Postby zarfnober » Mon Jan 19, 2009 8:16 pm
First of all, congratulations to Artie, very lucky acquisition. As for the confusion I'm seeing here concerning Mark II's and Mark V's, I'm going to throw my 2 cents in here.
"Mark II" or Ventures II: originally had a flat slab, then german carved body, plus the obvious differences. I've never seen any Mark I or Mark II that said Mark I or Mark II on the headstock. Has anyone? Every Mark II I've ever seen, flat or carved body says Ventures Model II on the headstock.
Mark V: german carve body AND, shorter scale length. Otherwise it's the same as a german carved Ventures II. If it says Ventures Model II on the headstock, it is not a Mark V. These guitars say The Ventures Model Mark V, at least the ventures models do. These are also the only "Mark" series of guitars that say Mark anywhere on them, at least that I have seen. If there is nothing on the headstock stating the obvious between a german carved Ventures II and Mark V, just measure the scale length, the Mark V is a short scale guitar.
Unless I'm missing something obvious, there is nothing on Arties guitar that is not on every other flat slab Ventures II that I've seen, including mine. I spoke to artie about these guitars about 13 years ago and as I recall, he had never seen one other than Johnny Ramones and, he thought it was a prototype. I highly doubt it's a 64, as for being a prototype? Probably impossible to know unless it was stamped prototype. An awful lot of peoples memories can get lost or mixed up over 44 years on a guitar that was built in so few numbers, less than 200 most likely. As for not having a serial number, from what I've learned it wouldn't be the first Mosrite without a serial number.
not trying to be a nitpicking know it all here, it's just that I've seen a few threads here that seem to mix these particular models, the Ventures II and Mark V's, in a way that is incorrect. And to make thins even easier for us, Mosrite very kindly had all 3 types using a serial number that started with a B, thanks Semie! Hope this clears things up a little, I will post some photos soon, I promise. Take care,
Rocco
www.rockometeramp.com Vinatge spec American and British style cabs, custom cabs, recovers, regrills and restorations.