We wanted to tie this month’s Gear Search Gallery in with our
fantastic magazine content. At first we talked about listing
something Hendrix themed, but then we decided to embrace
our inner punk instead.
The guitar you see here is a 1966 Mosrite Ventures MK
I similar to the MK II that Johnny Ramone used. In fact,
Johnny’s guitar was so tied to his identity that a representation
of it was carved into his memorial. While, as Wallace
Marx Jr. pointed out in the “Maximum Energy” feature on
p. 136, Johnny was out for the cheapest guitar he could
find, the same doesn’t hold true today. Mark I Ventures
like this one retailed for $400–$450 brand new. Mosrite
distribution ceased in 1969 after a failed deal with Vox.
Although rights to the Mosrite name have been purchased
and US-made reissues of the Ventures guitar are now available,
original versions like this one now command nearly 10
times the original price. Not a bad return on investment!
The Ventures MK I featured a bolt-on maple neck, rosewood
fretboard, two high-output single-coil pickups—with
the neck position being slanted—a Vibramute tremolo, and
a Roller Matic bridge. The headstock features both the
company logo and that of the famous instrumental band
that endorsed the guitar.
Thanks to Stan Werbin of Elderly Instruments for
listing this guitar on
Gear Search. Whether you’re
looking for a vintage piece or a modern take
on a classic, there’s a great chance you’ll find
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