1965 Mosrite Ventures Mark II Slab Body, Johnny Ramone, Vintage, The Ramones

Rare vintage 1965 Mosrite Ventures Mark 2 Slab Body in Bakersfield Red #B047


One of the most singular, incomparable guitars of all time. Like most vintage guitars, they are unplayable unless they're refretted. These came with extremely low profile, nonexistent frets. After fretting these guitars, it opens up a whole new world. A guitar without decent frets is not a usable instrument, no matter how cool or collectible. This guitar with the original frets, like a lot of guitars of the era, is useless and unplayable.

It's quite a feeling holding the real thing in your hands, but when you plug it in, it is indeed a revelation. Guitar is worn in and played and has a beautiful, attractive vintage patina to it, lacquer checking and all. Most importantly, it feels spectacular and very special in your hands. It's a thing of beauty and produces great feelings of joy. Much, much more-so than a vintage Strat which is commonplace in comparison.

There is nothing like an original 65 slab body Mosrite. The massive tailpiece, the nut width, the neck shape, the insanely great pickups, the wood! It will deliver the absolute fastest attack, rarified jangle and playing experience. There's nothing even similar. It's one of the truly great singular guitars that exists. There are a couple guitars than can get halfway there, the copies and modern version don't hold a candle, falling way short. Very few own one, but seems everyone says the same exact thing. The size of the body and neck has a lot to do with it. The nut width, the huge amount of brass at the tail. The correct small neck profile with proper nut width. Old wood. The sound of the hardware and pickups. I've had modern recreations, they're pretty laughable. They don't do it. All of CJ and Marky's guitar players have sounded like crap for 20+ years, using Les Pauls and humbuckers, P90's, Strats. It does not work. Nothing compares to the unbelievable fast attack and jangle this guitar offers. You cannot play Ramones music on any other guitar, it does not work. But so much more can be accomplished, when you have the right frets and attention to detail. A psychotic amount of attention has been given to this guitar over many years by the absolute highest level luthier. For that reason this guitar plays and sounds unbelievable, and ends up being very versatile, a joy like no other. To me, it's far more interesting than a 50's strat, which is so commonplace and overdone, so played out.

Extreme rarity. Thankfully this guitar has been played a lot, and was owned by an actual guitar player, so it has that beloved played in feel, as opposed to the stark, horrible off-putting "new" feeling. A few years ago I owned and sold a mint white 1965 Mosrite Ventures II Slab, and found it undesirable to play. this was arthur's music one owner mint condition white. I never picked it up, I had zero desire to play it. For one, the frets on these guitars from the factory were non existent and non playable. And to me there's just something about the feel of a brand new guitar that's incredibly off putting; I've never bought a brand new guitar and never will. As a well rounded player, I would say the original frets on these guitars render it useless and unplayable. That was my first and last baseball card guitar, highly collectible but not usable. Fitting it sold to someone who doesn't play, what a surprise. Take it to heart.

This is pure Americana, extremely rare and coveted. No one has messed with this guitar, nor has it been left in a closet rotting, which leads to all kinds of problems, as I experienced with B011.

Guitar has no changed parts, and in 2021 received a $1300 service by a world class luthier. This was a very important and necessary servicing, and was approximately 15 hours of highly skilled labor, by one of best shops in the country, if not thee best (currently a year wait for any work there). If you want an old Mosrite to play right, and be solid, etc. then it needs the attention of a veteran luthier, and it needs frets. This is not a job for "The Guitar Doctor" or what have you. You need a top level luthier in these instances. The difference in tone, intonation, and playability was nothing short of astonishing. In 30 years and countless expensive makeovers, I've never seen a playability transformation such as this one. Why this matters the most, is that it makes this the one a top tier specimen, likely the best playing example on earth.

You'll notice the frets on the blue guitar which recently sold for $14K are a disaster. The worst I've ever seen on a 65 slab. That guitar is as good as a baseball card. This guitar, however, is a highly playable instrument, guaranteed to be the best playing Ventures II slab on earth because of the work that was done to it. If you want to play actual music, then you need to service guitars at this level. The original frets are included, they were becoming unglued. i bought this guitar in unplayable condition. The saddles have all been reinforced with brass, easily eliminating the issues that will plague the other guitars, creating an incredible bedrock for the strings. What a huge difference. My jaw dropped when I first plugged it back in. Stunningly secure bridge and incredible intonation. Neck pocket wood-shimmed, angled to perfection. Truss rod, action, new zero fret all perfection. Best fret-job money can buy. A very unique and rare wire was chosen by a 50 year veteran, as to not ruin the look, they nailed it.

There are several important details to address with these guitars in order to maximize the sonic potential. (Or you can just stick a piece of cardboard under your bridge like JR). When I finally received the guitar back, I was in amazement. Never have I experienced such a transformation. With vintage guitars, it's been said, again & again, you need frets. Frets are a must. My comparisons are based on the fact that I have previously owned and sold a mint, unplayed factory version of this guitar, as well as modern versions. This guitar was refretted with a rare wire that maintains vintage look & feel. It's a rare low vintage style wire that maintains the same look but makes the guitar usable. I would argue that one of the reasons these guitars are so undervalued and underappreciated, aside from extreme rarity, is that they didn't have real frets from the factory. No one gets to experience the guitar. Refretting this guitar is the singlemost worthwhile guitar service I've done in 30+ years. I waited years, attempted repairs and failed. It was a last ditch effort that ended up being a huge blessing.

