Mosrite Melobar Blue 1960s

One of the most eccentric and rare instruments you'll ever encounter is the Mosrite Melobar. An invention by Walt Smith in collaboration with Mosrite, which produced his innovative instrument. This model was used by Jefferson Airplane, Brian Jones, and Jimmy Page, among others, and now one of these rare guitars can be found here in Dedemsvaart! Only 4 blue Melobars were ever made! 

Walt Smith was born in Northern California in 1920 and quickly proved to be a prodigy on multiple instruments. He developed a love for big band music and Western swing, and soon turned his attention to guitar and lap steel. In the mid-1950s, Smith, an inveterate tinkerer, began developing an idea for a steel guitar that could be played comfortably while standing. He exchanged ideas with local builders such as Leo Fender and the Dopyera brothers.

By the mid-1960s, Smith's idea had evolved into several experimental instruments he called the Mel-O-Chord, which later evolved into the Melobar. The result was a distinctive-looking solid-body guitar that resembled an electric guitar, but with a neck attached to the body at a 45-degree angle. Mosrite used discarded Ventures II bodies for this guitar, with an extra block in the neck pocket to allow the angled section to be screwed down.

This striking blue specimen is a captivating sight with its characteristic slanted neck. The metal fingerboard with music theory markings reveals inventor Walt Smith's background as a music teacher. The two Mosrite single-coils deliver an open and natural tone with ample clarity and bite, while the aluminum bridge provides a bright top end. The guitar shows the signs of wear you'd expect from an instrument over half a century old, but is in excellent condition and fully playable.

This Melobar was originally designed as a nine-string guitar but has been modified for six. The original bridge and nut are included so you can restore the guitar to its original condition if desired. The guitar is otherwise completely original and is a unique piece of music history for the enthusiast looking for something special!