as "Dark Burgundy," but it just appears to be the standard Black for these models.
Source: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html
NO 031: Black. Pics saved. Owned by Tim Brennan (of Tym Guitars in Australia.) https://tymguitars.com.au/blogs/blog/14 ... O-ptJ6SsAo
NO 032: Black. Refretted and modified. Type of knobs unknown. Seen on eBay in October 2010. viewtopic.php?f=27&t=3676 | Update, 21 July 2021: More pics of what's probably this guitar were sent to me the previous month, and saved. It has Gibson type Humbuckers on it, without the covers.
NO 039: Unknown Finish.
NO 040: Refinished in some sort of Pink / Yellow. Pic saved. Belongs to Michael Flores.
NO 041: Unknown Finish.
NO 045: Formerly owned by forum member "moaimen." viewtopic.php?p=71553#p71553
NO 049: Black. Has heavy weather checking.
NO 068: Black. Missing original pups & knobs. Seller said it's a 1972 model. Update, April 14 2020: For sale from "Britt's Gear Depot" in Texas. The pickups have been replaced with Hallmark Humbuckers, a good replacement. Still doesn't have original knobs. Also has a worn "Lew's Music Center" sticker on the back of the headstock. Comes with a case, maybe the case is original? Reverb Link: https://reverb.com/item/33259555-mosrit ... k-burgundy Update, May 29 2020: Now owned by Forum member Steelaire17. viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7990
NO 071: Black. Pic and page saved.
Source: http://home.insightbb.com/~marksma/wsb/ ... ip-35.html
NO 077: Refinished in a Metallic Pink (Originally Black.) Does not have M Knobs, they may have been replaced. Pics and page saved. Has TV Jones Pickups on it. Knobs aren't original. Body has binding on both sides, which is unusual, to say the least. I'm uncertain if the binding is original or not. Sold by "RETROVERB MUSIC, INC." Listed in early April, 2020. https://reverb.com/item/33130313-mosrit ... 4Q3AJFzg1k
NO 081: Black. Owned by Jim Diamond.
NO 083: Red.
NO 087: Red (not sure if it was refinished or not.) Had a neck repair that wasn't touched up. Seen on eBay in October 2010. viewtopic.php?f=27&t=3663
NO 101: Brown. Owned by forum member chartbreaker who bought it (apparently) new in 75 - 76. Played hard, well enjoyed, and has a knife mark between pickups.
NO 107: Brown. Does not have M Knobs, though I'm not yet sure if they're original or not. Does not have its original bridge, it has Tune O Matic type bridge, and beneath that, the base for an acoustic. This guitar surfaced at the Facebook page "Mosrite Guitar Fans," posted by Rosey Storey; it was her Father's guitar. Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3294258 ... 996838729/
NO 110: Black. Pic saved. Number is according to Photobucket pictures, which I couldn't download. Has a pink-ish ring around the pickup selector, and is missing one original knob. Also has an odd looking logo on the headstock. Found on Facebook, posted by Rozhan Bin Asaad in Kota Kinabalu.
NO 113: Brown. The second owner, Cary Zaborowski (who owned it since 1972) has it. Found on Facebook under the "Mosrite Guitars" Group in December 2020. Pic saved.
NO 119: Brown. Pics and page saved. Seems to have been parted out on eBay. Sources:
https://reverb.com/item/2852359-brown-c ... del-guitar
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mosrite-1970-B ... SwuoxanXpS
NO 122: Stripped, and is Red in the control cavity with Black around the edges, so I'm not quite sure what to make of this one; was it Red or Black? Otherwise, this one's all original. Showed on 8 - October - 2021, on Facebook Marketplace. Pics saved. https://www.facebook.com/groups/3294258 ... 344197959/
NO 127: Brown. Pics and page saved. Showed up on Reverb on September 1st or 2nd 2019, from West Kentucky Music and Pawn (Location: Mayfield, KY.)
Source: https://reverb.com/item/26263169-mosrit ... 1970-brown
NO 133: Unknown Finish.
NO 135: Black. Pics saved. Seen for sale on eBay U.K. in May 2012. Once owned by Forum Member "ron," and I'm not sure if he still has it. viewtopic.php?p=54702#p54702
NO 140: White. Perhaps this was dorkrockrecords' guitar listed in the unknown exact numbers section?
NO 153 "Deluxe:" Black. Pic and page saved. Does not have M Knobs in the saved photo. "Made in 1969. It is black with a red tortoise shell pick guard. The scale is 1/8" shorter than the Gibson scale. After taking this picture, it has since been completely restored by my father, the master luthier Bill Gruggett, an original member of the Mosrite Guitars team. Original Mosrite parts were used from his personal stock, except for new high-quality PC-USA pickups, which I requested." Note: I think the "1/8 shorter than Gibson scale" note is wrong; it probably doesn't differ from the typical 1/4 shorter than Gibson scale.
Source: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html
NO 160: Unknown Finish.
NO 162: Black. Does not have M Knobs, it has Radio Shack-type Knobs. Pic saved from Ne.jp. Was owned by Sumlin, and is currently owned by Mark Burletson. Update, June 15 2020: Better photos found and downloaded from the Gretsch Talk Forum. 1st Link: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html 2nd Link: https://www.gretsch-talk.com/threads/ng ... dd.193415/ Update, February 14 2021: Showed up for sale in the United Kingdom in July 2020, from "Markeebee" at the "TheFretBoard.co.uk" Forum. https://thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/1 ... d-mosrites
NO 170: Owned by forum member "moaimen." viewtopic.php?p=71553#p71553
NO 172: Sunburst.
NO 177: Black. Pics and page saved. Number's according to the seller. Appears to be stock. Finish has much checking, and a spot of paint's missing by the output jack. Seller is "RETROVERB MUSIC, INC." https://reverb.com/item/312458-mosrite- ... t-bXLAho0k
NO 180: Brown or Natural. Does not have M Knobs, but the Radio Shack-type knobs may be original. Pics and page saved.
Source: https://reverb.com/item/3369670-mosrite-bluesbender
NO 190: Cherry Burst. Pic Saved. Does not have M Knobs, but the Radio Shack-type knobs may be original. I can't tell if it has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back, or not. This instrument was on eBay in 2010. Pic found here: https://www.popscreen.com/prod/MTI5MTU3 ... N0190-eBay
NO 195: Unknown Finish. Has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back.
NO 196: Black. Pic and 2010 eBay description saved. Does not have M Knobs. Signed by Nokie Edwards. I don't know if it has a Black Widow-type Pad, or not; there was only 1 photo of it in the listing.
NO 202: Black. Pics saved. Does not have M Knobs. Has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back. Was for sale on eBay in April 2011.
NO 203: Unknown Finish.

This list is up to 61 individual guitars (or fewer, depending on ones in the unknown # section.)

40 with Numbers,
2 with partial numbers,
1 with a speculated number,
5 with no numbers,
13 unknown.

Original Finishes (and variants) Accounted For:

Cherry Burst. (Only a few are known.)
Red. (Only a few are known.)
Black ("Dark Burgundy".) Most common finish.
Black with Sunburst Headstock: NO 016. May be the only one.
Black with Black Neck and Headstock: Only 1 is known, and it's late in the production run (evidenced by the black widow type pad on the back,) but its number isn't known.
Brown. Second most commonly known finish.
Sunburst (Only NO 172 is known, and I have no pics. It may or may not be original.)
White (NO 140. It may or may not be original.)

- Austin
1966 Ventures II (German Carved, B670.)
1970s "Not a Blues Bender" Bodies: 2.
1976 Brass Rail Deluxe #10.
2013 Fender Pawn Shop Bass VI.

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Re: Bluesbender serial numbers

Postby 101Volts » Thu Nov 11, 2021 4:59 pm

Recent Updates:

11 November, 2021:

Changed the note of the finish of NO 180.

10 October, 2021:

I looked at the Red Morcheeba Guitar more closely. I can safely say it is *not* 190: the Morcheeba Guitar is missing the Aluminum String Guide, and it has M Knobs. 190 has the String Guide, and Radioshack (?) Knobs.

9 October, 2021:

Update1, to NO 122; it has both Red and Black Paint in the control cavity, the Black being on the edge. Also, updates to descriptions of 196 and 202; I hadn't noted that they don't have M Knobs.

Update 2: Note to NO 032 added. I hadn't mentioned the finish.

Model Trivia:

The Mosrite Blues Bender 500 Model is a Mosrite take on a Gibson Les Paul, with typical 1970s Mosrite appointments, save for the Humbucker Pickups and a Stop Tailpiece instead of a Vibrato Tailpiece. These also have a wider neck than 1960s models, but that's typical of 1970s Mosrites.

It seems that about 205 - 225 were originally manufactured in a rough range of 1971 - 1974, with a few others up to 1978. Serial Number Lists were lost in a factory fire in 1983/1984, we don't know when the numbers started or stopped.

Model Specifications:

Basswood Body
Bolt-On Maple Neck, Rosewood Fretboard, Binding on Neck
24.50" Scale Length (Typical of Mosrite Guitars)
Mosrite Humbucker Pickups (Mostly a 1970s thing for Mosrite)
Grover Tuners (typically, at least)
Zero Fret
Phase Switch

Knobs are usually Mosrite "M" Knobs, but late models (roughly NO 180 and beyond) may have off-brand knobs. Late models after 190 also tend to have a big pad on the back, akin to the last of the "Acoustic" brand's Black Widow Models that Mosrite were assigned to manufacture.

If you'd like to contribute a Blues Bender to the list:

If anyone would like to contribute info of their guitar, please do. We will need to know these key points:

1: Body Finish.
2: Neck and Headstock Finish.
3: Serial Number (on the fretboard, between some of the highest frets, near the neck pickup.)
4: If you have the original pickups and are willing to remove them to check, then please check their bottoms for dates.
5: (Generally only applying to later ones, somewhere after B165: ) What kind of knobs does it have? Later models do not have the typical Mosrite "M" Knobs.
6: (Also only applying to later ones: ) Does it have a big pad on the back, akin to the Mosrite built Acoustic Black Widow models?

If you can share photos of the guitar, that would be well appreciated in these efforts to preserve Mosrite history; I'll save the photos.

Or, if you just found one online somewhere that I missed, just share the link.

==================
Serial Numbers List:
==================

No # Stamped (or Number Missing) Section - 5 Guitars:

Blank: Black. Pic saved. Found for sale on Facebook on July 1, 2021, in England. Has a White Pickguard and Knobs that are not "M" Knobs, but otherwise appears original. Has the name of the original owner (who was a Korean War Veteran from Bakersfield, Cailfornia) on the inside of the back plate.
Blank : Black. Owned by forum member TimR. Pic saved.
Blank: Burgundy. Pics and page saved. One pic of it was posted by "Mississippi Ave" on Facebook in 2017. Pic says "BlackBookGuitars" at the bottom, and I found a Sold page for it at that site. https://www.blackbookguitars.com/produc ... c143&_ss=r
Blank - Natural Mosrite / E. F. Elliott Partsrite. Pics and Mosrite Forum Page saved. Brass Rail Deluxe Body and Tailpiece, Mosrite Sooner Neck, Mosrite Humbuckers, Unusual Pickguard, Black "M" Pad on the back. Once owned by Adam (Dorkrockrecords, AKA Expat Guitars.) This is one of the last Blues Benders to ever be built, and it was finalized in 1978. (I can't say "Finished," can I?) Link: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1545&hilit=bluesbender&start=10
Blank : Red Burst, with Deluxe Electronics. Pics and page saved. Owned by Tim Brennan. Has a Bigsby, and 2 M knobs but not 4. This is either a rare Deluxe model, or it's modified, or it may even be the only one that was made with active electronics:
https://www.tymguitars.com.au/blogs/blo ... kpBMie_np0


Partial # Section - 2 Guitars:

NO 002, NO 002x, or NO 062: Black. Pics and pages saved. Found at HewittsGarageStudio, a small site. Photos were posted in 2009. Page is down. http://www.hewittsgaragestudio.com/gall ... ?g2_page=4 UPDATE: New page. A picture here makes it look like this one's NO 062. It also says the owner's name is Sean French. http://www.hewittsgaragestudio.com/Item ... nstruments
NO 03x/04x: White. Once owned by Adam (dorkrockrecords.)

