1976 Aria A551 Classical natural

Very Good condition, 7/10, Made In Japan, no case, concert guitar, all solid woods (spruce top and stained maple body), according to a sticker this guitar was originally sold at Walle Söderlund Musik Drottninggatan 9 Stockholm, has the Aria logo on the headstock, ARIA brand guitars began life in Japan during the 1950s as the Arai brand. When founder Shiro Arai discovered American and European customers had difficulty pronouncing the name, he changed it to Aria. With that change, by 1964 or so, Shiro Aria began exporting the first high-quality, factory-produced Japanese instruments ever.

Today the 60s era Aria classical guitars remain what they were always intended to be -- reasonably priced instruments offering quality materials and careful craftsmanship -- with models suited to students up to the most serious professionals.

The Aria A551 you see here is such an instrument. Although promoted as a guitar for advanced players, it today is best suited for the entry-level or casual player. It offers a modest price but excellent materials and very decent sound.