The Ultimate Reproduction Vintage Guitar Collection Even Better Than the REAL Thing I have been collecting guitars for 25 years. Although I have had many different guitars over the years, my preference is for Vintage guitars, which makes eBay a good place to trade because of the wide audience. So consequently you are probably reading this because you saw one of my guitars for sale on eBay.
So, what’s up with the phrase, Even Better Than the REAL Thing!???? In Search of Mosrite: The Mosrite Ventures Model circa. 1987 For the past few years I had been looking for a really nice Mosrite Ventures Model Vintage guitar. Prices ranged from $1,500 to $4,000 depending on the year and the condition. Last year an angel descended on eBay with 35 NOS Mosrite guitars that were built in 1987. These guitars were all brand new and were never sold. They were stored in a warehouse for 14 years.
They were auctioned off one by one, week after week, until they were all gone. I bought the 13th one that sold. I was not disappointed. 1987 Mosrite Ventures Model Electric Guitar NOS The first day I stared at it, the second day I touched it and on the third day I played it. The fourth day I told the family. The fifth day I told the neighbors.
The sixth day, everyone came to look at it. The seventh day I rested. What an incredibly beautiful guitar! In fact, I soon realized that it was TOO beautiful! How could I risk pulling it out of the case every day and playing it? It was like having a bad addiction!
I needed a fix! It drove me crazy to know that it sat right over there in the corner, taunting me, yet at the same time I could not risk opening the case for fear of damaging such a wonderful instrument! I needed a solution. Then it hit me Buy a REALLY nice reproduction Mosrite that I could play everyday! EBAY on: search: MOSRITE.
1970's Japanese Reproduction Mosrite Ventures Model Guitar This guitar retails for $1695 and you can get them for around $1000. Pretty pricey for an reproduction Vintage guitar, I must say. Anyway, I’ll be damned if this Japanese Mosrite isn’t one of the nicest guitars I have ever owned! It looks GREAT, the neck feels GREAT and dare I say, it even sounds BETTER than the 1987 Mosrite! Brighter, crisper, it sounds just GREAT. All of this is fine with me because after all, it is NOT a real Mosrite.
No sir, I have one of those over there in the corner. The REAL Mosrite is not for playing, so it doesn’t matter anymore what it feels like and what it sounds like, it only matters what it LOOKS like.
And so it should be. Who in their right mind would start bashing away on an instrument that can never be replaced?
So, when I looked at the situation in this light, it occured to me that the Japanese guitar is arguably Even Better Than the REAL Thing! And so started my quest. I don’t think I would ever part with the ’87 Mosrite, but I think I have found a way to live with my addiction, and that is to supplement my real Vintage Guitars.
With guitars that feel, look and sound really good, but at a price point that makes it a no-brainer. It’s almost like buying insurance for the ’87 Mosrite. Now I am not playing it as often as I normally would and consequently I’m maintaining the integrity of the Vintage instrument and allowing it to appreciate.
Since then, I’ve been on a quest to find the ultimate in reproduction Vintage guitars that are qualified to add to the list. In so doing, with my efforts and those of others, I hope that this page can serve as a tool for people that are looking for “everyday player” guitars to supplement their Vintage Collection and also for people who would never buy a Vintage Guitar but want The Ultimate Reproduction Vintage Guitars on the Planet. Please send along your Even Better Than the REAL Thing! Guitar stories, along with pictures if possible, and I will include them. Here are a few examples: Coral Hornet 1960’s. Vintage 1960's Coral Hornet Electric Guitar For me, love at first sight. A while back I found one in San Diego.
That is a picture of it above, a beauty. Unfortunately they wanted $2,000 for it. They probably still have it today. I’ve played one and they are a lot better looking than playing, primarily because the tailpiece is lousy. The intonation cannot be adjusted because it is a vibrato tailpiece with a piece of wood for a bridge that slides around.
Every time you change the strings, you wrestle with it to keep it in tune. That aside, I could not get it out of my mind, so I found one on EBAY that had been refinished and needed a little TLC. With a little work, about $200 in parts (Bigsby and Tune-o-matic bridge) and a few hours of guitar love, I ended up with a real nice looking (some say wierd!?)AND a really nice playing 60’s Coral Guitar. The Gibson Bridge combined with the Bigsby Vibrato make this a NICE player. Stays perfectly in tune for days.
Compared to an original at $2000, this one cost about $350. Here is a picture of it. I own a 64 Mosrite Ventures model in 1985 cost $889 WHSC included overnight air shipping to Hawaii.
I also have a 2007 Filmore 63 Clone bound sunburst sidejack. This guitar is labled Mosrite of USA, no Ventures logo,it was purchased new in Japan at Shimamura Music in Shinjuku,the cost was $3100 at a yen rate of 111:1, I was working in Japan.
