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What do you guys string your Ventures Model Mark I's with? I've been using .010-.046 but with the 24 3/4" scale I'm thinking of moving up to 11's for a bigger note. Any thoughts or opinions? These guitars play so effortlessly that I'm thinking maybe I could handle a bigger string.

I use 10-46s, also. And, I agree, with the ease with which they play, probably could use heavier gauges without affecting playability much at all.
Dennis

I have always used 11's. I have no problem bending even the wound 3rd that I use.

Jim

Hey, Elliott==

Here are the two sets of strings I use, but I swap them around from time to time on the different guitars. They are wonderful strings:
Strings for Stradette, 60 Custom, and '72 Celebrity:
D'Addario ECG23 Chrome Extra Light Electric Guitar Strings
Flatwound, .010/.048
$9.99 (Musician's Friend)

Strings for '67 Celebrity:
D'Addario ECG24 XL Chromes Jazz Light Electric Guitar Strings
Flatwound, .011/.050
$9.99 (Musician's Friend)

--Jim

I too, have recently gotten into the D'Addario chrome flatwounds (either 10's or 11's)
These flatwounds are not dead sounding like they were in the old days. They somehow seem to fit the character of the Mosrites. If I remember correctly, in the 60's, the Mark I Ventures models came with flatwound 09's. I have found, though, the Mosrite necks and vibratos are very sensitive to heavier string gauges. With heavier strings you may need a heavier spring on the vibrato to deep the handle from resting too close to the body, plus you may need to adjust neck relief.

TimR wrote:
>>With heavier strings you may need a heavier spring on the vibrato . . . adjust neck relief.

That is correct; I had forgotten. Bob Shade was nice enough to do that for me on the guitars I mention.

I also use these D'Addario Chromes on the other electric guitars I play. They sound good for the rhythm-guitar stuff I play (classic rock, Bakersfield country) and they are comfortable under the fingers, too!

--Jim

I have a 1972 Mark 1. All I ever use are Pyramid Gold .011-.048 flats. To me they have more of a 60's classic sound to them and they last a very long time. They are up there in price at around $25.00 per set but worth it to me.I also use them on my Gretsches and Ric's as well.I did go up from 10's to 11's on the Gretsches with no neck adjustment needed.

TimR wrote:I too, have recently gotten into the D'Addario chrome flatwounds (either 10's or 11's)
These flatwounds are not dead sounding like they were in the old days. They somehow seem to fit the character of the Mosrites. If I remember correctly, in the 60's, the Mark I Ventures models came with flatwound 09's. I have found, though, the Mosrite necks and vibratos are very sensitive to heavier string gauges. With heavier strings you may need a heavier spring on the vibrato to deep the handle from resting too close to the body, plus you may need to adjust neck relief.

That's just about a given...the set-up is a pretty delicate thing, and one gauge of string changes total tension on the system by at least 20 pounds...more for heavier gauges like 11's. If interested you can Google guitar string tension charts...

I have been playing with different gauges for years, and have let my decision come down to tone. While some of the heavier gauges were playable and offered good tone, I decided to go with D'Addario EXL 10's. They have the bright tone that I like, plus you can dial back the tone control and still get a rich creamy sound. I have had these go for more than a month and still deliver a total tonal spectrum.
I might note that with the potted pick-ups that Hallmark offers, I still get the bright attack while maintaining a great full bodied rhythem sound.
Don

Elliot Easton wrote:What do you guys string your Ventures Model Mark I's with? I've been using .010-.046 but with the 24 3/4" scale I'm thinking of moving up to 11's for a bigger note. Any thoughts or opinions? These guitars play so effortlessly that I'm thinking maybe I could handle a bigger string.

I have been using Curt Mangan 10-52 on my Hallmark 60's Custom and my Gretsch 6120 as well. Gives me a little more bottom, especially for chords. Something I picked up years ago from Dave Gregory from XTC. It was the 80's and mostly most of the bands I knew were playing metal and using 8's, I just had to be different.