Pricing and availability
Average Price: $2,000
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
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Description
The Mosrite Ventures bass is a distinguished choice for bassists seeking a blend of vintage allure and modern playability. Known for its distinctive offset body shape and reverse headstock, this electric bass guitar is a nod to the iconic designs of the 1960s, while incorporating contemporary features that enhance its performance. The Ventures bass is favored for its fast and narrow neck, allowing for nimble finger movement, and is crafted from high-quality tonewoods that contribute to its rich, resonant sound.
Equipped with single-coil pickups, this bass delivers a punchy and articulate tone that's perfect for genres ranging from surf rock to punk. The bass's sound is easily customizable, thanks to its straightforward control layout, which includes volume and tone knobs that allow you to tweak your sound with precision. Its smooth, contoured body ensures comfort during long playing sessions, making it a reliable instrument for both studio recordings and live performances.
The Mosrite Ventures bass is not just an instrument; it's a piece of musical history, revered by collectors and players alike. Its unique aesthetic and versatile sound make it a standout choice for musicians who appreciate the blend of classic style and modern functionality.
Key Features:
- Offset body design with reverse headstock
- Fast and narrow neck for excellent playability
- Single-coil pickups for punchy, articulate tone
- Easy-to-use volume and tone controls for sound customization
- High-quality tonewood construction for rich sound
- Suitable for a variety of musical styles, including surf rock and punk
Product specs
| Brand | Mosrite |
| Model | Ventures Bass |
| Finish | Sunburst |
| Year | 1965 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | 4-String Basses |
| Active / Passive Pickups | Passive Pickups |
| Active Preamp | No Preamp |
| Body Shape | Double Cutaway |
| Color Family | Orange |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Number of Frets | 20 |
| Number of Strings | 4-String |
| Offset Body | Offset Body |
| Pickup Configuration | S |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
FAQs
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What type of pickups does the Mosrite Ventures bass use?
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The Mosrite Ventures bass is equipped with passive pickups, known for their warm and vintage tone, making it suitable for classic rock and surf music genres.
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How would you describe the neck profile of the Mosrite Ventures bass?
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The Mosrite Ventures bass features a slim neck profile that allows for fast playability and ease of movement across the fretboard, ideal for players who favor speed and dexterity.
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Is the Mosrite Ventures bass suitable for beginners?
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While the Mosrite Ventures bass offers excellent playability, its vintage design and unique tone may be better appreciated by intermediate to advanced players familiar with its classic sound.
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What is the body shape of the Mosrite Ventures bass?
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The Mosrite Ventures bass features a double cutaway offset body, providing comfortable access to higher frets and a distinctive, iconic look.
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What is the primary genre associated with the Mosrite Ventures bass?
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The Mosrite Ventures bass is famously associated with surf rock, thanks to its bright and punchy sound that complements the genre's energetic style.
Videos
Dave's World of Fun Stuff
Mosrite Ventures Bass Guitar
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Mosrite Ventures bass.
Comparisons
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The Hallmark Mosrite copy offers closer tone to 60s originals with potted pickups and a 32" scale length versus Mosrite's 30.25" scale.
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Hallmark Guitars offer modernized versions of the Ventures model with neck and fret designs accommodating contemporary playing preferences.
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Japanese reissues from the 2000s are highly sought after and often considered superior to original 1960s models in terms of build consistency.
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User experience
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Owners note that the Mosrite Ventures bass has ergonomic challenges typical of Mosrite designs, such as less comfortable body shapes.
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The balance of the Mosrite Ventures bass is described as well-balanced, weighing around 7.5 pounds, but some prefer slightly more body weight for better neck positioning.
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Owners report that early 60s Mosrites, especially sidejacks from 1962-1964, are revered for their craftsmanship despite mixed opinions on quality control.
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Features and functionality
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The Eastwood Univox copy provides a growly bridge pickup output, which some find similar to a Rickenbacker tone.
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Mosrite Ventures bass pickups are unique designs, tonally situated between Fender and Gibson, and not P90s due to their shorter dimensions.
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Original Mosrite Ventures basses from the 1960s had narrow necks, starting at 1.560" at the zero fret, which widened in the 1970s.
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Build quality
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating
Artist usage
Add artist
In this video on Dee Dee Ramone, a photo of Lee is shown at 5:00, and just over Lee's shoulder is a Red Mosrite Ventures Bass.
According to TheWho.net on John Entwistle's Gear (1960-1966), John used a Mosrite Ventures Bass Guitar from 1965-1966 while looking for a bass with a sound he liked. He was also recorded using it in the video The Kids Are Alright (linked above).
Alain Johannes is shown with his mid-60s Mosrite Ventures bass on Instagram, noting it still has the original flat wounds and delivers an impressive sound.
Randy Meisner, in a 2003 interview, recalled trading his Mosrite Ventures bass for a Hofner 500/1 while playing with a band called The Poor. This information is documented in "Randy Meisner: A Retrospective," authored by Jessica Buxton under the section "Randy's Basses."
Although there are pictures of Dave with a Fender Jazz bass in the studio, he is mainly photographed playing a single pickup Ventures bass made by Mosrite circa 1966.
At the left side of the photo, Mosrite Ventures bass can be seen lying on the case.
In the Google Image result from Pitchfork, Adam Schlesinger can be seen with the Mosrite Gospel Mk IV among his guitars.
In a 1968 live performance video of "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" by Iron Butterfly, Lee Dorman is seen playing a Mosrite Ventures bass.
Sam can be seen playing a Red Mosrite Ventures Bass in this performance with Heatmiser in 1994.
Mosrite Ventures bass is listed as his gear in this website. He often played it during "Number Girl" era.
This bass is shown in Arthur’s hands in the movie New York Doll at the 25:51 mark. He plays a few notes unplugged and says, “um, it doesn’t sound like much at the moment.” https://youtu.be/TPqbFcNB3Mo
The bass was auctioned it looks like in 2016, and I provided a link to that auction listing.
Album Usage
The Mosrite Ventures bass has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Mosrite Ventures bass, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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