This 1974 Mossman Great Plains is a fine example of one of America's greatest
guitar builders, a small company started by founder Stuart L. Mossman, who
surrounded himself with a small group of carefully selected craftsman, whose
mission was to build fine musical instruments in the time-honored tradition of
American quality and craftsmanship. This guitar is in Excellent condition, set up
to play the way it left the Mossman factory in 1974.
I have owned a number of Mossman guitars, and this one is in the nicest
condition of any in which I've come across. The rosewood on this guitar is
exceptional! I must say that the jury had been out as to whether the wood was
either hi-grade Indian, Brazilian, or Amazon rosewood for the back and sides?
Having taken the guitar to the summer 2012 Philly
Vintage Guitar Show, I had some of the country's most respected guitar experts
disagree as to what species of wood the back and sides are? With no definitive
answer, I was even inclined to have a botanical lab test done, not wanting to sell
myself short if the wood ended being the more expensive Brazilian rosewood.
Amazon rosewood (Dalbergia spruceana) is also very expensive, extremely
difficult to harvest, and that is, even if trees are found that are large enough to
make book-matched sets of guitar wood.
The wood on the back and sides of this instrument are lighter in hue, and not the
typical, dark East Indian Rosewood,
as found on the majority of Mossman Guitars from this era.
It is a known fact that Amazon rosewood was used in a very
small percentage of Mossman instruments, and having scoured
the internet for pictures of Amazon rosewood, it's my opinion that this is the
species of wood used on the back and sides of this guitar. I've
had a few guitar experts say that the wood is Brazilian, and a
few others surmised it as having exceptionally fine, figured
Indian rosewood; the pedigree of which is seldom ever
seen. One ebayer has
small percentage of Mossman instruments, and having scoured
the internet for pictures of Amazon rosewood, it's my opinion that this is the
species of wood used on the back and sides of this guitar. I've
had a few guitar experts say that the wood is Brazilian, and a
few others surmised it as having exceptionally fine, figured
Indian rosewood; the pedigree of which is seldom ever
seen. One ebayer has
commented that he once owned a '74 Mossman Great Plains,
with what he describes as "mystery wood," and seen on
very few Mossmans, and only from 1974. He feels it may have
been this exact guitar!
The following excerpt is from a website titled "The
Mossman Guitar
Enthusiast," in which theowner/moderator speaks about an Amazon Rosewood
Great Plains guitar (Google the two words Mossman & Amazon Rosewood; top
result)
Great Plains not always made of Brazilian Rosewood To the best of my knowledge (which is not at all
complete) Mossman literature and catalogues specify Brazilian Rosewood (Dabergia Nigra) for the early 70´s Great Plains
model guitars. Why then are there so many Great Plains guitars made of Indian Rosewood, or other species? One of my GPs
is AMAZON ROSEWOOD (Dalbergia spruceana).
Here are a couple closeup shots of the back of this instrument. Hmmn, very nice!
What do you think? Amazon rosewood can resemble Brazilian rosewood in
appearance and tonal properties, as closely as any other wood, with Madagascar
rosewood also being a major contender:
The sides of the instrument are exceptionally striking, and in my opinion, not
Indian rosewood, which is typically found on the majority of Mossman guitars
from the mid-to-late 70's. One look below, and I think you'd agree:
from the mid-to-late 70's. One look below, and I think you'd agree:
Compare the grain of the rosewood sides seen above to the following picture of
an Amazon rosewood board, currently being sold on ebay. Please note the
similarities, while understanding that the board below has not been stained:
Here is a link to hundreds of photographs of Amazon rosewood, which can vary
in appearance, from tree-to-tree, yet one can see the reddish streaks, with darker
contrasts of figured black lines:
Amazon Rosewood (Google Search Results)
Again, I've stated my opinion of the back and sides of this guitar being Amazon
rosewood. My eyes also see many similarities to Brazilian, and many experts
Here is a link to hundreds of photographs of Amazon rosewood, which can vary
in appearance, from tree-to-tree, yet one can see the reddish streaks, with darker
contrasts of figured black lines:
Amazon Rosewood (Google Search Results)
Again, I've stated my opinion of the back and sides of this guitar being Amazon
rosewood. My eyes also see many similarities to Brazilian, and many experts
note that it can be very difficult to distinguish between examples of each.
