The Ventures VM65, made in Korea 2008, black. Exactly how this came to be is a bit mysterious, but here's what I've gathered. In the mid 00s, the Wilson brothers from surf-rock royalty The Ventures got a bit tired of all these other companies making money off the Mosrite Ventures shape without them making any cash, so they set up their own brand, named after the band. Other examples of what appears to be this model have Wilson Bros or Aria on the headstock, so presumably these were made through the Aria company in Korea, seemingly around 2008. It's got sensible tuners and a sensible two-point Strat-style bridge, as well as a basic set of soapbar pickups, so it's not a 'vintage correct' Ventures model, but the heritage is there in the shape. It's well built with good fret and finish work, it holds tune well and generally feels pretty sturdy in the hands. The tone is fun: it really loves to smash out nasty punk rhythm parts and abounds in attack, sounding kinda like a halfway point between a Tele and a Les Paul Special. There's a lot of fun to be had here for some quirkmeister out there.

Model: The Ventures VM65 Junior
Made: Korea, 2008 approx (serial K8030148)
Finish: black, gloss poly
Body: alder (not verified)
Weight: 3.860kg
Neck: maple, rosewood board, 25.5" scale length, 16" radius, slim D shape
Mods: 3-way switch replaced
Pickups: original soapbar single coil x2
Case: none

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some light scuffs on the back around the volute and some light marks around the posts on the front. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor marks on the back only. The back has some dimples around the cavity and in the elbow area, as well as widespread light scuffs and surface scratches around the whole body. The sides have light scuffs on the top horn and elbow area, some surface scratches near the jack and dimples on the bottom horn. The front has some light scuffs behind the bridge, near the jack, in the elbow area and around the neck pickup, nothing nasty. Overall: good condition (7/10)

Playing condition notes: action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. The frets have minor wear, 9/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/52 Moonshiners strings.