What is it

[kotadawg]

This is the guitar that got me started on Mosrites. A friend said it had been offered to him along with a '68 Fender Twin Reverb amp. Of course he also said it was red and failed to mention that it had been 3 years since the offer. Could someone identify it for me, and yes, those red letters are actually on the guitar.

[MWaldorf]

Looks like a late 60s Joe Maphis model to me.

[Dennisthe Menace]

Yep, looks like it to me too .

[kotadawg]

That's what I thought. Pretty sure it's a 68. How do they compare to the Mark I?

[Desert Surfer]

I have a 1967 Joe Maphis model and a 1966 Mark I wehich Danny restored. Mark I has darker and punchier tone and is great for regular Ventures tunes. (WDR, Diamond Head etc.) Joe Maphis model is great for those country tunes in Ventures's album "Colorful Ventures" It still have a nice Mosrite tone. I like both of them.

Joe Maphis model has a bigger body. I prefer smaller Mark I or Mark V body. Joe Maphis model is a very well made guitar and it is under valued compared to Mark I which is overpriced because of the Japanese collectors. Because of that Joe Maphis is much cheaper than Mark I in the same year, in similar condition. Something to be considered too.

This is my 2 cents thoughts. Hope it helps.

[kotadawg]

Thanks. Unfortunately the owner decided to keep it for a family "heirloom". I think he believes the value is higher than it really is, especially with "JUNE" painted on the front.

[Desert Surfer]

Just keep on looking. You will find one.. (or both Mark I and J.M. Model)

Good luck!

[mosriteer]

That's a Joe Maphis model. The body was carved out of Walnut in the early models. The Combo line (played by the Ventures in the late 60s - for example on the Flights of Fantasy LP and many tracks on the $1m weekend) were very close to the Maphis model but featured a single f-hole.

-Kanad

[FritzCat]

Is the Maphis semi-hollow like a Combo?