The models labeled Mosrite of California were selling at double the price of the Mosrite of USA models. In December of 1965 I bought a new 65 model, but had a chance to buy a new old stock 63 sunburst bound sidejack Ventures model. The 63 was 30% off list WHSC, I didn’t buy it. I really screwed up by not doing so; but then again I sold the 65 in 1967 and likely had I bought the 63 it would’ve had the same fate.
Here’s a collection of serial numbers of Mosrite’s cheapest electric guitar. The guitar Johnny Ramone has used as his main guitar his entire Ramones career from 1974 to 1996. Originally designed as a student model, a few months later changed to a more elaborate model with German carve, Moseley vibrato, bigger pickups.
The Ventures logo has not been used by Mosrite anymore after the distribution deal with the Ventures has ended. Some sources say that’s happened in 1967, some say late 1968. The last Ventures record promoting Mosrite guitars is Super Psychedelics, released June 3, 1967. The next record, $1,000,000 Weekend, released December 23, 1967, is not promoting Mosrite anymore but Award Amplifiers. So the deal may have ended in middle to late 1967. Del Halterman tells on page 162 of „Walk-Don’t Run – The Story of the Ventures“: „While Flights of Fantasy climbed to 169 in Billboard, The Ventures‘ five-year contract with Mosrite expired.“ Flights of Fantasy was released on May 25, 1968.
Mathematical, a 1963 5-year contract should last until 1968. On „The Horse“ (released: August 24, 1968) the band poses with Mosrite guitars on the cover. I guess the deal has ended in late 1968, so that may be the date when the Ventures logo disappeared from the headstocks. Unfortunately, he neck heel and pocket stamps have only been used from July 1965 to October 1966, perhaps November. Early Slab Ventures II do not have a date stamp.
The „—“ in the table means that I don’t have the data, not that there is not such data. Please note: All information here is the autor’s belief.
The estimated numbers of made exemplars are a rough guess. All information is without engagement, no responsibility is taken for the correctness of this information. If you have more information about serial number and model and year or have pictures of your Mosrite that you’d allow me to publish here, please tell me. News: Apr 22, 2017: B928 and B1506 (?) added May 08, 2017: dates added to B138 May 31, 2017: s/n added to B047, B1050 added Jul 23, 2017: B1002 added Sep 27, 2017: B1263 added Dec 18, 2017: B1523 added Dec 23, 2017: B895 added. Mosrite Ventures II variations model approx. Made from to lowest known s/n highest known s/n Ventures II model—slab body 150 May 1965 Aug 1965 B002 B138 Ventures II model—'transition'—made from parts???
No s/n no s/n Ventures II model—transition 120 Aug 1965 Dec 1965 B154 B258 Ventures II model—production 430 Dec 1965 Feb 1966 B263 B687 Ventures Mark V—truss nut body side 210 Feb 1966 Apr 1966 B480 B1177 Ventures Mark V—truss nut head side 600 Apr 1966 late 1968 B924 B1506 (?) no Ventures logo 150 late 1968 early 1969 B1544 B1680 Gospel 15 early 1969 early 1969 B1689 B1700. Missing and/or interesting serial numbers from to variation date B001 B153 all slab body models May–Aug 1965 B138 B153 slab body or transition model Aug 1965 B254 B262 transition or normal production model Aug–Dec 1965 B481/B688 B693 II model or Mark V; B480 is a Mark V (outlier?), B687 is a II model Feb–Mar 1966 B892 B942 trussrod screw body end or headstock; B1177 has it at the body end (outlier?) Mar–Apr 1966 B1490 B1543 Mark V or no logo mid/late 1968 B1679 B1694 no logo or Gospel early 1969 B1698? Every Gospel early 1969. Ventures II — slab body B001–B138 approx made: 150 May–August 1965 There seem to be like two different runs; differences in generation 2:. slight modification to body’s neck joint (thicker and shorter). neck-thickness at body joint, joint became shorter, too.
fretboard became way thicker (maple thinner). slightly differently shaped upper horn and normally:. vibrato unit’s top part changed from flat to arched (rolled edge). ½ round string guide changed to ¼ round According to a Japanese website Don Wilson has played a slab Ventures II as backup and again in 1967.
Nokie Edwards has had a slab Ventures II as backup, too (perhaps prototype #1). These two white guitars are often called prototypes – difference to the regular run of slab bodied Ventures IIs is the binding on the fretboard and a little longer headstock. The very first production models have a thicker neck heel while the body is exactly the same as that of the regular generation 1 models. B002, B006, Johnny Ramone’s blue and Sunburst, and I think B017 have that thick neck heel, I can’t tell for the guitars in between. My B021 has the regular generation 1 neck heel. Mosrite Ventures II slab body s/n color neck-date body-date note no s/n (guessed) white — — generation 0; vibrato changed to Moseley-Vibrato, owned by Eiji Shima (Yuzo Kayama, The Wild Ones), picture here:, heavily covered in autographs.
