Is it worth it to restore this Mosrite / Ventures Bass?

[MWaldorf]

Is there an echo in here?

nope. we're just the voices in your head.

[twango the clown]

I note with interest that the neck appears to be one-piece (that is, not bookmatched) except for the 'ears' on the headstock. Is this usual for basses, as it is in Mark II's, Mark V's etc.?
I think this guitar looks like an easy fix, but whadda I know?
I love yard sale stories like this.

[brutus]

Well worth restoring. That bass has some serious mojo. As was said before don't refinsh it. A repo pup $150, repo pickguard $35.00, repo knobs $20 each plus the other need parts, it won't take a lot of cash to get it going. I love that blue color, just like Dave Alexander of the Stooges! Good luck congrats... major score.
( To get original parts will be a lot more cash but in turn it will be worth more0

[vjf1968]

I recently bought a Mosrite Ventures bass at a garage sale knowing nothing about it. After doing a little research on the Internet it seems like I might be in for quite a bit of work. It looks like the previous owner stripped it for parts (see attached images).

Does anyone have any advice as to whether its worth the time / money to undertake a restoration (which I've never done before)? If not, is it worth anything if I sell it?


Thanks,

Tim
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/4938/dsc01023f.jpg
http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/2851/dsc01024zv.jpg
http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/9383/dsc01025sz.jpg
http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/3211/dsc01026zq.jpg
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/56/dsc01027el.jpg

If you are looking to keep it just get the re-pro parts, hardware and decent hook-up wire and have a pro do it. That would be what I would do and have it as a cool bass to play on. I'm not really into the "collector" mindset. Instruments are meant to be played.

[tbelcher]

Well worth restoring. That bass has some serious mojo. As was said before don't refinsh it. A repo pup $150, repo pickguard $35.00, repo knobs $20 each plus the other need parts, it won't take a lot of cash to get it going. I love that blue color, just like Dave Alexander of the Stooges! Good luck congrats... major score.
( To get original parts will be a lot more cash but in turn it will be worth more0

Brutus - I'm new to this, so where do you recommend picking up the parts? is it an Internet scavenger hunt, or are there a few reasonable places I can order from?

Thanks

Tim

[brutus]

Tim
I would call Artie at Front Porch Music in Bakersfield that would be a good starting point. Other options are E.F. Elliot Hallmark and M3 all of which are forum members. Stay away from Ed Roman he is overpriced. E-Bay has stuff come up now and again. Keep in mind the prices I mentioned are just estaminets. If I was you I would just take it to Artie and have him do it, no muss no fuss you get a great Mosrite bass restored by one of the worlds top Mosrite experts. Mention your a Forum member and a discount may be available. When it's all said and done you will get what you put into it if not a little more if/when it comes time to sell it. Good luck! I have to go now and check my local garage sales!

[riverboat]

Tim. I baught this bass from you about six months ago. I made a string guide,pick-up and pick guard for it. I re-wired it and I just happened to have an origional set of knobs. Iinstalled a set of rickenbacker tuning gears because that was as close to origional as I could get. I loosened the truss rod and set it up with flat wound strings. I call it my magic bass. I play almost every weekend in an oldies band and I have dozens of basses but this one is the only one I play any more. Thank You, Keith.

http://www.mosriteforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4211

[oigun]

I think its not worth the effort..
Sent it to me I even pay you half of the shipping costs



Serious, if you need any unobtainable parts like a bridge-cover drop me a line.

[Bob Shade]

Nice find! When putting a vintage guitar back together again, the best option is always to keep it as original as possible for both preservation of a vintage axe for years to come, as well as retaining value.

Repro parts are fine as a second choice.

I have been restoring Mosrite guitars for years and have also aquired a mass of vintage Mosrite parts over the years for restoration to our customers guitars. It always makes me and the customer feel great when we have the right vintage part in stock for their Mosrite. If anyone is looking for Mosrite vintage parts for a project, we should have what you need.

In this case, we have,

Vintage Kluson Bass gears including bushings and mounting screws for Mosrite
Vintage Mosrite bass pickup w/ mounting ring
Vintage Spun Knobs NOS
Vintage pots and cap
Vintage screws NOS

We do not have the pickguard in stock in a vintage, however, we do have reproduction guards and if you get one of these and are patient, a vintage guard will pop up sooner or later.

We have more vintage Mosrite parts in stock than anyone I know of, so if any forum members need anything, don't be bashful.

Bob Shade Hallmark Guitars USA 240-473-1157

[MarkyKobane]

Man, very cool find for a garage sale!!!
How much did you get it for ( if you don't mind me asking) ?
That would be a blast to restore!
Paint it any god darn color you want!!!