Speculated # Section - 1 Guitar

Blank or NO x25: Red. Pics and page saved. Neck's stripped and neck pickup cavity routed so the bottom end could be closer to the bridge. The pics seem to show that there's no number, but I can vaguely make out a 25 in there, which may or may not be me imagining things. Available from Gonkulator on Reverb Late April 2018, sold later: https://reverb.com/item/11837350-mosrit ... er-project

Unknown # Section - 13 Guitars:
(One or more of these may or may not already be on the list, elsewhere, with a number.)

Moseley Instruments - 1 Guitar:

NO xxx: Has "Moseley by Semie Moseley" on Headstock, and is painted a bright Red. Has a Moseley Vibrato on it without the baseplate, and has a Black Widow type Pad on it, so it has to be a late model. It may be a partsrite, or maybe not. Pics and pages saved. Owned by, or formerly owned by Forum Member "stringbander." (that's "stringbander," not "stringbender.") Links: 1: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6002 2: viewtopic.php?p=61399#p61399

Mosrite - 12 Guitars:

NO xxx: Brown. Pic and page saved. Found at Black Book Guitars. https://www.blackbookguitars.com/collec ... esbender-1
NO xxx: Black. Is missing the truss rod cover in these pics, and has a chunk of finish missing from the lower rear edge, where it would sit on your leg: https://www.gbase.com/gear/mosrite-blue ... 1973-black
NO xxx: Black. Identifying mark: on the back of the neck, from frets 0 - 5, are some in-the-wood marks. This instrument was for sale by Southside Guitars in Brooklyn, New York. For a while, they also had No 016 (the only Sunburst Headstock one I saw.) https://reverb.com/item/351788-mosrite- ... 1976-black
NO xxx: Black. Mentioned at the Marshall Amp Forum in 2020. Owned by one Barry A., and he inherited it. He's had it since 1994, at least. https://www.marshallforum.com/threads/y ... st-2040766
NO xxx: Black. Played by John Reis in 2017. Pic and page saved. Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/BQwF5hQhgXj ... =otisserie
NO xxx: Black. Used in the band Hole in 1990. Youtube video of Hole playing it in 1990: https://youtu.be/vKJCQHxwcms?t=528
NO xxx: Red body and neck. Pics and page saved. Sold from Red Pyramid, in Seattle. https://reverb.com/nz/item/6282103-mosr ... ck-vintage
NO xxx: Red Burst. Seen "in the UK magazine The Guitar Magazine, in the collection of Ross Godfrey, who plays with the band Morcheeba." - Sumlin. The issue is from April 2015, and there are two photos of it there. The guitar's also mentioned in the September 2018 issue of "Computer Music." UPDATE, 10 Oct 2021: This guitar has M Knobs, and it's missing the Aluminum String Guide.
NO xxx, Unknown Finish. Owned (or previously owned by) TheGearPage Member "blesscurse."
NO xxx, Unknown Finish with a Vibrato Tailpiece (probably not stock) on it. There's a pic that I couldn't see or download. Owned or formerly owned by Forum Member "Gibby347." viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5839&p=60251#p60251
NO xxx: Black Body, Black neck, and Black Headstock; very unusual. Has a "Black Widow Pad" on the back, and it doesn't have any M Knobs, so it's a late one. Pics and page saved. Was sold by Austin Vintage Guitars in Austin, Texas. https://reverb.com/item/2842098-early-1 ... -rare#full
NO xxx: Black. This should be a later one, somewhere after NO 0180; it has a pad on the back, and it does not have M Knobs. The listing doesn't say the number. https://www.vintageandrare.com/product/ ... lack-65471

Known # Section: 40 Guitars

NO 001: Unknown Finish. Mentioned at Let's Talk Guild (Forum,) in July 2019: https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php ... st-1848337
NO 003: Unknown Finish.
NO 015: Black, appears to be unmodified. Pics and page saved. Showed up for sale from Guitar Wishes in 2019, and they made a video about it. https://guitarwishes.com/product/mosrite-blues-bender/ and the YT video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf88_jsz33k Later, showed up on Reverb on February 21, 2020 from "Weird/Unique Guitars." Reverb Ad: https://reverb.com/item/32577326-mosrit ... 1970-black UPDATE for May 16, 2021: Owned by Ryan Tucker, who's on the Mosrite Fan Page on Facebook.
NO 016: Black with Sunburst Headstock. Pics and page saved. Showed up on Reverb in November 2019 in a case and in very good if not excellent condition. This is the only model currently listed with a Sunburst Headstock, and it may be the only one. 1st Reverb Ad from Reverend Guitar Man in Marysville, WA: https://reverb.com/item/29460726-1971-m ... -500-black YT Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iO_qqE77jA | 2nd Sales Ad from Southside Guitars in Brooklyn, NY on February 2, 2021: https://reverb.com/item/38647011-mosrit ... 70-s-black
NO 028: Black. Pic saved. Described as "Dark Burgundy," but it just appears to be the standard Black for these models.
Source: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html
NO 031: Black. Pics saved. Owned by Tim Brennan (of Tym Guitars in Australia.) https://tymguitars.com.au/blogs/blog/14 ... O-ptJ6SsAo
NO 032: Black. Refretted and modified. Type of knobs unknown. Seen on eBay in October 2010. viewtopic.php?f=27&t=3676 | Update, 21 July 2021: More pics of what's probably this guitar were sent to me the previous month, and saved. It has Gibson type Humbuckers on it, without the covers.
NO 039: Unknown Finish.
NO 040: Refinished in some sort of Pink / Yellow. Pic saved. Belongs to Michael Flores.
NO 041: Unknown Finish.
NO 045: Formerly owned by forum member "moaimen." viewtopic.php?p=71553#p71553
NO 049: Black. Has heavy weather checking.
NO 068: Black. Missing original pups & knobs. Seller said it's a 1972 model. Update, April 14 2020: For sale from "Britt's Gear Depot" in Texas. The pickups have been replaced with Hallmark Humbuckers, a good replacement. Still doesn't have original knobs. Also has a worn "Lew's Music Center" sticker on the back of the headstock. Comes with a case, maybe the case is original? Reverb Link: https://reverb.com/item/33259555-mosrit ... k-burgundy Update, May 29 2020: Now owned by Forum member Steelaire17. viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7990
NO 071: Black. Pic and page saved.
Source: http://home.insightbb.com/~marksma/wsb/ ... ip-35.html
NO 077: Refinished in a Metallic Pink (Originally Black.) Does not have M Knobs, they may have been replaced. Pics and page saved. Has TV Jones Pickups on it. Knobs aren't original. Body has binding on both sides, which is unusual, to say the least. I'm uncertain if the binding is original or not. Sold by "RETROVERB MUSIC, INC." Listed in early April, 2020. https://reverb.com/item/33130313-mosrit ... 4Q3AJFzg1k
NO 081: Black. Owned by Jim Diamond.
NO 083: Red.
NO 087: Red (not sure if it was refinished or not.) Had a neck repair that wasn't touched up. Seen on eBay in October 2010. viewtopic.php?f=27&t=3663
NO 101: Brown. Owned by forum member chartbreaker who bought it (apparently) new in 75 - 76. Played hard, well enjoyed, and has a knife mark between pickups.
NO 107: Brown. Does not have M Knobs, though I'm not yet sure if they're original or not. Does not have its original bridge, it has Tune O Matic type bridge, and beneath that, the base for an acoustic. This guitar surfaced at the Facebook page "Mosrite Guitar Fans," posted by Rosey Storey; it was her Father's guitar. Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3294258 ... 996838729/
NO 110: Black. Pic saved. Number is according to Photobucket pictures, which I couldn't download. Has a pink-ish ring around the pickup selector, and is missing one original knob. Also has an odd looking logo on the headstock. Found on Facebook, posted by Rozhan Bin Asaad in Kota Kinabalu.
NO 113: Brown. The second owner, Cary Zaborowski (who owned it since 1972) has it. Found on Facebook under the "Mosrite Guitars" Group in December 2020. Pic saved.
NO 119: Brown. Pics and page saved. Seems to have been parted out on eBay. Sources:
https://reverb.com/item/2852359-brown-c ... del-guitar
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mosrite-1970-B ... SwuoxanXpS
NO 122: Stripped, and is Red in the control cavity with Black around the edges, so I'm not quite sure what to make of this one; was it Red or Black? Otherwise, this one's all original. Showed on 8 - October - 2021, on Facebook Marketplace. Pics saved. https://www.facebook.com/groups/3294258 ... 344197959/
NO 127: Brown. Pics and page saved. Showed up on Reverb on September 1st or 2nd 2019, from West Kentucky Music and Pawn (Location: Mayfield, KY.)
Source: https://reverb.com/item/26263169-mosrit ... 1970-brown
NO 133: Unknown Finish.
NO 135: Black. Pics saved. Seen for sale on eBay U.K. in May 2012. Once owned by Forum Member "ron," and I'm not sure if he still has it. viewtopic.php?p=54702#p54702
NO 140: White. Perhaps this was dorkrockrecords' guitar listed in the unknown exact numbers section?
NO 153 "Deluxe:" Black. Pic and page saved. Does not have M Knobs in the saved photo. "Made in 1969. It is black with a red tortoise shell pick guard. The scale is 1/8" shorter than the Gibson scale. After taking this picture, it has since been completely restored by my father, the master luthier Bill Gruggett, an original member of the Mosrite Guitars team. Original Mosrite parts were used from his personal stock, except for new high-quality PC-USA pickups, which I requested." Note: I think the "1/8 shorter than Gibson scale" note is wrong; it probably doesn't differ from the typical 1/4 shorter than Gibson scale.
Source: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html
NO 160: Unknown Finish.
NO 162: Black. Does not have M Knobs, it has Radio Shack-type Knobs. Pic saved from Ne.jp. Was owned by Sumlin, and is currently owned by Mark Burletson. Update, June 15 2020: Better photos found and downloaded from the Gretsch Talk Forum. 1st Link: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html 2nd Link: https://www.gretsch-talk.com/threads/ng ... dd.193415/ Update, February 14 2021: Showed up for sale in the United Kingdom in July 2020, from "Markeebee" at the "TheFretBoard.co.uk" Forum. https://thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/1 ... d-mosrites
NO 170: Owned by forum member "moaimen." viewtopic.php?p=71553#p71553
NO 172: Sunburst.
NO 177: Black. Pics and page saved. Number's according to the seller. Appears to be stock. Finish has much checking, and a spot of paint's missing by the output jack. Seller is "RETROVERB MUSIC, INC." https://reverb.com/item/312458-mosrite- ... t-bXLAho0k
NO 180: Translucent Brown, or perhaps a variant of Natural? Does not have M Knobs, but the Radio Shack-type knobs may be original. Pics and page saved.
Source: https://reverb.com/item/3369670-mosrite-bluesbender
NO 190: Cherry Burst. Pic Saved. Does not have M Knobs, but the Radio Shack-type knobs may be original. I can't tell if it has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back, or not. This instrument was on eBay in 2010. Pic found here: https://www.popscreen.com/prod/MTI5MTU3 ... N0190-eBay
NO 195: Unknown Finish. Has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back.
NO 196: Black. Pic and 2010 eBay description saved. Does not have M Knobs. Signed by Nokie Edwards. I don't know if it has a Black Widow-type Pad, or not; there was only 1 photo of it in the listing.
NO 202: Black. Pics saved. Does not have M Knobs. Has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back. Was for sale on eBay in April 2011.
NO 203: Unknown Finish.

