Mosrite The Ventures 1963 "Red" Possible prototype SN 0000

Mosrite “The Ventures” Model Electric Guitar - Made in USA - Collector’s Item / Autographed

This is a Ventures Model Mosrite, embossed with a “0000” serial number on the neck, and is believed to be the same body as the guitar Don Wilson (co-founder of The Ventures, and my father) is holding on the cover of Walk Don’t Run Vol 2. However, it’s impossible to verify this, as there’s no paperwork on this guitar. I have owned this instrument for approximately 20 years; it’s not been used and it’s been stored in a temperature-controlled, smoke-free climate. Some parts are believed to be newer (the neck / frets), possibly from an 80s or 90s modification. Underneath the pick-guard is written “1963 0000 USA” – The surface of the pick guard is signed by Don Wilson.

This guitar is an anomaly – definitely rare and possibly one-of a kind. I’ve had it looked at by a few experts and appraisers, and no one can quite tell me exactly *what* this guitar is – seems it’s one that was perhaps custom made in 1963 for the album cover and then modified later. It’s a rarer side-jack model.

This guitar is in perfect working condition, excellent vintage specimen with minor paint grooves on the neck from where it was apparently hung on a wall for display. It comes with a hard-case (generic, not a Mosrite case). Please look at the photos carefully, feel free to ask questions, and be sure before you bid because returns are absolutely NOT accepted. I will ship by Fed Ex with tracking number and insurance.

ABOUT THE MOSRITE GUITAR

Mosrite was an American guitar company based in Bakersfield CA from the late 1950s to the early 1990s. Founded by Semie Mosely, an earlier Rickenbacker employee, Mosrite guitars were played by many rock and roll and country artists. Mosrite guitars were known for innovative design, high-quality engineering, very thin, low-fretted and narrow necks, and extremely high output pickups. This is Moseley's design for surf/pop band The Ventures, known as the Ventures Model.

After Semie Moseley worked on a prototype with guitar artisan Bill Gruggett, the first "official Ventures" guitar became available in 1963. This model had a set neck and a celluloid-bound body, with "The Ventures" logo on the headstock. They were available in red or sunburst only. The amplifier jack was on the side of the guitar and these are referred to as the "side jack models".

The necks were very thin and had extremely low frets known at Mosrite as "speed frets". They had a zero fret and semi-circular-type metal string guide (nut). The vibrato unit on these early models was called a "Vibramute" and had a special muting mechanism near the bridge. All Mosrite production numbers are sketchy, but it's believed approximately 200 of these guitars were built.