Mosrite Ventures Model

great sounding guitar. has the standard mosrite pickups. neck position is slanted. mosely tail peice.. gotah tuners....3 way toggle. your basic mosrite ventures model i believe it is rather new. probably about 5 years old

this was my dream guitar from the moment i saw kurt cobain with his mark V and his assortment of univoxs.. no guitar on the planet has the range of tone that this guitar has. when on the neck pickup you get the most beautiful, full bass sound.. in the middle a great mid... and on the bridge pickup. the most wonderful. cheap pawn shop treble ever "rickenbackeresque" i am a grunge fanatic and with this guitar you get the most extreme feedback ever. it's all i ever wanted in a guitar.. in most cases, i have certain guitars that i use for certain sounds/moods but this guitar covers them all. i dont ever have to change guitars. i play a mustang, a jaguar, a jag-stang, and my mosrite, through a ds-1 distortion pedal. a small clone chorus, and into a mesa-boogie studio 22 pre amp into 2-4 1960 marshall cabs "depending on the size of the venue. all that powered by a crest power amp.
nothing i dont love about this guitar

perfect. my fingers fell right into place from hte moment in came into my hands. sleak neck. small neck which is perfect for me. pick ups are just perfect. every string sings with equal sustain. cant hear a thing when selecting pickups or turning knobs
everything is 100% perfect

this guitar not only has a great unique body style but it is perfectly balanced. i never have to worry about me taking my hands off of the neck cuz it stays right there
of course i play very hardand thing like to get broken at my shows so i do always keep a backup.. but this is my main guitar

this was bought for me through a friend... and the company is now pretty non exsistant so i have had no dealings with them

this guitar is phenominal


kurt cobain R.I.P 1967-1994

1972 Ventures (without the logo) bass made in California USA in sunburst finish all original (except for the strings!) with 2 pickups and 3-way toggle switch. All parts have the now famous "M" or Moseley or Mosrite stamps on them including "by Semi Moseley" on the headstock.

The sound is wonderful for a variety of styles of music. You can get funky with it or do surf. Of course, lots of molding can be attributed to the amp set up, which is an Ampeg 350 head with a 4-10, horn and 1-15 cab along with a '68 Fender Bassman 2-15 cab. The frets were a little noisy with the round wounds (D'Addario EXL 165 long scale) that i like to use, but with a little adjusting, I was able to get that to a nominal level.

Being 30 years old, factory set-up was gone long ago. However, not much was needed to get it perfect for me. No neck adjustment at all. The action is incredible. I've been a big Fender bass fan for many years and thought the P-bass and Jazz (particularly the Jazz) had good action, but this is probably a bit better for my hands. The quality of construction would have to be good since with the age of this guitar not many areas, except for the normal pitting of some chrome parts, are diminished.

I've not had it long to use outside of rehearsal, but it will be used (in conjunction with the aforementioned Jazz bass) at our next gig. As mentioned earlier, 30 years under its belt and still looks and plays good. For whatever reason, one strap button has been replaced.

As many have mentioned before, Semi is gone, but this is such a good guitar, reproductions are being made by several luthiers, and many reproduction parts can now be found.

I have been playing for 38 years and in the last few years have gotten into collecting, for my personal use, many brands. I currently have 35 guitars, including a '66 olympic white P-bass that I bought new. Had to do a lot of yard jobs etc. and also help form mom and dad to get it. I have been wanting to add a Mosrite to my stable for a long time (the Ventures were my first favorite group) and finally located one that fit the bill. The only thing I wished was a case, although I've got a reproduction on the way. These things just keep going up in value (of course what doesn't except maybe your '72 Pinto)

My first guitar ever and bought in 1980 for $90 and they threw in a Peavey Backstage 30 amp to boot! 23 frets, thin maple finished neck, very low fret height. Inlayed pair of white dots frets 3,5,7,9 and 3 at 12 then 1 at 15,17,19,21. Black hat looking knobs with numbers 0-10 chrome insert on top with "TONE" and "VOL" in black. 2 pickups.
3 way pickup switch with a white knob that screws on. 8 screws holding pickguard. Seems like there should be another screw by top pickup but there isnt. Top Jack. Pickguard is white with black stripe around edge visible from side.
Pickups are chrome on black hold downs. There are 6 adjusting screws that are 25% off center of pickup and the other screws do not line up with the strings. Front one is half the thickness of back one. Might not be original pickups but seem to fit pickguard and neck just right. Dont know. Never seen pickups like these before.