It seems to have the same features as the '1964 Mosrite The Ventures II Prototype', longer headstock and neck binding, perhaps it'd belonged to the Ventures, too. Good pictures can be found in the Japanese book 'Guitar Graphic Vol. 2' that features an article about Eiji Shima's collection, here's a sample, finally:. No s/n white no date no date generation 0; has found another one with neck binding, posted this on and was kind enough to email me. Adam believes this is 'one of the two slab-bodied Ventures II prototypes the Ventures used on their 1965 tour of Japan.' More info soon, I'm quite sure. Thanks to Adam!
Here's Adam's photobucket album for this guitar: 1964 Mosrite The Ventures II Prototype. Great pix, as expected 😉 older info and picture of it being. B002 red (ref. Red) no date no date generation 1 with a '63 mute bridge (without the mute mechanism, not even the screw hole for that), info here at mosriteforum.com:. Potentiometers: Centralab 1346520 (20th week (May) 1965).
Meanwhile in Germany, refinished by me, 😉 – have fun, Phil! B003 (?) red Jul 1965 Jul 1965 Grover tuners, changed tailpiece to fixed 1988 Moseley, owned by R.E., pic here:. Serial number and date stamps according to owner — to me on the only available picture it looks more like having a fat fretboard (generation 2). B006 unknown no date — generation 1, neck only, sold on eBay March 2005 B007 white — — generation 1, originally bought at Larry Morgan Music in Garland/TX (original price: 240 USD), it was sent back to Mosrite in 65/66 because of a crack at the Body's neck heel — retured was a German Carve Ventures II, B510/3003, very intersting story here:. B010 blue — — no pictures, just mentioned in Arthur's Music Store's reverb.com ad for B017: in January 2016. Arthur's recieved the guitar from Mosrite July 7th, 1965.
B011 white — — generation 1, story here:, price was 3200 USD in October 2012. B012 red — — no pictures, just mentioned in Arthur's Music Store's reverb.com ad for B017: in January 2016. Arthur's recieved the guitar from Mosrite July 7th, 1965. B017 white over red (factory) no date no date generation 1, the shop recieved it July 7 1965, so made in June at the latest? Pix and thread here: More pictures here:. Sold by Arthur's Music Store at reverb.com in January 2016: for 7500 USD.
Great info there: 'The body was originally finished Red and repainted White at the Mosrite factory to fill our order of a Ventures II in White. Around the interior edges, under the pickguard, in the neck pocket, under the bridge, you can still see some of the Red peeking through the factory White finish. (.) Studying the finish up close, you can see where the finish was very hurried. It is thick in some places, and buffed shiny in some spots on the shoulders while an eggshell finish everywhere else.' Sold again February 2017: for 10,500 USD (10,152 EUR then), now (October '17) for 12,500 USD:. B018 blue no date no date generation 1, bridge pu changed, owned by S.J., pix here:.
B019 blue — — generation 1, mentioned here:, rewound bridge pickup B021 white no date no date generation 1, potentiometers: Centralab 1346520 (20th week (May) 1965). Has been found in Bath/UK and now is mine – pictures can be found here:. B037 red — — generation 1, water-damaged, sold Feb 2009 (ebay), once owned by M.M., pix here:. B040 red no date no date generation 1, potentiometers: Centralab 1346520 (20th week 1965) B041 blue — — generation 1, owned by T.B. B043 red — — generation 1; I've found some pictures of it in the www in January 2003, now it re-appeared and is where it belongs: at Z.N.
Mosrite Ventures Guitar Serial Numbers Decoder
In Budapest 😉 B047 red — — generation 1; once owned by T.B., rewound bridge pickup. For sale at Tym Guitars in March 2017:, price: 8250 AUD. Now (October 2017) available at Reverb: for 8995 USD. As of November 2017 it's being sold on eBay: for BIN 9,955.– USD. B048 red — — generation 1, once owned by D.C., story at — meanwhile sold. B051 blue — — generation 1, owned by R.C., for sale on eBay Jan 2013: VERY Rare 1965 Mosrite Ventures Model II Guitar Johnny Ramone Vintage, starting at 6000 USD, BIN 9000.
Sold to mosriteforum member Eddie Ramone, pics can be found here:. B07x red — — generation 2, eBay Nov 2014 for a BIN of 1500 USD (!):. I think I can read something like B077.
And I know that this is not the first underpriced eBay-BIN slab I've missed 😉 B080 red Jul 31 1965 019 Jul 30 1965 005 generation 2, Adam Tober found another one in Japan, info and pictures on his website Expat Guitars - お店について. More photos here: 1965 Mosrite The Ventures II B080 Slideshow by expatguitars Photobucket. Sold on eBay August 2013 for USD 6500. B09x white — — generation 2 with flat tremolo-top, owned by T.O., found here: ベンチャーズ倶楽部（会員自慢の楽器／オールド・モズライト編. B097 Pearl White Aug 2 1965 042 Jul 30 1965 015 generation 2 with flat tremolo-top and roller bridge (maybe the guitar above).
