Ventura V-696

Martin copy, usual features for an acoustic...individual tuners etc...14 frets to the body

I own over 20 Ventura guitars as well as Martins, Guilds and luthier guitars. The reason I started collecting Ventura guitars was that they were the highest quality acoustics that I could find along with Tamas (which are much more expensive). I own the 696 and a 696E (electric version). I was dissapointed by Greco, Yamaha, and several other 60-70's Japanese guitars. I play this guitar with my neighbor who has a top of the line Taylor. The combination of the two is incredible. The Ventura is it's equal if not better and costs a lot less. The electric version is also great. You can shred or play soft jazz, it does it all. If you can get one you will hear what I mean.

Action great etc....I really hate the tune-a-matic bridge though it works. This guitar is 30-40 years old and is incredible.

It's 30 - 40 years old and plays great...that is durability

Out of business a long time ago...the new ones are not made by the same company

I have been playing 45 years. These are my main players. If I lost one I would go on Ebay and find another...these are serious deals

Solid spruce top, back and side of rosewood, beautiful MOP block fretboard inlay, and rosette inlay and bindings front and back, ajustable bridge.

Sounds better than any Martin, Gibson or taylor I have played. Produces very rich and full sound, fitts multiple playing styles.

Great action, other than minor nicks from years of playing the finish is flawless. Beautiful finish.

More dependable than any new guitar I have owned. I can tune it and play a full set and it is still perfectly tuned by the end.

This is by far the best guitar I have ever played. Everyone I have played with agrees. My friend ownes a Martin DC-16RGTE and would rather play my Ventura any chance he can. I would not sell this guitar for anything.

I am writing this review to clear up a few issues with the other two previous reviews.This model came with a Solid spruce top,not a laminated top.The sides and back are rosewood,I researched Ventura guitars for quite a while,the original brochures are the only specs left on all Ventura guitars.My 696 has a bound fretboard with dot inlays,some of the V-696's have MOP block inlays.Adjustable bridge.The other reviewer's guitar must have been abused because after 30+ years my guitar is solid as a rock except for a few tiny nicks here and there.Guitar plays and sounds like a dream.Sell it?Not in my lifetime. My brother-in-law likes it better than his $1700.00 Martin.(I didn't say it to him but I do to)

Long gone

Ventura Model V-696 made circa 1972. I traded a Sekova ES-335 copy to a fellow college student for it. I have had it ever since and played it everywhere. It's a copy of a Guild or Martin that is Made in Japan...pretty well too. It has a laminated spruce top and rosewood neck and very well seasoned.

Plays great IMHO

Fast neck that is great for all styles especially tuned to DADDAD.

I have had it since I was 18...no complaints.

For a Japanese clone that is over thirty years old and still playing, how can I complain.

I've played everything on this guitar...yeah it looks well used too.
The tuners are of the cheaper design and now slip a little. I'll probably put some Klusons on it.

The company is long gone....into the Pacific Rim.

I have been playing seriously over over thirty years in all styles. I also play a beat up 1971 Telecaster and a banjo.

Purchased in 1977. Dreadnought. Made in Japan. Imported by Bruno. Looks to be a Martin D-41 copy. Laminated spruce top. Adjustable bridge saddle. Laminated rosewood sides and back. 3 piece back. Mahogany neck. Sealed tuners. Gloss Finish. Abalone block fingerboard inlays. Mother-of-plastic bindings and soundhole rosette. Very pretty.

Rich, full sound. Boomy rosewood dreadnought. Good bluegrass sound.

Overall, the guitar is beautiful. Some wood filler apparent in one small place on the back. Action is good . . . adjustable. There was one high fret that I filed down right after I got it.

The guitar is pretty durable. The finish held up well. The laminated top bellied after a few years, but the screw adjustable bridge saddle helped with this. The Rosewood bridge developed a crack through the peg holes. I played it in church, and with friends. It was my only axe for many years and it never let me down.

They're out of business for a long time.

I sold this guitar a few years back when my carpal tunnel was bad. I got my hand repaired and I really wish I had it back. I now own a couple of mid-priced Korean acoustics and an older Japanese Fender solid body. None of them are as pretty as the Ventura . . . but they seem more durable. This model apparently never sold well . . . more style than substance I guess. Still, I really liked it. If anybody has one of these, I'd like to hear from them.