Mark V discussion

[zarfnober]

Find someone, anyone with a Mark V, measure the scale. I will measure the scale of my Ventures II tonight and post it. I have played both guitars. The Mark V is a short scale. Now the guitar in the photo: is it a Mark V or a Ventures II? They look identical, they are not. someone please measure their Mark V and make sure it says Mark V on the headstock

Rocco

[handbrake]

My Mark V has a scale of 24-1/2" (Actually center-to-center from zero fret to twelth fret measures 12-5/16")

[zarfnober]

Thanks Handbrake, did you measure from the zero fret to the posts on the bridge? Please do if you can. And, does yours say Mark V on headstock or Ventures II? These models do seem to get lumped together here on a regular basis, and I'm not trying to insult anyones intelligence here. Just trying to clear things up. Every Mark V I've seen or played has a noticeably shorter scale, I have fairly stubby , clumsy fingers and these necks are easier to play for me.

I just measured my Ventures Mark 1(1966) and my Ventures II, slab body, July 1965 body and neck date and here is what I found:

Both necks measure 24 7/8" from zero fret to mounting posts on bridge. I did not check my 65 Ventures or my other 66 ventures or my Johnny Ramone signature model, but I believe they are the same. I recall in another post Ed Elliot said Semie used a new fret cutter at one point and it was slightly shorter(1/4"?) than previously used. Again, this should have nothing to do with a Mark V scale length.


So that is 3/8" shorter, correct? I also have a Celebrity III short scale bass with the same scale length, 24 7/8".

Can someone else also measure the scales on their Mark V and Ventures II, carved and slab body? Were some Mark V logos silkscreened onto Ventures II necks? They look identical. Would seem a shame to redo everything when you could just put it together the way it's supposed to for that scale length.

I say a Mark V is a short scale guitar, a Ventures II, slab or carved, is not. Can we agree on this? Thanks,

Rocco

[zarfnober]

BTW, the scale length on the Mark V's I've played seem more than 3/8" shorter. Let's get more measurements please.

Rocco

[handbrake]

Thanks Handbrake, did you measure from the zero fret to the posts on the bridge? Please do if you can

24-7/8"

And, does yours say Mark V on headstock or Ventures II?

[zarfnober]

Thanks for the photo handbrake, this is very perplexing to me. I've got a friend measuring the scale on his Mark V, I'll post as soon as I get it from him.

Rocco

[101Volts]

Hey, Are Mark V pickups only wound to 8k or so? I documented some Mark V pickups that ended on eBay last month and the seller said they were both around 8k.

Austin

[Desert Surfer]

This is my 2 cents observation:

The main differences between Mark I Ventures and Mark V (or Ventures II) are:

1) Slanted top Pickup on Mark I vs. straight pickup on Mark V
2) No pole pieces on Mark V pickups
3) No binding on Mark V neck,
4) Neck set deeper on Mark V, both with 22 frets and are basically the same scale (except the bottom to accommodate the slanted pickup on Mark I ), tailpiece / vibrator is pushed lower on Mark V because of this.
5) Mark V has smaller body, just sightly on length, but narrower width especially the bottom.
6) Full Roman curve on Mark I, Mark V has Roman curve on top side of body only.
7) Smaller headstock on Mark V

Because of the smaller headstock, smaller body and the neck being set deeper, the Mark V (and Ventures II) appear to be a much smaller guitar.

Mark V is a cheaper version of Mark I. Playability wise, Mark I and V are about the same. To my ears, Mark V pickups sound similar to Mark I model.

Hope this help.

[Desert Surfer]

Correction: It should be "German Curve" not " "Roman Curve". By the time I realized, I was not allowed to edit the text.

A photo may explain the body size better.

(80's Mark I, Mark V (Ventures II) & 66 Mark I)

[handbrake]

Hey, Are Mark V pickups only wound to 8k or so? I documented some Mark V pickups that ended on eBay last month and the seller said they were both around 8k.

Austin

My method for non-invasive pickup measurements: use a short 1/4" patch cord that you trust. Attach one end of patch cord to guitar output. Turn volume and tone all the way up and use pickup selector to measure one pickup at a time. Touch multimeter leads to other end of patch cord.

Mark V pickup measurements

Neck p'up=6.77k
Bridge p'up=6.72k