The Guitar Gallery Forums - The Guitar Legacy of Matsumoku

Hey all long time lurker, first time poster, big fan of all things Matsumoku!

I picked up this old Aria Pro II from Japan last year and I am struggling to identify the model. It's a truly beautiful guitar, probably the nicest playing Aria I've ever had in my hands (except maybe an '82 PE-R100). It's a 335/339 style body shape with the same plastic covered humbuckers and knobs you'd find on a SH-1000. The controls are Gibson style but with the addition of a kill switch on the lower horn. Everything appears original and unmolested. The headstock is something I've never seen on a APII and the inlays are a thing of beauty. The serial is: 059963 and it does appear to have been built in the early 80's.

But what is it? I've never been this stumped by a guitar before, I get a lot of vintage Aria's through my hands and I've always managed to figure out the year and model relatively simply through the usual channels but not this time! I'll link some pictures below and I look forward to hearing back from you guys/gals!

Cheers!

https://imgur.com/IOIQHPV
https://imgur.com/xaQqzrI
https://imgur.com/QFtKnHY
https://imgur.com/oIVg1Lf
https://imgur.com/HVrcNFv

I don't know what it is but I like it! Split block inlays... fancy. Is the body 16" wide?
I agree about 1980 because of the volute, pickups, knobs and serial #.
Very nice.

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My wife yes
My dog maybe
My Vantages never

Closer to 17" wide.

This is a TA model.

I've seen some TAs with split inlays before, but the pickups, control knobs and the kill switch are a first for me (on a TA).

Are you sure this is stock... and not an old modification that's rather well done?

Oh, that's tasty!

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"A little song, a little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
Guitars: https://legend.barryeames.com
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and here it is on Reverb

https://reverb.com/item/78076301-aria-p ... an-vintage

_________________
My wife yes
My dog maybe
My Vantages never

I'm sure it will make some rich guy very happy!

I doubt that anyone will buy it for this price... 50% of the asking price would be a stretch already.

I agree. Sales and therefore guitar prices have come down over the past 6 months. I'm thinking that they'll
come down further.... maybe

_________________
My wife yes
My dog maybe
My Vantages never

Would a "one off" or a "prototype" have a serial?

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Quality service since 3:00 last Tuesday