It first appeared in some pix of Fillmore's collection on their website in the early 2000s, then in a calendar, eBay November 2013:. As of April 2015 it's for sale at Hyper Guitars, some pictures still at their. In August 2015 sold to Z.N. – as of October 2017 I'm proud to own it 😉 B000xx white Jul x1 1965 002 xx xxx 1965 001 generation 2 with flat tremolo top and roller bridge, ad here at in March 2016. I just can't read the serial number, but it looks like B000xx (?). A little hacked inside and the pickguard is 3 ply, so maybe not original.
Pot dates: 6533 (mid/late August 1965), stamps are hard/impossible to read. B102 red — — generation 2, for sale on eBay Dec 2012, Jan 2013: Ultra Rare 1965 Mosrite Ventures Model II Guitar Johnny Ramone Vintage, starting at USD 7800, then 7200, then 4500. Crack at body's neck heel. Finally sold for 4500 USD.
Seems to be for sale again, November 2016: B106 Sunburst Aug 2 1965 049 Jul 31 1965 003 generation 2 with flat tremolo-top, for sale on Heritage Auctions July 16th 2011, (USD 4481,25 w/o fees), for sale again eBay November 2011, starting at USD 3600, sold for USD 5350 (3972 EUR then). Pictures can be found.
B113 red — — generation 2, vibrato top missing, potentiometers: Centralab 1346529 (29th week 1965 = July) B121 (?) red — — generation 2 but ½ round string guide. Here's what the owner told me about its serial number: 'The serail number on the red one appears to be B 21. It could also be B2 but there appears to be a 1 to the right. Not real pronounced but it could be.' Now that the white B021 has appeared it seems this guitar's serial number may rather be B121 – the bodyshape and fretboard do actually look more like that of a later (about B080 upwards) example. Refined body and headstock, vibrato top piece re-attached, owned by D.G., pix here:. B124 Sunburst Aug 2 1965 024 Jul 29 1965 002 generation 2, 2 tuners changed (D, G), for sale Jul 2011 6000usd.
Photos can be found here:. As of March 2015, located in the UK, it's for sale at reverb.com: – listing has ended, guitar is sold to Budapest (thanks for the info, Zoli). B125 Sunburst — — generation 2, played by Steve Spenard, guitarists of GG Allin & The Jabbers, video here:. Steve owns it since the early 80s — vibrato top missing, vibrato plate converted to a fixed tailpiece by previous owner. Here's the story and some pics:. Thanks Steve for showing me your guitar! B126 Sunburst Jul 31 1965 05x no date generation 2 with generation 1 body, trussrod cover at pickguard (factory made by Mosrite?
According to original owner the plate has already been there when he bought it new in 1965). For sale at eBay Jan 2013 for 8999 USD or best offer. Finally sold for 7100 USD. Now owned by K.R. Potentiometers: Centralab 1346527 (27th week 1965 = June/July) B137 blue — — generation 2, B138 blue Jul 31 1965 058 Aug 2 1965 016 plus Aug 1 1965 generation 2 – thanks to Z.N. For the dates!
Mosrite Ventures II slab body – unknown serial number s/n color neck-date body-date note — blue — — Johnny Ramone's, generation 1,. Original in 1974 except for bridge (Gibson/Schaller harmonica bridge – maybe this is a very early Ventures II that had '63 mutebridge like B002), later changed to fixed Gibson tailpiece through orig. Chrome plate—stolen Oct. 22, 1977 (Chicago).
— Sunburst — — Johnny Ramone's, generation 1, fixed tailpiece with chrome plate, black P90-style PU in bridge-position, black plastic knobs—early backup guitar that appeared around late 1975—I guess it was stolen with the blue Ventures II. Worn off white — — Johnny Ramone's, generation 1, refinished back in 1977 (white over original white?), many changes over the years, never seen with original vibrato, always Gibson-style tailpiece, original holes closed, refretted (Jumbos), DiMarzio FS-1 1980, Seymour Duncan mini humbucker 1983. It appeared right after the blue Ventures II was stolen, but probably Johnny has owned them parallelly for some time (I've never seen pictures that show both, perhaps Johnny's kept the white in storage in case of need). — black, neck black — — Johnny Ramone's, one pickup (single coil, FS-1?), Grover Rotomatic tuners, no Mosrite or Ventures logo at headstock, smaller pickguard—probably no real Ventures II but something custom made (similar shape, but very thin at large beveled area, slightly different shape, less offset).
Backup guitar from early 1978–1982 or 83—perhaps it was stolen in the second Ramones equipment burglary at April 24th, 1983 (after concert at Reseda Country Club). — brown, ref. Gold — — Johnny Ramone's, generation 2, FS-1 (?) at bridge, original PU at neck, rare brown color until 1989, later refinished gold for the Acid Eaters tour 1993—backup guitar 1984–1994, used in the videos for 'Pet Sematary', 'I Believe in Miracles' and 'Substitute ' (refinished gold)—. This guitar is from the second run with the thick fretboard and so on. No s/n Sunburst, neck Sunburst — — generation 1; thread here:. — red — — generation 1; refretted, Moseley vibrato, owned by R.W.A., pix can be found in this video:.
