Never played a Mosrite

[64sunburst]

and I know next to nothing about the guitars although I've been a lifelong fan of the Ventures and I do play. But I've never played or touched a Mosrite. Okay, so here's a dumb, newbie question. If I had a Ventures Mosrite guitar in hand and plugged straight into say a Fender Deluxe Reverb, what kind of tone would I hear. How would it compare to maybe a Fender or Gretsch? Would it sound like what I hear on the Ventures Live in Japan album (or any other Ventures LP)? I have an idea of what it would sound like but don't really know.
Part of the reason I'm asking is I'm considering replacing the P-90's on my Eastwood Sidejack with Mosrite type pickups. The P-90's actually sound good but I think I may want more twang.
By the way, you guys blow me away with your knowledge and dedication to Mosrites. I'm afraid I can't add much. This forum is not like TDPRI, that's for sure (and that's a good thing).
Byron

[dubtrub]

Yes! If you get a set of Ed Elliot's Mosrite pickups you will be more than happy with the sounds. I love my clone that I built with the Hallmark pickups which are nothing more than an expensive P-90. They sound great, but the Mosrite pickups from Elliot make it sound like a Mosrite. I highly recommended them. Fortunately I have two guitars with one of each set of pups, as I love the sound of both of them. But the Hallmarks are not Mosrites. If I had only one guitar, I'd have to change the pups to get that true Mosrite sound.

[Desert Surfer]

I am not an expert but I will add what I know.

I believe The Ventures (Don & Bob) started with Fender Stratocasters, then switched to Fender Jazzmaster in late 50's and early 60's. I think they started to use Mosrite guitars in 1962 (don't quote me, I am doing this by memory) for a few years before they stopped the endorsement in 1966? They switched back to Jazzmasters afterward. In 1996, Fender issued The Ventures Tribute guitars (Strat, JM & JB in black burst) which were made in Japan. Only a few were distributed in the US (about 150 each). Currently, the Ventures (Don primarily) use his son's imported Wilson Bros. Ventures Models (made in Japan and Korea)

You can see more info on my website; http://www.timelineguitars.com (see index "Ventures")

http://www.timelineguitars.com/Tvtgt.html

The Ventures used Mosrite guitars in the "The Ventures Live in Japan" CD you mentioned.

The lead guitarist; Nokie Edwards, on the other hand used many different type of guitars during his career. In the beginning, I believe he used Telecasters when he played with other band. He sticked with Mosrite for a while (until early or mid 90's?) and used some Japanese Mosrites in late '90s. (Fillmore N.E. Mosrites were created but did not work out). He also used US made Tony Hunt guitars in early '80s and US made Carvin in late '90s. In 1996.

Fender also issued a Nokie Edwards Signature Telecasters along with the other Ventures Tribute guitars mentioned above. In 2002 or so Nokie started to produce and use his own brand; HitchHiker.(Made in Jackson Custom Shop initially, then switched to another US factory and now being made by Aria in Japan)

You can also find more info on my website.

http://www.timelineguitars.com/negt.html

Hope this helps.

Pardon my poor English.

[64sunburst]

Thanks for the info guys. Dubtrub, I will definitely look into the Elliot pickups. I'm also now thinking about putting a Shade vibrato tailpiece on the Eastwood to replace the Burns unit, which I'm not crazy about.
I'm trying to get a handle on what a Mosrite sounds like played clean with no delay or fuzz. I'm thinking songs like "Walk Don't RUn '64" or "Diamond Head" might be examples. It's kind of like if I plug a Strat straight into a Twin and wondering if it will sound like Dick Dale. Well, no, not until you drive the amp and turn up the reverb. So I'm wondering if I plug a Mosrite straight into a Twin will it sound like "Diamond Head"?

[dubtrub]

I can't guarantee that a change of pickups will make your guitar sound like Nokie Edwards guitar on those recordings you mentioned, but it should give you a nice tone comparable to a Mosrite. Nokie could makes those songs sound great even if he was playing and acoustic.

Where I find the Mosrite unique sound is when using both pickups together. Otherwise (to my ears) they sound like P-90s. I guess the neck pup is more bassier and the bridge pup more brighter, but it's that combined sound that is really unique.

The Hallmark vibratos are great. You might take a look at the 'how to' section and see my nylon bushings for making the vibrato arm more manageable by staying in place.

[Desert Surfer]

I used my 3 guitars to play "Diamond Head" on YouTube to show the different sound of each guitar. I am not a good guitarist so bear with my playing, just listen to the tone. I used the same amp, same set up (clean tone with a little reverb)

3 guitars I used:

1) 2006 Fender Custom Shop 1956 Stratocaster Relic (Time Machine Series)

http://tw.youtube.com/watch?v=SKn4lKOrdGA

2) 2006 Fender Jazzmaster '62 Reissued (US made)

http://tw.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQchvCScnDI

3) Vintage 1966 Mosrite (Danny restored)

http://tw.youtube.com/watch?v=cnTNfDtzqRw

Personally, The Strat is my favorite guitar. It has the sweetest and warmest tone. But for the Ventures' "Diamond Head", I would definitely use the Mosrite. I will let you be the judge.

I hope this help.

[64sunburst]

Thanks a lot Desert Surfer. The videos were very helpful - actually an eye-opener for me. The Mosrite did sound a lot like the record but fuller than I expected. Someone mentioned, and I forgot if it was you or not, that the key to the Ventures sound was playing the middle position w both pickups on, and I notice that's where you had it. The pickups do sound P-90-ish. For some reason I was expecting the Mosrite to sound more nasally, but instead it really has a nice full tone. Did the Ventures use a lot of compression on their recordings? Thanks again for the comparison.
BTW, the strat sounded nice too. I've got a '64 sunburst which is original except for a refret, new input jack, and new volume pot - I couldn't say that it sounds any better than your relic. I've played some surf with it and had good results, but it's not my ideal guitar for surf/instro (and it's more comfortable staying at home).
DId I thank you already? That was very cool!

[Desert Surfer]

You are very welcome.

Thank to Danny the '66 Mosrite sounds so good (he restored it and did a great job) It is my favorite Ventures guitar. Japanese did a great job for coping the looks and sounds of Mosrite

[64sunburst]

I was lucky in that when I bought the '64 Strat, it was very affordable. I could not afford one at today's prices. These days I only buy affordable(i.e. cheap) guitars - stuff like my Eastwood Sidejack.
Your 66' Mosrite sounds great. That is pretty much the kind of tone I'd want from a Mosrite. I've got a Tele(actually G&L Tribute) so I'm not looking for that type of twang. That slightly darker twang of you guitar is what I like.

[zak]

Most of The Ventures members played their guitars in middle postion

In the '66 japanese footage Nokie's pickup selector is visibly in the bridge pickup position throughout the entire show, and he's got the bridge pickup tone, too.
To me, the live stuff is the definitive Ventures sound...infinitely more so than the studio recordings.



The japanese Ventures cover band "M-Ventures" who go to great lengths to replicate the original '66 sound do it that way as well, and I am willing to bet those guys REALLY did their homework...