This list is up to 61 individual guitars (or fewer, depending on ones in the unknown # section.)

40 with Numbers,
2 with partial numbers,
1 with a speculated number,
5 with no numbers,
13 unknown.

Original Finishes (and variants) Accounted For:

Cherry Burst. (Only a few are known.)
Red. (Only a few are known.)
Black ("Dark Burgundy".) Most common finish.
Black with Sunburst Headstock: NO 016. May be the only one.
Black with Black Neck and Headstock: Only 1 is known, and it's late in the production run (evidenced by the black widow type pad on the back,) but its number isn't known.
Brown. Second most commonly known finish.
Translucent Brown. Only 1 is on the list (N0 180.)
Sunburst. Only NO 172 is known, and I have no pics. It may or may not be original.)
White. NO 140. It may or may not be original.

- Austin
1966 Ventures II (German Carved, B670.)
1970s "Not a Blues Bender" Bodies: 2.
1976 Brass Rail Deluxe #10.
2013 Fender Pawn Shop Bass VI.

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Re: Bluesbender serial numbers

Postby 101Volts » Fri Nov 26, 2021 3:20 pm

Recent Updates:

26 Nov, 2021:

Minor update; NO 077 (Refin, Pink Sparkle) re-surfaced for sale, still far above current market value.

11 November, 2021:

Changed the note of the finish of NO 180.

Model Trivia:

The Mosrite Blues Bender 500 Model is a Mosrite take on a Gibson Les Paul, with typical 1970s Mosrite appointments, save for the Humbucker Pickups and a Stop Tailpiece instead of a Vibrato Tailpiece. These also have a wider neck than 1960s models, but that's typical of 1970s Mosrites.

It seems that about 205 - 225 were originally manufactured in a rough range of 1971 - 1974, with a few others up to 1978. Serial Number Lists were lost in a factory fire in 1983/1984, we don't know when the numbers started or stopped.

Model Specifications:

Basswood Body
Bolt-On Maple Neck, Rosewood Fretboard, Binding on Neck
24.50" Scale Length (Typical of Mosrite Guitars)
Mosrite Humbucker Pickups (Mostly a 1970s thing for Mosrite)
Grover Tuners (typically, at least)
Zero Fret
Phase Switch

Knobs are usually Mosrite "M" Knobs, but late models (roughly NO 180 and beyond) may have off-brand knobs. Late models after 190 also tend to have a big pad on the back, akin to the last of the "Acoustic" brand's Black Widow Models that Mosrite were assigned to manufacture.

If you'd like to contribute a Blues Bender to the list:

If anyone would like to contribute info of their guitar, please do. We will need to know these key points:

1: Body Finish.
2: Neck and Headstock Finish.
3: Serial Number (on the fretboard, between some of the highest frets, near the neck pickup.)
4: If you have the original pickups and are willing to remove them to check, then please check their bottoms for dates.
5: (Generally only applying to later ones, somewhere after B165: ) What kind of knobs does it have? Later models do not have the typical Mosrite "M" Knobs.
6: (Also only applying to later ones: ) Does it have a big pad on the back, akin to the Mosrite built Acoustic Black Widow models?

If you can share photos of the guitar, that would be well appreciated in these efforts to preserve Mosrite history; I'll save the photos.

Or, if you just found one online somewhere that I missed, just share the link.

==================
Serial Numbers List:
==================

No # Stamped (or Number Missing) Section - 5 Guitars:

Blank: Black. Pic saved. Found for sale on Facebook on July 1, 2021, in England. Has a White Pickguard and Knobs that are not "M" Knobs, but otherwise appears original. Has the name of the original owner (who was a Korean War Veteran from Bakersfield, Cailfornia) on the inside of the back plate.
Blank : Black. Owned by forum member TimR. Pic saved.
Blank: Burgundy. Pics and page saved. One pic of it was posted by "Mississippi Ave" on Facebook in 2017. Pic says "BlackBookGuitars" at the bottom, and I found a Sold page for it at that site. https://www.blackbookguitars.com/produc ... c143&_ss=r
Blank - Natural Mosrite / E. F. Elliott Partsrite. Pics and Mosrite Forum Page saved. Brass Rail Deluxe Body and Tailpiece, Mosrite Sooner Neck, Mosrite Humbuckers, Unusual Pickguard, Black "M" Pad on the back. Once owned by Adam (Dorkrockrecords, AKA Expat Guitars.) This is one of the last Blues Benders to ever be built, and it was finalized in 1978. (I can't say "Finished," can I?) Link: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1545&hilit=bluesbender&start=10
Blank : Red Burst, with Deluxe Electronics. Pics and page saved. Owned by Tim Brennan. Has a Bigsby, and 2 M knobs but not 4. This is either a rare Deluxe model, or it's modified, or it may even be the only one that was made with active electronics:
https://www.tymguitars.com.au/blogs/blo ... kpBMie_np0


Partial # Section - 2 Guitars:

NO 002, NO 002x, or NO 062: Black. Pics and pages saved. Found at HewittsGarageStudio, a small site. Photos were posted in 2009. Page is down. http://www.hewittsgaragestudio.com/gall ... ?g2_page=4 UPDATE: New page. A picture here makes it look like this one's NO 062. It also says the owner's name is Sean French. http://www.hewittsgaragestudio.com/Item ... nstruments
NO 03x/04x: White. Once owned by Adam (dorkrockrecords.)

Speculated # Section - 1 Guitar

Blank or NO x25: Red. Pics and page saved. Neck's stripped and neck pickup cavity routed so the bottom end could be closer to the bridge. The pics seem to show that there's no number, but I can vaguely make out a 25 in there, which may or may not be me imagining things. Available from Gonkulator on Reverb Late April 2018, sold later: https://reverb.com/item/11837350-mosrit ... er-project

Unknown # Section - 13 Guitars:
(One or more of these may or may not already be on the list, elsewhere, with a number.)

Moseley Instruments - 1 Guitar:

NO xxx: Has "Moseley by Semie Moseley" on Headstock, and is painted a bright Red. Has a Moseley Vibrato on it without the baseplate, and has a Black Widow type Pad on it, so it has to be a late model. It may be a partsrite, or maybe not. Pics and pages saved. Owned by, or formerly owned by Forum Member "stringbander." (that's "stringbander," not "stringbender.") Links: 1: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6002 2: viewtopic.php?p=61399#p61399

Mosrite - 12 Guitars:

NO xxx: Brown. Pic and page saved. Found at Black Book Guitars. https://www.blackbookguitars.com/collec ... esbender-1
NO xxx: Black. Is missing the truss rod cover in these pics, and has a chunk of finish missing from the lower rear edge, where it would sit on your leg: https://www.gbase.com/gear/mosrite-blue ... 1973-black
NO xxx: Black. Identifying mark: on the back of the neck, from frets 0 - 5, are some in-the-wood marks. This instrument was for sale by Southside Guitars in Brooklyn, New York. For a while, they also had No 016 (the only Sunburst Headstock one I saw.) https://reverb.com/item/351788-mosrite- ... 1976-black
NO xxx: Black. Mentioned at the Marshall Amp Forum in 2020. Owned by one Barry A., and he inherited it. He's had it since 1994, at least. https://www.marshallforum.com/threads/y ... st-2040766
NO xxx: Black. Played by John Reis in 2017. Pic and page saved. Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/BQwF5hQhgXj ... =otisserie
NO xxx: Black. Used in the band Hole in 1990. Youtube video of Hole playing it in 1990: https://youtu.be/vKJCQHxwcms?t=528
NO xxx: Red body and neck. Pics and page saved. Sold from Red Pyramid, in Seattle. https://reverb.com/nz/item/6282103-mosr ... ck-vintage
NO xxx: Red Burst. Seen "in the UK magazine The Guitar Magazine, in the collection of Ross Godfrey, who plays with the band Morcheeba." - Sumlin. The issue is from April 2015, and there are two photos of it there. The guitar's also mentioned in the September 2018 issue of "Computer Music." UPDATE, 10 Oct 2021: This guitar has M Knobs, and it's missing the Aluminum String Guide.
NO xxx, Unknown Finish. Owned (or previously owned by) TheGearPage Member "blesscurse."
NO xxx, Unknown Finish with a Vibrato Tailpiece (probably not stock) on it. There's a pic that I couldn't see or download. Owned or formerly owned by Forum Member "Gibby347." viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5839&p=60251#p60251
NO xxx: Black Body, Black neck, and Black Headstock; very unusual. Has a "Black Widow Pad" on the back, and it doesn't have any M Knobs, so it's a late one. Pics and page saved. Was sold by Austin Vintage Guitars in Austin, Texas. https://reverb.com/item/2842098-early-1 ... -rare#full
NO xxx: Black. This should be a later one, somewhere after NO 0180; it has a pad on the back, and it does not have M Knobs. The listing doesn't say the number. https://www.vintageandrare.com/product/ ... lack-65471

