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

[Deke Dickerson]

Mel, you do win the geek award of the night! Thanks for pointing that out. Joe Maphis models do have these different features. I've also seen at least two of the Joe Maphis models that had the pickups with the surrounds, and other features that the Ventures models had.

I've never seen one of these early Joe Maphis model singlenecks with one of the flip-up mute "Guild" vibramutes, they all do have the earlier more primitive vibrato, with the mistake plate. BUT I have seen two of the '62-'63 era Joe Maphis model DOUBLENECKS that had the flip up mute style vibramutes, including the one I used to own (picture below). So I guess that's where I was basing much of what I was saying. Not entirely accurate, but man, all this stuff can get so darn confusing.

Main thing to point out, of course, is that the 1961-1962 Joe Maphis model singlenecks had the same body shape that would eventually become the Ventures models.

Deke