— white — — generation 1; near mint condition, yellowed, roller bridge, pickguard has only 9 (insted of 10) screws; some pictures here at the mosrite forum: — white — — generation 1 with roller bridge, here it's called number 0001 and, but that may just stand as an example. I think I can see a slightly different shaped three ply pickguard (blk/wht/blk). The info in the link says it's number one, but I'm not sure about the serial number.
Analogue to Don Wilson's slab Nokie Edward's Ventures II may not have a serial number and may be the Eiji Shima Slab (see table above). Worn off blue Aug 1965 Aug 1965 generation 2, vibrato missing, owned by I.H., pictures here:.
— red — — generation 2, owned by M.M., pix here:. — white — — generation?; seems to be in Japan and is played here:. This guitar may be B097.
Mosrite Ventures II 'transition' + left over necks s/n color neck-date body-date note V11 0016 red — — sold by Andy Moseley on eBay in February 2008; s/n according to Andy's auction, I guess it has no number no s/n white — — vibrato var. 2, Japanese tuners, Bigsby arm, signed by Johnny Ramone (head back) no s/n Sunburst — — vibrato var. 2, roller-bridge no s/n white — — vibrato var. 2, metal Kluson tuners, owned by M.M., ebay Jan 2012, BIN 7000 usd no s/n white — — vibrato var.
Mosrite Ventures II German carve s/n color neck-date body-date note B263 red — — normal pickguard, uncut neck, wide headstock; pictures here:, and here:. B276 white — — normal pickguard, uncut neck but neckplate with short screw alignment, wide headstock; – eBay July 2014:, starting at 3495 USD, and here at reverb.com: B278 white — — normal pickguard, uncut neck, wide headstock; on, starting at 2000 USD.
On eBay again March 2014: sold for the starting bid of USD 2000. B292 white, refinished light blue Dec 19 1965 — extended pickguard, cut neck, BUT wide headstock B296 white — — extended pickguard, cut neck, BUT wide headstock, potentiometers: Centralab 1346533 – eBay July 2014:, starting at 2390 USD. B297 Maroon or Candy Apple Red (ref?) Dec 17 1965 0023 Dec 7 1965 extended pickguard, cut neck, BUT wide headstock, potentiometers: Centralab 1346534 – kijiji.ca December 2014:, price: 1750 USD. Appeared in in February 2015. March 2015: Reverb ad with great pictures here:.
B304 red — — Oct 1965 (according to my notes) B321 Ink Blue 1965 1965 extended pickguard, cut neck, BUT wide headstock, refinished in original colors, pictures here at; thanks to Gary Brown B323 blue — — thanks to Marshall Aver B324 red Dec 22 1965 0014 Dec 8 1965 0008 extended pickguard, cut neck, BUT wide headstock – eBay July 2014:, starting at 3495 USD. No s/n blue Dec 20 1965 0001 Dec 9 1965 0006 No serial number (lost in refret job?), painted neck (brown with grain), reshaped volute - pictures and story here:.
B330 turquoise (ref.) Dec 21 1965 0006 Dec 8 1965 0047 eBay August 2014:, starting at 2000 USD. Body and neck Dec?
1965 0031 Dec? 1965 0055 — B338 red, ref.
Black Dec 22 1965 0026 Dec 8 1965 0041 replacement body, Sunburst, dated Mar 2 1966. Modified to replicate Johnny Ramone's 'Time Has Come Today' guitar meanwhile. 😉 B349 red Dec 23 1965 — eBay July 2011 B375 blue — — extended PG, short–medium neck heel B376 blue — — extended PG, short–medium neck heel. Thanks to J.H.
B388 Sunburst Jan 11 1966 0014 Dec 31 1965 001x Originally bought in 1966 at 'Medley Music' in Ardmore, PA - for sale from original owner on - has not been sold. B397 Sunburst — — — B399 red — — — B411 red Jan 11 1966 0024 — 4-piece neck, 3-ply pickguard, eBay Jan 2013?
Sunburst (with Sunburst neck?), refinshed red Jan 11 1966 0029 Dec 31 1965 0028 or 0023 4-piece neck, 1-ply pickguard, eBay May 2015:. B427 red Jan 1966 Jan 1966 3-piece neck, NOS near mint condition with the original strings, it also still has the packing paper, original case and contents including supple leather strap, cord, and everything. Pots date 1965. EBay April 2012, BIN 2695 USD. B431 blue — — 4-piece neck B434 red — — 4-piece neck B440 medium blue Jan 17 1966 0010 Jan 10 1966 0026 4-piece neck – again, great pictures in the owner's facebook album: B454 white — — Tortoise shell pick guard, thanks a lot to JG for his contribution and the picture.