Known # Section: 40 Guitars

NO 001: Unknown Finish. Mentioned at Let's Talk Guild (Forum,) in July 2019: https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php ... st-1848337
NO 003: Unknown Finish.
NO 015: Black, appears to be unmodified. Pics and page saved. Showed up for sale from Guitar Wishes in 2019, and they made a video about it. https://guitarwishes.com/product/mosrite-blues-bender/ and the YT video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf88_jsz33k Later, showed up on Reverb on February 21, 2020 from "Weird/Unique Guitars." Reverb Ad: https://reverb.com/item/32577326-mosrit ... 1970-black UPDATE for May 16, 2021: Owned by Ryan Tucker, who's on the Mosrite Fan Page on Facebook.
NO 016: Black with Sunburst Headstock. Pics and page saved. Showed up on Reverb in November 2019 in a case and in very good if not excellent condition. This is the only model currently listed with a Sunburst Headstock, and it may be the only one. 1st Reverb Ad from Reverend Guitar Man in Marysville, WA: https://reverb.com/item/29460726-1971-m ... -500-black YT Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iO_qqE77jA | 2nd Sales Ad from Southside Guitars in Brooklyn, NY on February 2, 2021: https://reverb.com/item/38647011-mosrit ... 70-s-black
NO 028: Black. Pic saved. Described as "Dark Burgundy," but it just appears to be the standard Black for these models.
Source: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html
NO 031: Black. Pics saved. Owned by Tim Brennan (of Tym Guitars in Australia.) https://tymguitars.com.au/blogs/blog/14 ... O-ptJ6SsAo
NO 032: Black. Refretted and modified. Type of knobs unknown. Seen on eBay in October 2010. viewtopic.php?f=27&t=3676 | Update, 21 July 2021: More pics of what's probably this guitar were sent to me the previous month, and saved. It has Gibson type Humbuckers on it, without the covers.
NO 039: Unknown Finish.
NO 040: Refinished in some sort of Pink / Yellow. Pic saved. Belongs to Michael Flores.
NO 041: Unknown Finish.
NO 045: Formerly owned by forum member "moaimen." viewtopic.php?p=71553#p71553
NO 049: Black. Has heavy weather checking.
NO 068: Black. Missing original pups & knobs. Seller said it's a 1972 model. Update, April 14 2020: For sale from "Britt's Gear Depot" in Texas. The pickups have been replaced with Hallmark Humbuckers, a good replacement. Still doesn't have original knobs. Also has a worn "Lew's Music Center" sticker on the back of the headstock. Comes with a case, maybe the case is original? Reverb Link: https://reverb.com/item/33259555-mosrit ... k-burgundy Update, May 29 2020: Now owned by Forum member Steelaire17. viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7990
NO 071: Black. Pic and page saved.
Source: http://home.insightbb.com/~marksma/wsb/ ... ip-35.html
NO 077: Refinished in a Metallic Pink (Originally Black.) Does not have M Knobs, they may have been replaced. Pics and page saved. Has TV Jones Pickups on it. Knobs aren't original. Body has binding on both sides, which is unusual, to say the least. I'm uncertain if the binding is original or not. Sold by "RETROVERB MUSIC, INC." Listed in early April, 2020. https://reverb.com/item/33130313-mosrit ... 4Q3AJFzg1k --- Update, 26 November 2021: Guitar re-surfaced on eBay from seller "tuneyoursound" in Durham, North Carolina.
NO 081: Black. Owned by Jim Diamond.
NO 083: Red.
NO 087: Red (not sure if it was refinished or not.) Had a neck repair that wasn't touched up. Seen on eBay in October 2010. viewtopic.php?f=27&t=3663
NO 101: Brown. Owned by forum member chartbreaker who bought it (apparently) new in 75 - 76. Played hard, well enjoyed, and has a knife mark between pickups.
NO 107: Brown. Does not have M Knobs, though I'm not yet sure if they're original or not. Does not have its original bridge, it has Tune O Matic type bridge, and beneath that, the base for an acoustic. This guitar surfaced at the Facebook page "Mosrite Guitar Fans," posted by Rosey Storey; it was her Father's guitar. Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3294258 ... 996838729/
NO 110: Black. Pic saved. Number is according to Photobucket pictures, which I couldn't download. Has a pink-ish ring around the pickup selector, and is missing one original knob. Also has an odd looking logo on the headstock. Found on Facebook, posted by Rozhan Bin Asaad in Kota Kinabalu.
NO 113: Brown. The second owner, Cary Zaborowski (who owned it since 1972) has it. Found on Facebook under the "Mosrite Guitars" Group in December 2020. Pic saved.
NO 119: Brown. Pics and page saved. Seems to have been parted out on eBay. Sources:
https://reverb.com/item/2852359-brown-c ... del-guitar
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mosrite-1970-B ... SwuoxanXpS
NO 122: Stripped, and is Red in the control cavity with Black around the edges, so I'm not quite sure what to make of this one; was it Red or Black? Otherwise, this one's all original. Showed on 8 - October - 2021, on Facebook Marketplace. Pics saved. https://www.facebook.com/groups/3294258 ... 344197959/
NO 127: Brown. Pics and page saved. Showed up on Reverb on September 1st or 2nd 2019, from West Kentucky Music and Pawn (Location: Mayfield, KY.)
Source: https://reverb.com/item/26263169-mosrit ... 1970-brown
NO 133: Unknown Finish.
NO 135: Black. Pics saved. Seen for sale on eBay U.K. in May 2012. Once owned by Forum Member "ron," and I'm not sure if he still has it. viewtopic.php?p=54702#p54702
NO 140: White. Perhaps this was dorkrockrecords' guitar listed in the unknown exact numbers section?
NO 153 "Deluxe:" Black. Pic and page saved. Does not have M Knobs in the saved photo. "Made in 1969. It is black with a red tortoise shell pick guard. The scale is 1/8" shorter than the Gibson scale. After taking this picture, it has since been completely restored by my father, the master luthier Bill Gruggett, an original member of the Mosrite Guitars team. Original Mosrite parts were used from his personal stock, except for new high-quality PC-USA pickups, which I requested." Note: I think the "1/8 shorter than Gibson scale" note is wrong; it probably doesn't differ from the typical 1/4 shorter than Gibson scale.
Source: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html
NO 160: Unknown Finish.
NO 162: Black. Does not have M Knobs, it has Radio Shack-type Knobs. Pic saved from Ne.jp. Was owned by Sumlin, and is currently owned by Mark Burletson. Update, June 15 2020: Better photos found and downloaded from the Gretsch Talk Forum. 1st Link: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html 2nd Link: https://www.gretsch-talk.com/threads/ng ... dd.193415/ Update, February 14 2021: Showed up for sale in the United Kingdom in July 2020, from "Markeebee" at the "TheFretBoard.co.uk" Forum. https://thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/1 ... d-mosrites
NO 170: Owned by forum member "moaimen." viewtopic.php?p=71553#p71553
NO 172: Sunburst.
NO 177: Black. Pics and page saved. Number's according to the seller. Appears to be stock. Finish has much checking, and a spot of paint's missing by the output jack. Seller is "RETROVERB MUSIC, INC." https://reverb.com/item/312458-mosrite- ... t-bXLAho0k
NO 180: Translucent Brown, or perhaps a variant of Natural? Does not have M Knobs, but the Radio Shack-type knobs may be original. Pics and page saved.
Source: https://reverb.com/item/3369670-mosrite-bluesbender
NO 190: Cherry Burst. Pic Saved. Does not have M Knobs, but the Radio Shack-type knobs may be original. I can't tell if it has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back, or not. This instrument was on eBay in 2010. Pic found here: https://www.popscreen.com/prod/MTI5MTU3 ... N0190-eBay
NO 195: Unknown Finish. Has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back.
NO 196: Black. Pic and 2010 eBay description saved. Does not have M Knobs. Signed by Nokie Edwards. I don't know if it has a Black Widow-type Pad, or not; there was only 1 photo of it in the listing.
NO 202: Black. Pics saved. Does not have M Knobs. Has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back. Was for sale on eBay in April 2011.
NO 203: Unknown Finish.

This list is up to 61 individual guitars (or fewer, depending on ones in the unknown # section.)

40 with Numbers,
2 with partial numbers,
1 with a speculated number,
5 with no numbers,
13 unknown.

Original Finishes (and variants) Accounted For:

Cherry Burst. (Only a few are known.)
Red. (Only a few are known.)
Black ("Dark Burgundy".) Most common finish.
Black with Sunburst Headstock: NO 016. May be the only one.
Black with Black Neck and Headstock: Only 1 is known, and it's late in the production run (evidenced by the black widow type pad on the back,) but its number isn't known.
Brown. Second most commonly known finish.
Translucent Brown. Only 1 is on the list (N0 180.)
Sunburst. Only NO 172 is known, and I have no pics. It may or may not be original.)
White. NO 140. It may or may not be original.

- Austin
1966 Ventures II (German Carved, B670.)
1970s "Not a Blues Bender" Bodies: 2.
1976 Brass Rail Deluxe #10.
2013 Fender Pawn Shop Bass VI.

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101Volts
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Re: Bluesbender serial numbers

Postby 101Volts » Wed Dec 22, 2021 1:46 pm

Recent Updates:

22 December, 2021:

Added NO 20, and also an unknown one that Kevin Kinney of Drivin N Cryin owns.

Also made a minor update to when the original records were lost in the trivia section.

26 Nov, 2021:

Minor update; NO 077 (Refin, Pink Sparkle) re-surfaced for sale, still far above current market value.

Model Trivia:

The Mosrite Blues Bender 500 Model is a Mosrite take on a Gibson Les Paul, with typical 1970s Mosrite appointments, save for the Humbucker Pickups and a Stop Tailpiece instead of a Vibrato Tailpiece. These also have a wider neck than 1960s models, but that's typical of 1970s Mosrites.

It seems that about 205 - 225 were originally manufactured in a rough range of 1971 - 1974, with a few others up to 1978. Serial Number Lists were lost in a factory fire in November 1983, we don't know when the numbers started or stopped.

Model Specifications:

Basswood Body
Bolt-On Maple Neck, Rosewood Fretboard, Binding on Neck
24.50" Scale Length (Typical of Mosrite Guitars)
Mosrite Humbucker Pickups (Mostly a 1970s thing for Mosrite)
Grover Tuners (typically, at least)
Zero Fret
Phase Switch

Knobs are usually Mosrite "M" Knobs, but late models (roughly NO 180 and beyond) may have off-brand knobs. Late models after 190 also tend to have a big pad on the back, akin to the last of the "Acoustic" brand's Black Widow Models that Mosrite were assigned to manufacture.

If you'd like to contribute a Blues Bender to the list:

If anyone would like to contribute info of their guitar, please do. We will need to know these key points:

1: Body Finish.
2: Neck and Headstock Finish.
3: Serial Number (on the fretboard, between some of the highest frets, near the neck pickup.)
4: If you have the original pickups and are willing to remove them to check, then please check their bottoms for dates.
5: (Generally only applying to later ones, somewhere after B165: ) What kind of knobs does it have? Later models do not have the typical Mosrite "M" Knobs.
6: (Also only applying to later ones: ) Does it have a big pad on the back, akin to the Mosrite built Acoustic Black Widow models?

If you can share photos of the guitar, that would be well appreciated in these efforts to preserve Mosrite history; I'll save the photos.

Or, if you just found one online somewhere that I missed, just share the link.

==================
Serial Numbers List:
==================

No # Stamped (or Number Missing) Section - 5 Guitars:

Blank: Black. Pic saved. Found for sale on Facebook on July 1, 2021, in England. Has a White Pickguard and Knobs that are not "M" Knobs, but otherwise appears original. Has the name of the original owner (who was a Korean War Veteran from Bakersfield, Cailfornia) on the inside of the back plate.
Blank : Black. Owned by forum member TimR. Pic saved.
Blank: Burgundy. Pics and page saved. One pic of it was posted by "Mississippi Ave" on Facebook in 2017. Pic says "BlackBookGuitars" at the bottom, and I found a Sold page for it at that site. https://www.blackbookguitars.com/produc ... c143&_ss=r
Blank - Natural Mosrite / E. F. Elliott Partsrite. Pics and Mosrite Forum Page saved. Brass Rail Deluxe Body and Tailpiece, Mosrite Sooner Neck, Mosrite Humbuckers, Unusual Pickguard, Black "M" Pad on the back. Once owned by Adam (Dorkrockrecords, AKA Expat Guitars.) This is one of the last Blues Benders to ever be built, and it was finalized in 1978. (I can't say "Finished," can I?) Link: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1545&hilit=bluesbender&start=10
Blank : Red Burst, with Deluxe Electronics. Pics and page saved. Owned by Tim Brennan. Has a Bigsby, and 2 M knobs but not 4. This is either a rare Deluxe model, or it's modified, or it may even be the only one that was made with active electronics:
https://www.tymguitars.com.au/blogs/blo ... kpBMie_np0


Partial # Section - 2 Guitars:

NO 002, NO 002x, or NO 062: Black. Pics and pages saved. Found at HewittsGarageStudio, a small site. Photos were posted in 2009. Page is down. http://www.hewittsgaragestudio.com/gall ... ?g2_page=4 UPDATE: New page. A picture here makes it look like this one's NO 062. It also says the owner's name is Sean French. http://www.hewittsgaragestudio.com/Item ... nstruments
NO 03x/04x: White. Once owned by Adam (dorkrockrecords.)

Speculated # Section - 1 Guitar

Blank or NO x25: Red. Pics and page saved. Neck's stripped and neck pickup cavity routed so the bottom end could be closer to the bridge. The pics seem to show that there's no number, but I can vaguely make out a 25 in there, which may or may not be me imagining things. Available from Gonkulator on Reverb Late April 2018, sold later: https://reverb.com/item/11837350-mosrit ... er-project

Unknown # Section - 14 Guitars:
(One or more of these may or may not already be on the list, elsewhere, with a number.)

