Ventura V-17 12-String

-Ventura V-17 Made in Japan - early 1970's? (of the lawsuit/copy era)
-Solid spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides, rosewood fretboard, ebony bridge plate
-Dreadnought
-Original 6-in line vintage tuners on each side, headstock is a bit too big for my liking, but is a good looker
-The interior bracing is exactly like Martin bracing

-Its a beautiful beast :) LOUD and PROUD!
-Good single note distinction, can be a bit muddy because it RESONATES so damn long...I've been using D'Addario light phosphor bronze strings on it, not sure if this is a contributing factor...
-Very full warm sound, has aged very well.

Was in great vintage condition when I got it.

-I don't play out, but I would think this guitar could handle live playing
-The tuners will probably need changing out if giggig
-Vintage strap buttons are plastic- will definitely need changing if playing out
-I would use it without a backup, unless you play hardcore like Leo Kottke, you should be fine :)

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-I wish it had a smaller headstock, but otherwise I love it!
-If it were stolen or lost I would probably purchase a different vintage 12 string- this one is a bit boomy and big for me.
-Overall a GREAT guitar that I got for a great price!!

Made in the 70's in Japan. All plywood. Looks nice. Tuneamatic bridge. Dreadnaught style

This was the cheep Ventura 12 string. Nowhere near as good as the v-16 which cost more new, and not even close to my Martin. When reviewers give it a 10 they must not have heard other 12 strings. It is better than some guitars but even my old patched together Yamaha kicks its butt. 12 strings sound nice in general so it gets a five

Very well made, Japanese quality. Cheap woods.

Would it matter a lot if it fell apart? I don't think it would though, it is pretty sturdy. Plywood is tough

Out of business. New ones not the same company

Playing 12 strings for over 40 years. I play almost all acoustic styles.
If you want a nicer 12 string, buy the V16. At the prices these are going for it is a much better value.

I purchased my VENTURA V-17 (#71759) from a Stockton (CA) pawn shop in Feb 1992. I was looking for a "knock around" dreadnaught that would fit my large "piano playin' hands" and wouldn't cost much. I was already familiar with the legacy of these Japanese-made guitars, as I own a semi-hollow body (335 style) bass of the same vintage. The V-17 is one of those rare instruments that only get better with age. Even in that pawn shop, the glossy finish and fine fit told me this was a worthy investment. The V-17's dreadnaught body is one of the biggest acoustics I've seen and one of the heaviest (probably due to its quality wood). The top is spruce, the sides and back are mahogany, and the neck is (probably) ash or a convenient 'hardwood' available at the time. The first thing you notice about the neck is the "Zero Fret" similar to the Gretsch Country Gentleman and (like the 'Gentleman') is almost 2" wide. The tuners are Gotoh knock-offs on a single strip with exposed gearing, six to a side. The rosewood fretboard has a total of twenty frets, with the body meeting at the fourteenth. The neck is fully adjustable. I had it adjusted by my tech immediately after purchase, but haven't touched it since. The string height is constant and the fixed bridge has never shown any evidence of "pulling up" (and I keep all twelve strings tuned on it ALL THE TIME). The binding is excellent and like the rest of the finish, shows no evidence of 'checking' or cracking. The strap buttons and tuners are still firm and show no corrosion (and I live near the ocean). After more than decade of ownership, I finally invested in a quality hard-shell case for it last year.

LOUD.....really LOUD! I put Elixir Nanowebs on it a couple of years ago and was astonished at the sound. The drednaught body captures all the highs and lows and projects itself like any big Guild or Gibson. The V-17 is best suited for small venues, but she can fill a large room easily. I've played it at out church sanctuary many times, and on occasion we've 'miked' it for effect. On those occasions, the soundboard tech has never had to advance the volume more than "2" (20%)!

I read that VENTURA guitars were produced by a company that also produced fine examples of classic Japanese acoustic stringed instruments. Their eye for detail carried over in the manufacture of these guitars. Even after 30+ years of handling, playing, and (ab)use, the finish is still glossy and attractive. Bar chords are always challenging on a 12-string, but the V-17's action is as good as I've found on guitars costing a hundred times more. The fretwires are uniform and show no evidence of 'flattening' or degredation. That's not to say she's perfect, but when was the last time you heard these kind of comments about a thirty year olde guitar that cost less that $100?

