Aria Pro II ES Custom
Now this is a rarity for us. I don't know what this guitar is. After extensive research through all our usual sources we can't find a thing about this instrument, at all.
What do I know? It's a Japanese Aria Pro II ES type electric guitar, most definitely built at the Matsumoku factory in Japan in 1980 judging by the components and serial number. The construction is just like any 335, a semi hollow construction with a piece of wood running through the middle. The tone wood of choice appears to be Maple throughout, with a 3-piece neck and a Rosewood fingerboard.
The pickups are aesthetically the same plastic covered humbuckers that appear on the HS and FS Aria Pro II guitars of this era (however these are passive) and the control knobs are also the same as you'd find on these guitars. The bridge and tailpiece are the same that you'd find on any PE of the era.
This is clearly a very high end guitar and there's evidence of this throughout the construction. The split inlays are a thing of beauty and the headstock design is both regal and aggressive, it's something I've never seen on a Aria Pro II before. Simple things like a bound fingerboard with fret nibs over the frets, double bound body are standard on a premium guitar - but being an 80's built Matsumoku guitar it's just so beautifully put together.
The electronics function just like a 335. Master volume and tone for each pickup and a 3-way selector switch. The switch on the lower horn is actually a 2-way coil split. The guitar is complete with it's original brown fitted hardcase.
Everything I am seeing leads me to believe this is either a 1 off or a prototype. But perhaps someone knows more than I do? If you do please get in touch, I'd love to learn more about this guitar!
The Guitarzilla Promise
All of our guitars benefit from a full in-house set-up which includes neck relief adjustment, nut adjustment, action adjustment, fingerboard oil, fret polish, intonation adjustment, electrical components cleaned/replaced and a good clean! Finally we fit a fresh set of D’Addario strings, so you’re ready to go straight out of the box!
If you have any specific set up requirements please don’t hesitate to contact us and we will happily accommodate you!