tfairchild - Posted - 11/10/2007:  07:31:18

I have a nice sounding 5 string that has Ventura engraved on the peghead. Has a hearts and flower inlay on the fingerboard. The inlay is well done. The truss rod cap says "Custom Made". The neck and resonator are maple. Metal parts are gold, but faded. There are 2 adjusting rods in the pot. Rim is 3 ply. The instrument sounds good and a couple of my friends that have mid level Gibson's say it is a good quality banjo. Does anybody have any information about this instrument?

Tyri - Posted - 11/10/2007:  12:13:48

Good morning.

I've two (BIG) Ventura acoustic guitars- a 6- and a 12- string- that were made in Japan (the 12 had a stcker on back)in thr mid-70s, and sold over here through Strum and Drum (?, not sure about the dealer). This may point you in the right direction. Would you happen to have a photo of the Logo, for comparison? -Brywn

Gran Tyhris' favorite Scot

banjonz - Posted - 11/10/2007:  13:36:23

Tim, welcome to the Hangout. You banjo is Japanese made, possibly in the mid 70's to the early 80's but can't be sure. It is one of dozens of 'brands' that poured out of factories in Japan in that era. You will not find any manufacturing info on it at all. They were essentially Gibson clones.

Wayne
New Zealand

Don't argue with an idiot; people watching may not be able to tell the
difference.

beegee - Posted - 11/10/2007:  20:02:11

Kasuga made these, labeled Ventura, Alvarez, Orpheum, Melodier, Astro or whatever name the importer wanted. They are decent banjos. I've owned several, sold most of them to students. Some had bow-tie inlays, some had large diamonds. The "inlay" on the peghead and on the back of the resoantor is a thin overlay imbedded in the polyester finish. The "Custom-made" truss rod cover is meaningless. It probably has a seahorse engraved on it.

I have a friend who had one of these with a C.E. Ward neck. He claimed it was a "custom" Gibson, which of course, it wasn't.

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banjonz - Posted - 11/11/2007:  00:16:00

We have had a few banjos here come up for sale with that 'Custom Made' curlique on the trust rod cover. Very heard to convince these folk that this banjo wasn't custom made and that the amount they are asking for it is way over the top. Needless to say they don't sell

Wayne
New Zealand

Don't argue with an idiot; people watching may not be able to tell the
difference.

Old Man - Posted - 11/11/2007:  06:59:18

Tim , I also have one of these banjos and they are good sounding banjos. I have had it for sale her in the Classifieds and know one would show any interest. I have had 2 top end Morgan Monroes and these banjos in my opinion are far much better.

beegee - Posted - 11/11/2007:  18:20:47

The last one of these I bought, I paid around $200 for it. I won't pay much more than that for one.

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Old Man - Posted - 11/12/2007:  18:47:43

It sold local ,no problem and he got a good banjo with a good hard shell case.