Mosrite · Ventures Model · 1963–1969 (Ventures logo until 1967)
Semie Moseley learned the German carve under Roger Rossmeisl at Rickenbacker and worked alongside Paul Bigsby, then built a reverse offset solid body that caught the eye of Nokie Edwards. From 1963 The Ventures put their name on the headstock, funded production in Bakersfield in return for distribution rights, and played these guitars on The Ventures in Space. You get a thin, fast neck with a zero fret and tiny frets, a basswood body on most production guitars, two Mosrite single-coils with an angled neck pickup, and a vibrato Moseley designed himself. The first 180 or so had set necks and bound bodies, and bolt-on necks took over in 1964. Catalogs called it the Mark I from 1966, and when the Ventures deal ended in 1967 the logo came off and the guitar carried on as the Mosrite Mark I. Japan copied it heavily, and Fillmore and Kurokumo still make close reproductions. A US original with the Ventures logo, its own vibrato and an untouched finish is the one collectors want, so check the fretboard serial and hardware first.
From late 1963 the serial is stamped into the fretboard between the 21st and 22nd frets, with no letter before mid-1967 and a V prefix after. A cast Vibramute points to 1963–1965 and a Moseley-stamped vibrato to late 1965 on, and many 1964–1968 necks carry an assembly date stamp in the neck pocket.
The thick lacquer checks badly with age, and Moseley often refinished or updated guitars sent back to him for repair. Guitars built from leftover factory parts and Japanese copies with real Mosrite serials both turn up, and many originals have had their tiny frets replaced.
Buying guide
Every Ventures Model here ships from a Japanese dealer, and Kurokumo and Fillmore build close Japanese reproductions, so the first job is proving the guitar was made in Bakersfield. About 20 are listed and the asks split in two, with most at $3,302–4,801 delivered around the $3,650–5,175 band and a second group at $6,296–10,232, and no title here says all original or refinished, so the photos have to tell you. Ask for a close photo of the fretboard end between the 21st and 22nd frets, where a US guitar from late 1963 on has its serial stamped (no letter before mid-1967), a headstock reading Mosrite of California, and a Vibramute (1963–65) or Moseley vibrato (late 1965 on) that suits the serial, and ask what turns the truss rod, since US guitars take a 1/4-inch nut and Japanese copies an Allen key. Treat a $3,000–4,600 1965 or 1966 as unproven until the seller shows those details, expect checked lacquer on an original, and budget for import duty on top of $0–385 shipping.
$3,302.31est. delivered
The cheapest Ventures Model here, a 1966 Mark I at $3,302 delivered from Japan. At this price, ask for the fretboard-end serial, the headstock and the truss rod nut before you pay, and treat it as unproven until you see them.
Mosrite The Ventures Model Mark1 1966 *Ge477
$3,448.00delivered
A red 1965 titled Made in USA at $3,448 delivered, the cheapest one here with a US claim in the title. Ask for the fretboard-end serial and the vibrato to back it up.
Mosrite The Ventures Model Red Made in USA 1965 Vintage Solid Electric Guitar
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$3,302.31est. delivered
$3,084.95 + $217.36 shipping
Buy It Now$3,084.95
Good buy
1966 Mark I, no US claim in the title. Ships from Japan.
Seller: japan_holic
100% positive
Used$3,448.00delivered
$3,448.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$3,448.00
Good buy
Red 1965, titled Made in USA. Ships from Japan.
Seller: fun-japanproduct
100% positive
Used$4,572.37est. delivered
$4,422.38 + $149.99 shipping
Buy It Now$4,422.38
Our take
1964, titled S/N 0610. Ask to see it at the fretboard end.
Seller: zenasas
99.6% positive
Used$4,774.00est. delivered
$4,589.00 + $185.00 shipping
Buy It Now$4,589.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
1966, no US claim in the title. Ships from Japan.
Seller: heiyhoo
100% positive
Used$6,296.11est. delivered
$6,211.11 + $85.00 shipping
Buy It Now$6,211.11
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
1965, titled Mosrite USA. Ships from Japan.
Seller: kazukiadachi
99.3% positive
Used$9,281.00delivered
$9,281.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$9,281.00
Our take
1965 in solid red sparkle, titled #3085. Ships from Japan.
Seller: spp-international
99.3% positive
Used$4,297.58delivered
$4,297.58 · free shipping
Buy It Now$4,297.58
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Check the seller
Same title as spp-international's 1965 at $3,660. Compare the photos.
Seller: riversideworks_japan
98.4% positive
Used$10,231.76delivered
$10,231.76 · free shipping
Buy It Now$10,231.76
Priced high
1965 Mark I with Vibramute, the top ask. Ships from Japan.
Seller: eastislandcrew
100% positive
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