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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 Post subject: Aria Factories
PostPosted: Wed 25 Mar 2020 01:20 PM 
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Virtuoso
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These days I'm spending more time than usual at the computer, sorting through my electronic sock drawer.
Ya know, like ya do. :roll:

I came across this screen clip I took 11 years ago (no idea where from) describing the various factories used by Aria.

I thought it might be handy at least as an historical reference.
https://i58.servimg.com/u/f58/19/59/66/02/arai-m10.png

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 Post subject: Re: Aria Factories
PostPosted: Thu 26 Mar 2020 10:38 AM 
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Thanks Barry, thats good to know.

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 Post subject: Re: Aria Factories
PostPosted: Thu 30 Apr 2020 02:52 PM 
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This is also what Mr. Arai is saying... and insists that that would hold true until Matsumoku closed. However, the build quality started to have variations from 85 onwards... so I wonder if that's correct for the last three years of Matsumoku.


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 Post subject: Re: Aria Factories
PostPosted: Fri 01 May 2020 12:08 PM 
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I know I've said it a few times but the "The Cat" guitars from '86 should be Mat-made since they are Aria branded but, they neither have Matsumoku nor Japan on them anywhere. I have suspected for some time these were made somewhere else. I can spot a "The Cat" body as the upper horn is shaped differently from any other RS I've seen.
Were all Westones also made at Matsumoku plant?
My Westone Genesis II is from '87 and I'm a little surprised at the finish quality on the neck. The guitar is great but the neck has a slight "orange peel" all over it. Not a show stopper but its noticeable.

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 Post subject: Re: Aria Factories
PostPosted: Fri 01 May 2020 12:58 PM 
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Mats went out of production in Feb of '87 so that doesn't leave too much room for being certain, eh. They slipped away into Korea so perhaps what you may have is a hybrid of some sort, with some MIJ parts finished in Korea?

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 Post subject: Re: Aria Factories
PostPosted: Fri 01 May 2020 04:36 PM 
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Honestly, I would expect better from Korea at that time even.
And I'm nitpicking, it really isn't that bad. Just noticeable. . .

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