ARIA GUITARS PRE 1987
Aria
were probably the instigators of the copy era inspired by a visit to the NAMM trade show in 1968 where they first saw the
Gibson Les Paul. Before this point they were happily making acoustics and later some electrics since about 1952 but after
the show they started copying the guitars of almost ALL of the great guitar makers. They did this exceedingly well with production
contracted to the Matsumoko factory in Japan. The quality was superb and the through neck basses were world beating.
In 1987 Aria took the commercial decision to
move production to Korea and then China due to financial problems Matsumoku were having with their Singer Sewing Machine business
( I won't go there ). Many other great names were also made at the Matsumoku plant up to its demise in 1987. Aria
Guitars would never be the same again and instead of being largely handmade are now made by machines. Sad .
As things
seem to be forever on the move in the world of guitars we see that Aria appear to have re entered the high end market once
again with their re issue of the through neck basses . Not made at Matsumoku however and probably not even Japan but still
at asking prices well into 4 figures £££.
Our Opinion:
Due
to current perception that a modern Aria is a cheap guitar, which it is, these earlier vastly superior Japanese
models are hugely undervalued. The Matsumoko guitars quality and playabilty are excellent. The fact that you can pick one
up at prices less than a Chinese made Epiphone ( for instance ) says it all but things are changing as the realisation grows
- especially with the basses - Get one while they are still cheap.
Useful Aria Links - Click to
Open-
