The Ventures

[abstamaria]

Noting a discussion on the Ventures beginning on another thread and not wishing to be off-topic, may I ask if there is a site similar to Shadowmusic that discusses the Ventures?

It is amazing what information on the Shadows is available - and so generously shared - in this, Charlie Hall's, and the TVS sites. As Hank Marvin said, "those guys know more about me and the Shadows than I do!"

But there seems very little about the Ventures. Certainly no talk about amps used in the eraly years (I think a Fender Twin for Walk Don't Run), string gauge, reverb units, etc. Do you know if a site similar to this one exists? I tried Googling with no success.

If there is no such site - although I am sure there must be a Japanese site inaccessible to us - I wonder why?

Regards,

Andy

[John Boyd]

Hello Andy,
I don't know of a similar site for The Ventures, but there is much information to be found in a very good book - 'Walk- Don't - Run to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame - The Story of The Ventures'. What a long title!!
Check out the publisher www.lulu.com .
Cheers,
JB

[George Geddes]

Andres

Have you had a look at

groups.yahoo.com/group/undergroundfire2

There's also the official Ventures site

http://www.theventures.com/

And Arnold's discography

http://www.sandcastlevi.com/ventures/f_ventures.html

George

[wstagner]

Hi, Andy....the guy who wrote the book on the Ventures, Del Halterman, is a frequent contributor to that Yahoo Group, as am I. I also own Qty 2 of Nokie's HitchHiker guitars and have had the pleasure of his playing with our band on several occassions.

If you can't find the info you're looking for, just make a post there with your questions.
This board uses better software than the Yahoo "free" group so it might be easier just to post your questions there and see what answers you get.

Walt

[abstamaria]

Thank you, John, George, Walt. I wil check those out.

When I decided to play the guitar after age 50, all I wanted to play was Walk Don't Run by the Ventures. Then, I succumbed to the lure of the Shadows.

I actually find it easier to put together a show based on the Ventures, because their music is fast with an engaing beat and danceable. Presenting Shadows pieces (which I prefer to play) to the typical audience is a challenge, because one has to get them to listen rather than bounce alonmg with the music.

With my limited playing skills, I also find the Ventures lead parts more difficult to do. I should spend some time now learning that.

Are there good backing tracks for the Ventures?

Many thanks again.

My best.

Andy

[cmwatts67]

Looks like the beginnings of one here http://www.jref.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6590

another possible site http://www.mfyi.com/v/ventures/

[cockroach]

Hi Andy,

I too love the Ventures as well as the Shadows, plus many other UK, USA ,Australian and other bands and solo players(like Duane, Bert Weedon etc) that have done guitar instrumental music. Not to mention all the great early jazz and country guitarists too!

I would guess that the Ventures probably mainly used all Fender gear(guitars and amps) until they started the Mosrite guitar endorsement thing.

Although I like their early stuff, the mid period material with Nokie Edwards playing lead when they used Mosrites is my favourite. At one stage in the '80's Nokie was also playing with a Telecaster and a Peavey amp - although now he uses his Hitchhiker guitar.

I would also guess that whoever played lead on the various tunes over time probably used lighter strings to be able to do bluesy bends, and I would guess that Don Wilson probably used heavy gauge strings for rhythm, as he certainly strums hard!

[wstagner]

Hi, Andy.
There are some Ventures midi files here: http://ynucc.yeungnam.ac.kr/~bwlee/ventures.htm

Some are good, some are not.

Send me a PM if you'd like to discuss midi files/backing trax in detail.

Don frequently refers to himself as a guitar "flogger"....an appropriate term.

These days, all the Ventures (except Gerry and Nokie) play http://www.wilsonguitarventures.com/

[wstagner]

If you enjoy the sound of the Mosrite guitar this:
http://hallmarkguitars.com/

The 60's Custom model is a mosrite clone that sells for under $1000 USD.

Looks great, sounds great. Friend of mine owns a white one and had a chance to play it:

http://vegasdesertsurfer.blogspot.com/2009/09/5.html

Our group has a "big" following in the Taiwan chat room circuit.

[JimN]

If you enjoy the sound of the Mosrite guitar this:
http://hallmarkguitars.com/
The 60's Custom model is a mosrite clone that sells for under $1000 USD.

And what about the 59 Custom?

http://www.hallmarkguitars.com/instruments/59custom/59custom.htm

That looks fantastic and I'm tempted...

Looks great, sounds great. Friend of mine owns a white one and had a chance to play it:
http://vegasdesertsurfer.blogspot.com/2009/09/5.html
Our group has a "big" following in the Taiwan chat room circuit.

Great stuff.

JN