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1966 Mosrite Ventures Model

1966 Mosrite Ventures Model

A Mosrite Ventures MK I, similar to Johnny Ramone''s iconic guitar.

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 it at  Gear Search. More than 47,000 pieces of gear are listed, including some of the rarest gear in the world.