A break from hibernation, but playing Ventures

[Alan Taylor]

Don't get me wrong, it's Ventures + Mosrites and Shadows + Fender or Burns for me!

[abstamaria]

I don't have a Burns, Alan. Nor have I played one. It isn't a big change in feel and tone from a Stratocaster, is it? Unlike the Mossrite, which is such a departure from the Jazzmaster.

Andy

[JimN]

I'm with Alan on this.

Despite The Ventures' use of the Jazzmaster / Precision Bass / Stratocaster / Fender Bass VI in their earliest hitmaking days, their very best period (for me) is the mid-60s - the "Batman" LP being a good exemplar - when they were using the Mosrites.

[abstamaria]

Haha, I can understand that.

My preference for the early Ventures is probably unique to me, because of personal circumstances. I was (am) not “musical,” and my interest in music didn’t translate much to playing in the 1960s. But “Walk Don’t Run” was the first instrumental that appealed to me; it was the No. 1 hit when I became a teenager. It introduced me to electric guitars and seemed simple enough for me to try to play. I even persuaded my father to buy me an electric guitar because of that tune. I never played it well.

By 1964, the Ventures were completely superseded here by the Beatles and the new wave of music they brought with them. Teenagers stopped listening to instrumental guitar bands; they were old hat. My interest in music was a casual one, and so I knew none of the Ventures pieces that followed “Ventures in Space.” They, as with the Shadows pieces of that later era, never made it to the charts here.

By 1965, I was in college and became immersed in other interests. I would not listen to the Ventures (or the Shadows) until the turn of the century. That is why I have little connection with Mosrite-and-Burns-era music. I didn’t hear them first hand.

When I picked up an electric guitar not too long ago, I essentially entered a wormhole to the pre-Beatles music I knew. That meant Jazzmasters and Fiesta-red Stratocasters. And Bob Bogle. Interestingly, the non-Bogle “Ventures” pieces I like it turned out were recorded by session artists. For instance, I am convinced "Trambone" had nary a Ventures playing in it.

Best,

Andy

[noelford]

Talk about serendipity! I was in Southport at the weekend, taking part in an event for the Southport Festival, and discovered a great guitar shop called Dad's Guitars. I knew I was going to like the place the moment I opened the door and the door 'chime' rang out – the opening chord to A Hard day's Night!

Anyway, there was a lot of interesting stuff there and I spotted a Mosrite, hanging high up on the wall. It turned out to be a 1965 Ventures II model and I couldn't resist asking to have a play. I have to say I was surprised how well this old guitar played with a lovely action and a responsive trem. It sounded good when we plugged it in too, for all sorts of music. I played a little blues and some jazzy stuff and – how could I resist? – a quick spin through Walk Don't Run!

Altogether I was very impressed and could have been tempted had I not resolved to lay off buying more guitars for a while. Even so, had the price tag been a little lower, I could easily have succumbed.

It was also up for sale on eBay for just under a couple of grand or best offer, but it seems to have gone now. I hope it's sold and that temptation has been removed!

[abstamaria]

What I would really love is that door chime. Maybe I can get that for my phone!

Great story, Noel.

Andy

[abstamaria]

We played last night at the Classic Rock Reunion here. There were mostly musicians from the 1960s, with a few from the 1950s. It was good to see them. Many turned pro, as our drummer Lito Toribio, seen here in the photo with Anna. It was good to see them and to be able to play with them. It was dance party, so once again we played Ventures. The old Ventures piece - "Gullyver" - many had almost forgotten but was quite popular. Very danceable.

Andy

[abstamaria]

Anna with her "Nokie Edwards" Precision Bass last night. (No one ever takes my photo; the PBass is more attractive than my Jazzmaster.) The good thing about having Nokie on bass, as in the original Walk Don'r Run," is that the bass lines are interesting and musical. That was true of Jet as well.

Andy

[Uncle Fiesta]

I think perhaps the bass may not be the only reason Anna gets so many photos taken ...

[abstamaria]

Talk about serendipity! I was in Southport at the weekend, taking part in an event for the Southport Festival, and discovered a great guitar shop called Dad's Guitars. I knew I was going to like the place the moment I opened the door and the door 'chime' rang out – the opening chord to A Hard day's Night! ...

I happened to mention to a young friend (the daughter of Anna) that I wished the opening chord of “A Hard Day’s Night” were on my phone as a message ringtone. She had never heard the song, so we Googled an original version. Within minutes, the opening chord was on my phone! That’s the good thing about having young friends. I use the ringtone for my musician friends; it is great.

Thanks for the idea, Noel.

Andy