Moseley Instruments - 1 Guitar:

NO xxx: Has "Moseley by Semie Moseley" on Headstock, and is painted a bright Red. Has a Moseley Vibrato on it without the baseplate, and has a Black Widow type Pad on it, so it has to be a late model. It may be a partsrite, or maybe not. Pics and pages saved. Owned by, or formerly owned by Forum Member "stringbander." (that's "stringbander," not "stringbender.") Links: 1: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6002 2: viewtopic.php?p=61399#p61399

Mosrite - 13 Guitars:

NO xxx: Brown. Pic and page saved. Found at Black Book Guitars. https://www.blackbookguitars.com/collec ... esbender-1
NO xxx: Black. Is missing the truss rod cover in these pics, and has a chunk of finish missing from the lower rear edge, where it would sit on your leg: https://www.gbase.com/gear/mosrite-blue ... 1973-black
NO xxx: Black. Identifying mark: on the back of the neck, from frets 0 - 5, are some in-the-wood marks. This instrument was for sale by Southside Guitars in Brooklyn, New York. For a while, they also had No 016 (the only Sunburst Headstock one I saw.) https://reverb.com/item/351788-mosrite- ... 1976-black
NO xxx: Black. Belongs to Kevin Kinney, of Drivin N' Cryin. I'm not sure what its # is. Kinney also owns other Mosrite guitars.
NO xxx: Black. Mentioned at the Marshall Amp Forum in 2020. Owned by one Barry A., and he inherited it. He's had it since 1994, at least. https://www.marshallforum.com/threads/y ... st-2040766
NO xxx: Black. Played by John Reis in 2017. Pic and page saved. Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/BQwF5hQhgXj ... =otisserie
NO xxx: Black. Used in the band Hole in 1990. Youtube video of Hole playing it in 1990: https://youtu.be/vKJCQHxwcms?t=528
NO xxx: Red body and neck. Pics and page saved. Sold from Red Pyramid, in Seattle. https://reverb.com/nz/item/6282103-mosr ... ck-vintage
NO xxx: Red Burst. Seen "in the UK magazine The Guitar Magazine, in the collection of Ross Godfrey, who plays with the band Morcheeba." - Sumlin. The issue is from April 2015, and there are two photos of it there. The guitar's also mentioned in the September 2018 issue of "Computer Music." UPDATE, 10 Oct 2021: This guitar has M Knobs, and it's missing the Aluminum String Guide.
NO xxx, Unknown Finish. Owned (or previously owned by) TheGearPage Member "blesscurse."
NO xxx, Unknown Finish with a Vibrato Tailpiece (probably not stock) on it. There's a pic that I couldn't see or download. Owned or formerly owned by Forum Member "Gibby347." viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5839&p=60251#p60251
NO xxx: Black Body, Black neck, and Black Headstock; very unusual. Has a "Black Widow Pad" on the back, and it doesn't have any M Knobs, so it's a late one. Pics and page saved. Was sold by Austin Vintage Guitars in Austin, Texas. https://reverb.com/item/2842098-early-1 ... -rare#full
NO xxx: Black. This should be a later one, somewhere after NO 0180; it has a pad on the back, and it does not have M Knobs. The listing doesn't say the number. https://www.vintageandrare.com/product/ ... lack-65471

Known # Section: 41 Guitars

NO 001: Unknown Finish. Mentioned at Let's Talk Guild (Forum,) in July 2019: https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php ... st-1848337
NO 003: Unknown Finish.
NO 015: Black, appears to be unmodified. Pics and page saved. Showed up for sale from Guitar Wishes in 2019, and they made a video about it. https://guitarwishes.com/product/mosrite-blues-bender/ and the YT video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf88_jsz33k Later, showed up on Reverb on February 21, 2020 from "Weird/Unique Guitars." Reverb Ad: https://reverb.com/item/32577326-mosrit ... 1970-black UPDATE for May 16, 2021: Owned by Ryan Tucker, who's on the Mosrite Fan Page on Facebook.
NO 016: Black with Sunburst Headstock. Pics and page saved. Showed up on Reverb in November 2019 in a case and in very good if not excellent condition. This is the only model currently listed with a Sunburst Headstock, and it may be the only one. 1st Reverb Ad from Reverend Guitar Man in Marysville, WA: https://reverb.com/item/29460726-1971-m ... -500-black YT Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iO_qqE77jA | 2nd Sales Ad from Southside Guitars in Brooklyn, NY on February 2, 2021: https://reverb.com/item/38647011-mosrit ... 70-s-black
NO 020: Unknown. Mentioned in a sales ad from a newspaper classified, if I recall correctly. No photos, this is all I know about it.
NO 028: Black. Pic saved. Described as "Dark Burgundy," but it just appears to be the standard Black for these models.
Source: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html
NO 031: Black. Pics saved. Owned by Tim Brennan (of Tym Guitars in Australia.) https://tymguitars.com.au/blogs/blog/14 ... O-ptJ6SsAo
NO 032: Black. Refretted and modified. Type of knobs unknown. Seen on eBay in October 2010. viewtopic.php?f=27&t=3676 | Update, 21 July 2021: More pics of what's probably this guitar were sent to me the previous month, and saved. It has Gibson type Humbuckers on it, without the covers.
NO 039: Unknown Finish.
NO 040: Refinished in some sort of Pink / Yellow. Pic saved. Belongs to Michael Flores.
NO 041: Unknown Finish.
NO 045: Formerly owned by forum member "moaimen." viewtopic.php?p=71553#p71553
NO 049: Black. Has heavy weather checking.
NO 068: Black. Missing original pups & knobs. Seller said it's a 1972 model. Update, April 14 2020: For sale from "Britt's Gear Depot" in Texas. The pickups have been replaced with Hallmark Humbuckers, a good replacement. Still doesn't have original knobs. Also has a worn "Lew's Music Center" sticker on the back of the headstock. Comes with a case, maybe the case is original? Reverb Link: https://reverb.com/item/33259555-mosrit ... k-burgundy Update, May 29 2020: Now owned by Forum member Steelaire17. viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7990
NO 071: Black. Pic and page saved.
Source: http://home.insightbb.com/~marksma/wsb/ ... ip-35.html
NO 077: Refinished in a Metallic Pink (Originally Black.) Does not have M Knobs, they may have been replaced. Pics and page saved. Has TV Jones Pickups on it. Knobs aren't original. Body has binding on both sides, which is unusual, to say the least. I'm uncertain if the binding is original or not. Sold by "RETROVERB MUSIC, INC." Listed in early April, 2020. https://reverb.com/item/33130313-mosrit ... 4Q3AJFzg1k --- Update, 26 November 2021: Guitar re-surfaced on eBay from seller "tuneyoursound" in Durham, North Carolina.
NO 081: Black. Owned by Jim Diamond.
NO 083: Red.
NO 087: Red (not sure if it was refinished or not.) Had a neck repair that wasn't touched up. Seen on eBay in October 2010. viewtopic.php?f=27&t=3663
NO 101: Brown. Owned by forum member chartbreaker who bought it (apparently) new in 75 - 76. Played hard, well enjoyed, and has a knife mark between pickups.
NO 107: Brown. Does not have M Knobs, though I'm not yet sure if they're original or not. Does not have its original bridge, it has Tune O Matic type bridge, and beneath that, the base for an acoustic. This guitar surfaced at the Facebook page "Mosrite Guitar Fans," posted by Rosey Storey; it was her Father's guitar. Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3294258 ... 996838729/
NO 110: Black. Pic saved. Number is according to Photobucket pictures, which I couldn't download. Has a pink-ish ring around the pickup selector, and is missing one original knob. Also has an odd looking logo on the headstock. Found on Facebook, posted by Rozhan Bin Asaad in Kota Kinabalu.
NO 113: Brown. The second owner, Cary Zaborowski (who owned it since 1972) has it. Found on Facebook under the "Mosrite Guitars" Group in December 2020. Pic saved.
NO 119: Brown. Pics and page saved. Seems to have been parted out on eBay. Sources:
https://reverb.com/item/2852359-brown-c ... del-guitar
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mosrite-1970-B ... SwuoxanXpS
NO 122: Stripped, and is Red in the control cavity with Black around the edges, so I'm not quite sure what to make of this one; was it Red or Black? Otherwise, this one's all original. Showed on 8 - October - 2021, on Facebook Marketplace. Pics saved. https://www.facebook.com/groups/3294258 ... 344197959/
NO 127: Brown. Pics and page saved. Showed up on Reverb on September 1st or 2nd 2019, from West Kentucky Music and Pawn (Location: Mayfield, KY.)
Source: https://reverb.com/item/26263169-mosrit ... 1970-brown
NO 133: Unknown Finish.
NO 135: Black. Pics saved. Seen for sale on eBay U.K. in May 2012. Once owned by Forum Member "ron," and I'm not sure if he still has it. viewtopic.php?p=54702#p54702
NO 140: White. Perhaps this was dorkrockrecords' guitar listed in the unknown exact numbers section?
NO 153 "Deluxe:" Black. Pic and page saved. Does not have M Knobs in the saved photo. "Made in 1969. It is black with a red tortoise shell pick guard. The scale is 1/8" shorter than the Gibson scale. After taking this picture, it has since been completely restored by my father, the master luthier Bill Gruggett, an original member of the Mosrite Guitars team. Original Mosrite parts were used from his personal stock, except for new high-quality PC-USA pickups, which I requested." Note: I think the "1/8 shorter than Gibson scale" note is wrong; it probably doesn't differ from the typical 1/4 shorter than Gibson scale.
Source: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html
NO 160: Unknown Finish.
NO 162: Black. Does not have M Knobs, it has Radio Shack-type Knobs. Pic saved from Ne.jp. Was owned by Sumlin, and is currently owned by Mark Burletson. Update, June 15 2020: Better photos found and downloaded from the Gretsch Talk Forum. 1st Link: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html 2nd Link: https://www.gretsch-talk.com/threads/ng ... dd.193415/ Update, February 14 2021: Showed up for sale in the United Kingdom in July 2020, from "Markeebee" at the "TheFretBoard.co.uk" Forum. https://thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/1 ... d-mosrites
NO 170: Owned by forum member "moaimen." viewtopic.php?p=71553#p71553
NO 172: Sunburst.
NO 177: Black. Pics and page saved. Number's according to the seller. Appears to be stock. Finish has much checking, and a spot of paint's missing by the output jack. Seller is "RETROVERB MUSIC, INC." https://reverb.com/item/312458-mosrite- ... t-bXLAho0k
NO 180: Translucent Brown, or perhaps a variant of Natural? Does not have M Knobs, but the Radio Shack-type knobs may be original. Pics and page saved.
Source: https://reverb.com/item/3369670-mosrite-bluesbender
NO 190: Cherry Burst. Pic Saved. Does not have M Knobs, but the Radio Shack-type knobs may be original. I can't tell if it has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back, or not. This instrument was on eBay in 2010. Pic found here: https://www.popscreen.com/prod/MTI5MTU3 ... N0190-eBay
NO 195: Unknown Finish. Has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back.
NO 196: Black. Pic and 2010 eBay description saved. Does not have M Knobs. Signed by Nokie Edwards. I don't know if it has a Black Widow-type Pad, or not; there was only 1 photo of it in the listing.
NO 202: Black. Pics saved. Does not have M Knobs. Has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back. Was for sale on eBay in April 2011.
NO 203: Unknown Finish.

This list is up to 63 individual guitars (or fewer, depending on ones in the unknown # section.)

41 with Numbers,
2 with partial numbers,
1 with a speculated number,
5 with no numbers,
14 unknown.

Original Finishes (and variants) Accounted For:

Cherry Burst. (Only a few are known.)
Red. (Only a few are known.)
Black ("Dark Burgundy".) Most common finish.
Black with Sunburst Headstock: NO 016. May be the only one.
Black with Black Neck and Headstock: Only 1 is known, and it's late in the production run (evidenced by the black widow type pad on the back,) but its number isn't known.
Brown. Second most commonly known finish.
Translucent Brown. Only 1 is on the list (N0 180.)
Sunburst. Only NO 172 is known, and I have no pics. It may or may not be original.)
White. NO 140. It may or may not be original.

- Austin
1966 Ventures II (German Carved, B670.)
1970s "Not a Blues Bender" Bodies: 2.
1976 Brass Rail Deluxe #10.
2013 Fender Pawn Shop Bass VI.

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Re: Bluesbender serial numbers

Postby 101Volts » Sat Jan 01, 2022 9:29 pm

===============
Recent Updates:
===============

===========
2 Jan, 2022:
===========

Update of equal signs to the list, to separate sections of the list more visibly.