B468 white Jan 17 1966 0008 Jan 10 1966 0038 Story and pictures here at the mosriteforum:.? Natural (ex-white?) Jan 19 1966 0005 Jan 3 1966 0028 —? Blue Jan 17 1966 0018 Jan 10 1966 0007 — B477 Sunburst — — — B486 Sunburst — — Thanks to Kim and Marcus for their contribution. B489 red — — 4-piece neck, some pictures here: B500 white Jan 19 1966 0004 no date near mint, 4-piece neck, 3-ply pickguard, eBay Jun 2013, BIN 3.295 USD (EUR 2.529 then)—later sold in parts B502 red — — auction April 2012,.
Listed in eBay May 2014:, starting at 1,999 USD, BIN is 2,600 USD. B510 stripped, ex-white?
— — Additional s/n 3003; replacement sent by Mosrite for cracked B007, story here:. Bridge pickup replaced with a Mark I PU in late 70s/early 80s. B518 Sunburst — — 4-piece neck B529 red Jan 21 1966 Jan 5 1966 — B538 red — — 4-piece neck B539 red — — — B559 white — — eBay Germany December 2014: B590 Sunburst Feb 1 1966 0036 Feb 9 1966 0012 eBay June 2015:, BIN 2499GBP (3934USD then) Reverb November 2016:, price: 2850 EUR from France.
B55x or B65x (?) Sunburst Feb 3 1966 0023 Feb 10 1966 0005 eBay, November 2017:, incomplete and disassembled, neck sanded to bare wood, serial number hard to read, I guess it's something like B55x or B65x. B610 Sunburst Jan 31 1966 0026 Feb 11 1966 0004 Thread here: and here: B619 Sunburst Jan 31 1966 0033 Feb 11 1966 0002 Thanks to Seth for his contribution. B630 Sunburst — — — B638 Sunburst Jan 31 1966 0022 Feb 25 1966 — B640 Sunburst Mar 1 1966 0022 Feb 1 1966 2-piece neck B648 Sunburst — — Not sure with serial number as it's hard to read on the pictures, found here in France: B649 Sunburst — — 4-piece neck, eBay September 2013, BIN 1990AU$ (1883USD then): B655 refinished red Feb 1 1966 0005 — Stringguide and zero-fret changed to standard nut. B670 over B641 refinished Jan 31 1966 0036 Mar 3 1966 0003 Stripped, neck, body, Moseley with wrong arm, bridge, 4 tuners only (seen March 2011): A functional guitar now, though not all stock: PUs and pickguard were crafted by Ed Elliott. As of this date (September 2013) it hasn't been refinished either. B674 over B645 Sunburst Mar 1 1966 0001 Mar 2 1966 0009 Pix here at the forum:. Seller tells Potentiometers are Central Lab 134-66-05, made 5th week of 1966, Pickups read about 12.8K.
B678 over B649 Sunburst — — Another serial number with some extra digits, I guess to correct a duplication. Custom made tortoise pickguard. Pictures and description here at the mosriteforum:. B681 red — — found here: B686 red — — found here:. Found again on eBay: B687 Sunburst — — —. Mosrite Ventures Mark V s/n color neck-date body-date note X384 silverburst — — strange serial number, very rare color, near mint condition, pots are dated 1966 28th week, thread here:, pictures here.
Back on eBay in November 2015, starting at 2199 USD:. B480 Sunburst — — — B605 red (refin.?) — — eBay June 2012, serial number according to seller; neck plate missing? Sunburst Feb 1966 Feb 1966 — B694 Sunburst — — —?
Blue Mar 1 1966? — B708 blue Mar 3 1966 0020 Feb 19 1966 0018 Great story here at Tym Guitar's blog: B726 blue — — — B733 blue — — — B734 natural (stripped) Apr 6 1966 unreadable — B735 sunburst (ref.) — — Reverb ad February 2016 here:, price: 1800USD/1644 EUR. B751 ex-red - refinished — — has been red - sold in eBay for restauration B758 translucent maroon — — custom pg B765 Sunburst — — eBay June 2011 B774 white — — — B777 white — — Found on this Japanese website: —I guess it's for sale.
— — — B795 Sunburst — — — B800 red — — eBay December 2016:, 2950 USD BIN or best offer. B802 red — Jul 14 1966 0013 eBay October 2012, 2899 USD starting B807 white — — Found on this Japanese website: —I guess it's for sale. B808 refinished — June 26 1966 Appeared in in January 2015. Not completely sure about serial number.
B817 Sunburst — — Signed by Nokie Edwards B822 white, ref. Purple painted over Jul 19 1966 0016 serial number (perhaps B812) hard to read; the complete guitar and earlier here:. Neck only on eBay March 2014, 750 USD starting: —later the neck has been relisted and nearly all other parts of that guitar appeared on eBay, too. B830 red — — vibrato changed to Bigsby-type B843 Sunburst — — signed by Nokie Edwards B844 white Jul 22 1966 — ad at jauce.com March 2015:. Pickups changed to grey Ed Elliotts, refretted with medium jumbo frets.
