I'm sure this has been asked before but i cant find the information. What amps were the ventures using on their live recordings in japan? Are these the mosrite amps i've heard about? Also, did Takeshi Terauchi use the same amp on his albums because the tone sounds very similar to my ears? The Ventures Live in Japan sound is one of my favorite tones and i would love to be able to at least get close. I have a '72 silverface twin but im never able to turn it up loud enough to hear it overdrive or even play a mosrite or somewhat similar p90 equipped guitar through it.

Tim

I'm looking at the album jacket of my "The Ventures on Stage" album (Dolton BST-8035, ca.1965 or 1966), and the piggyback amps on the cover are definitely not Fenders. I recall that the Japanese M.C. referred to "Japanese Amplifiers" at one point during his in-between songs chit-chat.

IMO, this was the best, most kick-ass live album that The Ventures ever recorded. The songs are a lot edgier and more intense than the versions on the "Live in Japan '65" album.

I've always wondered what kind of amps they were using on the "On Stage" album. They do not appear to be Mosrite amps. It is apparent from the overhead condensor microphone placement on the cover photo that they were being recorded. The amps were mic'd individually as well.

Both Nokie and Don are plugged straight into their amps via a coil cord - no tank. Each amp has nine knobs, so I would assume that they had onboard reverb.

Does anyone know for sure what these amps were?

Jack Booth
(aka WoodyJ)

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I remember reading on Cowabunga or something that the Ventures borrowed some Japanese amps for the tour. They were similar to Fender Showmans. Certainly some hard core Ventures fans will know the real story....?

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Thanks, Ivan...very interesting!

I've never been able to find the CD reissue of the On Stage album - I didn't know that it was on CD - and my vinyl album that I've had since it was released 40+ years ago is about worn out. I assume the CD is not readily available nowadays. Now I have yet another thing to look for on eBay!

Jack Booth
(aka WoodyJ)

The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005)
The Hula Hounds (1996-current)
The X-Rays (1997-2004)
The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012)
Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990)

I think skeeter and Ivan are right about the amps at least until the mid 60's. There are several Japanese Ventures tribute bands who seem to be sticklers for details and prefer vintage Mosrite guitars and Fender amps. Here's a link to some photos. In one photo Nokie's apparently using a blonde Fender amp and the Mosrites are the early bound/sidejack '63's.

I know it's not Mosrite amps because the Ventures never used Mosrite amps. They contracted with another company (I can't remember the name either) to produce a "Ventures" amp. These amps were solid state--produced sometime after '65. I got this information from Ed Sanner who designed the Mosrite amps, which were tube amps.

Don Wilson said that the Ventures regularly sold their equipment after a Japanese tour because it was costly to ship back and they could get a small fortune for it in Japan.

It's true the Ventures never played in England, however they did play live in Japan over the course of decades and were still touring Japan as late as 2003 at least. Many of the live Japanese recordings overdubbed the crowd screams because the Japanese crowds were too well behaved. Specifically the "Live in Japan '65" doesn't sound like it has an undue amount of crowd overdubbing, if any. "Live in Japan '65" is really a great album.

Last edited: Dec 23, 2006 09:55:42

chad3006
There are several Japanese Ventures tribute bands who seem to be sticklers for details and prefer vintage Mosrite guitars and Fender amps. Here's a link to some photos. In one photo Nokie's apparently using a blonde Fender amp and the Mosrites are the early bound/sidejack '63's.

The logos on the amps are apparently Guyatone.

KK

The Exotic Guitar of Kahuna Kawentzmann

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wow, thanks for all the helpful replies, guys! this is all great information but it seems like we have'nt quite cracked it yet. i never really thought about it but the overdriven sound does have solid-state like qualities to it. sort of stiff and fuzzy but thats something i really love about it. i wish i could find a pedal that would get this sort of sound running through a twin or showman. maybe a very raspy fuzz type pedal that can be run nearly clean. i dont think any of those exist :wink:.

Tim

I'm in agreeance with Ivan here, as when I listen to the Video's audio, the Audience track is so obviously a loop. you can time the loud high pitched whisltes down to the second.
almost as sad as some of the Heavy Metal live albums, that were all studio overdubs.

Jeff(bigtikidude)

IvanP

WoodyJ
IMO, this was the best, most kick-ass live album that The Ventures ever recorded.

Woody, that's probably because it wasn't actually a 'live' album!! Well, it wasn't recorded in front of an audience, anyway. Read the liner notes to the CD reissue. The whole thing was recorded in some warehouse. They NEVER played live in Great Britain.

Sorry.

Ivan

PS There was an in-depth discussion on Yahoo SG101 a year or few back about the amps pictured on the On Stage album. Somebody actually knew exactly what the amps were! I can't remember now, though. But I'm pretty sure they were solid state amps. And most certainly not what they actually used to record the On Stage album, which by any rate was done in the US. However, I think it's pretty certain that it was those circa-'62-'63 Showmans and Bassman that were used for the Live in Japan '65 album.

Jeff(bigtikidude)

Brian
Unless they were very clever knock-offs, like Magnetbox and Sorny.

Just so you know, Brian, at least one Simpsons-phile caught and loved this reference!

~B~

I know a genuine Panaphonics when I see it.

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