This is deeply heartwarming. I've been a proud owner of a '77 Great Plains Herringbone Flat top since 1979. People just don't understand what this guitar is, what it does unless you've played one. Stuart was definitely ahead of his time and was the Stratavari of Guitar making. My "Mossy" will be with me until I'm near death and will only be sold to someone who understands his legacy and what this guitar is. It's epic. The sound is second to none. No need to microphone her, she sings above the crowd. Well done Stuart, well done. Your legacy lives on, beyond you, beyond me and those lucky enough to own one of your Mossy's.
Hi Scott, I’m just 10 minutes into this and can’t thank you enough for sharing it. Stuart was a great man, reflected in his craftsmanship, relationships and dedication to all those that put their hands on the magic of what guitars truly are. Thanks for posting this and I am very thankful for the day I first met you. I’m going to make sure the new owner of Mossman sees this, so he understands what he has signed up for. Thanks again, brother man and May God rest Stuart 👍🏻 By the way, my 69 Silvertone 319 is the sweetest sounding guitar I’ve ever played, all due to your talented hands, taught by the best guitar builder that ever lived! I’m going to share this video on my community page.
Yes, Stuart Mossman was the original pioneer of the small boutique guitar factory. At the time there was Mossman, Gurian, Gallagher, and LoPrinzi. These were the first boutique small guitar factories and it was Mossman who influenced Collings, Bob Taylor and nearly everyone else. I started working there in Oct. 1974.
Great documentary! Thanks for making this and sharing! I have a Flint Hills and a Tennessee Flat Top. Very special to me. No other guitar records as well as a Mossman.
Scott, Thanks for sharing this. I have had a search for this documentary on eBay, Amazon, etc trying to find a copy to watch. I hear you have left Athens and are now in New Mexico. I hope you enjoy your time back out west. We will miss you here in GA. I own one of your builds from Texas. A 86 DR-10 (serial 036) and love this guitar. While it has lived a active life, I always get compliments on how easy it plays and how great the tone is. I also have a Silvertone 620 you converted for me. I will leave these guitars to my kids when I’m gone. It must be amazing to know you have so many incredible instruments, that will last well beyond our lives to be enjoyed for years to come, as your legacy. Thanks again.
Now that's a nice guitar brand. I actually had the chance to play one, about 10 years ago, at a higher end guitar shop. They had it in the back room, with the Martins, Taylor's, Gibsons and so on. That guitar was beat up, but man did it sound good. If memory serves me correctly, and it probably doesn't...lol, that was like a 1978. I'm almost positive.
Wow, great documentary, a true labor of love on the part of all involved, thanks so much. I met Mr. Mossman very briefly at the Winfield festival way back when. I own a mystery Mossman guitar I found in a fiddle shop near Roaring River State Park in the early 1990's, made from parts of different models, label indicates 1977 if I remember correctly. Deep sweet sound.
That is amazing! It was built right around the time I started working there in October of 74. I wonder how many original owners are out there? Probably not many.
Is that a trick question? Martin, Gibson, Fender, Goya, Eko, Hofner, Vega, are just a few. Those were all big factories. Mossman produced between 4-9 guitars per week, and at the time there was only Gurian, Gallagher, and Mossman. Mossman started in 67.
@@scottbaxendale323 no it’s was a real question. Thank you for answering it. I’m not very educated on guitar building. Guess most of these companies quit making quality instruments in the 60’s.
@@stonephilips9361 That’s not exactly true. However, the quality and quantity of guitars during the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’, have a direct correlation with the guitar boom era which began in 1958 and peaked in 1980. Gibson’s quality began to suffer, especially on acoustics, around 1960. Martin’s quality never dropped off, but in 1969 they switched from Brazilian rosewood to Indian rosewood which is considered inferior wood, but isn’t really inferior.
What Eddie Holick didn’t mention was how much of of the neck was machined shaped before he began hand carving it. A lot of the carving was done on the neck blanks with a large spindle shaper. All that needed to be hand carved was the heel and the area behind the nut. That could be done in 20-30 minutes. The headstock, back of the neck and the neck joint tenon were all done the shaper before the hand carving stage. It takes me over four hours to carve one from a chunk of mahogany.
I own an early Mossman, 71-077, and it’s the best guitar I have ever played or heard. Bar none.
I used to own 71-078, which is one number off of yours!
This is deeply heartwarming. I've been a proud owner of a '77 Great Plains Herringbone Flat top since 1979. People just don't understand what this guitar is, what it does unless you've played one. Stuart was definitely ahead of his time and was the Stratavari of Guitar making. My "Mossy" will be with me until I'm near death and will only be sold to someone who understands his legacy and what this guitar is. It's epic. The sound is second to none. No need to microphone her, she sings above the crowd. Well done Stuart, well done. Your legacy lives on, beyond you, beyond me and those lucky enough to own one of your Mossy's.