B856 red — — — B875 blue — — eBay October 2016:, BIN 1650 USD, changed tuners, missing tone knob and strap buttons. B884 blue — — — B889 red — — — B891 blue — — eBay April 2011, perhaps B801, potentiometers: Centralab 1346628 B895 blue — — thanks to J.G. For thanks to J.G. For and info!? Blue — — Ricky Wilson's (B-52's) guitar, replaced tuners and tone-knob;.
B1028 blue — — outlier with the trussrod screw still at the neck's body end; reverb.com, sold in October 2015 for €1,932.40EUR (located in England:. B1177 Sunburst, neck Sunburst — — near mint condition, seems to be an outlier with the trussrod screw still at the neck's body end; eBay August 2013, starting at 2195USD, BIN 2995USD:, finally sold for 1895USD.
Mosrite Ventures Mark V – trussrod-screw at headstock s/n color neck-date body-date note B903 (?) white — — Serial number very hard to read (so not sure), eBay March 2014:, sold for 1,375 USD. B924 blue — — — B928 blue — — Changed string guide, for sale here from Madrid/Spain:, price 3000 Euro. B930 blue — — 3 layer undercoat: white primer + red laquer + blue laquer; thanks to Dino for showing his guitar.
B933 Sunburst — — eBay February 2004 B936 blue — — eBay January 2004:.—sold for the starting bid of USD 1699. Bx36 cream ref.
— Feb 28 1966 006 eBay June 2012, BIN USD 2500, seller reads B036, I guess it's B936, perhaps B836. Again on eBay Jan 2013 starting at USD 1495. Refinished, non original pickguard, tuners, switch, jack. Roller bridge. B943 red — — — B949 red — Dec 9 1965 0024 eBay October 2012, BIN 2950 USD B950 red — — — B963 white — — serial number hart to read (B9x3), 3 piece neck, eBay March 2014: - sold for USD 1375.
B967 white — — 3 piece neck, German eBay October 2013: - sold for EUR 1765. B968 Sunburst — — Pictures here. White — unreadable eBay April 2013; refinished, 'The Ventures' logo missing B983 Sunburst — — — B985 white — — Refretted; eBay May 2014: - BIN 2,250 USD. B989 white — — eBay December 2013: - sold for US $1,625.00 (with Univox U65RN amplifier). B992 Sparkle Blue (ref., originally white) — — Reverb ad here:, price: $1499 B993 Sunburst — — — B994 cream (white) — — auction April 2012, B996 yellowed white, ref. Feb 28 1966 — Sold in parts on eBay Jan 2013:.
Refinished, missing pickups, potentiometers: Centralab 1346552 and 1346601 B997 white — — — B1002 white — — For sale on eBay July 2017, BIN 1999USD; weight: 7.3 lbs. B1009 Sunburst — — For sale on gbase and on the french seller's website:. B1025 Sunburst — — — B1037 blue — — — B1040 red — — body only on eBay, November 2013: - finally sold for US $249.95 in December 2013. B1046 or B1048 Sunburst — — eBay Jan 2012 B1050 Sunburst, neck Sunburst no date Oct 26 1966 (no further ink stamped number), serial number embossed in neck pocket thanks to Peppe for showing me! Polyester lacquer on body and neck.
B1062 blue — — eBay July 2014:, starting at 2090 USD. B1092 white — — missing some parts (knobs, bridge, bridge pu) – thanks to zoli for his contribution 😉 B1140 white no date no date Information I got: 'body serial B 1140, neck stamp appears to be double stamped (reads BB 4 / 6 / 5 / 4 (vague)) and is hard to read.
I got a potmeter code as well, the volume control reads 1346628.' Thanks a lot to Martijn. Ad and pictures here:.
More pictures here:. B1144 white — — — B1153 red — — — B1171 Sunburst, neck Sunburst — — — B1172 Sunburst, neck Sunburst — — — B1186 — — — No pictures, B1191 red — — eBay April 2012, 2450 usd BIN; again on, sold for US $1,631.66. B1194 red — — — B1204 blue — — — B1205 blue — — Thanks to Paul from Canada. B1230 white — — — B1250 red — — eBay Jan 2012, 4000 BIN B1263 Sunburst, neck Sunburst — — Reverb September 2017: price: 2500 USD. Grover tuners, non original HSC. B1271 red — — eBay Nov 2012, 2300 BIN B1280 Sunburst, neck Sunburst — — — B1290 Sunburst (ref.) — — Pots dated 47th week of 1966, found here. B1313 Ink Blue — — Pictures here in this October 2016 Chicagomusicexchange ad:, price 1695 USD.
B1323 white — — — B1329 white — — eBay February 2016: – BIN 1940 USD. B1330 white — — Found on this Japanese website: – s/n a little hard to read, but I think it's B1330. B1334 Sunburst — — forum member SanchoPansen B1340 Sunburst, neck Sunburst — — — B1348 Sunburst, neck Sunburst — serial number embossed in neck pocket Serial number according to owner B1355 red — — — B1356 red — — — B1370 Sunburst — — Mentioned in this thread, pictures.
