hello I'm new to the forums and i would like to ask if anyone has any information about my newest bass. It's a Mosrite Avenger that I am told is approximately a 1972 model. There are no serial numbers stamped anywhere but I think that regardless is a pretty sweet bass. Any info about the bass or sites where i might could find something will be greatly appreciated.
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Mosrite Bass?
- Thread starter mosrite1
- Start date
Looks short scale. What's it sound like?It's not short scale my camera just sucks. It has one of the best sounds I've heard in while. It's really deep toned but also very clear, not muddied at all. The pickups are also really hot making it louder than the "active" Fenders that i own.
Neat-O. I've fairly often found passive basses to be hotter than active. My(passive)MIA Jazz 5 is very punchy & hot compared to my other active basses. The really old stuff is often hot & sweet(basses, that is...
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My first bass was a late 60's Mosrite Celebrity. It was a short scale hollowbody bass with the old black plasticwound strings.
That Avenger is a sweet looking bass!
You might have to Google Mosrite and look for the bass/guitar maker by that name to get the history of his instruments.
The problem you'll have is the Japanese Mosrite /Ventures guitar company shows up a lot and they have virtually nothing to do with the original Mosrite instruments. Have you Googled "Mosrite Avenger"?
Good Luck!
That Avenger is a sweet looking bass!
You might have to Google Mosrite and look for the bass/guitar maker by that name to get the history of his instruments.
The problem you'll have is the Japanese Mosrite /Ventures guitar company shows up a lot and they have virtually nothing to do with the original Mosrite instruments. Have you Googled "Mosrite Avenger"?
Good Luck!
I've Googled it but to no avail. The only site that mentioned the Avenger name was in Japanese so it did me no good.
bongomania
Commercial User
IIRC Semie Moseley's contract to use the "Ventures" band name on his guitar/bass design ended in the late 60's, but he did try to market the same design on his own later with the name "Avenger" instead of "Ventures". So it's essentially a Ventures bass made by Moseley after recovering from bankruptcy.
Yeah that's really about all that I've been able to conclude about it so far. Google has given me a history of the company but not much else. Thanks for the replies.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosrite
http://www.geocities.com/mosrites/
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Here are some site's that may give or help with the history of your bass. Nice looking bass and got a hint of modern mojo to it also.
Tried all of those sites and still nothing i could use. Thanks for the suggestions though everyone.
bongomania
Commercial User
I'm curious what more you are hoping to find out? You know the maker and the the year, you know the name and the history of the name, you could probably figure out which city it was built in based on the year, you can assume only a very small quantity were made and sold, a woodworker or luthier could probably tell you which woods and finishes were used.... You own it so you can measure the specs... What's left?
Between '67-'69, Mosrite continued to make Ventures guitars and basses without The Ventures on the headstock, due to an end of their contract with The Ventures. Most Ventures basses were short scale 30.25".
Could it be a Ventures Reissue bass, from about 1988-1990?
Could it be a Ventures Reissue bass, from about 1988-1990?
What is the nut width and neck thickness at the nut?
As I recall from back in the day, Mosrite bass necks made Fender Jazz necks look and feel chunky.
Bluesy Soul
As I recall from back in the day, Mosrite bass necks made Fender Jazz necks look and feel chunky.
Bluesy Soul
OK that was my bad. Sorry for the misinformation. Turns out it is a short scale I just hadn't seen it next to one of my Fenders. As for the year it was purchased in 1975 by the guy I bought it from. It was approximatly 3 years old at the time. Or so I was told. This is believable though judging by the oxidization of the hardware even though the bass itself is in good shape. As for the neck I don't have a tape measure handy but it does make the neck on my Jazz feel massive.
One more question though. Any ideas as to a case that might fit? Its a short scale bass but the problem is the lower bout is about 14 1/2 incehs wide. Not to mention its shaped like an upside down Jazz bass.
Just as I thought: it IS a Ventures model.
For those who'd care to know:
Nut width is a tad above 1.5"
Neck width at the zero fret is a tad above 1 9/16"
Neck is narrow overall and feels slimmer to a Jazz bass as string spacing @ bridge is only 15-16mm.
Being a 30 incher this bass it is easy to play (if you dig the string spacing) , has a strong passive output, hot clear sound and good definition at lower notes, not muddy like you often found on short scale basses.
Yep, I do like mine
Congrats Mosrite1.
That's a strange color though, doesn't look precisely red in the pics. Maybe a refin...
If neck is straight, frets ok and electronics are good, I'd say you have a very nice bass
How much did you say you paid for it?
For those who'd care to know:
Nut width is a tad above 1.5"
Neck width at the zero fret is a tad above 1 9/16"
Neck is narrow overall and feels slimmer to a Jazz bass as string spacing @ bridge is only 15-16mm.
Being a 30 incher this bass it is easy to play (if you dig the string spacing) , has a strong passive output, hot clear sound and good definition at lower notes, not muddy like you often found on short scale basses.
Yep, I do like mine
Congrats Mosrite1.
That's a strange color though, doesn't look precisely red in the pics. Maybe a refin...
If neck is straight, frets ok and electronics are good, I'd say you have a very nice bass
How much did you say you paid for it?
I agree that is looks like a Ventures bass. If i can get a picture showing where it says Avenger on the headstock just below the mosrite name. As for being a refinish its a dark transparent stain over a mohogany body. It has the checking and wear of a vintage instrument but I can't say for sure if its a refinish. The guy i bought it from was a preacher that played guitar and kept a bass around for the occasion it was needed. It sat in a case for the majority of the time he owned it and he never mentioned a refinish but i guess thats always a possibility. Oh and I paid $600 for it. Hope I didn't get ripped off too bad.
