Matsumoku Aria Elecord AE100 electric-acoustic guitar manufactured in 1981 at the Matsumoku factory in Japan. This is identified on the label within the oval sound hole as “Aria Elecord acoustic electric guitar. Model AE-100, serial #810346 with elecord Tm pickup, (which has been removed as have the tone & volume pots & knobs which were located at the upper bout. The removal has been filled & finished to match existing red/brown sunburst finish.) This hand crafted guitar is solid wood constructed of carved, very tight strait grained Spruce arch top face and beautifully flamed Sycamore sides and arched back. Instrument dimensions: 16” lower bout. 3 5/8” to 4 1/16” body thickness. 25 1/2” scale length. 1 3/4” nut width. 41 3/8” overall instrument length. This guitar is very much like the Gibson L-5. The nitrocellulose finish is in excellent condition. No scratches nor buckle abrasions. I replaced the under saddle transducer pickup & installed a Johnny Smith pickup, Gibson tortoise shell bound pick guard which houses the tone & volume controls. I also replaced the truss rod cover w/ tortoise shell cover. Basically I created in 1981 what the Aria Pro II became. This is not a Pro II, this is a real guitar not the currently produced Aria. Gold plated machine heads, tailpiece & pickup cover plating are worn and somewhat tarnished, but did clean up nicely. May want to be re-plated. The fretboard is strait & true, it has been re-fretted. No buzz’s. This guitar was purchased at the 1981 California NAMM show. Original hardshell guitar case included.
