1993 Mosrite USA '64 Ventures Model "Built in Soul" Candy Apple Red w/ Vibramute, Case

Up for sale, a 1993 Mosrite USA '64 Ventures Model in exceptional, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. A rare example of the Ventures model platform with gold hardware and a custom color Candy Apple Red gloss finish, this Mosrite hails from the last year of true USA Mosrite production.

Crafted by Semie Moseley's United Sound Association company at the Booneville, Arkansas factory, this guitar is representative of the briefest era of USA Mosrite production. After Semie Moseley passed away in 1992, his wife Loretta oversaw production into the 1993 model year, and these "Built in Soul" Mosrites from Booneville are among the very best Semie and his small team of craftsmen ever made, produced in extremely small quantities.

This rare Mosrite retains all the essential features of the late 1964 (Type II) Ventures Model with 1st generation German Carve, smooth knobs and pickup covers, a two-ply pickguard, large "Ventures" logo on the headstock, and a sandcast Vibramute tailpiece. The single coil pickups have ample power and midrange content, wound properly to vintage-spec and metering just shy of 13k ohms, providing an authoritative sound that's quintessential Mosrite. Weighing 8lbs 3oz, this Mosrite has been professionally setup here at Mike and Mike’s Guitar Bar with 11-49 strings, low action, and spot-on intonation.

The maple neck has a slender D-shaped profile carve with round shoulders, measuring .800” deep at the 1st and 12th frets. On the bound dark rosewood fretboard, the original slender frets are practically perfect. The guitar plays cleanly up the 24 3/4" scale length with a straight neck and responsive, optimally adjusted truss rod. The fretboard measures 1 5/8" in width at the zero fret just forward of the aluminum nut. The Candy Apple Red-finished headstock features the large Ventures Model text, and the Grover Deluxe double line Kluson-style tuning machines turn smoothly and hold pitch well, even with liberal vibrato use.

On the body, all of the stock electronics work as they should, with untouched solder joints and original CTS pots that date to the 8th week of '93. The 1964 look is rounded out with a two-ply pickguard, smooth (non-embossed) pickup covers, and gold-plated metal Mosrite knobs machined with smooth tops (the design that predated the "M" knobs). The gold hardware shows uniform surface patina, and the “Vibramute” vibrato is extremely smooth and elegant, touch-sensitive in its responsiveness and made to exacting vintage spec with a sandcast base and tall, taut spring.

The gloss Candy Apple Red finish is dark and saturated, with cosmetic wear limited to light pick scuffing across the strum path, two tiny finish chips on the body perimeter, and a couple minor scuffs at the back bass-side waist. The gloss finish on the neck profile is flawless.

The original brown faux alligator hardshell case is included. This case features clean brown leather ends, gold silkscreen on the lid, functional latches, and the original handle.