Mosrite Ventures Model Mark V Solid Body Electric Guitar (1966)
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Item # 9128
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Mosrite Ventures Model Mark V Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1966), made in California, serial # B1214, Pacific Blue lacquer finish, basswood body, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, black gig bag case.
This Mosrite Ventures Mk. V Model is a somewhat rare and very hip little 1960s guitar, a sort of "Baby Brother" to the more familiar "standard" Ventures model, later designated the "Mk. I". Like the Fender Mustang, the Mk. V was intended as a pro-grade student guitar that had the styling of the professional model in a more economical, compact package. The stylish liquid-art solid-body with a recessed German curve sculpted edge is smaller all around than the original Ventures model, and finished in a striking vibrant deep blue lacquer.
Other shared '65-'66 Ventures Model appointments include the patented sleek "Mosely" vibrato tailpiece, cool minty green celluloid pickguard, molded "M" capped chrome knobs, proprietary strap buttons, and Safe-Ti-Slot Kluson strip tuners on the "Ventures" and "Mosrite of California" branded headstock. The Mosrite logo'd pickups are basically the same as the standard model but lack the adjustable poles.
Original Ventures-logo models are the most collectible of Mosrite's production instruments, and nice examples are hard to find in the US due to a long-standing fascination with them overseas. Although ostensibly a budget instrument, the Ventures Mk V was fairly expensive at $299.95 (plus a case) and built in much smaller numbers than its full-size brother. The short 24 1/2" scale, slim, fast neck, and low action make this a very handy and playable '60s guitar, although the very small "speed frets" particular to Mosrite are not conducive to heavy string bending. The single-coil pickups are meatier-sounding than many contemporary units with a fairly aggressive edge when cranked. The wiring is the same simple 3-way switch and master tone/volume rig common to all Mosrites.
The very first Ventures Mk. Vs were a slightly different design, built on a simpler flat body. This became infamous as the "Ramones guitar", the only model Johnny played throughout his career. Those are extremely rare; this later version is more common, although the model as a whole was only available for a couple of years between 1965-68. This blue example is a ringer for the one played by Ricky Wilson in the early B-52s...with only 4 strings! This is a classic and very stylish piece of '60s California cool, till perfect for vintage styles from surf to psych and beyond, Pendleton or paisley shirt optional!
Overall length is 38 in. (96.5 cm.), 13 1/4 in. (33.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 1/2 in. (622 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/2 in. (38 mm.).
This little blue devil is all original with some typical light play wear but no repairs or alterations. The deep azure finish on the body has some small dings and dents (mostly on the back) but no heavy wear and retains a great unfaded color. The back of the neck has a spot of lacquer worn off in the lower position. The frets are very small, low, and flat, but that's how Semie built them, and the fingerboard shows only some very light wear. The guitar plays and sounds great, or at least as intended...some modern players find Mosrite's fret wire not to taste, but of course the guitar could be refretted as desired without much fuss. This is a neat example of this fairly rare 1960s California fretted hot rod coupe, and it still "looks fast just sittin' still". Excellent - Condition.
This Mosrite Ventures Mk. V Model is a somewhat rare and very hip little 1960s guitar, a sort of "Baby Brother" to the more familiar "standard" Ventures model, later designated the "Mk. I". Like the Fender Mustang, the Mk. V was intended as a pro-grade student guitar that had the styling of the professional model in a more economical, compact package. The stylish liquid-art solid-body with a recessed German curve sculpted edge is smaller all around than the original Ventures model, and finished in a striking vibrant deep blue lacquer.
Other shared '65-'66 Ventures Model appointments include the patented sleek "Mosely" vibrato tailpiece, cool minty green celluloid pickguard, molded "M" capped chrome knobs, proprietary strap buttons, and Safe-Ti-Slot Kluson strip tuners on the "Ventures" and "Mosrite of California" branded headstock. The Mosrite logo'd pickups are basically the same as the standard model but lack the adjustable poles.
Original Ventures-logo models are the most collectible of Mosrite's production instruments, and nice examples are hard to find in the US due to a long-standing fascination with them overseas. Although ostensibly a budget instrument, the Ventures Mk V was fairly expensive at $299.95 (plus a case) and built in much smaller numbers than its full-size brother. The short 24 1/2" scale, slim, fast neck, and low action make this a very handy and playable '60s guitar, although the very small "speed frets" particular to Mosrite are not conducive to heavy string bending. The single-coil pickups are meatier-sounding than many contemporary units with a fairly aggressive edge when cranked. The wiring is the same simple 3-way switch and master tone/volume rig common to all Mosrites.
The very first Ventures Mk. Vs were a slightly different design, built on a simpler flat body. This became infamous as the "Ramones guitar", the only model Johnny played throughout his career. Those are extremely rare; this later version is more common, although the model as a whole was only available for a couple of years between 1965-68. This blue example is a ringer for the one played by Ricky Wilson in the early B-52s...with only 4 strings! This is a classic and very stylish piece of '60s California cool, till perfect for vintage styles from surf to psych and beyond, Pendleton or paisley shirt optional!
Overall length is 38 in. (96.5 cm.), 13 1/4 in. (33.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 1/2 in. (622 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/2 in. (38 mm.).
This little blue devil is all original with some typical light play wear but no repairs or alterations. The deep azure finish on the body has some small dings and dents (mostly on the back) but no heavy wear and retains a great unfaded color. The back of the neck has a spot of lacquer worn off in the lower position. The frets are very small, low, and flat, but that's how Semie built them, and the fingerboard shows only some very light wear. The guitar plays and sounds great, or at least as intended...some modern players find Mosrite's fret wire not to taste, but of course the guitar could be refretted as desired without much fuss. This is a neat example of this fairly rare 1960s California fretted hot rod coupe, and it still "looks fast just sittin' still". Excellent - Condition.