The V-17 is my backup guitar, only because it's not an electric-acoustic. Other than the initial visit to my tech immediately after purchase, and the replacement of strings, I have never spent anything on the instrument itself. Tuners and strap buttons are secure and firm. I experienced a couple of occasions when the power went out at our church, just prior to performance. My V-17 and the piano were the only instruments available to us and I was NOT disappointed with the V-17's performance.

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I've been playing guitar since 1964, covering the spectrum of rock, R&B, Country (& Western), and gospel as a professional or a "jam session afficionado". I've owned several acoustic guitars, most of 'em 12-strings. My other 12-string acoustic is a VOX "Electric Western" dreadnaught. I also enjoy a '67 GRETSCH Country Gentleman, a '67 FENDER Coronado 12-string, a '57 RICKENBACKER 425, and the VENTURA semi-hollow body bass. My only criticism of the V-17 is the bridge. Twelve strings are a lot of pressure on a fixed bridge. The VOX (like many of the Guild, Gibson, or Epiphone models) features a tailpiece that pulls the strings across the bridge and down to the tailpiece. Although I have never experienced any problems with the bridge (thus far), I am inclined to copy this feature if I ever have to address any bridge problems. Would I replace it if it lost it? You'd better believe it!

I Just recently Bought this VENTURA Bruno V-17 12 string Acoustic off of E-Bay. Paid $41.00. it is a 1970 Lawsuit era Guitar made in USA/JAPAN. It is a 21 fret Guitar with a Solid Spruce Top, and Rosewood Sides and Back. It has a decent Finish, that has Held up all these years with no "Checking" or "Crackling". It is a JUMBO Body, being 16 1/4 inches wide at the Bout, and it is 42 Inches Long. This has the Standard Size neck, Not the Fat ones Like some of the HONDO's were made. It appears to have the Original Factory Tuners, Not Sure what Brand, but they Are in Great Shape

I Play Mostly Gospel Music, and The 60's 70's and early 80's Rock, and this is One sweet sounding Guitar, as a Lot of Music from these Era's Involved 12 String Acoustics. It is SUPER LOW Action, No Buzzing anywhere you play up or down the neck It has a great sound,, Not too deep Not Too High,, Just Perfect! I Havent found much that cant be played comfortably on this Old Guitar, and I LOVE Everything about it!

The Neck has been re-set a number of years ago, and was done to a perfection, the action is SUPER low, and the frets seem to be original with hardly any wear. Perfect Bookmatched top, Beautiful Inlays, Nice Binding, good Finish, No rattles, Buzzes, etc to be Found.

I would take this 12 String on any Gig we do, and never think of taking a back-up!. I can depend totally on this Ventura. It has Metal Strap Buttons, and Great Tuners

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I have been Playing for years, and this has to be One of the Sweetest sounding 12 Strings I have ever had in my Hands. I Own a 2003 "SAMICK" (Greg Bennett) Signature series 6 string, A 1985 "ALVAREZ" (Ash Festival) 6 String, a 1981 "HONDO" H-160 12 String, A 1981 "FENDER" Telecaster (Electric), a 2002 "SAMICK" (ABILENE) 6 String, a 1931 "RICHTER" (Montgomery Ward) 6 string,
A 1963 "HARMONY" 6 String, a 1960 "HARMONY" 6 String, and this VENTURA In my Opinion, Almost Puts each one of these to Shame, and every Guitar Listed Above Has been re-Stored or is In Cherry to Mint Condition. There isnt anything about this VENTURA that I dont LOVE. The Sound it Produces is the sweetest ring I have ever Heard! If it was Lost or Stolen, I would DEFINITELY go in search for it, and Offer a Reward, This is My Baby, and I dont believe I could ever replace it. I have owned many a "Name Brand" Guitars, and this one is Far Superior. If you ever find a VENTURA Bruno V-17, BUY IT! You Wont be Sorry.