The Guitar Gallery Forums - The Guitar Legacy of Matsumoku

We have a 15 string (8 course) Model No 175 Lute that appears to have been made by the 'Aria" company (Serial No. 7805046). According to the paper inside the body of the Lute it was made in Japan.

I have not been able to find any information on when it may have been made, any shops that carry the Aria Lute, or its approximate value.

Any help would be much appreciated.

To most of us here, an acoustic guitar already is an 'exotic instrument', so you can imagine what a lute is like ... . But if it's a Japanese made Aria, there's a very good chance it's Matsumoku-made. So, Welcome here! Hope some other members can help you any further. I'm interrested (please post some pics),but I'm afraid I can't tell you anything about it

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I don't have the resources to post pictures (happy to send an email with pics if folks are interested or if someone can help with posting some pictures). Here's a bit more info on the Lute.

The Lute body is made of a light colred wood. The back is made of 11 strips of wood and the front has a "rossette." The neck is made of a darker wood. "Aria Lute" is branded into the back of the head near where it joins the neck. It looks to be in great condition with the exception of 1 broken string.

Thanks

>glow
Just sent you a PM with an email addy where you can send pics.
I'll post them here for all to see.

Oh yes please - I always fancied being a lutenist, along with being the next Earl Scruggs, Ry Cooder or Brian Jones; I have a weakness for even slightly exotic instruments and own a banjo, a mandolin, a dulcimer and a balalaika, none of which are Matsumoku, I hasten to add!!

Here they are.

This email from glowrimore:

Subject: Lute pictures

Many thanks for the offer to post pics for all to see.

The picture of the label on the inside of the body
is not as clear as I would have liked, but it may be helpful.

Thanks,

Greg

Amazing! Nice figuring in the sound hole, by the way.
A very special find, congretulations!

_________________
http://www.GuitarDir.com has been hacked by some mindless fool, destroying years
of gathering info on guitars by non-commercial guitar lovers. Why?