Hi all, been lurking for a few days now....thought I should be polite and sign in and introduce myself.
Couple of years ago (don't worry, I'm gonna be brief), I happened to mention to my next door neighbour that I was thinking about getting a new guitar for my son as he had outgrown his Epiphone Special II. He said he had one that he didn't play anymore and I could buy it if it suited.
I went round to have a look at it and the tatty old box he brought out didn't exactly fill me with any confidence, I was already trying to think how I could politely say thanks, but no thanks!
He took it out and, although the name meant absolutely nothing to me, I could tell by the workmanship it was great quality so I bought it there and then.
Having carried out a bit of web research I found out I had purchased a near mint Aria FS-1000.
My son, who is 12, didn't like the colour of it so unfortunately I had to keep the Aria and bought my son another Epiphone.
My son has now come to realise that quality is quality, regardless of the name on the headstock, and we have gone on to buy a few other Matsumoku goodies - we have a Westone Concord 3, Aria CS-350, 2 Westbury Standards, Aria Laser Electric Classic bass, Thunder 1 bass and a Vox Custom 3002 bass.
Just thought I'd share how we kinda stumbled upon these terrific guitars, I have a lot to thank that conversation with my neighbour for