Hi Scott, I’m just 10 minutes into this and can’t thank you enough for sharing it. Stuart was a great man, reflected in his craftsmanship, relationships and dedication to all those that put their hands on the magic of what guitars truly are. Thanks for posting this and I am very thankful for the day I first met you. I’m going to make sure the new owner of Mossman sees this, so he understands what he has signed up for. Thanks again, brother man and May God rest Stuart 👍🏻
By the way, my 69 Silvertone 319 is the sweetest sounding guitar I’ve ever played, all due to your talented hands, taught by the best guitar builder that ever lived! I’m going to share this video on my community page.
This is precious and wonderful. Thanks for sharing this with me, I mean, this means more to me than y'all will ever know ❤
This is wonderful! Thanks for sharing!
You are so welcome!
Sure looks like Mossman was the birth of the modern, small-shop boutique guitar.
Yes, Stuart Mossman was the original pioneer of the small boutique guitar factory. At the time there was Mossman, Gurian, Gallagher, and LoPrinzi. These were the first boutique small guitar factories and it was Mossman who influenced Collings, Bob Taylor and nearly everyone else. I started working there in Oct. 1974.
Fantastic video! Now I know about Mossman Guitars. Thank you for sharing this awesome video! 👍🏻❤
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great documentary! Thanks for making this and sharing! I have a Flint Hills and a Tennessee Flat Top. Very special to me. No other guitar records as well as a Mossman.
Thanks much!
that was a most amazing video .thank you so much .surprised me that one of my long life hero's was in the dedication ,Hoyt Axton
Scott,
Thanks for sharing this. I have had a search for this documentary on eBay, Amazon, etc trying to find a copy to watch.
I hear you have left Athens and are now in New Mexico. I hope you enjoy your time back out west. We will miss you here in GA.
I own one of your builds from Texas. A 86 DR-10 (serial 036) and love this guitar. While it has lived a active life, I always get compliments on how easy it plays and how great the tone is. I also have a Silvertone 620 you converted for me. I will leave these guitars to my kids when I’m gone. It must be amazing to know you have so many incredible instruments, that will last well beyond our lives to be enjoyed for years to come, as your legacy.
Thanks again.
Thank you!
Simply excellent.
Now that's a nice guitar brand. I actually had the chance to play one, about 10 years ago, at a higher end guitar shop.
They had it in the back room, with the Martins, Taylor's, Gibsons and so on.
That guitar was beat up, but man did it sound good.
If memory serves me correctly, and it probably doesn't...lol, that was like a 1978. I'm almost positive.
Wow, great documentary, a true labor of love on the part of all involved, thanks so much. I met Mr. Mossman very briefly at the Winfield festival way back when. I own a mystery Mossman guitar I found in a fiddle shop near Roaring River State Park in the early 1990's, made from parts of different models, label indicates 1977 if I remember correctly. Deep sweet sound.
Glad you enjoyed it!
There Is a friend fo mine , Beppe Gambetta , here!😁
Thanks . I've got a Tennessee Flattop I bought new . 74-1043 .
That is amazing! It was built right around the time I started working there in October of 74. I wonder how many original owners are out there? Probably not many.
@@scottbaxendale323 74-961 - Tennessee Flat Top - still in excellent shape and I play it every week.
What guitar company in the 60’s was mass producing acoustic instruments 🤔
Is that a trick question? Martin, Gibson, Fender, Goya, Eko, Hofner, Vega, are just a few. Those were all big factories.
Mossman produced between 4-9 guitars per week, and at the time there was only Gurian, Gallagher, and Mossman. Mossman started in 67.
@@scottbaxendale323 no it’s was a real question. Thank you for answering it. I’m not very educated on guitar building. Guess most of these companies quit making quality instruments in the 60’s.
@@stonephilips9361 That’s not exactly true. However, the quality and quantity of guitars during the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’, have a direct correlation with the guitar boom era which began in 1958 and peaked in 1980. Gibson’s quality began to suffer, especially on acoustics, around 1960. Martin’s quality never dropped off, but in 1969 they switched from Brazilian rosewood to Indian rosewood which is considered inferior wood, but isn’t really inferior.
@@scottbaxendale323 Thanks for info, really enjoyed the movie 🙏
Carve a neck in 20 minutes. I'd like to see that video.
What Eddie Holick didn’t mention was how much of of the neck was machined shaped before he began hand carving it. A lot of the carving was done on the neck blanks with a large spindle shaper. All that needed to be hand carved was the heel and the area behind the nut. That could be done in 20-30 minutes. The headstock, back of the neck and the neck joint tenon were all done the shaper before the hand carving stage.
It takes me over four hours to carve one from a chunk of mahogany.
Thank you for making this film. Really beautifully done- amazing to see this from a modern perspective.