(SOLD) Mosrite The Ventures Model 65 Lake Placid Blue 1998
Mosrite The Ventures, '65 style reissue model, lake placid blue, made in Japan circa 1998. Mosrite officially launched in 1956 and shortly afterwards became the most sought after boutique guitar in the world. Mastermind Semie Moseley was constantly pushing the envelope in terms of design; his guitars were a completely different instrument from the then-new Gibson and Fender offerings at the time and sold for around double the cost of a Strat in the 60s. This example is a reissue of the 1965 version of The Ventures Mark 1, so it's got the bound fretboard, German carve body, Simpsons headstock, serial stamped on the board, 'Moseley' tremolo bridge, style knobs... it's a pretty faithful recreation and frankly it's pretty hard to tell it apart from an OG 1965 example. Some of the hardware used on these is apparently 'new old stock' USA parts. The pickups have been changed out: it's sporting a pair of Gibson P94 single coils, which fit the bill nicely. Plugged in, it's thick and fat with heaps of punch and attack. The neck is super slim, similar in shape to Ibanez RGs and similar shred-style offerings. The finish: oh boy, it's gorgeous. It started life as a crisp dark blue, but with a few decades on the clock it's mellowed to a rich oceanic green. This is a really fun guitar to play, and it'll surely look supremely dope on stage.
Model: Mosrite The Ventures Model 65
Made: Japan, 1998 approx (serial 3393)
Finish: lake placid blue, gloss poly
Body: alder (not verified)
Weight: 3.740kg
Neck: maple, two-piece centre join, rosewood board, 25" scale length, 16" radius, slim D shape
Mods: pickups replaced
Pickups: Gibson P94 HB-sized soapbar single coil x2
Case: basic gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has a couple of dents in the end and scuffs on the end and both edges. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The back has some rub wear along the back edge, some minor chips around the outside edge around the whole body as well as widespread light scratches and scuffs around the body. The sides have minor scuffs and dimples around the whole body, most notably in the elbow area. The front has dimples and scuffs around the whole outside edge of the body, as well as some dimples in the elbow area and some standard play wear on the guard and horns. Overall: very good condition (7.5/10)
Playing condition notes: action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. The frets have some normal wear but appear to be recently dressed and polished, 7/10 for fret life left.