This Mossman guitar is probably the third guitar that Stuart Mossman ever made around 1968. It currently belongs to Jim Phillips of Winfield, Ks. Originally it belonged to his best friend and former Mossman employee Howard Lockyear. When Howard was in the 8th grade he was taking guitar lessons from Stuart Mossman and he loaned this guitar for Howard to use at a talent show in his school. On the way home he tripped and fell with guitar in hand putting the cracks you can see in the back. Naturally, Howard had to then buy the guitar with many small payments that he earned mowing peoples yards. Howard owned this guitar for many years before he sold it to Jim Phillips.
I used this guitar once to compete in the National Fingerpicking Championships ( I didn't make the final) in 1982. The guitar has been affectionately named "Old Granddad" and is the oldest Mossman Guitar I know about.
This is the first "Golden Era" made and was constructed while Stuart was still making guitars in his garage. It is Brazilian rosewood back and sides, spruce top, ebony fingerboard and an unusual walnut neck with the "bat wing" headstock. It needs some work but sounds fantastic as it is.
