The Guitar Gallery Forums - The Guitar Legacy of Matsumoku

Q&A, discussion, and information for the labels covered by The Guitar Gallery (Specifically and exclusively guitars made by Matsumoku up to 1987)
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PostPosted: Wed 07 Aug 2019 05:35 AM 
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Joined: Wed 07 Aug 2019 05:19 AM
Posts: 3
Location: Bavaria, Germany
Hello,

a friend of mine has an Aria Pro II SC-250 (at least we think that's what it is), but it's slightly different compared to the ones I could find in the Internet.

Here are some pictures: https://imgur.com/a/Ev16vyw

Compared to the recular SC-250, it only has one miniswitch.
The serial number is: K800394

Unscrewing the neck pickup reveals another serial number: 56-001. My friend thinks it might be the first guitar built in this series.

He had that truss rod cover lying around in his workshop, it's not the original one. He bought this guitar without a cover.

I sure hope you can help me identify this guitar, and maybe even tell us how much it's worth because I'm thinking of buying it, and he's not selling it until he knows it's real value.

Thanks!

Best wishes

P.S. Why does this board not accept gmail? Pretty ridiculous :p


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PostPosted: Wed 07 Aug 2019 10:02 AM 
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Virtuoso
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Joined: Sat 25 Mar 2006 09:25 PM
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Location: Grand Absurdity, TX
Welcome.
That is a CS-250. http://matsumoku.org/models/ariaproii/cs/cs.html
The single miniswitch is common. I'm not 100% but I believe the 56-001 references color.
They're fantastic guitars and one of my favorites but they just don't command big dollars. I have 3 of them and the most I paid was $100 for my CS Deluxe.
I'll be the first to admit that I would have paid more but, I got it for $100 and its in really nice shape.
There is one model below this guitar but five above it so it's not going to be one of the more sought after.
It looks to be in good shape and you cannot go wrong with the MMK45 pickups.

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PostPosted: Wed 07 Aug 2019 10:23 AM 
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Joined: Wed 07 Aug 2019 05:19 AM
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Location: Bavaria, Germany
Thank you, Jorg. Really appreciate it!
Is there any way to confirm 100% that it's just a regular old CS-250?
I want to buy this guitar from my friend, but he's kind of convinced it's something special, and he's not letting go of it until he knows for sure.


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PostPosted: Wed 07 Aug 2019 05:37 PM 
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Virtuoso
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Location: Grand Absurdity, TX
BoktorDodlaj wrote:
I want to buy this guitar from my friend, but he's kind of convinced it's something special, and he's not letting go of it until he knows for sure.

It's not. What makes him think that? :doh:
What does he think it's worth?

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PostPosted: Wed 07 Aug 2019 06:34 PM 
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Joined: Wed 07 Aug 2019 05:19 AM
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Location: Bavaria, Germany
All he says is he's not selling it until he's 100% convinced of it's value.
Apparently, a friend of his said it's some sort of masterbuilt whatever guitar. Now he doesn't know what to think, and all I need is some proof ;)

He sold a guitar a while back, don't remember which one, for 1000€ and later found out it was worth three times that price. He doesn't want to do the same mistake all over again.
What would be a good price for this guitar?


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PostPosted: Wed 07 Aug 2019 09:57 PM 
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Virtuoso
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Location: Mount Hunter, NSW, Australia.
It's - as Jorg says - a Cardinal CS250, which are the bread and butter model for Aria Pro II. That's not to say it's not a good guitar - it most assuredly is, but it's not worth huge amounts of dosh; I hesitate to put an amount on it: it's worth what someone is willing to pay for it, and it's said that a good compromise is one in which both parties feel slightly hard done by!! :D


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PostPosted: Wed 07 Aug 2019 10:41 PM 
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Joined: Wed 29 Apr 2009 12:32 PM
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Location: St. Catharines, Ontario Canada
Show that web page to your friend so he can see that this guitar is low down in the model hierarchy. This is a very good quality guitar but definitely a mass produced one. Nothing special about it.

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PostPosted: Thu 08 Aug 2019 10:06 AM 
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I totally understand, it pays to know what you have.
I love the versatility and comfort of the CS line. The fact that they're affordable is icing on the cake.
Check the usual internet peddling sites. You'll see some crazy prices but look for what they're actually selling for.
If you don't get this one, there are plenty more to choose from.
Good luck, you won't be disappointed.

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PostPosted: Thu 08 Aug 2019 06:50 PM 
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Joined: Wed 05 Aug 2009 10:48 AM
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Location: NW Washington State
Yes, a CS-250. You can tell by the grainy finish. If I needed another, I'd pay $200 to $300 for a really nice one with little fret wear here in the U.S. Not everyone can find them for $100 like Jorg!

I have lots of more expensive guitars, but the one I play everyday is a CS-350, the next model up. The CS series are a bargain.

-Steve W.


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