Ventura Guitar Serial Numbers
The V-17 is most likley from the late 60's early 70's. There are catalog references to it on line from 1968.
Here is some info on the Ventura company. Ventura was a brand of stringed instruments imported from Japan by C. Bruno and Company during the 1960s and 1970s. Bruno was bought by Kaman (Ovation) in the early 1980s, after which the brand disappeared. Many of the guitars built during this time frame were known as lawsuit guitars due to the tendency of imported guitars to mimic the well-known American brands such as Martin and Gibson.
Some of the Ventura guitars were knock-offs of the Martin line, such as the Ventura V-35 appearing similar to the Martin D-35. The Ventura line included guitars (classical, western, folk, concert, electric, electro-acoustic), banjos, mandolins, and bass guitars. Kaman Industries (parent company of Ovation) actually acquired C Bruno & Son in 1971.
Although there isn't much in the way of records from this period, it is believed that Kaman contracted with manufacturers such as 'Matsumoku' (parent company of brands such as Aria) from '71 until the brand was discontinued in 1982. There is also evidence that C. Bruno contracted with other companies before the '71 Kaman acquisition such as 'Kasuga' and others.1. I have a 1967 Ventura OM, and it sounds awesome! These were made in Japan as Craviola already mentioned.
Mine is a model V-12, 6 string. I had the nut and saddle changed to bone.
Ventura Guitar Serial Number Lookup How Old
At the time it had one of those 60's, tone killing, adjustable bridges. Had the metal and saddle thingy under the saddle (not a pickup) removed. It's a solid top, I think Sitka, and has solid rosewood back and sides. The back is a 4 piece, and the sides appear to be two piece. It's a super sleeper. Plays and sounds just amazing.
Here's a couple pics. I kinda dig the Viking bridge. Next to my 2015 D-18. I have a 1967 Ventura OM, and it sounds awesome!
Bruno Ventura Guitars Serial Numbers
These were made in Japan as Craviola already mentioned. Mine is a model V-12, 6 string. I had the nut and saddle changed to bone. At the time it had one of those 60's, tone killing, adjustable bridges. Had the metal and saddle thingy under the saddle (not a pickup) removed.
It's a solid top, I think Sitka, and has solid rosewood back and sides. The back is a 4 piece, and the sides appear to be two piece. It's a super sleeper. Plays and sounds just amazing. Here's a couple pics. I kinda dig the Viking bridge. Next to my 2015 D-18 My guitar 12 string has the same exact label inside the guitar as yours.
The only difference is Model and Serial Number. My friend is bringing strings from America. I should get them this week and then I can find out what this guitar can do and sounds like. Amazon shipping charges, 30 some dollars for strings delivered to Thailand.
Plus cost of strings. If I lived in Bangkok I might have found strings but not up here in Nakhon Ratchasima, Korat (North Eastern Thailand) Issan = farm country = nothing modern LOL. My guitar 12 string has the same exact label inside the guitar as yours.
The only difference is Model and Serial Number. My friend is bringing strings from America. I should get them this week and then I can find out what this guitar can do and sounds like.
Amazon shipping charges, 30 some dollars for strings delivered to Thailand. Plus cost of strings.
If I lived in Bangkok I might have found strings but not up here in Nakhon Ratchasima, Korat (North Eastern Thailand) Issan = farm country = nothing modern LOL. I suggest you use coated strings for your 12-string.
They last longer. I like D'Addario EXP38. Other people like Elixir coated strings.