i just came it to a ventura model 1587 and i love playing it. here a little bit of info i found, if you guys have more to add please hit me back.

Instruments previously produced in Japan circa 1970s.

Ventura guitars were distributed in the U.S. market by C. Bruno & Company of New York, New York. Ventura models were both full body and thinline hollow body electric archtop guitars, and generally medium to good quality versions of popular American models, (Source: Michael Wright, Guitar Stories, Volume One; and Sam Maggio).
During the 1970s, a "Barney Kessel Custom"-style copy (the model is a V-1400, by the way) had a suggested retail price of $199.50. If one of these guitars gets sold at a big guitar show for $200 to $250, does this mean that the guitar "has appreciated in value" or the retail price of today´s Korean semi-hollow body guitars has risen over the past twenty five years? Traditionally, there is a ceiling to how high a price can raise on imported laminate wood semi-hollowbody guitars - but who can put a price tag on that intangible "funkiness" factor?

For many years I had a `74 Ventura V-696 which was basically a Martin D-41 copy except that it had a 3 piece back. I loved the tone and the great looks with all of the mother-of-plastic bindings, etc. I sold it in 1988 when I had some hand problems (now repaired.) I wish I had it back. The fretwork was a little uneven but it was gorgeous and sounded great.

I have a Ventura hollow body "Beatle Bass". My brother gave it to me. Its got to be at least 35 years old. I have put it through abuse, but refuses to die. The best feature is its weight and narrow neck. The narrow neck makes it easier to move up and down the frets and the weight makes for more stage antics.

I gave several Ventura`s - acoustic & electric. I believe they were made in Japan in late 60`s to early 70`s. Black Oak Arkansaw used them in their concerts because they played well and were cheap enough to smash (I dislike that). The semihollow bodies were rip-offs of Gibson`s, who sued Ventura. That may have been the end of Ventura-I don`t know. I`ve had a acoustic 12 string (made into a 6) since 1973, never seen the inside of a case, survived 2 marriages, and sounds (rich & full) & plays fantastic! I had a pickup installed and the action worked on. Had a luthier tell me if the neck hasn`t fallen off by now; it`s a keeper. He also told me you don`t collect them -you accumulate them.

I have a Ventura model V-1585. Its a classical guitar. My dad bought it before I was born. Ever since I can remember this guitar was around and I used to play with it as a child. As I got older the guitar was still around and I kept playing with it. Nothing serious of course, just messing around with it, no chords, just simple tinkering. By the time I was 11 I was learning simple chords. Any way I am no 25 and I still play this guitar. I have plenty of others, but something about this one calls me back. In my eyes it is completly irreplaceable. The nylon strings made it the perfect guitar to learn how to play on. I love my Ventura no matter how cheap it may be.

I bought one in the 1970`s when I was just a kid. I had advice from a teacher and it turned out to be a great guitar. The one I am most familiar with is the Jumbo size acoustic. It has rosewood fingerboard and back with a solid spruce top. thirty years later, it sounds great! The wood has aged and it it ihas a sweet mellow sound. The only maintenance I`ve done over the years was to have it re-fretted.

I think it will be a collector one day.

JD

I just purchased this guitar for my son for his 28th Birthday. I paid $75 dollars it also had a velvet lined case. The tag inside says Ventura B-1781 Model V-1586 Bruno, serial #C32171, I thought it has a good sound and was in good condition, too. I took it to a guitar shop and they said it was worth the money, that`s all I know about I am glad to see this website to get information about this guitar

Thank You for asking!!!! I have a 1976 Ventura Jumbo booy, It is Blond Maple and has one of the nicest tones I have ever heard. It is still in very good condition and I bought it new from a dealer in Ma.
Ventura Guitars were originally made in the 60`s in California. The company made both acoustics and electrics. The electrics were one of the first Surf guitars and played by Dick Dale and Johnny Rivers. Somewhere in the early 70`s the company went out of business do to the more crunchier sounds of Gibson and the Bluesier sond of the Fender models. A company in Japan bought the rights to use the company name and logo and here we are today. Another fine Japanese Guitar which follows in quality and sound of a truly wonderful instrument.
I hope this information was helpful.

hey all, i need some free sheet music but i dont want to download them. HElp! and i am looking to get a new guitar srtap. any suggetions as to where to look?htanks!

My dad-in-law used to run an icehouse (bar) in Houston over 20 yrs. ago. A customer needing money sold him this model V-6 serial# 52719 Ventura 6 string accoustic for $50. Dad and i have been enjoying this thing for over 20 yrs. and i have written and recorded alot of songs using it. Still sounds and looks great. But like most of you guys...have not been able to learn much about the value. This one has a label inside with the model and serial#, also says "Designed in America...Manufactured in Japan.
I am guessing that Ventura was outsourceing way before it was a popular way to save on manufatuing costs...pretty smart.
Alot of forethought.

4 years ago, before I even played guitar but while I was planning to start, my friend donated a Ventura Bruno model (6 string) to my effort; within a month i had put it up on my dresser (in its case) thinking it was a godawful guitar. Thing is, I didn`t know anything about the sound of a good axe yet.
I afew months later I was going to pull it down to check it out again but i accidentally dropped it and F*cked it to hell, the entire top pulled away from the body and so I assumed it was ruined.
Fast forward to a few months ago - I pulled it out one more time (I thought) and was like, hey I`ll just tape this thing back together, its not worth anything more. So I did, then found out that the tuners were so messed up that the low string couldn`t really be raised above D. Anyway, I tuned the whole guitar down a whole step and started strumming away.
Oh my god.
I really love the bassiness of it tuned down - I think it really complements the guitar itself. Anyway, everyone who has played on it has been like, what the hell, how did you afford this guitar and why`d you break it so badly, idiot? hehe.
So yeah, its been said before, but I have to say it again. These guitars freaking rock!

I bought a small acoustic Ventura guitar in a pawn shop in Denver for about $100. It seems to be a copy of an OM-28 Martin. No model or serial number or country of manufacture on the label as I remember. Gave it to my granddaughter so don`t have it to look at. Wonderful guitar!

I just bought a Ventura 6-string acoustic guitar (model# VWD3SAT) from a local pawn shop for $80. The label says "Hand Crafted Guitar" and "Made in China". It says nothing about "Designed in America" or "Made in Japan", but it sounds very good and it looks to be relatively new..... is Ventura back in business?

One point of clarification, Fender did not buy Ventura guitars, but used alot of California-style names to designate their models. Strat Man Dwight

I just bought a like new used V-3 Acoustic Electric. It plays and sounds well. Lady who sold it said she paid $400 but I got it for $150
This guitar has a newer pre-amp in it along with the shallow back and cutaway I dont think its very old so they must be back in business