Mosrite Ventures Mark I Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1965), made in Bakersfield, California, serial # 1973, sparkle sunburst finish, basswood body, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, original brown alligator hard shell case.
Nothing says "1960s California Cool" more than an original Mosrite Ventures model, but this one takes it to a whole other level! The custom "Sparkle Sunburst" finish is extremely rare, done by Semie Moseley on an occasional one-off basis either as a custom order piece or trade show display item. This red-to-gold metallic sparkle livery gives the guitar a stunning California custom car hot rod look, redolent of George Barris as much as the Ventures. Standard Custom-color Mosrite Ventures models are fairly rare compared to sunburst examples, but this 1965 sparkle version is exponentially rarer than either. This very hip 1960s 6-string would have been right at home on the Sunset Strip or indeed in any garage in America in that just pre-heavy era.
This later 1965 Ventures Mark I carries a mix of features mostly typical of this year. The stylish liquid-art body has the trademark "German curve" carved around the edge, which really sets off the sparkle paint. It carries a mix of hardware including the older style "Vibramute" sandcast tailpiece with the elaborate adjustable roller bridge, a cool mint green nitro pickguard, Mosrite-logo plastic-covered pickups but without the small trademark marking added soon after, plain milled knobs and the proprietary metal switch tip and strap buttons unique to Mosrite.
The slim, fairly flat maple neck is finished in natural lacquer. The headstock has black "The Ventures Model" and "Mosrite of California" decal logos and is fitted with metal-button "Safe-Ti-Slot" Kluson Deluxe tuners. The truss rod adjusts at the body end, which would be changed soon after to a headstock adjustment. The pots dates are 6431 (31st week of 1964) While the neck is marked SEPT 1 1965 and the body AUG 3 1965; the guitar was probably assembled soon after.
The typically Mosrite neck is very slim and fast, with the low frets and super low action typical of these. The single coil Mosrite-logo pickups are hot and snarly; although often typecast as "surf" instruments Mosrites were also used effectively for heavier sounds by bands including Iron Butterfly and the MC5. The original Ventures models are by far the most collectible of Mosrite's production instruments and this is a super rare example; only a relative handful were finished with different versions of this Sparkle sunburst effect; most appear to be in this same small serial number batch. This Hot-rod Ventures Model is a stunningly stylish piece of '60s California cool, on stage or at the drag strip!
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 very rare guitar remains in all-original quite clean condition overall. The killer-diller original sparkle finish shows a few tiny scuffs mostly along the bottom edge from riding in the case for 60 years; the only really notable wear is a couple of chips to the lower part of the sides right by the neck heel, probably from the neck being removed. The finish has a great patina; the 2-tone metallic red-gold sunburst has a more gold look overall than it once did due to some fading to the red hue but still looks fantastic. The lacquer on the back of the neck has some very light checking and tiny dinks here and there.
The hardware is all original and complete with light typical wear, most notably corrosion to the plating on the back end of the trem arm. The original frets are very low and flat (all Mosrites originally came that way) but show only very light wear, and this is an excellent player with a versatile and fairly hot sound. It is still housed in the original rectangular alligator-grain HSC, showing some external wear but fully functional. Excellent Condition.
