Japanese copy of Gretsch

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Japanese copy of Gretsch

by Jeff
(Ohio)

There's no name on the headstock and no serial number to be found, but it does have model number 31914759 and says made in Japan on it. Looks like a copy of the Gretsch line of Country Gentleman guitars to me.

ANSWER

Hi, Jeff--

I think it might be a Ventura. They were built with Gibson style headstocks. I don't know about the no name unless someone replaced the headstock at some point.

Here is what the Blue Book says about Venturas(No price information was listed.):

Instruments previously produced in Japan circa 1970s.
Ventura guitars were distributed in the U.S. market by C. Bruno & Company of New York, New York. Ventura models were both full body and thinline hollowbody electric archtop guitars, and generally medium to good quality versions of popular American models.

Sorry I could not be of more help.

Lynne

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Japanese copy of Gretsch

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Jul 07, 2011
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319 14759
by: Donnie

This is a silvertone guitar..Mine is dark brown in color.Mine a 95 on a scale of 100..The silvertone tag on the headstock are prone to falling off.Mine did too but I kept it..

Feb 27, 2011
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They're Silvertones
by: Anonymous

Sold by sears. The 1475 was the last model, as they'd been cutting prices through the late '60's until the were selling these for $150 by 1972. Nice guitars. Check out the Silvertone pages for more info.

Sep 12, 2010
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RhythmLine Guitar
by: Rany

Interesting reading here. I just purchased a guitar similar to the ones described, but different than the picture above. The pictured guitar looks like an ES-335 copy. The guitar in question is not as wide, it has the same double cutaways but the body is no wider than the 'horns'.

Mine is a red/black sunburst with 'RhythmLine' on the headstock. It has a whammy bar but the pickguard is missing. There are no switches on the body other than the ones on the chrome metal plate at the bottom with two switches and two knobs.

The only information I could find about this guitar is that it might be a Teisco, or possibly a Kawai whom bought out Teisco in the late 60's and continued to make the guitars under several different brand names throughout the 70's. The curved pie-shaped chrome plate with the knobs and the trim around the P90-style pickups are exactly like many Teiso guitars I've seen.

I've also heard that this particular model was meant for the Japanese market and few were brought to the US, thus the rarity here. All of this info is unconfirmed and just rumors/speculation of course.

If there is still interest in these comments and anyone has any further information on this guitar I'd love to know! Thanks!

Jul 31, 2010
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RhythmLine...Gretsch syle guitar !?
by: Anonymous

Is there anybody outthere ?!?! who could tell me some info about this RhythmLine (that's the name on the headstock) Gretsch alike but with a Les Paul type headstock ? It has two kobs, one us volume and the other is tone but also two toggle switch vintage style...is a semi hollow by the way and it looks really nice but all i know is that it has the name RhythmLine on the headstock and the word Japan on the backplate....Can anybody share some info about it ? Thanks in advance. Emilio from Miami

Jul 03, 2009
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I have one too, but very difficult to find info on.
by: Tilak

I have a black version of this guitar. Got it for my 13th birthday back in '92. Bought at a music store in Western KY. They were selling it as a Univox, but as there isn't a name on it that was probably just their best guess. Mine didn't have a pick guard, but you can see the screw holes where it had been.

The pickups shorted out a few years later and I replaced them with P90s and the tuning pegs with some gold Grovers. It plays great and has a great sound. Just wish the bridge posts were permanent so it would stay in tune a little better.

I've been looking for info on this guitar unsuccessfully for years, so it's good to finally find some ideas on this.

May 24, 2009
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Hey Jeff That's My Guitar
by: Joe Stoutenger

If you go to a Vintage Gretsch site,it seems they were tring to copy a Chet Atkins guitar from all the pictures i've seen,I have the same model # and color as you,I bought mine in 1982 from a dealer who had it stashed away,every body wants thew big brand name for me it's the guitar that I can restring left handed and have the least problem afterward playing it.the only thing with mine is the normal hitting the volume knob with my forearm the guitar palys great and has great sound.If your tring to sell it good luck.nobody but Jap guitar collectors will buy it.People don't reolize how great these guitars play and sound their lose our gain.Peace..joestoutenger@yahoo.com

May 13, 2009
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I have the same brown guitar as well
by: Greg

Mine is a very dark brown as well. Gold hardware. Whitish 4 ply pickguard, binding and selector knob tips. Gold knobs, tuners, bigsby style tailpiece, pickups, and bridge cover. Headstock is gibson and the neck has inlays like a gretsch. Neck plate says Model NO. 319. 14759 MADE IN JAPAN

Jan 14, 2009
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Follow-Up
by: Jeff (IL)

Hey all:

Thanks for the info. (I apologize for accidentally posting my first message twice).

