Building a Mosrite Ventures II Slab Body?
Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2020 3:13 pm
Hello all,
I’ve not posted on these forums for some time, but I’m getting back into some guitar-related projects whilst being stuck at home more often again.
I’m wondering, from a very uneducated perspective, how difficult/realistic it would be to commission the building of a very accurate Mosrite Ventures II slab body “clone”. I assume that’s no small task, but seeing as the real guitars are elusive $7k-$10k rarities, I’m wondering if a custom made replica is actually a less ridiculous goal (even if it’s still ridiculous). Despite my own experience with modifying all my own guitars, I do not possess the craftsmanship to build one from scratch, so I’d have to find someone who does.
I should clarify that this isn’t just to get the overall look and sound of the guitar, as the Hallmark II model has been tempting me with that alone for years. And I probably will get one anyway, sooner or later. But no, I want something with an accurate neck and accurate string spacing as compared to the real vintage examples, no compromises. Slim profile, speed frets, everything. That true Ventures II feel, for better or worse, is what I want under my fingers when I put down my other guitars to pick this one up. The fact that none of the notable replicas offer the accurate neck (to my knowledge) leaves me wondering if it’s because of manufacturing issues, or if it’s to avoid selling something with the playability differences of such a weird neck… or both.
But beyond just the neck, the main checkpoints are, as far as I can tell;
- Copying the basswood body. I assume that’s just a matter of appropriate spec diagrams/plans?
- Accurate pickups. I know these are not impossible to obtain or have made.
- Appropriate hardware. I don’t know if this is a big problem, but notably, I don’t really need a vibrato. I’m also OK with small visual inaccuracies overall (provided the hardware is functionally adequate).
- Paint color. I’d go for a pleasing green that the real Ventures II slab wasn’t offered in, to make this one stand out as a unique and unmistakable piece. I love to have a significant personalized aspect to all my guitars, but I couldn’t see myself doing that with a vintage example.
So what hurdles am I looking at here? I’m just looking for any knowledge anybody has, or resources. The way I see it, if this isn’t a realistic project, I’m just going to have to find a real one and let it be more of a collector’s item than I actually want.
I’ve not posted on these forums for some time, but I’m getting back into some guitar-related projects whilst being stuck at home more often again.
I’m wondering, from a very uneducated perspective, how difficult/realistic it would be to commission the building of a very accurate Mosrite Ventures II slab body “clone”. I assume that’s no small task, but seeing as the real guitars are elusive $7k-$10k rarities, I’m wondering if a custom made replica is actually a less ridiculous goal (even if it’s still ridiculous). Despite my own experience with modifying all my own guitars, I do not possess the craftsmanship to build one from scratch, so I’d have to find someone who does.
I should clarify that this isn’t just to get the overall look and sound of the guitar, as the Hallmark II model has been tempting me with that alone for years. And I probably will get one anyway, sooner or later. But no, I want something with an accurate neck and accurate string spacing as compared to the real vintage examples, no compromises. Slim profile, speed frets, everything. That true Ventures II feel, for better or worse, is what I want under my fingers when I put down my other guitars to pick this one up. The fact that none of the notable replicas offer the accurate neck (to my knowledge) leaves me wondering if it’s because of manufacturing issues, or if it’s to avoid selling something with the playability differences of such a weird neck… or both.
But beyond just the neck, the main checkpoints are, as far as I can tell;
- Copying the basswood body. I assume that’s just a matter of appropriate spec diagrams/plans?
- Accurate pickups. I know these are not impossible to obtain or have made.
- Appropriate hardware. I don’t know if this is a big problem, but notably, I don’t really need a vibrato. I’m also OK with small visual inaccuracies overall (provided the hardware is functionally adequate).
- Paint color. I’d go for a pleasing green that the real Ventures II slab wasn’t offered in, to make this one stand out as a unique and unmistakable piece. I love to have a significant personalized aspect to all my guitars, but I couldn’t see myself doing that with a vintage example.
So what hurdles am I looking at here? I’m just looking for any knowledge anybody has, or resources. The way I see it, if this isn’t a realistic project, I’m just going to have to find a real one and let it be more of a collector’s item than I actually want.