Just to further the discussion....

When we say "The Ventures" who do we mean?   Is it just Bob and Don  (as originally just they two were known as  The Ventures) or is it Don, Bob and anyone who toured with them? ....granted some toured with them for a looooong timne :-)

I think the original post may be referring to the early years when a few tunes that Don and Bob did not play on were released on record.    Probably common practice in the record industry at that time.   George Martin wanted to (and did)  replace Pete Best and Ringo for the Beatles initial recordings. ...but they were still Beatles recordings.   The Beatles had other recordings that they all 4 did not play on....but still Beatles recordings.  But, if none of the Beatles played or sang on a "Beatles" record...would we consider it a Beatles song just because it was on the record?

Anyway...it is what it is..... I love all of the Ventures tunes regardless of the exact line up.
chuck