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The problem turned out to be a major design flaw as the original prototype design had been altered without the Ventures knowledge.

He said that he recieved $5,000 for the rights to use the Ventures name on the amps.

Dennisthe Menace wrote:I'm confused.....??

Due to the increase in activity, interest, questions and information being exchanged here on the forum about Mosrite amps, I thought I would draft a short history from information detailed in the book, The Story of the Ventures, by Del Halterman. There is no doubt a lot more information out there, but I thought my condensed version would provide a little insight and stimulate further interest and hopefully more information will surface.

A Short Story of Mosrite Amplifiers:

The story of the Mosrite amplifier actually consists of two separately manufactured amplifiers being built by two separate companies both bearing the Mosrite name. It’s lineage can be traced to the efforts of Bob Bogle. At that time the Mosrite Distributing company was owned by the Ventures and directed by business manager Stan Wagner.

The Ventures proposed the idea for Mosrite to build amplifiers, however Semie wasn’t able to design and produce an amplifier on a large scale in a timely manner. Bogle, having already severed ties with Mosrite Distrubing Company, went in search of a builder and designer to produce his own brand amplifier and located a small electronics company in Conoga Park, a suburb of Los Angeles, CA. This business was operated by an individual identified as George Faith. An agreement was made between Bogle and Faith and the name of the amp was to be called the Encore. As a side note, during this process Bogle had designed a swept wing guitar, which was never produced by Bogle, however, it’s design was later (unofficially) adopted and manufactured by Bob Hall to become the Hallmark swept wing guitar.

After taking numerous orders and deposits from music stores all around the country, the Encor amp business disintegrated when Faith absconded with the funds and folded the business before production ever started.

Mosrite guitars were selling very well and the seed was already planted for a new Ventures model Encor amp. Inquiries were constantly coming in to Mosrite Distributing Co. anticipating the new amp. Stan Wagner saw the great demand and was very interested in adding a Ventures model amp. Bogle again began looking for another manufacture to build amplifiers to accompany the Ventures model Mosrite guitar.

An electronics engineer (name unknown) was found in Los Angeles, and he designed and built a prototype amplifier. Stan Wagner took the prototype to JB Lansing Company in an effort to have them build the amp in mass quantity, but they were not interested.

Bogle located the company Waters-Connelly of Rochester, Minnesota, manufactures of home entertainment products, who were contracted to build the amps. Although the contract was for a Ventures model amplifier, Waters-Connelly insisted on putting their own brand name Award, as well as the Ventures Model nomenclature. Promotion for the Award amplifier commenced at the end of 1966 with production to follow later.

Stan Wagner, operating as Mosrite Distributing Co. obtained a $500,000 loan to cover production cost. In addition he contacted Semie, as he felt that having the name Mosrite on their new Award Ventures model amp would enhance sales even more. An agreement was made and for a flat fee of $5000, Semie gave them permission to use both the Mosrite and Fuzzrite name. However, it would be another year before the amp was available to the public.

Mr. Bill wrote:According to the articles, these were written from transcripts of a tape recorded interview with Semie done on June 19, 1981, in California.

William J. Smart, the interviewer contacted Semie through Gene Moles and Andy Moseley.