These single coil Mosrite pickups were only ever available in these super low production Ventures II (slab version) guitars, of which there are only 20-25 known to exist, many non original or altered. The EQ of the guitar is very singular and powerful, It’s all about the jingle jangle and attack of the treble strings combined with the right technique and amplifier. Very chimey guitar. There is nothing like it. The incredible chunk of bridge & vibrato certainly plays a role in the tone as well. The guitar has a very unique voice, is powerful and musical, and highly stable. It cannot be overstated, it has an extremely fast attack. This is the big standout. I’ve never played another like it, not even close. Fastest attack of all time with this nut width, this bridge and this scale. One will instantly understand Johnny’s attraction to this guitar. The frequency response and musicality blows the mind. This guitar has one job and one job only. Excels at one thing like a race car. There is probably no other guitar on the planet that does with this can do. However, in this instance, since you now have frets, the sky's the limit. Yes, these are "cool" guitars, but until you plug one in and experience the amazement, you'll be left wondering how so much tone comes out of this thing. You're floored and reminded again about EQ.

There are perhaps only 20-25 known to exist. You will find that the owners of these rare guitars are not willing to part with them. People might like to argue these low numbers, but there is simply no evidence supporting otherwise. These are scarce unicorn guitars, you'll find quite a few Ventures II slab body guitars to be in undesirable condition, only a handful remain original. If you're looking for a baseball card, look elsewhere. This one is for the real player.

No breaks, cracks, or paint work. Bridge pickup was rewound in Australia long ago to spec by reputable Mick Brierley via Tym Guitars, who's an expert and considered “the best at what he does”. Tym also does winds, but wanted "the best". so it's 100%. Guitar was purchased from Tym, Mosrite fanatic. Rewound with correct wire & gauge. It's sounds correct and is balanced nicely. I had another 65 slab here for years to compare with, and the pickup sounds completely true. After receiving the service overhaul, the neck pickup died. This happens to PAF's, happens to 50's strats. Nothing causes it but time. It's unfortunate but nothing can be done other than a proper rewind. Neck pickup wound back to 11K by Tom Brantley who's considered the best US mosrite guy. So the good news is that not only is the best playing slab body on earth, it's also got 2 new pickup winds, and they sound exact. This is a guitar with another lifetime ready to go.

Guitar is now better than new, more playable than ever and unbelievably satisfying. This guitar received more than a full service - it received the absolute royal treatment at Woodsongs in 2021 by a schooled, master luthier, and in the end all I can say is that I'm amazed. The intonation is so strong and so satisfying. It's a whole new guitar. Night & day. Much, much better than say a mint or like-new version of the same guitar. The bridge needed much attention so that proper contacts were made. The frets make all the difference in the world. The saddles have been meticulously and properly secured. The electronics cleaned and everything just sounds so much better. I have dealt with luthiers for 30+ years, have worked in known guitar repair shops since a young age, but have never dealt with anyone as thorough or as professional as this veteran. This guitar is now astonishing and has another 60 years of life in it. Everything is so perfect. Neck angle is perfect. zero nut is perfect, frets are perfect. I can say "better than new" with absolute confidence and assurance. There is no better playing mosrite on earth.

This red guitar #B047 has a smooth and worthwhile vibrato. Extremely worn in. Mild, subtle but incredibly smooth. If you want more pull you can swap the spring. This is a rarified American hot rod, the guitar does not disappoint. It is slick, sexy & powerful. It does not very much resemble or feel like the Ventures I, the older brother, with the short scale slab here he created a masterpiece without setting out to do so. The tone of this guitar does not resemble Fender guitars. The pickups are astonishing. The scale length, nut width string spacing, body shape, wood and pickups really create something singular and unique. This guitar was played a lot, and like the great Strats, there's a reason for that. The closet classic guitars never interest me, they sit rotting, and end up with all kinds of problems, and end up having no feel. They settle weirdly. You want a guitar that feels and plays at the highest level, not a baseball card.

Does not include original case, but will be shipped or delivered in a solid highly padded strong indestructible Roadrunner road case. Shipping includes insurance. I have a myriad of world class amps if you'd like to test drive the legendary guitar. Please email with any questions.

As with every guitar I sell, no surprises, only satisfaction. 

International buyers please be aware insurance only available up to $2500 and customs form will reflect actual sales price with paperwork.  I have shipped over $2MIL in gear since 1997, and have never made an insurance claim. I have shipped antique acoustic instruments to Europe in custom crates, rare speaker cabinets to Australia, and extremely expensive guitars domestically. Special attention paid to each unique shipment. Everything gets packed with extreme attention to care, detail that only decades of experience can provide. Every single guitar and case requires special unique attention in order to guarantee safe arrival, and I can guarantee that attention to detail. Please note a few of the later images in the listing were taken prior to refret. 

Please call or message to discuss with any questions.

CUSTOMER LIST James Williamson (Iggy & The Stooges), Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction), Glen Campbell, The Blasters, The Weirdos, Peter Distefano (Porno for Pyros), Mike Ness (Social Distortion), R.K.L., Leftover Crack, Vincent Gallo, George Pajon (Black Eyed Peas), Ed Shearmur (Pink Floyd, Page/Plant), Dennis Herring (Buddy Guy, Modest Mouse), D.I., Troy Van Leeuwen (Queens of the Stone Age), Twin Shadow, John Mayer, Justin D’errico (Pink), Darin Bennett (House of Blues LA orig house band), Cadillac Tramps, Ariel Pink, Deadmau5, LMFAO, Nico Vega, Woody Jackson, DJ Steve Porter, Danny Fields (Ramones, Stooges), Val Kilmer, David Lauren (Ralph Lauren), Justin Murdock, Charlie Sheen, Linda Ramone, Shepard Fairey, Divided by 13, A&M/Interscope/Geffen, Mad Hatter Studios (Chick Corea), Strummerville (Joe Strummer Estate), Marc Vachon