This beautiful 1965 Mosrite The Ventures II (Jr. or slab body) guitar was originally purchased at Arthur's Music Store in 1965. We have all original sales information and in-office inventory paperwork detailing when the guitar was ordered from Semie Moseley and the Mosrite Company. A hand-signed (and notarized, if the buyer wishes) photocopy of the original paperwork/provenance will be included with the sale.
Serial # B017
Ordered- June 1965 Recvd- July 7, 1965 Sold- September 17, 1965
*In the same order with this Mosrite, delivered July 7th, 1965, we also received Mosrite Ventures II #B010 in Blue, Mosrite Ventures II #B012 in Red, Mosrite in White #1258, Mosrite Sunburst #1067, Mosrite Sunburst #1080, Mosrite Red #1280*
This 1965 Mosrite The Ventures II is an oddity among rarities. 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. With the instrument fully assembled, you would never know this had once been any color other than White! 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. (See pictures)
Since its purchase in fall of 1965, the guitar was played for only a few months before the owner decided he was not meant to be a guitar star. It was then returned to its case where it sat for over 50 years. This is very evident when inspecting the condition of the guitar. There is no fret wear. There are buffing swirl marks on the original pickguard but very few actual pick scratches. The chrome is in good condition with a slight cloudy spot on the top of the tailpiece where the owners hand rested. The frets are tarnished from years of no play, but can easily be brought back to their original state with a good polish.
There are 2 small bare wood spots in the finish on the back of the neck, treble side, even with the 1st and 3rd frets. (see pictures) It's not a typical wear pattern a player would produce, but instead possibly where the instrument was dinged or rested on something that damaged the gloss neck finish. The headstock also shows a small area of gloss finish loss on the side of the bass side point.
From what we can see, all parts and pieces are original. The tremolo still has the compressed cardboard disk between the base of the arm and the plate on which it is attached.
This 1965 Mosrite Ventures II (Slab) in White comes with the original -silver with black ends- hard shell case featuring the original Arthur's Music Store sticker from the 1960's.
Also included in the sale is an original 1960's black leather skinny strap.
Please inspect the pictures carefully and feel free to ask for additional close-up shots, or call for an in-hand description. Or, if you are close to Indianapolis, Indiana, please stop by during business hours and check it out yourself! No appointment necessary! Serious buyers only, please.
This guitar will be shipped and declared with full insurance for the full value of the instrument. No exceptions. Buyer will pay for actual shipping and insurance costs.
*1/25/16: The price has been dropped to $7,500 in an effort to expedite the sale. At this point in time the owner is not taking offers on that price, and will hold firm at $7,500.
