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: Sun 25 Sep 2016 01:55 PM 
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Posts: 7
Hi, I'm new to the forum and I would like to ask if someone can recognize what model my Aria guitar is:

(pics below, from my photobucket, don't worry, and sorry if uploading may be prohibited, I understand english but it's not my main language...)

http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac15 ... 9vwvbb.jpg
http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac15 ... itcorc.jpg
http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac15 ... thdw43.jpg
http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac15 ... 6e4vbx.jpg
http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac15 ... 8g9nxf.jpg
http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac15 ... td7jib.jpg
http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac15 ... 80wifb.jpg
http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac15 ... odatr9.jpg

As seen in the pics, it's a black LP copy (body resembles a standard, neck resembles a custom), I bought it from a guy for 180$ with it's probably original guitar case (marked TAKABE).
The neck is bolt on and has written on the back "STEEL ADJUSTABLE NECK MADE IN JAPAN 052494".

I'm very new to guitars and I'm still learning, but a friend of mine which owns many gibson les paul says that this Aria sounds pretty good. We do all know that these are good guitars through, but what model is mine? :toopid: and what is it's value? Hoping you can tell me more about it! Thanks in advance


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PostPosted: Tue 27 Sep 2016 02:02 AM 
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Location: Roma, Queensland, Australia
Welcome aboard mate.
Would like to be able to point you in the right direction but the head-stock has me stumped.
Cheers

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PostPosted: Tue 27 Sep 2016 10:00 AM 
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eyebulger wrote:
Welcome aboard mate.
Would like to be able to point you in the right direction but the head-stock has me stumped.
Cheers

Just hoping that it's actually an Aria, and not a copy :eek2: it's not the same head-stock of AE-300 mach 1 series?

http://www.matsumoku.org/models/aria/ma ... ae3xx.html


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PostPosted: Tue 27 Sep 2016 10:28 AM 
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My knowledge of the Aria line is spotty at best. They have a history of producing a very large number of models and variations of models so it's almost impossible to catalogue everything they built.

My gut feeling is that this is a real Aria but that the head stock is more reminiscent of an acoustic design?? Perhaps it was an design iteration. The neck and fret board certainly looks correct.

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PostPosted: Tue 27 Sep 2016 01:31 PM 
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Location: Grand Absurdity, TX
I've seen it before but can't find info. Its here somewhere. . . :doh:

EDIT - Its the transition headstock. . . http://matsumoku.org/models/ariaproii/trans/trans.html

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PostPosted: Tue 27 Sep 2016 03:15 PM 
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Barry wrote:
My knowledge of the Aria line is spotty at best. They have a history of producing a very large number of models and variations of models so it's almost impossible to catalogue everything they built.

My gut feeling is that this is a real Aria but that the head stock is more reminiscent of an acoustic design?? Perhaps it was an design iteration. The neck and fret board certainly looks correct.
I've found something here http://www.rexbass.com/2012/04/1970s-ar ... -copy.html except the top of the head-stock looks pretty much the same...

we can say that I own a unique model? :blush:


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PostPosted: Tue 27 Sep 2016 04:57 PM 
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Where are you located? This looks to be just a LP copy with the transition headstock. Could have been normal for a particular market.

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PostPosted: Tue 27 Sep 2016 05:41 PM 
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Jorg wrote:
Where are you located? This looks to be just a LP copy with the transition headstock. Could have been normal for a particular market.


I live in Italy, and the guy who sold me the guitar said that it's from the "late 70's / first 80's". Many years ago he bought it from another guy (so I'm almost certainlty the third owner of this Aria)...

180$ with the hard case Takabe was a fair price?


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PostPosted: Wed 28 Sep 2016 05:15 AM 
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Location: Roma, Queensland, Australia
Jorg wrote:
I've seen it before but can't find info. Its here somewhere. . . :doh:

EDIT - Its the transition headstock. . . http://matsumoku.org/models/ariaproii/trans/trans.html


Transition head stock alright but the LP body throws me :(

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PostPosted: Wed 28 Sep 2016 08:50 AM 
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Here's my theory...

Its an Aria, not an Aria Pro II, so the headstock isn't really a '79 "transition". Its probably an earlier test in a small market to see how its accepted.
I think $180 with a hard case is a fantastic price. :rockwoot:

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