B1378 Sunburst — — eBay July 2016:, BIN US $4,234.00 from Japan. S/n a little hard to read, last digit may be a 6. B1398 blue — — eBay Jan 2012, 4000 BIN B1400 Sunburst — — — B1409 Sunburst — — — B1431 blue — — Signed by The Ventures in 1997, sold on eBay in July 2012 for 2000 USD B1445 Sunburst, neck Sunburst — — — B1465 Sunburst, neck Sunburst no date no date but serial number embossed in neck pocket sold Dec 2011 1673 USD (Heritage Auctions), for sale again on eBay Mar 2012, BIN 1940 USD B1468 Sunburst, neck Sunburst — — pots 47th week of 1966 B1475 Sunburst, neck Sunburst — — Thanks to Tany from Italy for the contribution. B1483 Sunburst, neck Sunburst no date no date but serial number embossed in neck pocket December 2014: According to owner the serial number in the neck pocket is B1348 but that might be transposed digits in his notes. Thanks to J.P. For showing me his Mosrite.
For sale in parts at eBay December 2015:, 920 USD for body and neck, 120 USD for each pickup: (7,06kOhms) and (7,1kOhmx), and 80USD for the harness:. B1489 Sunburst neck only — — — B1494 green (ref?), black headstock — — Pickguard signed by The Ventures; rare color if not refinished - it may have originally been Sunburst with a Sunburst neck.
Reverb December 2017:, price US $3,500 (3080 EUR then). B1499 Sunburst, neck Sunburst — — eBay April 2014:, sold for 1,895 USD B1502 Sunburst, neck Sunburst — — ad at Reverb, March 2016:, price 1,995 USD B1506 (?) Sunburst, neck Sunburst — — ad at Reverb, April 2017:, price 2,450 USD. I'm not sure about the s/n's last digit. Mosrite Mark II/V style without Ventures logo s/n color neck-date body-date note B1466 (?) Sunburst — — Serial number according to seller. For sale at reverb.com:, price: 1900 USD B1523 Sunburst — — Thanks to R.K.
For the info B1544 Candy Apple Red or Maroon — Mar xx 1966 0012 4-bolt w/ plate, Kluson tuners,. Body seems to have a (serial?) number stamped in neck pocket (140?), blue undercoat B1546 Candy Apple Red — — 4-bolt w/ plate, Kluson tuners B1548 Candy Apple Red — — 4-bolt w/ plate, Kluson tuners. EBay November 2016:, price: 2795 USD B1557 Sunburst, neck Sunburst — — 4-bolt w/ plate, Kluson tuners B1578 white (ref.) — — 3 bolt no plate B1582 Sunburst — — 3 bolt no plate, Kluson tuners B1589 stripped no date no date stripped, neck and body only; 3 bolt no plate, Kluson tuners, and forum thread here: B1598 Sunburst — — 3 bolt no plate, thread here: B1600 translucent brown (refinished?) — — 3 bolt no plate, japanese tuners B1615 Ink Blue — — 3 bolt no plate, Kluson tuners, eBay October 2014: For sale again, eBay October 2015:, starting at 2,499.00 USD, BIN 3,500.00 USD.
B1646 Sunburst — — 4-bolt no plate, japanese tuners B1674 (?) 2-col-Sunburst — — 4-bolt no plate, japanese tuners, color: red-black-burst, s/n according to add in Dec 2004 is 1167A – maybe someone mis-read it and it's the more propable B1674. B1675 white — — 4-bolt no plate, japanese tuners, pictures here at B1678 white — — japanese tuners B1680 white — — japanese tuners, Thanks to Todd N. For his contribution. No s/n black — — heavyly customised, refretted, no serial number (lost in refretting?), a picture can be found here. Mosrite Mark V Bass s/n color neck-date body-date note 2 2B 71 (?) metallic candy green — — 1966, natural neck with binding, Mosrite bass tuners, Ventures (Mark I) logo (found 2010 at the fillmore blog) s/n unknown Redburst — — natural neck with binding (found 2013 at facebook) BB003 + Z0381 Sunburst — — neck without binding, natural neck and headstock, Mosrite bass tuners (found 2011) – serial number speaks for the partsrite theorie, as the Z-number is from a Mosrite Celebrity III bass.
Here's a thread about it at the mosriteforum: and. S/n unknown Sunburst — — neck without binding, black neck and headstock, Mosrite bass tuners (found 2013 at facebook) s/n unknown Sunburst — — natural neck with binding, in restauration (found 2013 at facebook) s/n unknown Sunburst — — natural neck without binding, Mosrite bass tuners, 4 screw body without plate (found 2014 at g-base, ad here: ) s/n unknown Sunburst — — natural neck without binding, Mosrite bass tuners, 4 screw body without plate (November 2016 at g-base, ad here: ).