Ventura V-25 Dreadnaught

I purchased my Ventura Martin-copy dreadnaught at "The Music Shop" in Jacksonville Beach, Florida in June, 1977. Although the paper label in the soundhole says "Ventura Guitars Designed in USA Made in Japan" when you look in the body from the soundhole, and look towards the neck, the is a "Takamine Guitars" logo branded into the wood! So, I think what this is, is one of those "Lawsuit" guitars that Takamine produced, but, perhaps, sold unfinished stock to Ventura during the lawsuit. Sound reasonable? Whatever. It sounds beautiful, has a nice blond finish to the body, neck and head stock. It has mother-of-pearl/abalone inlay around the sound hole and the outer edge of the front of the guitar, and down the middle of the split back. The fingerboard is rosewood, and the tuners are Gotos.

Super low action on the neck -straight as an arrow after 31 years. It sounds better now than it did in '77. Absolutely beautiful. Only my Martin sounds better. A bright sound, but as it's aged, a deeper intonation. My Simon & Patrick 12 is almost as bright sounding, but not quite. The only thing I dislike is the Ventura decal on the headstock. Why not do the whole 9 yards and put in a nice inlay "Ventura"??? Of for that matter, some real inlaid Pearls, made of mother of pearl, instead of the "Mother of Toilet Seat" white plastic pearls in the neck.

Awesome action, low and easy to play. The Goto tuners are very nice, and hold the tuning well. A bit narrow for my hands, but after the first position its okay as you move down the neck. Buddy at Dons Guitar here in Jax did the pickup installation, and he says this is a very nice guitar with excellent rare woods and should appreciate in value with age (he offered me a nice sum for it, but I declined).

I always backup with several guitars, but the fact is, this is one of my most reliable. The pickup/preamp in my Martin craps out on me more often than any of my other guitars!

Never used customer support

I've been playing since I was 13. I'm 48 now, and I bought the Ventura when I was 17. I would never consider selling it. I've owned Les Pauls, SGs, etc., (Gibson, not Epiphone) and sold them to pay bills, BUT NEVER MY VENTURA. If it is ever stolen (God forbid) I will have to track down a Takamine "lawsuit" guitar ot replace it.

This guitar was purchased new in 1973 with hardshell case. Label says "Ventura Fine Fretted Instruments Model No. V-25 Designed in USA Built in Japan." I bought it from a luthier/
guitar shop owner(still in business) who said it couldn't be beat for the money. It's a copy of a Martin D-something. 20 frets, neck joins body at 14th fret. Solid spruce top, Brazilian Rosewood sides, bridge
piece, fingerboard, two-piece back(mirror-matched; the interior back has a beautiful gnarly grain), and headstock facing; mahogany neck. Very solid and smooth no-name tuners of nickel-chrome, black plastic pickguard, white plastic binding and soundhole
with black accents. Ventura logo in mother of pearl script on headstock, pearl dots on fretboard. Nice inlay down the middle of the back in a --=-=--=-=-- pattern(why not on the soundhole?). Neck
is fairly thin but not too narrow, and the strings are very well spaced. The fretboard is slightly rounded. This guitar is very tastefully designed with all elements proportionate and clean, simple lines.

I prefer a classical for acoustic playing, so I never really played this guitar a lot. I play mostly sitting, and a dreadnaught is just too big to be comfortable that way. The dreadnaught has a bright sound that is uniform all over the keyboard - I like to hear other people play it!

Visually this guitar LOOKS precise, and it is. Very clean craftsmanship. No defects of note in 31 years. The only thing I changed was to remove the shims(what appeared to be strips of playing cards) from under the bridge. I play finger style and seldom get a buzz on the lowered action. Never needed to file frets. Neck still straight - wish I could put this neck on a 3/4 size ES-335.

I'd say this guitar is extremely durable. The finish appears to be a urethane that is a little thicker than other acoustics I have played.
There are no cracks in the binding. The tuners have that "Grover" feel.

Never needed or attempted warranty service.

I have been noodling for 33&1/3 years. I have owned 25 or 30 guitars, mostly electrics. I would probably look for a Ventura to replace this one, but I consider my dreadnaught a "nice to have" rather than essential. I prefer the fat neck and the baritone sound of a classical for the country blues improvisation that interests me most. I would definitely look for a Ventura Classical, if I needed to replace my current unknown brand.
Favorite feature is the ease of fingering. Least favorite is the white&black circles around the soundhole.