I checked the markings on my guitar. The number is indeed the same!

On the plate where the neck is bolted to the body there is stamped onto the metal the following:

MODEL NO.
319,14759

Japan

Those are the ONLY markings on the guitar, except for the "T" and "V" on the pot knobs for tone and volume.

Since both the appearance and numbers seem to match, I believe Jeff (Ohio) and I indeed have the same model. Drop me an email and we can exchange photos & information.

peace,

Jeff

Jan 13, 2009
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Riviera Country Gent
by: Anonymous

I am quite sure that the RIVIERA was not an Epiphone.The 2 toggle switches on the upper bout seemed to put the pickups in a rhythm mode. (The volume was cut back). You could flip the switch to do solos. The bottom rotary switch was for pickup selection. Volume and tone were in the normal location by the jack input and it had a mute switch. I still have the name plate off of that guitar. Thanks for your information.
Hal

Jan 13, 2009
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me too!
by: Jeff

Hey Jeff from Ohio. I am Jeff also, but currently reside in Illinois.

I found your inquiry here. I am cleaning/setting-up a guitar that may be from the same manufacturer. Although like you, I do not know the name, or what it might be worth. But they appear to be almost identical guitars, except for color (mine is solid brown, with a white 3ply pickguard).

I've had mine laying around for years--bought it about 1975. I recently decided to clean it up and get it operational again. I've been searching for info. on vintage Japanese guitars, since the only printing is one reference to Japan and the model number. Frankly, I have not found ANYTHING really close to it until seeing your post.

Like yours there's no brand name on it whatsoever. It has a reference to Japan and a model number. (I'll have to check my number, but think its close to, if not identical to the 319xxxx number you listed.)

The photo you sent is a bit dark so I cannot see all the features. But some questions/descriptions might be helpful.

Is the "Japan" reference and model number stamped on the neck plate where the neck bolts onto the body? (That's the only printing on mine.)

How are the circuits wired? On mine it appears the two 2-position toggles on the top cutaway switch the humbuckings to single-coil pickups--one switch for the neck pickup, one for the bridge. The one 3-position toggle on the bottom cutaway on mine is the pickup selector (neck/both/bridge). Mine has two "pots" (cannot make out yours 'cause the pic is too dark) below the bridge, with metal knobs (gold color)--one for volume, one for tone. And the single 2-position toggle below the bridge on mine (next to the pots) is a power "kill" switch.

On your bridge, is there a piece of wood or "formica" on the plate where it mounts to the guitar? Mine has a small, wood-grained piece (I think its like formica (plastic), and not real wood) glued to the bridge plate.

I'll take another look at mine (I'm not at home right now) and will post my "model number." Perhaps you can post another pic with a little more lighting. Or drop me an email--itsthejj@yahoo.com--and we can exchange more info & pics. Unfortunately, I am no help identifying the manufacturer or its value as I have been seeking the same info. you're seeking. But its always interesting to see someone else with what appears to be the same rare guitar, especially since I've not found ANYTHING else this close to what we have.

I hope to hear from you.

peace,

Jeff

Jan 13, 2009
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Nov 17, 2008
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Japanese country gentleman
by: Hal

I saw your picture of the Japanese copy of a country gentleman. I had a similar one back in the 70's. It had the name RIVIERA on the head stock. It was dark brown (almost black)with a Bigsby style tremolo arm. It had a fabulous neck as I recall. I've been searching for the RIVIERA name for a while but all I get is Epiphone. Do you have any information on the Riviera name? I'd love to find that guitar again just for sentimental reasons.

ANSWER

Are you sure it was not a Riviera series guitar made by Epiphone? Here is info from the Blue Book:

"RIVIERA
- thin double cutaway body, bound fingerboard with single parallelogram inlay, bound body, tune-o-matic bridge/trapeze tailpiece, bound tortoiseshell pickguard, two mini-humbucker pickups, volume/tone controls, available in Cherry, Royal Tan, or Sunburst finish, 16 in. body width, mfg. 1962-1970."

Lynne

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Japanese copy of Gretsch

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Japanese copy of Gretsch