=================
22 December, 2021:
=================

Added NO 20, and also an unknown one that Kevin Kinney of Drivin N Cryin owns.

Also made a minor update to when the original records were lost in the trivia section.

============
Model Trivia:
============

The Mosrite Blues Bender 500 Model is a Mosrite take on a Gibson Les Paul, with typical 1970s Mosrite appointments, save for the Humbucker Pickups and a Stop Tailpiece instead of a Vibrato Tailpiece. These also have a wider neck than 1960s models, but that's typical of 1970s Mosrites.

It seems that about 205 - 225 were originally manufactured in a rough range of 1971 - 1974, with a few others up to 1978. Serial Number Lists were lost in a factory fire in November 1983, we don't know when the numbers started or stopped.

===================
Model Specifications:
===================

Basswood Body
Bolt-On Maple Neck, Rosewood Fretboard, Binding on Neck
24.50" Scale Length (Typical of Mosrite Guitars)
Mosrite Humbucker Pickups (Mostly a 1970s thing for Mosrite)
Grover Tuners (typically, at least)
Zero Fret
Phase Switch

Knobs are usually Mosrite "M" Knobs, but late models (roughly NO 180 and beyond) may have off-brand knobs. Late models after 190 also tend to have a big pad on the back, akin to the last of the "Acoustic" brand's Black Widow Models that Mosrite were assigned to manufacture.

If you'd like to contribute a Blues Bender to the list:

If anyone would like to contribute info of their guitar, please do. We will need to know these key points:

1: Body Finish.
2: Neck and Headstock Finish.
3: Serial Number (on the fretboard, between some of the highest frets, near the neck pickup.)
4: If you have the original pickups and are willing to remove them to check, then please check their bottoms for dates.
5: (Generally only applying to later ones, somewhere after B165: ) What kind of knobs does it have? Later models do not have the typical Mosrite "M" Knobs.
6: (Also only applying to later ones: ) Does it have a big pad on the back, akin to the Mosrite built Acoustic Black Widow models?

If you can share photos of the guitar, that would be well appreciated in these efforts to preserve Mosrite history; I'll save the photos.

Or, if you just found one online somewhere that I missed, just share the link.

==================
Serial Numbers List:
==================

No # Stamped (or Number Missing) Section - 5 Guitars:

Blank: Black. Pic saved. Found for sale on Facebook on July 1, 2021, in England. Has a White Pickguard and Knobs that are not "M" Knobs, but otherwise appears original. Has the name of the original owner (who was a Korean War Veteran from Bakersfield, Cailfornia) on the inside of the back plate.
Blank : Black. Owned by forum member TimR. Pic saved.
Blank: Burgundy. Pics and page saved. One pic of it was posted by "Mississippi Ave" on Facebook in 2017. Pic says "BlackBookGuitars" at the bottom, and I found a Sold page for it at that site. https://www.blackbookguitars.com/produc ... c143&_ss=r
Blank - Natural Mosrite / E. F. Elliott Partsrite. Pics and Mosrite Forum Page saved. Brass Rail Deluxe Body and Tailpiece, Mosrite Sooner Neck, Mosrite Humbuckers, Unusual Pickguard, Black "M" Pad on the back. Once owned by Adam (Dorkrockrecords, AKA Expat Guitars.) This is one of the last Blues Benders to ever be built, and it was finalized in 1978. (I can't say "Finished," can I?) Link: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1545&hilit=bluesbender&start=10
Blank : Red Burst, with Deluxe Electronics. Pics and page saved. Owned by Tim Brennan. Has a Bigsby, and 2 M knobs but not 4. This is either a rare Deluxe model, or it's modified, or it may even be the only one that was made with active electronics:
https://www.tymguitars.com.au/blogs/blo ... kpBMie_np0

=========================
Partial # Section - 2 Guitars:
=========================

NO 002, NO 002x, or NO 062: Black. Pics and pages saved. Found at HewittsGarageStudio, a small site. Photos were posted in 2009. Page is down. http://www.hewittsgaragestudio.com/gall ... ?g2_page=4 UPDATE: New page. A picture here makes it look like this one's NO 062. It also says the owner's name is Sean French. http://www.hewittsgaragestudio.com/Item ... nstruments
NO 03x/04x: White. Once owned by Adam (dorkrockrecords.)

============================
Speculated # Section - 1 Guitar
============================

Blank or NO x25: Red. Pics and page saved. Neck's stripped and neck pickup cavity routed so the bottom end could be closer to the bridge. The pics seem to show that there's no number, but I can vaguely make out a 25 in there, which may or may not be me imagining things. Available from Gonkulator on Reverb Late April 2018, sold later: https://reverb.com/item/11837350-mosrit ... er-project

=============================
Unknown # Section - 14 Guitars:
=============================

(One or more of these may or may not already be on the list, elsewhere, with a number.)

Moseley Instruments - 1 Guitar:

NO xxx: Has "Moseley by Semie Moseley" on Headstock, and is painted a bright Red. Has a Moseley Vibrato on it without the baseplate, and has a Black Widow type Pad on it, so it has to be a late model. It may be a partsrite, or maybe not. Pics and pages saved. Owned by, or formerly owned by Forum Member "stringbander." (that's "stringbander," not "stringbender.") Links: 1: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6002 2: viewtopic.php?p=61399#p61399

Mosrite - 13 Guitars:

NO xxx: Brown. Pic and page saved. Found at Black Book Guitars. https://www.blackbookguitars.com/collec ... esbender-1
NO xxx: Black. Is missing the truss rod cover in these pics, and has a chunk of finish missing from the lower rear edge, where it would sit on your leg: https://www.gbase.com/gear/mosrite-blue ... 1973-black
NO xxx: Black. Identifying mark: on the back of the neck, from frets 0 - 5, are some in-the-wood marks. This instrument was for sale by Southside Guitars in Brooklyn, New York. For a while, they also had No 016 (the only Sunburst Headstock one I saw.) https://reverb.com/item/351788-mosrite- ... 1976-black
NO xxx: Black. Belongs to Kevin Kinney, of Drivin N' Cryin. I'm not sure what its # is. Kinney also owns other Mosrite guitars.
NO xxx: Black. Mentioned at the Marshall Amp Forum in 2020. Owned by one Barry A., and he inherited it. He's had it since 1994, at least. https://www.marshallforum.com/threads/y ... st-2040766
NO xxx: Black. Played by John Reis in 2017. Pic and page saved. Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/BQwF5hQhgXj ... =otisserie
NO xxx: Black. Used in the band Hole in 1990. Youtube video of Hole playing it in 1990: https://youtu.be/vKJCQHxwcms?t=528
NO xxx: Red body and neck. Pics and page saved. Sold from Red Pyramid, in Seattle. https://reverb.com/nz/item/6282103-mosr ... ck-vintage
NO xxx: Red Burst. Seen "in the UK magazine The Guitar Magazine, in the collection of Ross Godfrey, who plays with the band Morcheeba." - Sumlin. The issue is from April 2015, and there are two photos of it there. The guitar's also mentioned in the September 2018 issue of "Computer Music." UPDATE, 10 Oct 2021: This guitar has M Knobs, and it's missing the Aluminum String Guide.
NO xxx, Unknown Finish. Owned (or previously owned by) TheGearPage Member "blesscurse."
NO xxx, Unknown Finish with a Vibrato Tailpiece (probably not stock) on it. There's a pic that I couldn't see or download. Owned or formerly owned by Forum Member "Gibby347." viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5839&p=60251#p60251
NO xxx: Black Body, Black neck, and Black Headstock; very unusual. Has a "Black Widow Pad" on the back, and it doesn't have any M Knobs, so it's a late one. Pics and page saved. Was sold by Austin Vintage Guitars in Austin, Texas. https://reverb.com/item/2842098-early-1 ... -rare#full
NO xxx: Black. This should be a later one, somewhere after NO 0180; it has a pad on the back, and it does not have M Knobs. The listing doesn't say the number. https://www.vintageandrare.com/product/ ... lack-65471

