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Mark 1 weights

Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 7:19 am
by Strat-o-rama
After seeing Bob K's pics, and I think the early Mark 1/Ventures guitars are, for me, one of the most attractive electric guitars ever designed, I was wondering how much they typically weighed. I wasjust wondering. Anyone have typical weights for Mark 1's?

Re: Mark 1 weights

Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 9:57 am
by Dennisthe Menace
Trent, you just want to know the weight itself on the Mark I (ventures) Model??

Re: Mark 1 weights

Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 10:42 am
by Strat-o-rama
Yep, basically.
A short while ago I was able to play a 61 Jazzmaster and a 64 Jag. I have a JM in pieces, verified to be a '64, and one thing that impresses me about all three Fender instruments from the early 60s is how lightweight they are compared to modern counterparts (Fender AVRI).
I was curious as to where the weights on the early Mosrite Mark 1s fell. It would interesting to also know if the later "reissues" from the 80s-early 90's were slightly heavier or comparable in heft.
Dennis, if you know the weight of your instruments it would be of interest to me. Thanks!

Re: Mark 1 weights

Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 11:09 am
by Dennisthe Menace
Trent, I'll be back here in a few hours. On the way, I'll grab my '63, and tell you EXACTLY what a '63 weighs as compared to my '65 ;) Not sure if there will be that much of a difference, somebody with like '67-'68 would be nice though :roll:

Re: Mark 1 weights

Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 11:26 am
by Strat-o-rama
Thanks Dennis. That would be great.

Anyone else?

Re: Mark 1 weights

Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 4:29 pm
by Dennisthe Menace
Trent, All I have to weigh these guitars is a regular scale, and they didn't
register on the scale. So what I did was weighed myself, and me with each
guitar.
So it's not very accurate, but best that I can make of it is:
1) 1963- Between 6 to 7 lbs.
2) 1965- Between 6.5/7lbs--8 lbs.
Again, these are definitely not that accurate, but hopefully it will give you an idea :roll: .

Re: Mark 1 weights

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 11:58 am
by Strat-o-rama
Thanks Dennis.
Those ballparks are exactly what I suspected.

Re: Mark 1 weights

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:12 pm
by dubtrub
My '66 Ventures (Mark 1) model weight 7lbs 8oz.
My '64 weighs 8lbs 6oz.

Ironically my clones weigh exactly the same as above. The sunburst clone (alder body) is the same as the '66, and my candy apple red clone (Basswood body) weighs the same as my '64.

Re: Mark 1 weights

Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 11:01 pm
by MWaldorf
My '66 weighs in at 8lbs 5oz.
My VIII weighs in at 8lbs 3oz.

Re: Mark 1 weights

Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 9:24 am
by LOSTVENTURE
There is another aspect of Mosrites (Hallmark) weight that you really have to take into cosideration. The sculptured design of the body is so perfectly fitted to the human form that playing , either sitting or standing, the guitar just seems to become part of you. I don't know if Semie realized that as he was laying out the rough design, but he had to be pretty pleased with himself when he first sat down with the finished product. Of course it could have been his thinking from day one.
Don-