Less than 2,000 total “Ventures” bass guitars were made during the legendary band’s short four year endorsement deal with Mosrite.
These unique instruments were all hand built using components almost entirely designed and made in the company’s factory in Bakersfield, CA.
The original list price of the bass guitar was a then princely $310 (which may have something to do with why so few were built).
Nonetheless they were coveted by many popular rock and country musicians including the great John Entwistle of The Who.
Serial #5369 (stamped in the heel of the fretboard) is an original 1965 “The Ventures” bass guitar.
The neck and body are both clearly date-stamped, “Jul 14, 1965” and “Jul 19, 1965” respectively.
The matching pots are also date coded July of 1965.
The sunburst finish is original as, it appears, are the frets, fretboard, saddle, alloy nut, bridge, knobs, binding, pickguard, tuners and tuning keys.
The sale includes the original pickup however, as a result of a split in the plastic casing, the guitar currently wears a hand-wound pickup made by former Mosrite employee Ed Elliot using original Mosrite specs and NOS parts.
(Google “Ed Elliot pickups”).
Also, as the bridge cover was missing, an unbranded vintage one was added.
(Can be removed with two screws).
Mosrite #5369 is in very good overall condition with a nicely aged, honestly earned patina.
Moreover, it plays and sounds great and is likely to continue to appreciate over time.
Why settle for ordinary when this unique piece of music history can be had the price of a new American Fender?
Whatsapp