Body is solid maple with gloss black paint. Looks like black was painted on with brush. Might have been other color originally. Dont know.
The neck has never been refinished but could use it.
Bridge is individual rollers that are adjustable for and aft. Screws barely touch rear pickup. Vibramute looks like sand casted aluminum. Vibramute top part that would have the rod is definitely made of brass since the chrome finish is worn off in places.
Tuner controls are KLUSON DELUXE written up/down in stripes and chrome. Ventures Model and Mosrite of California still in great shape on neck head. Mosrite 'M' boheka is about .75 inches in diameter.
Missing the vibramute rod. Never had one since I bought it.

Rosewood fret board is bounded in white. Neck is one piece maple.

I personally never really liked the sound but like to add effects.
I wish I had the vibramute rod though, could have more sounds and interest.

Action was and still is the best I've played! For a beginners guitar over 20 years ago, it was so simple to hold and play. Today when I get a hair to play till my fingers cramp, the speed is incredible. The back curve of the neck is still flawless and no matter where you play, it is still fast, easy and in tune. Hate to have to get it refretted someday and get it butchered.

I've never had a case for it. Until recently, my 3 year old enjoyed rolling marbles down the strings while I play acoustic. Guess I'll not let that continue now. After 20 + years and after the fact that the guitar was about same condition when I bought it, except for more dips in the rosewood, it has been flawless and never needed any fixes. Even the knobs and switch and jack still work with no noise.

hehe, you've got to be kidding! MosWhat is what I hear in music stores today. Actually I have some questions about my guitar and might want to refinish it sometime but can't find anyone with enough knowledge to count on.

Been playing since 1980. Never got to play it in a band and it never left my home, but instead was session and bar room drummer for country music from 1981 - 1990
(then I got married ;( )
Now I do alot of acoustic work mostly finger picking and keyboards.
Havn't really played the Mosrite for about 8 years now.

If it was stolen and I got decent insurance or someone really wanted the one I got and I sold it, I would go right out and buy the new (maybe 2 depending on price I get) Mosrite Venture Model release. A white one I think. Will always need an outlet for the desire to feel that kind of action and speed. Even when learning to play years back, my fingers never ever hurt like everyone said would. Today, I can easily play for hours on end only until my fingers cramp up.

If I could have asked an intelligent question 22 years ago when I was 15, it would have been: Got another Mosrite for this price?

This is a Pearl White model which as the previous reviewer said is just a joy to look at. The finish provides a pearly metallic sheen that is just gorgeous. Has a vol and tone control (the Hat type Knows, and a 3 way switch. I have an original 1966 Mosrite Ventures model that is still in great shape, signed by Don Wilson andBob Bogle and this new Japanese version is an exact duplicate. The fit is terrific, the finish is outstanding. As the above reviewer noted, the tailpiece (it is the less expensive Excellent model is a little cheesy. But I got it through a distributor in Seattle who has been terrific, Guitar Punk, and for a little extra I am swapping the tailpiece for the Vibra mute. It came with a cheap hardshell case that has Mosrite of California embossed on it, but the case is obviously much cheaper than the original alligator type case.

I use a reissue Fender Deluxe Hotrod and the sound comes out so thick you could cut it with a knife. The pickups distort the bass fairly easily but for heavy metal or surf type stuff that works well. I agree with the previous reviewer that the Mosrite is not an all around guitar, it has a definite place if you have several guitars. But it is just so gosh darned beautiful to look at! The neck pickup is extremely bright and the bridge pickup provides a very thick bassy sound. I love the thin neck I had a reissue Les Pul 1957 Black Beauty with the thicker neck that was actually hard to play because of the roundness of the neck. Mosrites are known for their thin, fast necks and this one is virtually exactly like the original.