=========================
Known # Section: 41 Guitars
=========================

NO 001: Unknown Finish. Mentioned at Let's Talk Guild (Forum,) in July 2019: https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php ... st-1848337
NO 003: Unknown Finish.
NO 015: Black, appears to be unmodified. Pics and page saved. Showed up for sale from Guitar Wishes in 2019, and they made a video about it. https://guitarwishes.com/product/mosrite-blues-bender/ and the YT video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf88_jsz33k Later, showed up on Reverb on February 21, 2020 from "Weird/Unique Guitars." Reverb Ad: https://reverb.com/item/32577326-mosrit ... 1970-black UPDATE for May 16, 2021: Owned by Ryan Tucker, who's on the Mosrite Fan Page on Facebook.
NO 016: Black with Sunburst Headstock. Pics and page saved. Showed up on Reverb in November 2019 in a case and in very good if not excellent condition. This is the only model currently listed with a Sunburst Headstock, and it may be the only one. 1st Reverb Ad from Reverend Guitar Man in Marysville, WA: https://reverb.com/item/29460726-1971-m ... -500-black YT Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iO_qqE77jA | 2nd Sales Ad from Southside Guitars in Brooklyn, NY on February 2, 2021: https://reverb.com/item/38647011-mosrit ... 70-s-black
NO 020: Unknown. Mentioned in a sales ad from a newspaper classified, if I recall correctly. No photos, this is all I know about it.
NO 028: Black. Pic saved. Described as "Dark Burgundy," but it just appears to be the standard Black for these models.
Source: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html
NO 031: Black. Pics saved. Owned by Tim Brennan (of Tym Guitars in Australia.) https://tymguitars.com.au/blogs/blog/14 ... O-ptJ6SsAo
NO 032: Black. Refretted and modified. Type of knobs unknown. Seen on eBay in October 2010. viewtopic.php?f=27&t=3676 | Update, 21 July 2021: More pics of what's probably this guitar were sent to me the previous month, and saved. It has Gibson type Humbuckers on it, without the covers.
NO 039: Unknown Finish.
NO 040: Refinished in some sort of Pink / Yellow. Pic saved. Belongs to Michael Flores.
NO 041: Unknown Finish.
NO 045: Formerly owned by forum member "moaimen." viewtopic.php?p=71553#p71553
NO 049: Black. Has heavy weather checking.
NO 068: Black. Missing original pups & knobs. Seller said it's a 1972 model. Update, April 14 2020: For sale from "Britt's Gear Depot" in Texas. The pickups have been replaced with Hallmark Humbuckers, a good replacement. Still doesn't have original knobs. Also has a worn "Lew's Music Center" sticker on the back of the headstock. Comes with a case, maybe the case is original? Reverb Link: https://reverb.com/item/33259555-mosrit ... k-burgundy Update, May 29 2020: Now owned by Forum member Steelaire17. viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7990
NO 071: Black. Pic and page saved.
Source: http://home.insightbb.com/~marksma/wsb/ ... ip-35.html
NO 077: Refinished in a Metallic Pink (Originally Black.) Does not have M Knobs, they may have been replaced. Pics and page saved. Has TV Jones Pickups on it. Knobs aren't original. Body has binding on both sides, which is unusual, to say the least. I'm uncertain if the binding is original or not. Sold by "RETROVERB MUSIC, INC." Listed in early April, 2020. https://reverb.com/item/33130313-mosrit ... 4Q3AJFzg1k --- Update, 26 November 2021: Guitar re-surfaced on eBay from seller "tuneyoursound" in Durham, North Carolina.
NO 081: Black. Owned by Jim Diamond.
NO 083: Red.
NO 087: Red (not sure if it was refinished or not.) Had a neck repair that wasn't touched up. Seen on eBay in October 2010. viewtopic.php?f=27&t=3663
NO 101: Brown. Owned by forum member chartbreaker who bought it (apparently) new in 75 - 76. Played hard, well enjoyed, and has a knife mark between pickups.
NO 107: Brown. Does not have M Knobs, though I'm not yet sure if they're original or not. Does not have its original bridge, it has Tune O Matic type bridge, and beneath that, the base for an acoustic. This guitar surfaced at the Facebook page "Mosrite Guitar Fans," posted by Rosey Storey; it was her Father's guitar. Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3294258 ... 996838729/
NO 110: Black. Pic saved. Number is according to Photobucket pictures, which I couldn't download. Has a pink-ish ring around the pickup selector, and is missing one original knob. Also has an odd looking logo on the headstock. Found on Facebook, posted by Rozhan Bin Asaad in Kota Kinabalu.
NO 113: Brown. The second owner, Cary Zaborowski (who owned it since 1972) has it. Found on Facebook under the "Mosrite Guitars" Group in December 2020. Pic saved.
NO 119: Brown. Pics and page saved. Seems to have been parted out on eBay. Sources:
https://reverb.com/item/2852359-brown-c ... del-guitar
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mosrite-1970-B ... SwuoxanXpS
NO 122: Stripped, and is Red in the control cavity with Black around the edges, so I'm not quite sure what to make of this one; was it Red or Black? Otherwise, this one's all original. Showed on 8 - October - 2021, on Facebook Marketplace. Pics saved. https://www.facebook.com/groups/3294258 ... 344197959/
NO 127: Brown. Pics and page saved. Showed up on Reverb on September 1st or 2nd 2019, from West Kentucky Music and Pawn (Location: Mayfield, KY.)
Source: https://reverb.com/item/26263169-mosrit ... 1970-brown
NO 133: Unknown Finish.
NO 135: Black. Pics saved. Seen for sale on eBay U.K. in May 2012. Once owned by Forum Member "ron," and I'm not sure if he still has it. viewtopic.php?p=54702#p54702
NO 140: White. Perhaps this was dorkrockrecords' guitar listed in the unknown exact numbers section?
NO 153 "Deluxe:" Black. Pic and page saved. Does not have M Knobs in the saved photo. "Made in 1969. It is black with a red tortoise shell pick guard. The scale is 1/8" shorter than the Gibson scale. After taking this picture, it has since been completely restored by my father, the master luthier Bill Gruggett, an original member of the Mosrite Guitars team. Original Mosrite parts were used from his personal stock, except for new high-quality PC-USA pickups, which I requested." Note: I think the "1/8 shorter than Gibson scale" note is wrong; it probably doesn't differ from the typical 1/4 shorter than Gibson scale.
Source: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html
NO 160: Unknown Finish.
NO 162: Black. Does not have M Knobs, it has Radio Shack-type Knobs. Pic saved from Ne.jp. Was owned by Sumlin, and is currently owned by Mark Burletson. Update, June 15 2020: Better photos found and downloaded from the Gretsch Talk Forum. 1st Link: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html 2nd Link: https://www.gretsch-talk.com/threads/ng ... dd.193415/ Update, February 14 2021: Showed up for sale in the United Kingdom in July 2020, from "Markeebee" at the "TheFretBoard.co.uk" Forum. https://thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/1 ... d-mosrites
NO 170: Owned by forum member "moaimen." viewtopic.php?p=71553#p71553
NO 172: Sunburst.
NO 177: Black. Pics and page saved. Number's according to the seller. Appears to be stock. Finish has much checking, and a spot of paint's missing by the output jack. Seller is "RETROVERB MUSIC, INC." https://reverb.com/item/312458-mosrite- ... t-bXLAho0k
NO 180: Translucent Brown, or perhaps a variant of Natural? Does not have M Knobs, but the Radio Shack-type knobs may be original. Pics and page saved.
Source: https://reverb.com/item/3369670-mosrite-bluesbender
NO 190: Cherry Burst. Pic Saved. Does not have M Knobs, but the Radio Shack-type knobs may be original. I can't tell if it has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back, or not. This instrument was on eBay in 2010. Pic found here: https://www.popscreen.com/prod/MTI5MTU3 ... N0190-eBay
NO 195: Unknown Finish. Has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back.
NO 196: Black. Pic and 2010 eBay description saved. Does not have M Knobs. Signed by Nokie Edwards. I don't know if it has a Black Widow-type Pad, or not; there was only 1 photo of it in the listing.
NO 202: Black. Pics saved. Does not have M Knobs. Has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back. Was for sale on eBay in April 2011.
NO 203: Unknown Finish.

======================

This list is up to 63 individual guitars (or fewer, depending on ones in the unknown # section.)

41 with Numbers,
2 with partial numbers,
1 with a speculated number,
5 with no numbers,
14 unknown.

==========================================
Original Finishes (and variants) Accounted For:
==========================================

Cherry Burst. (Only a few are known.)
Red. (Only a few are known.)
Black ("Dark Burgundy".) Most common finish.
Black with Sunburst Headstock: NO 016. May be the only one.
Black with Black Neck and Headstock: Only 1 is known, and it's late in the production run (evidenced by the black widow type pad on the back,) but its number isn't known.
Brown. Second most commonly known finish.
Translucent Brown. Only 1 is on the list (N0 180.)
Sunburst. Only NO 172 is known, and I have no pics. It may or may not be original.)
White. NO 140. It may or may not be original.

- Austin
1966 Ventures II (German Carved, B670.)
1970s "Not a Blues Bender" Bodies: 2.
1976 Brass Rail Deluxe #10.
2013 Fender Pawn Shop Bass VI.

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101Volts
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Posts: 2486
Joined: Sun Mar 01, 2009 10:33 pm
Location: Pennsylvania, USA
Contact:

Re: Bluesbender serial numbers

Postby 101Volts » Sun Jan 02, 2022 10:48 pm

===============
Recent Updates:
===============

===========
3 Jan, 2022:
===========

Another guitar added: a Cherry Burst one. I'm not quite sure what its # is, but it looks like NO 117. I have a good photo of it, and inverting the color worked well to see the #, but I might be too tired to think straight here. I put it in the Speculated # section, because of that. Besides, NO 122 (stripped) was red, so it looks like the red ones did show up this early.

===========
2 Jan, 2022:
===========

Update of equal signs to the list, to separate sections of the list more visibly.

=================
22 December, 2021:
=================

Added NO 20, and also an unknown one that Kevin Kinney of Drivin N Cryin owns.

Also made a minor update to when the original records were lost in the trivia section.

============
Model Trivia:
============

The Mosrite Blues Bender 500 Model is a Mosrite take on a Gibson Les Paul, with typical 1970s Mosrite appointments, save for the Humbucker Pickups and a Stop Tailpiece instead of a Vibrato Tailpiece. These also have a wider neck than 1960s models, but that's typical of 1970s Mosrites.

It seems that about 205 - 225 were originally manufactured in a rough range of 1971 - 1974, with a few others up to 1978. Serial Number Lists were lost in a factory fire in November 1983, we don't know when the numbers started or stopped.

===================
Model Specifications:
===================

Basswood Body
Bolt-On Maple Neck, Rosewood Fretboard, Binding on Neck
24.50" Scale Length (Typical of Mosrite Guitars)
Mosrite Humbucker Pickups (Mostly a 1970s thing for Mosrite)
Grover Tuners (typically, at least)
Zero Fret
Phase Switch

Knobs are usually Mosrite "M" Knobs, but late models (roughly NO 180 and beyond) may have off-brand knobs. Late models after 190 also tend to have a big pad on the back, akin to the last of the "Acoustic" brand's Black Widow Models that Mosrite were assigned to manufacture.

If you'd like to contribute a Blues Bender to the list:

If anyone would like to contribute info of their guitar, please do. We will need to know these key points:

1: Body Finish.
2: Neck and Headstock Finish.
3: Serial Number (on the fretboard, between some of the highest frets, near the neck pickup.)
4: If you have the original pickups and are willing to remove them to check, then please check their bottoms for dates.
5: (Generally only applying to later ones, somewhere after B165: ) What kind of knobs does it have? Later models do not have the typical Mosrite "M" Knobs.
6: (Also only applying to later ones: ) Does it have a big pad on the back, akin to the Mosrite built Acoustic Black Widow models?

If you can share photos of the guitar, that would be well appreciated in these efforts to preserve Mosrite history; I'll save the photos.

Or, if you just found one online somewhere that I missed, just share the link.

==================
Serial Numbers List:
==================

No # Stamped (or Number Missing) Section - 5 Guitars:

Blank: Black. Pic saved. Found for sale on Facebook on July 1, 2021, in England. Has a White Pickguard and Knobs that are not "M" Knobs, but otherwise appears original. Has the name of the original owner (who was a Korean War Veteran from Bakersfield, Cailfornia) on the inside of the back plate.
Blank : Black. Owned by forum member TimR. Pic saved.
Blank: Burgundy. Pics and page saved. One pic of it was posted by "Mississippi Ave" on Facebook in 2017. Pic says "BlackBookGuitars" at the bottom, and I found a Sold page for it at that site. https://www.blackbookguitars.com/produc ... c143&_ss=r
Blank - Natural Mosrite / E. F. Elliott Partsrite. Pics and Mosrite Forum Page saved. Brass Rail Deluxe Body and Tailpiece, Mosrite Sooner Neck, Mosrite Humbuckers, Unusual Pickguard, Black "M" Pad on the back. Once owned by Adam (Dorkrockrecords, AKA Expat Guitars.) This is one of the last Blues Benders to ever be built, and it was finalized in 1978. (I can't say "Finished," can I?) Link: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1545&hilit=bluesbender&start=10
Blank : Red Burst, with Deluxe Electronics. Pics and page saved. Owned by Tim Brennan. Has a Bigsby, and 2 M knobs but not 4. This is either a rare Deluxe model, or it's modified, or it may even be the only one that was made with active electronics:
https://www.tymguitars.com.au/blogs/blo ... kpBMie_np0

=========================
Partial # Section - 2 Guitars:
=========================

NO 002, NO 002x, or NO 062: Black. Pics and pages saved. Found at HewittsGarageStudio, a small site. Photos were posted in 2009. Page is down. http://www.hewittsgaragestudio.com/gall ... ?g2_page=4 UPDATE: New page. A picture here makes it look like this one's NO 062. It also says the owner's name is Sean French. http://www.hewittsgaragestudio.com/Item ... nstruments
NO 03x/04x: White. Once owned by Adam (dorkrockrecords.)

==============================
Speculated # Section - 2 Guitars:
==============================

NO 117 - Cherry Burst. Showed on eBay on 2 or 3 Jan 2022, from seller "westcoastsalez." Pics and page saved. I'm not sure I got this one's # right, it could be 132 or 137.
Blank or NO x25: Red. Pics and page saved. Neck's stripped and neck pickup cavity routed so the bottom end could be closer to the bridge. The pics seem to show that there's no number, but I can vaguely make out a 25 in there, which may or may not be me imagining things. Available from Gonkulator on Reverb Late April 2018, sold later: https://reverb.com/item/11837350-mosrit ... er-project

=============================
Unknown # Section - 14 Guitars:
=============================

(One or more of these may or may not already be on the list, elsewhere, with a number.)

