I have a V-1600J, serial #65123 that I bought new at Whitehead`s in Saginaw, MI in 1978 or `79 for about $300. I played it solid for about three years, when I was pining for the one who left me, then I put it away. I had gotten pretty good, too. My best was Tarrega`s Prelude #5.
I`ve taken it out and polished it and tuned it up over the years every now and then but that`s all.
The one who left me came back a few years ago but I wasn`t moved to pick it up again until recently when I returned from a trip to southern Spain where you can just turn on your car radio and hear the Spanish blues like there`s no tomorrow.
The one who had left me so long ago helped me put new strings on it (he did the cranking and I did the twisting. Since I haven`t played with any seriousness for more than 15 years, he played some Spanish songs for me and it sounded gorgeous, bright and bouncy.
This guitar, though neglected, has been pampered over the years and I will never let her go. I don`t want to know what she`s worth because it makes no difference to me.

If it say`s fine fretted instrument it is, this ventura just might make is airborne, I love it, and it now has over 20 years playing on it since my brother gave it to me when he bought a steel string martin.

I have a Ventura V200S that is in excellent shape and I love the way it sounds. Thank you Mark (page 6) for the information
you posted about Venturas that could be found at the website,
http://www.angelfire.com/blues/rockinjohn/ventura/ventura_bruno.html

I recently purchased a 1971 Ventura V1007 electric archtop for around $300. This guitar is phenomenal! It looks like a Gibson Byrdland and sounds like a vintage guitar should, for next to nothing. It has been modified somewhat, the guy that owned it put a Bigsby on it and i think i may put a new bridge on it, it has some slight buzzing....but other than that, a beautiful guitar that i can`t (or don`t want to) put down.

I got one since 1987 (bought used from a friend), sounds wonderful and has very low fingre pressure. Last week I found one on Ebay auction which has the same model, was bidden for $255.00 (Item number: 7358672326)! I meant it`s really nice gift of life.

I got a ventura 6 string acoustic as a gift from my mom...and i want to find out how much it`s worth. can anyone help me out? feel free to respond if you know anything. my email address is posted and i have the serial and model numbers for reference. thanks

I have a Bruno Ventura V-29 blonde acoustic. I got it new back in 1979. I was actually waiting for the salesman to bring me a Takamine I had selected to buy when I ran across this Ventura (for 1/2 the price) on the shelf, as I was waiting. While waiting, I strummed the Ventura a while (Stairway to Heaven, of course When the salesman returned with the Takamine, I told him to put it back because I had changed my mind and decided to go with the Ventura instead. Years have passed and I own many guitars now. But that Ventura, for reasons of my own, is held dear to my heart. Unfortunantly, the bridge crack and came off the body. The dude at the guitar shop says he cannot install another bridge without some work being done and he says the guitar is not worth the investment. I disagree. I really want this guitar to last as long as I do. So if anyone knows where I can find a compatable brideg for this guitar, please contact me. Thanks.

My friend sells new and used ventura guitars,

Generation Music
718 west Sheridan Ave
Shenandoah Iowa

I have a Ventura model V-10 that belonged to my uncle. When he found out I played guitar, he mailed it to me after having it sit in his attic for about 30 years.

I love the guitar. I love its sound and feel more than any other acoustic I`ve ever played.

Ventura guitars were made in in Japan and sold in the US in the 1950`s-60`s. They were made for the average person- think Wal-mart guitars. They were cheap. However, unlike most cheap guitars of the time, they were well made. They were made to model Gibson guitars and they not only modeled them in appearance but also in their make. They were a good guitar for a cheap price.

Ventura later closed after a lawsuit with (I think) Gibson, because the Ventura guitars were practically Gibson in all but name.

So basically, your Ventura is a great guitar that the average person doesn`t know exists.

Enjoy it!

I`ve had so many luthier`s tell me they weren`t worth fixin`. But musician`s that pick up mine to play are in awe-how good it sounds. I`ve paid everything from traded movie projector for one -$15 for two that were in a repair shop - to $500 off e-bay. Got ripped in that one although it sounds great and plays good too. Rumor has it that Black Oak Arkansas bought them by the dozens - good enough to play large crowds, then smash them. [I`m against smashing guitars - don`t care if you`re Hendrix or Pete Townsend]

for Cris Graffa
My Husband purchased a Ventura 12 string for me in the early 70`s which cost us a little over $475.00 in Connecticut. It`s still in mint condition, because I only played it for a few years and boxed it up in a hard shell case.
Once in a while I look at it, and with my long nails wonder if I should return playing it, or maybe hand it down to a neice or nephew. It`s a beautiful piece of musical instrument, and well worth the money we paid for it over 30 years ago, it has never lost it`s tone. INCREDIBLE SOUND, even after all these years. My motto, YOU GET EXACTLY WHAT YOU PAY FOR.....
Go ahead and get yours fixed and hang on to it.
Bebop

i have a Ventura bruno V-2E i know nothing about it other than i got it off my teacher for ten bucks. i want some info

i bought a ventura bass at a pawn shop not to long ago, it sounded pretty bad but that whas problly due to how old and beat up it whas. i took it into a shop and im getting 2 emg pickups, 1 J-bass and 1 active. i spent alot of money on it so i guess ill leave another comment when i get it back.

have a ventura 12 srting 1590 model. anyone heard of it? I can`t find this model number.

I bought this guitar in `72 or `73 from a former bandmate for about $150.00. It has rosewood back & sides & a spruce top as near as I can tell. The top is a beautiful honey color. Don`t know what kind of pickup is in the neck postition, tone & volume knobs. This is a great guitar, easy action & really nice tone. The only problem with it is keeping it in tune due to the tuners. It`s great to finally find others out there who think these are such great guitars also. I would like to find out which company & model this is a copy of if anyone knows. The only thing on the label inside is the Bruno name & model & serial #.