Can anyone identify this symbol inside a guitar?

[unforgiven]

My dad bought an old guitar from a lady who's husband passed away.  He said their are not markings on it anywhere that identify what it is except this symbol inside the sound hole.  Anyone know anything about it?  I don't think it's anything special.  Just curious really.  Thanks in advance for any help.



A few pictures of it:

[Danny]

                   What is on the face side of the head stock? Show us a pic of that if you can.

 Using a very bright light shined in the sound hole see if you see some faded ink left from a stamp mark.
   It may be like F68 or S65 etc. plus it may say Made in USA, again this may be very faded. If you see that it is a Harmony Guitar product made in Chicago for any number of Brand name guitars or catalog stores. The screw on pick guard and the screwed down bridge are two items Harmony used. Feel inside under the brige and screws are probably under the MOP dots on the bridge.
  Also the Japanese began to copy Harmony and made similar guitars with different brands on the headstock. Ventura made one with the same bridge as you have and the same shape in the headstock. So if you don't see the faded ink stamp inside that would be my 2cnd guess. A early 70's Japanese made guitar. And probably built very solid.

[Danny]

   I think it is a Ventura the more I look at the headstock shape and the bridge. An early 70's Made in Japan Laminate guitar.

[unforgiven]

Thank you for replying!

From what he told me, there is nothing on the front of the head stock or he would have taken a picture of it.  Other than where the guy carved his initials, he said that symbol was the only mark on the guitar.

[Danny]

  Well, see if you can get a shot of the headstock and the neck joint to the body. Both of those can help a little.

[unforgiven]

I will ask him and post up.  Thanks again!

[Danny]

  These were called "lawsuit guitars" and a number were made by different companies in Japan. They were duplicating Martin D-series guitars. Ibinez, Aria, and others made them. So some folks took the logo's off the headstock. I guess it made them look more like a Martin if they didn't say Ventura etc.on them.

[cc407]

 These were called "lawsuit guitars" and a number were made by different companies in Japan. They were duplicating Martin D-series guitars. Ibinez, Aria, and others made them. So some folks took the logo's off the headstock. I guess it made them look more like a Martin if they didn't say Ventura etc.on them.

Not too sure about this being among the "lawsuit" models - the lore on that has been stretched pretty far.

[JOYCEfromNS]

Not too sure about this being among the "lawsuit" models - the lore on that has been stretched pretty far.

Yep

[Danny]

Not too sure about this being among the "lawsuit" models - the lore on that has been stretched pretty far.

Well, we're not "sure" of anything on this one yet. That's why the OP has asked for some information.

[cc407]

 Well, we're not "sure" of anything on this one yet. That's why the OP has asked for some information.

I provided some information, by correcting misinformation.

[Danny]

I provided some information, by correcting misinformation.

OK, getting back to the point of the OP's question and because I don't really care at all about "lawsuit" guitars.   I'll phrase it this way to be more helpful.

      This dreadnaught appears to be a Ventura (Bruno) or Aria etc. from the early 70's, made in Japan and resembles a Martin, which some who did this were involved in a lawsuit with Martin and then those guitars have been called "lawsuit" guitars. I have heard it mostly referred to Takimine and Yamaha. But also to Ibanez and others.
        At any rate it looks like a Martin copy from the early 70's made in Japan.

[unforgiven]

Very interesting!  Never heard of "lawsuit" guitars.  But the no logos would make sense.  Hopefully I'll get a reply from my Dad in the next day or so and get some more pictures. 

[tuffythepug]

The "Lawsuit Guitars" term has been used for the guitars that Danny mentioned as well as some Ibanez versions of earlier Gibson Les Paul electrics.   Probably others are referred to in this manner too when they are exact copies of a design originated by another company.   I believe some were actually involved in litigation that earned the moniker 'lawsuit" guitar. 

[JOYCEfromNS]

And as one poster pointed out the term is sometimes used loosely accrediting a value to an otherwise less valued guitar. Most of the big names were victims of being copied tho some of the lawsuit guitars ( copies) were actually argueably better than what they were intended to copy.

[cc407]

I perhaps should have expounded - so many guitars are talked of as "lawsuit" models, usually as a come-on for a used guitar sale. Ebay even posts a warning about this! The fact is that the actual lawsuit guitars are really few, but the internet has supplied people with a false impression.
This one does not appear to be one of those, and I didn't want the inquirer to have a false hope of value based on this.

[ducktrapper]

Can we say ... SATAN? Run for your life! 

[Danny]

  Wow, from identifying a guitar, to lawsuits and now Satan. All from trying to help a newbie out.

[JOYCEfromNS]

Odd for a forum thread to take diversion 

[unforgiven]

LOL!  It's all good.  Newbie to this forum but been on forums since there were forums.  Playing guitar is actually my second love.  This is my first love and the cause of me not being able to play for about four months after I crashed.  Now this is a topic change.



Maybe we need a few more