Moseley Instruments - 1 Guitar:

NO xxx: Has "Moseley by Semie Moseley" on Headstock, and is painted a bright Red. Has a Moseley Vibrato on it without the baseplate, and has a Black Widow type Pad on it, so it has to be a late model. It may be a partsrite, or maybe not. Pics and pages saved. Owned by, or formerly owned by Forum Member "stringbander." (that's "stringbander," not "stringbender.") Links: 1: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6002 2: viewtopic.php?p=61399#p61399

Mosrite - 13 Guitars:

NO xxx: Brown. Pic and page saved. Found at Black Book Guitars. https://www.blackbookguitars.com/collec ... esbender-1
NO xxx: Black. Is missing the truss rod cover in these pics, and has a chunk of finish missing from the lower rear edge, where it would sit on your leg: https://www.gbase.com/gear/mosrite-blue ... 1973-black
NO xxx: Black. Identifying mark: on the back of the neck, from frets 0 - 5, are some in-the-wood marks. This instrument was for sale by Southside Guitars in Brooklyn, New York. For a while, they also had No 016 (the only Sunburst Headstock one I saw.) https://reverb.com/item/351788-mosrite- ... 1976-black
NO xxx: Black. Belongs to Kevin Kinney, of Drivin N' Cryin. I'm not sure what its # is. Kinney also owns other Mosrite guitars.
NO xxx: Black. Mentioned at the Marshall Amp Forum in 2020. Owned by one Barry A., and he inherited it. He's had it since 1994, at least. https://www.marshallforum.com/threads/y ... st-2040766
NO xxx: Black. Played by John Reis in 2017. Pic and page saved. Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/BQwF5hQhgXj ... =otisserie
NO xxx: Black. Used in the band Hole in 1990. Youtube video of Hole playing it in 1990: https://youtu.be/vKJCQHxwcms?t=528
NO xxx: Red body and neck. Pics and page saved. Sold from Red Pyramid, in Seattle. https://reverb.com/nz/item/6282103-mosr ... ck-vintage
NO xxx: Red Burst. Seen "in the UK magazine The Guitar Magazine, in the collection of Ross Godfrey, who plays with the band Morcheeba." - Sumlin. The issue is from April 2015, and there are two photos of it there. The guitar's also mentioned in the September 2018 issue of "Computer Music." UPDATE, 10 Oct 2021: This guitar has M Knobs, and it's missing the Aluminum String Guide.
NO xxx, Unknown Finish. Owned (or previously owned by) TheGearPage Member "blesscurse."
NO xxx, Unknown Finish with a Vibrato Tailpiece (probably not stock) on it. There's a pic that I couldn't see or download. Owned or formerly owned by Forum Member "Gibby347." viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5839&p=60251#p60251
NO xxx: Black Body, Black neck, and Black Headstock; very unusual. Has a "Black Widow Pad" on the back, and it doesn't have any M Knobs, so it's a late one. Pics and page saved. Was sold by Austin Vintage Guitars in Austin, Texas. https://reverb.com/item/2842098-early-1 ... -rare#full
NO xxx: Black. This should be a later one, somewhere after NO 0180; it has a pad on the back, and it does not have M Knobs. The listing doesn't say the number. https://www.vintageandrare.com/product/ ... lack-65471

=========================
Known # Section: 41 Guitars
=========================

NO 001: Unknown Finish. Mentioned at Let's Talk Guild (Forum,) in July 2019: https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php ... st-1848337
NO 003: Unknown Finish.
NO 015: Black, appears to be unmodified. Pics and page saved. Showed up for sale from Guitar Wishes in 2019, and they made a video about it. https://guitarwishes.com/product/mosrite-blues-bender/ and the YT video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf88_jsz33k Later, showed up on Reverb on February 21, 2020 from "Weird/Unique Guitars." Reverb Ad: https://reverb.com/item/32577326-mosrit ... 1970-black UPDATE for May 16, 2021: Owned by Ryan Tucker, who's on the Mosrite Fan Page on Facebook.
NO 016: Black with Sunburst Headstock. Pics and page saved. Showed up on Reverb in November 2019 in a case and in very good if not excellent condition. This is the only model currently listed with a Sunburst Headstock, and it may be the only one. 1st Reverb Ad from Reverend Guitar Man in Marysville, WA: https://reverb.com/item/29460726-1971-m ... -500-black YT Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iO_qqE77jA | 2nd Sales Ad from Southside Guitars in Brooklyn, NY on February 2, 2021: https://reverb.com/item/38647011-mosrit ... 70-s-black
NO 020: Unknown. Mentioned in a sales ad from a newspaper classified, if I recall correctly. No photos, this is all I know about it.
NO 028: Black. Pic saved. Described as "Dark Burgundy," but it just appears to be the standard Black for these models.
Source: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html
NO 031: Black. Pics saved. Owned by Tim Brennan (of Tym Guitars in Australia.) https://tymguitars.com.au/blogs/blog/14 ... O-ptJ6SsAo
NO 032: Black. Refretted and modified. Type of knobs unknown. Seen on eBay in October 2010. viewtopic.php?f=27&t=3676 | Update, 21 July 2021: More pics of what's probably this guitar were sent to me the previous month, and saved. It has Gibson type Humbuckers on it, without the covers.
NO 039: Unknown Finish.
NO 040: Refinished in some sort of Pink / Yellow. Pic saved. Belongs to Michael Flores.
NO 041: Unknown Finish.
NO 045: Formerly owned by forum member "moaimen." viewtopic.php?p=71553#p71553
NO 049: Black. Has heavy weather checking.
NO 068: Black. Missing original pups & knobs. Seller said it's a 1972 model. Update, April 14 2020: For sale from "Britt's Gear Depot" in Texas. The pickups have been replaced with Hallmark Humbuckers, a good replacement. Still doesn't have original knobs. Also has a worn "Lew's Music Center" sticker on the back of the headstock. Comes with a case, maybe the case is original? Reverb Link: https://reverb.com/item/33259555-mosrit ... k-burgundy Update, May 29 2020: Now owned by Forum member Steelaire17. viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7990
NO 071: Black. Pic and page saved.
Source: http://home.insightbb.com/~marksma/wsb/ ... ip-35.html
NO 077: Refinished in a Metallic Pink (Originally Black.) Does not have M Knobs, they may have been replaced. Pics and page saved. Has TV Jones Pickups on it. Knobs aren't original. Body has binding on both sides, which is unusual, to say the least. I'm uncertain if the binding is original or not. Sold by "RETROVERB MUSIC, INC." Listed in early April, 2020. https://reverb.com/item/33130313-mosrit ... 4Q3AJFzg1k --- Update, 26 November 2021: Guitar re-surfaced on eBay from seller "tuneyoursound" in Durham, North Carolina.
NO 081: Black. Owned by Jim Diamond.
NO 083: Red.
NO 087: Red (not sure if it was refinished or not.) Had a neck repair that wasn't touched up. Seen on eBay in October 2010. viewtopic.php?f=27&t=3663
NO 101: Brown. Owned by forum member chartbreaker who bought it (apparently) new in 75 - 76. Played hard, well enjoyed, and has a knife mark between pickups.
NO 107: Brown. Does not have M Knobs, though I'm not yet sure if they're original or not. Does not have its original bridge, it has Tune O Matic type bridge, and beneath that, the base for an acoustic. This guitar surfaced at the Facebook page "Mosrite Guitar Fans," posted by Rosey Storey; it was her Father's guitar. Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3294258 ... 996838729/
NO 110: Black. Pic saved. Number is according to Photobucket pictures, which I couldn't download. Has a pink-ish ring around the pickup selector, and is missing one original knob. Also has an odd looking logo on the headstock. Found on Facebook, posted by Rozhan Bin Asaad in Kota Kinabalu.
NO 113: Brown. The second owner, Cary Zaborowski (who owned it since 1972) has it. Found on Facebook under the "Mosrite Guitars" Group in December 2020. Pic saved.
NO 119: Brown. Pics and page saved. Seems to have been parted out on eBay. Sources:
https://reverb.com/item/2852359-brown-c ... del-guitar
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mosrite-1970-B ... SwuoxanXpS
NO 122: Stripped, and is Red in the control cavity with Black around the edges, so I'm not quite sure what to make of this one; was it Red or Black? Otherwise, this one's all original. Showed on 8 - October - 2021, on Facebook Marketplace. Pics saved. https://www.facebook.com/groups/3294258 ... 344197959/
NO 127: Brown. Pics and page saved. Showed up on Reverb on September 1st or 2nd 2019, from West Kentucky Music and Pawn (Location: Mayfield, KY.)
Source: https://reverb.com/item/26263169-mosrit ... 1970-brown
NO 133: Unknown Finish.
NO 135: Black. Pics saved. Seen for sale on eBay U.K. in May 2012. Once owned by Forum Member "ron," and I'm not sure if he still has it. viewtopic.php?p=54702#p54702
NO 140: White. Perhaps this was dorkrockrecords' guitar listed in the unknown exact numbers section?
NO 153 "Deluxe:" Black. Pic and page saved. Does not have M Knobs in the saved photo. "Made in 1969. It is black with a red tortoise shell pick guard. The scale is 1/8" shorter than the Gibson scale. After taking this picture, it has since been completely restored by my father, the master luthier Bill Gruggett, an original member of the Mosrite Guitars team. Original Mosrite parts were used from his personal stock, except for new high-quality PC-USA pickups, which I requested." Note: I think the "1/8 shorter than Gibson scale" note is wrong; it probably doesn't differ from the typical 1/4 shorter than Gibson scale.
Source: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html
NO 160: Unknown Finish.
NO 162: Black. Does not have M Knobs, it has Radio Shack-type Knobs. Pic saved from Ne.jp. Was owned by Sumlin, and is currently owned by Mark Burletson. Update, June 15 2020: Better photos found and downloaded from the Gretsch Talk Forum. 1st Link: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/mochizuki/kiyosh ... rlist.html 2nd Link: https://www.gretsch-talk.com/threads/ng ... dd.193415/ Update, February 14 2021: Showed up for sale in the United Kingdom in July 2020, from "Markeebee" at the "TheFretBoard.co.uk" Forum. https://thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/1 ... d-mosrites
NO 170: Owned by forum member "moaimen." viewtopic.php?p=71553#p71553
NO 172: Sunburst.
NO 177: Black. Pics and page saved. Number's according to the seller. Appears to be stock. Finish has much checking, and a spot of paint's missing by the output jack. Seller is "RETROVERB MUSIC, INC." https://reverb.com/item/312458-mosrite- ... t-bXLAho0k
NO 180: Translucent Brown, or perhaps a variant of Natural? Does not have M Knobs, but the Radio Shack-type knobs may be original. Pics and page saved.
Source: https://reverb.com/item/3369670-mosrite-bluesbender
NO 190: Cherry Burst. Pic Saved. Does not have M Knobs, but the Radio Shack-type knobs may be original. I can't tell if it has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back, or not. This instrument was on eBay in 2010. Pic found here: https://www.popscreen.com/prod/MTI5MTU3 ... N0190-eBay
NO 195: Unknown Finish. Has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back.
NO 196: Black. Pic and 2010 eBay description saved. Does not have M Knobs. Signed by Nokie Edwards. I don't know if it has a Black Widow-type Pad, or not; there was only 1 photo of it in the listing.
NO 202: Black. Pics saved. Does not have M Knobs. Has a Black Widow-type Pad on the back. Was for sale on eBay in April 2011.
NO 203: Unknown Finish.

======================

This list is up to 64 individual guitars (or fewer, depending on ones in the unknown # section.)

41 with Numbers,
2 with partial numbers,
2 with a speculated number,
5 with no numbers,
14 unknown.

==========================================
Original Finishes (and variants) Accounted For:
==========================================

Cherry Burst. (Only a few are known.)
Red. (Only a few are known.)
Black ("Dark Burgundy".) Most common finish.
Black with Sunburst Headstock: NO 016. May be the only one.
Black with Black Neck and Headstock: Only 1 is known, and it's late in the production run (evidenced by the black widow type pad on the back,) but its number isn't known.
Brown. Second most commonly known finish.
Translucent Brown. Only 1 is on the list (N0 180.)
Sunburst. Only NO 172 is known, and I have no pics. It may or may not be original.)
White. NO 140. It may or may not be original.

- Austin
1966 Ventures II (German Carved, B670.)
1970s "Not a Blues Bender" Bodies: 2.
1976 Brass Rail Deluxe #10.
2013 Fender Pawn Shop Bass VI.


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