I opened the box and it was ready to play. It survived a cross country trip via UPS in great style. The action of the Mosrite is fast and this one is no exception. The finish is flawless, I have examined my original and thisone up close looking for detail differences and except for the "Excellent" tailpiece, really cannot tell any differences, even in thesound.

The Excellent model advertised was supposed to have a two piece neck but came through with the same one piece neck my original has.

Guitar Punk out of Seattle was terrific. They respond very quickly, especially a guy named Flavio, who has been very patient and has repeatedly gotten back to me by email with 24 hours, every time. They have been easy to work with especially when I asked if I could substitute the Excellent tailpiece with the Vibramute. I am on the east coast and was concerned about working with someone in Seattle but they have been a pleasure. They advertise a year's warranty on the guitar but I haven't had to make use of that.

Before buying I should have switched the tailp[iec to the Vibramute. Instead I got the guitar, then had to remove the Excellent tailp[iec and send it out to Seattle and am waiting for the Vibramute. I should have just paid extra and had them do it. The Excellent tailpiece is cheesy and the Japanese should not havce bothered to cheapen it that way. Juyst supplu it with the Vibramute. I would definitely re buy this model if something happened to mine. I love its looks and its sound.

Features:
2 pick-ups simular to appearance of a P-90, tone-wise related to that of a toaster-Rickenbacker pick-up with a little more twang
Off-set body style (like a strat pliped over)
1 vol. & 1 tone control with 3 way toggle
Moselely vibrato tailpiece
3 on-a-side Kluson tuners
24 in. scale with ultra-thin neck & thin fretwire
Sunburst finish with sunburst neck
Includes brown alligator hard shell case

The sound of my 1969 Mosrite Ventures is amazing. I play in a garage rock band called the Skylarx where I require a clean & hard twangy tone, & my Mosrite is the only guitar I've owned that can satisfy my requirments. I run the thing into my '63 blond Fender Tremolux piggyback amp with an outboard Fender reverd unit. I found this best set-up for recording as well as performing. The guitar has no background noise that will anoy anyone (especially for a 32 year old guitar). The insrument produces a unique clean twangy tone. Simular guitars in this field includes Fender Jazzmasters, and most Rickenbackers.

The guitar is well made and very durable but has its flaws, mainly in it's bolt-on neck construction. Turn the guitar around and you'll notice the typical chrome neck plate/4 bolts set-up. But pop that neck off and you'll notice that only 2 bolts actually pass through the body and into the neck. And the neck slot is wide enough to house your buisness card collection. Earliest Ventures models were of glue-on neck construction and therefore don't encouter this problem. It does feature one of the most beautiful sunburst finishes ever shot on a solidbody.

As stated earlier the guitar is very durable & reliale with high guality hardware. Even with it's less than inspiring bolt-on neck construction (I've owned 3 Mosrites & believe me compared to sturdier Fenders, they suck) it is a fabulous instrument. The strings hang somewhat high off the body and because of this, it places more stress between the bridge and strings resulting in constant string breakage.
Because of this I would'nt soely play it on stage without a back-up.

Customer support is no long available for this now defunt guitar manufacturer. Mosrites are currently made in Japan. Though from my understading are pirated, and therefore not offically associated with the american company (a result of the longtime high demand of orginal Ventures model.

Overall the Mosrite Ventures in my opinion this one of last of the great american guitars, behind that of the Strat, Tele, Les Paul, ES-335 etc. Though public awarness is minimal due to their scarcity (Japan takes credit here), aquiring one is not going to be inexpensive (unless you've lucked out like me). If for any reason you purchace one and are dissatisfied with it please call me and I'll take it off your hands. Seriously, a fabulous instrument that will never be forgotten.

I have a 70's Ventures (so technically, it isn't a TRUE Ventures Model, but is exactly the same in every way) built in the North Carolina Mosrite Factory. It plays and looks like any other unbound Ventures, German carving included. It is the classic sunburst color with a white pickguard, has two knobs and a toggle switch. This one has a natural finish bolt-on neck for easy playability. It has the usual two Mosrite of California soapbar pickups, which have more output than any other pickup I've come accross. Its got a Moseley tremolo with a unique "roller" bridge where each string is mounted on a little wheel. Tuners are Grover and all work. Zero fret with dot inlay on the neck. LOW LOW frets!

