Aria pro 11 acoustic 12 string series#
The RS Series X70 and X80 are the later model that slowly phased out the TS series, slightly different body shape. The TS-600 “Thor” has 24 frets, ebony fretboard, a 5 piece neck-thru bodies, coil taps, out of phase switches, 6 way tone switches and 1 active power boosts pre amp. These are in your face guitars that can still be bought for a fair price (TS is cheaper). Finger picking or sheading is no problem with these babies. The TS-600 “Thor” and the RS-X70 and RS-X80 models (X80 had fancy inlay and nicer neck) are 2 exceptional neck-thru rock guitars that can also grab acoustical tones with no problem. High-End Collectables worthy of checking out: It has only been in the last few years that the high-end Matsumoku Factory built guitars have become highly sought after by collectors due to their special features, 5 piece neck-thru body design, ebony fretboards and top build quality. The high-end Aria Pros II models are awesome guitars and arguably better guitars than many top US brands including Gibson and Fender. Why get a Japanese off-brand when for a few hundred dollars more you could get a Gibson or Fender? In the ’70’s and ‘80’s people in the US had never heard of the Matsumoku Company or knew anything about their build quality. Because the price of many of these high-end models was only slightly lower than the cost of some top US brands they were often overlooked and did not sell well in America. Their hardware, pots, switches, bridges and pick-ups were not the greatest in older models but by the time the RS Series came out they were much improved and some used Dimarzio pickups. With this combination you had a guitar that could get an acoustical tone as well as the heavy metal blaster sounds with distortion. Many had 6 way tone switches and features such as 1 or 2 active power boosts or active EQ pre amps.
Most all were 24 fret with coil taps and out of phase switches. Many of these guitars are 5 piece maple-walnut neck-thru with Ash bodies. On the other hand, their high-end guitars were some of best guitars ever made. Their low end guitars were a good bang for the buck and played better than most cheap guitars of that era. They made guitars for Ibanez, Aria Pro II, Yamaha, Epiphone, Washburn, Kramer Westone, Vantage, Greco, Frontier, Skylark and others. Just like GM they made a guitar in every price range and quality level from a Chevy to a Cadillac. The Matsumoku Company were the General Motors of Guitars. The Ari Pro II Guitars from ‘75 to mid ‘80’s were built in the Matsumoku Factory in Japan. The Ari Pro II Guitars - The Matsumoku Factory The Aria Les Paul copies in Japan are also a nice 'bang for the buck' level guitar. Thing is though.the "fender copies" that made it to N. But when people talk about "modding platforms".I can't think of anything even remotely close to the kind of basic quality the neck and body are on these old Aria's. Their poly finish sucks and it's too thick. Where it doesn't measure up to better MIJ brands is in it's pickups and electronics, and it's finish. What fender gives you a 2 piece body? Certainly not mexican. Matsumoku was still a "done by hand" factory back in those days. It has one of the nicest maple necks I've ever felt. This thing cost me about 170 bucks (before shipping from japan.less than 250 to my door). The best deals in my opinion.are those mid range (which was pretty much the top of THEIR line) fender and gibson copies that weren't available in the US. Most of Aria's models were low to mid range overall. But for the most part they occupied a lower rung than companies like Greco, Tokai, and Burny. Yeah they had some mid/higher end PE models like Fretts' there, and a few other rare exceptions. Just make sure it's a made in Japan model. Good stuff, but bc of the age, best to play one in person when deciding to buy one - unless you can set up guitars. I've owned half a dozen AriaProII's over the years. I'm a fan - my 3rd guitar back in 1990 was an Urchin. Condition will be only as good as it was cared for over those 30 years. Now if you buy an 80's model, it could be 30 years old. Back in the 80s you could steal these 70s guitars for $100 bc there was no want for them and no Internet to spread the word of the quality. Some real good finds out there as while many people know about them, they're still mostly not highly collected so you can grab them for a bargain. Early ones from 70s-mid80s were made in Japan at Masumoku (I always spell that wrong) factory and are considered high quality. AriaProII was used on their electrics from the 70s-90s. The Arai company has used different logos on their instruments over the years.