The first time I saw "Bobby" it was in pieces, and even though the electronics were not in it, my friend had it strung up. I fell in love with the thing. Great action with that zero fret, and a super fast neck. Eventually it ended up in my possesion.
It sat for more than a decade. The main holdup was that the guitar was missing one of it's pickups. I didn't want to put any old pickup in, it would have ruined the look. Eventually, I went to a local vintage guitar store and was given the name of the foremost Mosrite collector in the US, who lived just a few miles away. He dated it to 1963, and pointed out some of the unique and puzzling features.
Fast forward - after years of research (also enter the internet which helped out tremendously!) and trying to find parts and or someone who I felt was qualified to do the work. I found another Bob, Bob Shade of Hallmark Guitars. Deke Dickerson actually turned me on to Bob. If you all haven't heard or seen Deke play, he's great. A master at surf/country/rockabilly, and one of the foremost experts on doublenecks (has written articles for Vintage Guitar Mag) Mosrites especially, and Standel amps.
He was at Hallmark Guitars just after "Bobby's" rebirth and had this to say:
Damon - That guitar turned out GREAT! It's one of the ones that really looks primitive in so many ways, but then just plays itself. I seriously couldn't stop playing on it! I think you'll be really happy with it. Bob did a great job on it, I really couldn't tell the difference between the old pickup covers and the one he made. A super cool example of one of the earliest production model doublenecks...I think it's a winner.
I had a '63 that was basically the same guitar, but slightly later pickups/vibramute etc. and that one played like crap...so I sold it. But yours is magic.
Deke