I don't believe the back and sides to be Indian rosewood, though I respect the
opinion of those who feel that's what it is:
spectacular Indian Rosewood. I've seen some guitars with Brazilian rosewood
that had similar grain and figure. But please, use your own eyes in examining
all of these photographs, in order to make your own informed conclusion.
Here is a photo showing a block, or small section of a board of Amazon
rosewood, which was taken from the above Google search of the word Amazon
rosewood. And to the right is a closeup of this board's grain:
Now compare what you've just seen to the color, grain, and figure of the top of
one of the sides of my Mossman:
The similarities are unmistakable. The grain almost gives the appearance of fine
paint brush strokes, separated by darker
one of the sides of my Mossman:
The similarities are unmistakable. The grain almost gives the appearance of fine
paint brush strokes, separated by darker
lines every 3/8 to 1/2 inches. Here is a another closeup of the back of my Great
Plains, which, again, appears to be rare,
Amazon rosewood:
One website, The Wood Database.com, offers a great resource about all types
of wood. Take a look at this informative
database of woods, where you'll also see some good pics of Amazon rosewood:
Amazon Rosewood (The Wood Database.com) Great Resource of
Information!
Here's one of the pics from the above-referenced website, showing a piece of
wood with sealer applied:
(Compare the length of the little black lines or specks; they are consistent
with the photo above)
This Mossman Great Plains also features a wide and substantial feeling
neck, similar to a Gibson J-45 from the 50's. The bone nut measures 1 &
23/32 inches wide. The finish of the neck is pristine, with no finish wear capo
marks, or any anomalies. This neck is as nice as you'll find on a fine vintage
guitar, as seen here, while noting the Brazilian rosewood peghead veneer, and
S.L. Mossman logo:
23/32 inches wide. The finish of the neck is pristine, with no finish wear capo
marks, or any anomalies. This neck is as nice as you'll find on a fine vintage
guitar, as seen here, while noting the Brazilian rosewood peghead veneer, and
S.L. Mossman logo:
The bone nut of this instrument has been perfectly slotted, so that the correct
amount
of string diameter (one half) protrudes above the depth of the slot, as seen
here:
On many vintage guitars, neck resets are needed, given the stress of the string
pressure over the years. This instrument features a tall bone saddle, and low
action. It has a perfect neck angle, leading me to believe that it may have had a
neck reset in the past. It may be all original, though, as the body-to-neck joint
appears to be very clean, and unaltered,
as seen here: (Note the added strap button, and piece of rosewood designed to
protect the heel cap)
One vintage guitar and mandolin dealer I know in Virginia, and a person I've
done a number of deals with in the past, has a good deal of experience with
Mossman guitars, claiming that a Mossman was his first good guitar. He told me
One vintage guitar and mandolin dealer I know in Virginia, and a person I've
done a number of deals with in the past, has a good deal of experience with
Mossman guitars, claiming that a Mossman was his first good guitar. He told me
that if he owned this guitar, he would put it up for sale on his website for a
minimum of $2500.00, due to its fine condition, the nice wide neck, it's great
tone, and what he feels to be an exceptional set of Indian rosewood. He
expressed an interest to purchase this instrument, but we couldn't come to an
agreement in price, so I elected not to sell it at the time. I'll let the buyer decide
what species of wood this guitar employs, from a number of photographs
included in this listing.
Here is a shot showing the tall bone saddle of this instrument, which is as easy to
play as the day it left the factory:
And here's a pic showing the LOW action of this guitar, which is set up perfectly:
The finish on this instrument is very presentable, overall. The neck, back and
sides are in very fine condition, with no
noticeable wear, scratches, or dings of any kind. The only imperfections are on
the top, and they are purely cosmetic.
