I've never played a vintage Mosrite Ventures model but I do own a pearl white Kurokumo Mosrite Excellent since 20 years and remembering being pleased to read this post from long time Mosrite player Mel Waldorf:

These are great guitars - Kurokumo and Fillmore Japanese Mosrites are the closest on the market to the "real deal." I had one of these and the only substantial difference between the Kurokumo and the '66 I had was the taller frets on the Kurokumo, which could be easily taken down to vintage "speed fret" size if one were so inclined.

https://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/29991/

And for the record, the frets on mine are significantly lower than on any of my other ten electric guitars.

T H E ✠ S U R F I T E S

I’ll throw in my two cents. You may find that the Elliott pickups are darker than the Kurokumo pickups because they are wound much hotter, and that the pot switch isn’t compulsory. I have owned a number of 63-67 era Ventures models and they all have had 500k pots. Later Mosrites moved to 350k pots with nylon shafts if I remember correctly. I have tried 250k pots in a couple with really hot pickups before and they lose some articulation. They don’t sound bad, just less crisp.

I have read on the Mosrite Forum that some Mosrites that used 500k pots were wired in parallel so the pickups "saw" 250k. If you are using 250k pots, you may want to make sure they are not wired in parallel. I am not sure how reliable that info is so someone more knowledgeable may want to comment.

Here is the quote- "The Ventures models all have the tone and volume controls paralled with each other creating a 250K ohm pickup load."

from this thread: http://www.mosriteforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=178

Ray

Last edited: Nov 19, 2023 12:15:12

raylinds wrote:

I have read on the Mosrite Forum that some Mosrites that used 500k pots were wired in parallel so the pickups "saw" 250k. If you are using 250k pots, you may want to make sure they are not wired in parallel. I am not sure how reliable that info is so someone more knowledgeable may want to comment.

Here is the quote- "The Ventures models all have the tone and volume controls paralled with each other creating a 250K ohm pickup load."

from this thread: http://www.mosriteforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=178

Ray

Good knowledge!

THE HYDRONAUTS…Surf Music from the shores of old Cape Cod.
CLICK HERE to check out our first album, Interstallar Clambake!

beatcomber wrote:

raylinds wrote:

Garrett_Immel wrote:

I’ll throw in my two cents. You may find that the Elliott pickups are darker than the Kurokumo pickups because they are wound much hotter, and that the pot switch isn’t compulsory. I have owned a number of 63-67 era Ventures models and they all have had 500k pots. Later Mosrites moved to 350k pots with nylon shafts if I remember correctly. I have tried 250k pots in a couple with really hot pickups before and they lose some articulation. They don’t sound bad, just less crisp.

My experience from replacing the Kurokumo pickups with Elliot pickups is the same- that they are darker sounding than the stock pickups.

Kurokumo pickups aren’t inherently bad sounding, but they are not as powerful and fulsome as what one typically expects from a Mosrite.

I ordered a set of Ed’s pickups and keep debating between whether to put them in my Kurokumo Mosrite or in my Hallmark.

I completely agree- the Kurokumo pickups are good, but I wanted a little more power and slightly better tone. Most people would probably be fine with the stick pickups.

The Ed Elliotts are now installed in my Kurokumo. For some reason, the colored leads on one of the pickups was opposite the other pickup (likely an error by the builder). I initially wired them out of phase, which sounded really weird in the middle position, very nasal and honky, with reduced output and a thinner character.

After getting that sorted out, I really love how they sound: chimey and full-throated. I immediately ordered another set, which will go on my 2008 Hallmark 60 Custom.

On the Kurokumo, which has 500k pots, it is rather bright sounding; I am debating swapping in 250k pots. The Hallmark, being a fairly early one, has 250k pots, so I’m curious to see how that works with the Ed Elliotts. The Hallmark with its stock pickups is rather dark sounding, so I’m looking forward to seeing how the Ed pickups work out with the 250k pots.

THE HYDRONAUTS…Surf Music from the shores of old Cape Cod.
CLICK HERE to check out our first album, Interstallar Clambake!

Thanks for the report! I'll keep my eye out to see if they reappear on ebay - as if I need another project...

JohnnyMosrite wrote:

Edwardsand,
As promised - I finally had these pickups from the Spanish guys that I mentioned last June installed into a fresh '64 build I had done. These pickups sound pretty darn good. They have just enough of that Mosrite growl I like to hear in the instrument.
Sadly, I don't see them advertising these pickups on the 'Bay at present.
Hope they do again, I'd like to get another set or two.

J Mo'

Thanks for the heads up!

JohnnyMosrite wrote:

Edwardsand,
These Mosrite pickups from Spain are now back on EBAY.
Search "MOSRITE PICKUPS-SET OF 2" on the 'BAY.
I just ordered another two sets.
Strike while the iron is hot.
J Mo'