Anybody seen these?
http://www.venturesgear.com/product.php?productid=44&cat=1&page=1

I'd have to try one. My reservations are:
Both this and the Wilson Bros VM (that means Ventures Model, I bet) are pale copies of the originals their design was taken from. This one is a wannabe Jazzmaster, the others are (badly) wannabe Mosrites. But they really don't hold up or compare to the orginals they are COPIED (ahem) from. I can say this from actual playing experience on both the originals and the WB axes.
I actually heard Don Wilson play a top of the line WB VM guitar at a gig in NJ last summer. The sound was thin and weak. The (alleged) P-90s on these axes are pretty thin sounding. Maybe a pickup upgrade would help. This particular Bogle axe looks to be a good candiate for Seymour Duncan Jazzmaster replacements. So why (he ponders) didn't the WBs put them in there in the first place?? All this, of course, is IMHO.
Pretty to look at though.

IronMaiden
I dont like the headstock or the pick gaurd, but it looks like maybe its a decent cheap jazz alternative since you cant easily get mij ones.

I plan on buying a vm110 in a few weeks, then saving for an Avri Jag. (I can get one on ebAY FOR AROUND 900)

well, IM, it's not me, but if it were Id hold to my money a little longer, if this isn't what you really want. It sounds like throwing away money for a temporary solution. if you allready have an electric guiatr (I dont remember, sorry) then you can get by untill yougotthe JM-cash, and if you don't there are way better options for that kind of money (many strats, yamaha SGV's e.g. ) whcih are more available secondhand, which hold value better, which will suit you even after you get that JM, and which in my view are more satisfying guitars overall anyway.

Id also advise to check ebay internationally for jap JM's (europe, japan), but considering shipping and import I don't think it would get much cheaper then the $900 for the real AV deal. that is just an amazing price, from my european perspective!

oh well, you know what they say about opinions ,

WR

Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."

https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/

ah sorry, misread, thought youwere gonna get that red one.

$900 .... $ 1300....

european webprice for a new AV JM: $2200!

Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."

https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/

To each his own IM.. but I have played BOTH. Regardless of what I HEAR about an axe.. it's really comes down to when it's in my hands - when the rubber hits the road so to speak. And the WB axes FLUNK!
This Bogle axe may have some possibilities with upgrades I've suggested. But that adds cost to it. That being the case, why not save your pennies, eat tomato soup and bubblegum for a while..etc. and get the real deal. Bargains are always nice and there are some really good sounding/playing CHEAP axes out there - but in general, you get what you pay for.
Priorities in life..different for everyone.. I can't ever see getting a tatoo and I'm not much into beer or booze.
Philosophically..
JM

While I am a fan of the WB VM-65,and 75 (I have one of each), and the VM-110, having never played the Bogle model, I can't comment on it specifically. The other VM models are terrific value for money considering that they are inexpensive guitars. Johnny M. will strongly disagree, but my properly set up VM-65 sounds better than my ex-'65 Ventures Model Mosrite did, and it was a darn good Mosrite. I did like the neck on the Mosrite better, though.

Everyone has their favorite axes, but in my humble (?) opinion - and this is based on 40+ years of collecting electric guitars - the best bang-for-the-buck "good" surf guitar has to be a MIJ Jaguar or Jazzmaster with an AVRI pickup upgade. There are always nice used ones on eBay, and you won't have a whole bunch more money in the MIJ Fender, and it will definitely have much better resale then the Wilson Bros. guitar should you want to trade up later on.

Jack Booth
(aka WoodyJ)

The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005), 2025+

The Hula Hounds (1996-2000)
The X-Rays (1997-2004)
The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012)
Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990)

I find most everything about the Mosrite to be the greatest thing ever, but that's no secret.

~B~

I'm sorry guys, but the VM-110 is one helluva surf guitar. I have a sunburst VM-110 and a Mosrite Excellent. I will be selling the Excellent.

The VM-110 sounds phatter than the Excellent, has great great tone, a MUCH more playable neck (MUCH MORE), and is light and what can I say...feels and sounds like a guitar 2x its value. No wonder they are not making them anymore; Anyone find a new one in the past year? WB keeps on saying "call us next month" but it's clear they cannot afford to make such a great guitar for that price.

My Mosrite Excellent has a neck so narrow at the nut that I cannot form a clean chord, and my hands are relatively small for being 6-2. The frets are so thin that I cannot slide a triplet up a few frets and get a clean ste of notes every time; it takes a huge effort. I found my playing much improved (BIGTIME) with the VM-110. My bandmates noticed it right off the batt.

A good friend of mine who has many Mosrites (original 60's, Excellent, WB 2003, 12-string etc) confirms that in terms of playability, Mosrites are sh*t, they don't stay in tune (I can certify this, even after a $85 setup by John Carruthers here in LA) and they sound thin and wimpy.

The WB VM-110 is the opposite. SMOOTH playability, stays in tune better than any trem guitar I have (and I have several, mostly vintage). I have never heard of anyone (who has played one) bagging on the VM-110 and I can only say that it must be narrow-minded bias. The VM-110 does not sound "just" like a Mosrite: it sounds BETTER, thicker, with more character. When I need a little dirtier sound for a lead, the bridge PU is AMAZING, something the Mosrite cannot do, not even close. Mosrite is a legendary one-trick-pony and there's a reason why you rarely see any on stage; they suck as a practicing musician's instrument. Sorry.

I also have an AV JAzzmaster but it's the VM-110 that I take to practice with The Flowmasters and that I will be using for our next gig at the Pacific Shorline Marathon in HB this comming Feb 4.

Again, it's impossible to find a VM-110 out there; nobody is giving them up ( for a good reason!) and WB is not carrying them for now. If anyone want's my mint sunburst Mosrite Excellent (10/10), 1K and it's yours.

g

Flowmaster,
I don't know what kind of Mosrites you or your associates got your hands on in the past BUT my experience playing them over the last few decades is at STRONG VARIANCE to what your relate.

We are talking playing experience on planet Earth, correct

FlowmasterG_
Again, it's impossible to find a VM-110 out there; nobody is giving them up ( for a good reason!) and WB is not carrying them for now. If anyone want's my mint sunburst Mosrite Excellent (10/10), 1K and it's yours.

g

Ohhhh man.... is it worth risking my next pay check? My conscience says no, but the Mosrite lover in me says yes.

Consider a trade? Or interested in much of anything to offset the cost?

~B~