To the side of the soundhole, there is a small spot that appears to have had a
drop-fill of lacquer, perhaps to correct a
small ding. Also, right below this little spot is a very small area where the finish
has been worn down, perhaps where
a sleeve button of a previous owner's shirt gently laid? Here are a couple shots
showing these superficial cosmetic details:
a sleeve button of a previous owner's shirt gently laid? Here are a couple shots
showing these superficial cosmetic details:
Also, there appears to have been a very small portion of wood near the edge of
the soundhole that was lightly chipped, and repaired, as well as some minor
finish wear, as seen below:
All of the frets are in wonderful condition, the intonation is superb, and the
instrument plays well, up and down the neck. The only other other imperfection I
can find on this guitar is a a repaired hairline crack on the top, which may not go
all the way through the wood, but appears to have been cleated inside for
security purposes. If I didn't mention this, you likely wouldn't notice, but I want to
be as thorough and sincere in my description as possible.
This instrument was built by a total of sixteen talented craftsman, including Stuart
Mossman, whose initials "S.L.M.," are seen in the far lower left hand corner of
the label inside the guitar, as seen here:
Mossman succeeded in building a great sounding instrument with this one. Very
loud and responsive, dry and woody
like an old Gibson, having more overall tonal balance than a Martin D-28, with
Mossman succeeded in building a great sounding instrument with this one. Very
loud and responsive, dry and woody
like an old Gibson, having more overall tonal balance than a Martin D-28, with
greater density in the mid and treble
range, just like a Guild. I've found Mossman's to have a tonal palette that is
really a combination of some of the finest attributes of the other brand guitars in
which I've referenced above.
This instrument holds its tune due to the Grover Rotomatic Tuners, which are
very highly regarded for their precision and durability. Also, the tortoise
pickguard adds an attractive appearance to this guitar's appearance:
In September, 2003, Vintage Guitar Magazine had an interesting feature story
about the tragedy and triumph of Mossman Guitars, and it makes for an
interesting read:
Mossman Guitars Feature Story; Vintage Guitar Magazine; September 2003
And here is another article which deemed Stuart Mossman a modern Stradavari
of guitar-making:
S.L. Mossman (A Modern Stradavari of Guitarmaking)
In closing, here is an opportunity to buy a 1974 Mossman Great Plains that is a
cut above the rest, featuring a beautiful set of light-colored rosewood for the
back, and with darker rosewood for the sides, quite unlike that seen on nearly all
other Mossman's of the period. Both the back and sides feature exceptional
figuring and grain.
Because I don't have scientific evidence saying otherwise, I've priced the
instrument as having extraordinary Indian rosewood, and this has been the
general consensus of those who have commented here on ebay, as the
Mossman guitars having Brazilian rosewood featured backs from C.F. Martin,
In closing, here is an opportunity to buy a 1974 Mossman Great Plains that is a
cut above the rest, featuring a beautiful set of light-colored rosewood for the
back, and with darker rosewood for the sides, quite unlike that seen on nearly all
other Mossman's of the period. Both the back and sides feature exceptional
figuring and grain.
Because I don't have scientific evidence saying otherwise, I've priced the
instrument as having extraordinary Indian rosewood, and this has been the
general consensus of those who have commented here on ebay, as the
Mossman guitars having Brazilian rosewood featured backs from C.F. Martin,
having a chain-link back-strip, as seen on Martin D-28's.
I, however, firmly believe that this guitar has Amazon rosewood, which is much
more scarce and expensive than East Indian rosewood. Perhaps now, with
updated photographs and more information about this rare and desirable wood in
this listing, others will concur. In any event, you're getting a guitar that is easily
worth my acceptable bid offer amount, and very likely a good bit more. Show me
another Mossman currently for sale that is quite like it, with such an
exceptional set of rosewood, and for this price. Another 1974 Mossman Great
Plains recently sold for $1,970.00 here on ebay, and I feel that this guitar has an
even nicer set of wood for the back and sides.
Guitar comes with original period Mossman case, in VG+ condition, having
original, and not replacement handle, as
previously described. I had confused this case with that of another guitar that I
own.
Prior to shipping, the instrument will be set up with a brand new set of Martin SP
Phosphor Bronze strings, either Light or Medium gauge, depending on the
preference of the buyer.