Serial Number Help...

[jgs61]

Is this the guitar that was at Gruhn with the three-bolt neck?

Yes it is. I forgot to mention the neck bolts. I'm not sure when they stopped using the plate and went with the uncovered bolts. But it seems like it was in the late 60's. Also, I haven't seen any other 3 bolts. Maybe I've just missed them over the years.

I would probably check with a few of our cherished members here on the Forum.
Right off the bat, Hallmark, Front Porch Music, TerryTNM, EFElliott, and somebody
help me if I left someone off the list .

Kevin Zamm (Zamminc) sells your springs - often on eBay - 3 for $25 or $10 each .. varying tensions

Dennis

Thanks guys. I'll do some searching.

[Sarah93003]

Yeah, I kind of figured that too. I'm not sure how most Mosrite saddles look, but I know that can't be right. I'll set it up properly this weekend and throw some 11's on there. Also, I like the vibrato, but it's a little too loose for me. Any ideas on how to tighten it up a bit? I saw another thread where someone put a stiffer spring in there. Where would I find something like that? Should I look on ebay for a Bigsby spring?

When you say loose I'm assuming you mean the handle just kinda falls down when you're playing it and won't stay put. I'm not sure a stiffer spring is the answer. I read another thread here that the leather washer gets so that it doesn't hold well and there is an easy fix using the plastic from a coke six pack holder.

Very nice guitar though! and welcome to the forum

[Veenture]

...//...Very nice guitar though!

+1...stil in good shape! Thanks for showing it.

[jgs61]

Yeah, I kind of figured that too. I'm not sure how most Mosrite saddles look, but I know that can't be right. I'll set it up properly this weekend and throw some 11's on there. Also, I like the vibrato, but it's a little too loose for me. Any ideas on how to tighten it up a bit? I saw another thread where someone put a stiffer spring in there. Where would I find something like that? Should I look on ebay for a Bigsby spring?

When you say loose I'm assuming you mean the handle just kinda falls down when you're playing it and won't stay put. I'm not sure a stiffer spring is the answer. I read another thread here that the leather washer gets so that it doesn't hold well and there is an easy fix using the plastic from a coke six pack holder.

Very nice guitar though! and welcome to the forum

Actually I was referring to the unit as a whole. When I want to use vibrato, I tend to be heavy handed so I like for the unit to be stiffer and require more force to bend a note. Kind of like putting 4 or 5 springs on a Strat. So my first guess would be to make the spring stiffer (thicker) or longer on the Vibramute. Bigger strings may help a little too. There are 10s on there now and I prefer 11s or 12s... I just haven't put them on yet.

However, I do feel the handle is loose as well. When I change the spring, I'll take a look at it and see if it's able to be tightened. I'll keep you're washer idea in mind. Thanks!

Also, the angle of the arm is a bit low for me. Are these able to be bent, like a Jazzmaster arm?

[jgs61]

...//...Very nice guitar though!

+1...stil in good shape! Thanks for showing it.

Thanks! Cosmetically it isn't perfect, but it sounds awesome! I'm really loving the neck and pickups... especially the neck pup.

[jgs61]

Well, I looked at the pot dates and they are both dated 1965. I kind of doubt this guitar was built in '65, especially because of the non-Ventures headstock. I bought it from Gruhn and they listed it as a '70. It came with a tag on the case that called it a '67. I guess I'll never really know, so I'll just call it a '68 and be done with it.

I'm really enjoying this guitar and am so glad I bought it. Even though I'm having to sell some other stuff to make room for it, it's by far one of the best purchases I've made. I'm usually not a "honeymooner," so this is rare for me to like one so much right off the bat.

[handbrake]

Hi All,
I recently bought a Mark I with a three-bolt neck which has a serial number of V5742, not so far away from jgs61's V5760. Interestingly, the pots in my Mark I also date from '65 (42nd week if I remember correctly).

Any chance these pots were stashed away in 1965 for later use? Any other ideas on how to date these two guitars?

[ElTwang]

Hi All,
I recently bought a Mark I with a three-bolt neck which has a serial number of V5742, not so far away from jgs61's V5760. Interestingly, the pots in my Mark I also date from '65 (42nd week if I remember correctly).

Any chance these pots were stashed away in 1965 for later use? Any other ideas on how to date these two guitars?

Interesting and congrats jgs61. Don't the necks have a stamp that shows the date on the back like on this '66 Mark 1:

[jgs61]

The neck on mine is actually blank. There's no date stamp or anything. Maybe handbrake's has something.

[handbrake]

The neck on mine is actually blank. There's no date stamp or anything. Maybe handbrake's has something.