The Guitar Gallery Forums - The Guitar Legacy of Matsumoku

Hello Friends, seems like it's been ages since I have visited here or had anything to post. Have been doing more selling than acquiring lately, but these things tend to run in phases for me. This guitar was picked up by a band-mate of mine in the "Liquor Buddies" (his name is Matt, so that's ironic in that Alanis Morrisette kind of way, I suppose) and while I had it here to attempt some set up work, I thought I'd get a few pics to share.

It's really a fun guitar. I always loved these with the painted on F-holes and "Bigsby". Sounds good, stays in tune relatively well, all things considered and plays like butta. Only downside is this gal is in need of a new nut. Whoever cut the last one (I don't believe it's original), screwed up the spacing, and the high E sits a bit too close to the edge of the fingerboard. Still playable, but not ideal and it could be a lot better. The zero fret is pretty grooved, and could probably stand to be replaced at well.

PIck-ups are typical of the era, that is they are "fake" humbuckers, but they actually sound pretty good, and seem to be appropriate for this axe.

Not sure if the Ventura serial numbers mirror the other 'Matts, but if so that would date this to 1980.

Aside from some very minor scratches and nicks (and some of the "gold" wearing off the plastic pu covers ) This thing is in great shape, and if I saw another one like it, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Just a great "vibe", if you know what I mean.

Cheers,
G

One more pic. Questions, comments always welcome, of course!

Hey Scott, nice to hear from you!
I'm surrounded at the shop by Gretsches of all sorts, and I have to say, "this ain't no Gretsch!"

Still, it is um, interesting. (yes that's it, interesting!) Especially those funky-ily installed pups. And all those toggle switches are confusing too. Most Gretsches have (on the upper left bout) a 3 way toggle as you'd expect, for the pup selection, plus a second toggle controlling the the tone selection. On the upper right bout though you normally see a Master Volume pot, not a toggle. And you never see another toggle with the pots in the lower right bout (coil cut? phase reversal?)

Yeah, the nut is a piece o' poo alright, but easily remedied. The zero fret is replaceable too if you have the tools. All in all, looks like a "fun" geetar!

_________________
"A little song, a little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
Guitars: https://legend.barryeames.com
Music/Pix/Videos: https://getback.barryeames.com

Hi Scott I like these ventura guitars
Look at this one quite similar for sale in France since months
http://www.zikinf.com/annonces/dispanno ... nce=818122

I guess you know this website
http://www.catoosatrading.com/ventura_guitar.html
http://www.catoosatrading.com/ventura_s ... _1500.html

Fabian- Actually I had not done that much research, so thanks for the link- That's awesome!

Barry- No doubt that this isn't up to Gretsch standards or quality, but it IS interesting. Seems like Gretsches in general have gotten more popular lately and since the Electromatics are fairly affordable, you're seeing a lot of them. Both of the guitar players in my other band have recently gotten new ones- one orange Chet, (a real deal USA model) and one Electromatic. Both are cool, but the Chet is really impressive and Tim is absolutely in love with it.

BTW- I'm not even sure what all the switches allegedly do on this, but the one by the tone control is currently wires as an on/off or "Kill" switch, which is pretty handy,

aha- back to tweaking the intonation on this and the Electromatic!

your v-1500 model is in the Big 1970 catalog
http://www.catoosatrading.com/images/scan0025.jpg

and the "french" v-1500 is in 1968 Brochure
http://www.catoosatrading.com/images/ca ... age_07.jpg
(I'm not sure for color, but inlays look similars)

Absolutely. The owner of Guitars n Amps (the "shop") has made it his goal to be the Gretsch specialist in the area, and he's doing extremely well. Gretsch sales are outstripping Fender, Gibson and Music Man! The Electromatics (dumb name, sounds like a vacuum cleaner) are indeed affordable and very well made in Korea. But the top end models come from Japan, are made by Terada, and are flawless!

As for popularity, seems like every new band I've seen this past year has at least one Gretsch in it. Takes me back to my yute, when every rocker played an electric acoustic and solid bodies were rarely seen.

_________________
"A little song, a little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
Guitars: https://legend.barryeames.com
Music/Pix/Videos: https://getback.barryeames.com

Hmm- I guess that would probably put the build date on mine at closer to 1970 than 1980, but given the build of this and the other Japanese guitars I've seen from that era , 1970 makes more sense. A guy I played with back around 1977 or so had a Ventura 335-ish copy, so again 1970 "ish" seems more accurate.

Thanks again for the links, very cool.

G

Nice guitar !!!!!

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MAA Member since June 29th 2009, taking one baby step at a time..... and failing miserably!

Thanks! I actually had a chance to put this through it's paces beside my friends Electromatic, and aside from the string spacing issue, I gotta say that overall, I kind of prefered the Ventura. I'm as surprised as anyone! Certainly scores higher on the "vibe" scale. The Electromatic was a bit disapointing overall, I must admit. If I ever bought one, the Stk pups would HAVE to go for starters.

My Buddy's "Chet" on the other hand- that is one smokin' guitar!