The Guitar Gallery Forums - The Guitar Legacy of Matsumoku

Hi all, first post, new member, would appreciate info if available???
So I bought this ES-175 copy from my College Jazz Instructor - great
playing guitar - looks identical to a sunburst Gibson ES-175 minus the
pearl inlayed 'SHIRO' on the headstock, the 'S' inlayed where their crown
would be, and it doesn't have the top indent of the traditional open book
headstock. From almost any distance this guitar looks exactly like an
ES-175 (though it plays better than any real ES-175 I've played, hence,
why I bought it). I was a music major and needed a decent playing
jazz-box - this truly did and still does the job wonderfully - I really love
this guitar and would appreciate any info:
*What company made this (I think possibly a version of Aria).
*A possible age (I'd love to know how old this is).
*Where it was made (I think Japan, though it does has an orange sticker
on the back of the headstock printed in German, which includes someones
name and a phone number - definitely European).
*Estimated $$$$$$.
*Any other info about this Guitar would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks . . .

- Ian C.T. vom Saal

Welcom Ian

If I were you I would call that number on the sticker.
The guy on the other line will flip to know the guitar he sold years ago
is still alive and kicking.

He'll probably tell you more about the guitar than you wish to know.
I dare you. Then tell us what happens.

This reviewer says his Shiro is Japanese and gives it high ratings.
http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/D ... py-01.html

Hi Ian,

Shiro from what I have been told was Shiro Arai Co.'s namesake label and are of the same quality as the 1980s Aria Pro II guitars.

So far I only know of a solid body model, a 335, and now, your ES-175 clone. Most likely they were also built by Matsumoku but I haven't been able to confirm. I would say by what I have been told and what I can tell from the pics they were made in the early to mid 1980s.

I couldn't wager an exact value, but I would imagine it would be worth about the same as say an Aria Pro II Herb Ellis.

If you have pics of it I would love to add them to the ones I have of the solid body and 335. If I can get confirmation that Matsumoku did in fact make them I will add them to the models section.