Mosrite Ventures model timeline and ID chart (from web etc)

[dubtrub]

I think it would be awesome if there was a place on the forum where information could be posted but the thread locked so people can't post comments to it.

Done!

It's now a sticky at the top of the page. Any changes will have to be done by an administrator as it is a locked topic.

[Mr. Bill]

Great list of information here, great job!

Let's keep updating as more info comes to light.

[dubtrub]

If I miss any update information (which is likely), send me a PM so I can add it to the reference post that I have made into a 'sticky' and locked topic.

[Deke Dickerson]

Dave--

Good work on what is admittedly a very tough thing to try and make sense of. Mosrites are tough, compared to other companies.

Just a few notes on the first Ventures Models (first version--'63-early '64):

Guitars appear to follow completely random serial number trajectory. Although the earliest models of the Ventures guitars had the flip-up mute bridge and the light tan/brown case (not alligator), the serial numbers seem to jump back and forth, indicating that the guitar bodies/necks must have been stamped with serial numbers first, then finished and assembled randomly as orders came in. That's why you'll see things like #189 having the early style case or numbers in the #20's having the roller bridge with other guitars with later serial numbers having the flip-up mute bridge. it's very confusing.

The earliest Ventures models also had plastic Guild knobs with the "G" in the middle of the knob buffed out. Soon thereafter they switched to the smooth, spun metal knobs.

If you get really ambitious, you can detail the fact that the Ventures model was originally called the "Joe Maphis Model" in 1961-1962 (no, not 1959, despite what some say). These are exactly like the first ventures models in every way, save for the logo on the headstock. I have personally seen five of these Joe maphis model guitars, four sunburst and one white. I'm guessing that Semie must have made 25 or 30 of them.

Good work!

Deke

[coanda]

Very interesting timeline!! Not sure if I have missed anything but it it helps I have a Ventures Vibramute, serial number 0915, which I think makes it a late 64? It does however have the screw on cover plate over the neck bolts.
I can if it helps add pictures, or it may well be that have missed out on the information else where here!!
Many thanks for the information!!
Regards to all.
Coanda

[oipunkguy]

Tym goes on to say that later guitars use a 6 digit pot code. I would be interested to know what codes anybody has on 70's Mosrites as I can find no substantiated records anywhere. Please post pot code, along with model and estimated guitar age. It would also be interesting to know if they are metal or plastic shaft and where the code is found; side or back? along with any other identifiers on the pot.



awesome thread, nice job!!!! I have three 70's mosrites, next time I'm doing a set up on them I'll check the pot codes and write them down. to my knowledge all of mine has the plastic shaft pot, but I have to double check to make sure. it would be pretty cool to continue and add to this list. after some success in 65, semie began making a lot of different models. it's a lot to track it all down. at least we have sarah workin on the celebrities.

[Bigwave]

Great! with Coandas post, his Ventures Vibramute serial #915 with bolt on neck with screw on coverplate helps refine the change to a bolt thru coverplate to somewhere around #916 to #1036. As always, as Deke pointed out, the serial number sequencing was not always in order, but it tells us that approximately 800 - 900 Vibramutes had the screw-on coverplate. Of course that's assuming the estimate of approx 75-80 set necks produced is accurate.

Thanks guys, I feel now, that the timeline is out there, those of us on the forum can refine and add to it bit by bit, and get a fairly accurate handle on the changes as they occurred. I know it will never be pinpoint accurate, as serials numbering was not always linear during production, but for the most part we can get a pretty good idea when changes occurred during production.

[Bigwave]

Noticed another running change on the early Vibramutes. Serial # 251 had a single ply scratchplate/pickguard, and serial # 386 has a 3 ply scratchplate/pickguard.

[dubtrub]

I have a Sunburst 1964, screw on neck plate cover, Vibramute, small Ventures logo, smooth pickup covers, both pots are dated 1963, serial number 730.

Bigwave, can you still access editing your original post? If so, I take down the locked sticky and let the information keep coming in and allow you to make the necessary. Once it's pretty well complete then I break off your original post separately and make it locked sticky for continued reference at the top of the page.

[MWaldorf]

If you get really ambitious, you can detail the fact that the Ventures model was originally called the "Joe Maphis Model" in 1961-1962 (no, not 1959, despite what some say). These are exactly like the first ventures models in every way, save for the logo on the headstock. I have personally seen five of these Joe maphis model guitars, four sunburst and one white. I'm guessing that Semie must have made 25 or 30 of them.

Deke,
On the Joe Maphis models, were they exactly like the Ventures models? I thought they had non-angled headstocks, rounded pickup covers, mistake plates, and a different neck heel without the angled fretboard. Or are there some Maphis models that truly are Ventures models with a different logo?
Mel