I play mainly rock and roll, and this guitar has a really full sound, making it a great rhythm instrument (ask Johnny Ramone!). But, we must remember, it was designed for a music group which was keyed on melodic solos (the Ventures) and does play well with a little practice, as the frets are very low. It has huge tonal variety, even though it only has two knobs. The reason is that these knobs actually change the sound considerably with each turn, not like other guitars with 20 knobs that do next to nothing. This 2 knob convenience is perfect for me. The guitar sounds best through amps that support a full low end (if you're not looking to play lead), but also sounds really nice on fender amps with a good deal of reverd (an UNBEATABLE SURF SOUND HERE!!!!!!)

Action is low and frets are low- a Mosrite signature. They didn't call it "the fretless wonder" for nothing. This makes it a unique instrument to play. I had to practice for awhile until I was comfortable, but at this point, Mosrites and Rickenbackers (which have similar low action and low frets) are my guitars of choice. Finish is impecable for a 25+ year old guitar, but then, Semie Moseley was known far and wide for his guitar painting.

This guitar is indestructable. Its tough and can really take a pounding (again, look at Johnny Ramone). Strings are hard to break because of the trem. Very dependable, many times I don't use a backup when I have the mosrite with me.

The Mosrite is SHUT DOWN/NO MORE/KAPUT. Semie Moseley (founder/luthier/operator) died (RIP) so there is no customer support to speak of. You can get copy parts from Mosrite of Japan, but this company IS NOT THE MOSRITE COMPANY, and they have been known to pirate the Mosrite name. Plus, at this point, changing anything on a mosrite will severely devalue it. Really, though, the construction is simple enough that most any guitar techie can figure it out.

This is a great guitar- a keeper as they say. Its rather unusual in shape, mechanics and playability, but NOT debilitatingly so. The guitar has a charm. You don't have to fight it like a strat. The shape is completely ergonomic, and I'd like to see other companies use it in the future. Were it lost or stolen, I'd try for another one, but they are RARE RARE RARE and very high dollar these days. I like the one I have quite a bit!

1966 Ventures model. Two single coil pickups that look like Gibson P-90's but aren't of course. Vibrato bar and roller bridge, one vol, one tone. 3 pos. pickup switch ala Gibson. 22 frets on a rosewood fingerboard. Very thin bound neck. Frets are very low and called "speed frets" similar to gibson "fretless wonders", as in "I wonder how anyone can stand to play these with such low frets". This makes it virtually impossible to bend strings, hammer on and pull off, or vibrato, so you have to pick just about every note. This is what is bad about this guitar.

The sound of this guitar is best suited to clean 60's California surf and pop music, but sounds good for jazz as well. Due to the unique pickups and their placement, the guitar has a distinct sound which is warm, yet with a trebley twang to it. Not much sustain due to the low frets.

Very well constructed with the ability for very low action if neck is straight. Note: On some Mosrites, the pickguard does not fit correctly around the neck pickup and it overlaps the pickup ring slightly so the pickguard couldn't be screwed flush to the body, so mosrite did not put a screw there, so the pickguard looks kind of slightly warped up and floating over the body around the neck pickup. DO NOT try to "fix" this by drilling a hole or cutting the pickguard or remounting it as it will only hurt the value of the guitar. I have heard about and seen pictures of many Mosrites with this affliction, so it is somewhat common and doesn't hurt the value of the guitar at all.

Originally finished in 12 coats of laquer, but I do not play it much as I don't want to chip or dent it. Seems very durable. Pretty heavy body. Neck very stable and responsive to trussing.

A unique sounding and looking guitar for clean 60's style music, but that's about it due to the frets being so low you can barely feel them. Definately not a guitar for displaying awesome technique on. I do not enjoy playing this guitar from a technical standpoint because you physically can't play lots of things on it due to the low frets, and a refret with larger frets would kill it's value, so if I'm feeling in a "retro" mood, I'll pick it up and play simple and enjoy the tone for what it is.