Here's the missing link.....

[jdwhealton]

that ties the VENTURA brand to Fuji Gen Gakki in the early/mid 70's. For reference.

jd

[wietse]

why?
they look alike but are very different, pu's, schratchplate, position of the bridge, inlays, neckplate (if i'm not mistaken, one has made in japan in it) shape of the neckjoint is not the same, output is ugly with that plate on the ventura.
their not identical twins.
no proof for me.

[VintAxe]

Hey wietse, I appreciate your concerns. However, I think the input jack on the Ventura is probably a replacement, I can't imagine any legitimate guitar builder using that type of jack. The other differences you identify appear real based on the photos. Of course it is possible that these differences were simply modifications from one model year to the next. As John has suggested, the similarities are uncanny. John, I don't want to burden you but have you compared pot codes or pup stamps?

[jdwhealton]

Morning all...yep, the input plate is a repair. I thought that obvious and just didn't mention it. I haven't disassembled it at this point, I don't take 'em apart unless there is a problem. I will grab some internal photos at string change and cleanup time.

I ran these pics and more by John at the Ventura site before posting here. He tends to be in agreement with me on the substance of my post.

Additional photos here: http://entertainment.webshots.com/album/577883251edcMhV

jd

[Mgeek]

I'd say they are close enough to be made in the same factory, perhaps a year or two apart? Regardless of how mass produced something is, there will always be an element of individuals completing things by hand/templates/suppliers changing etc

Then- I've got two of the same guitar, made in the same factory, in the same year, sold as the same model, one of which has a set neck, melamine finish and japanese tuners, and the other of which has a nitro finish, dutch tuners and a bolt on neck, so perhaps I'm less likely to be incredulous

[Michael Ambrose]

I don't know, fellas... there's a very important feature everyone's overlooked thus far.

Wood grain.

Even at this resolution you can tell those are two different species... one is clearly a coarse-grained species of Mahogany (or more likely Mahogany Ply), while the other has a much more fine grain of an indeterminate species.

Hardware/electronic appointments might change from one model year to the next, but I'm doubtful they'd change make as drastic a change as wood species.

(Also, look closely at the spacing between the Vibrola, bridge, and bridge pickup... as well as placement of the pickguard. I'd love to get a look at the routing under the PG... that would be a big tell-tale for certain!!)

ALSO also... lest we forget how easy it is to obtain reproduction Firebird parts these days... I myself picked a chrome Vibrola reproduction for $35 not too long ago for one of my own projects... could be Frankensteins!!... but thats getting too far ahead I think. I'll stick with the woood species for the moment, thats a biggun!

Forever the skeptic!!!! hahaha...