Matsuoka Aria A551, Pre-Serial Number Black Label (late 50s-early 60s), OHSC

This is a pre-serial number Aria A551 Black Label Classical guitar and comes with the original hard shell case. This is a gorgeous, ultra light handmade guitar. These were made in the late 1950s/early 1960s as far as I can determine from online information gathered- Aria has no records going back this far, and no serial numbers were used with the early models.

This is a spruce top with beautiful maple back and sides and light as a feather! It weighs only 3 lbs 8 oz.  The inside is stamped "Seisaku Matsuoka", which translates as "Produced by Ryoji Matsuoka". It was built in Nagoya, Japan. The purfling is a perfect example of the attention to detail. The soundhole inner circle of purfling consists of 10 alternating black/white razor thin bands, with the outer ring having 4 alternating bands. The binding also contains 4 alternating bands.

Playing this is like playing a dream. Amazing sound, very complex and rich, with incredible projection and sustain. 

Action is terrific- 3/32nds on the high E at 12th fret, 4/32nds on low E at 12th fret. The intonation is perfect.

I would have listed this guitar as excellent except for the fact that it has a tiny piece of binding broken at the end of the heel (see picture). Heel does not appear to be damaged in any way, there is no movement in the heel, and the neck is firmly set. It has a half dozen or so very tiny (1/32nd-1/16th") dings on the front and one 1/8" ding about midway on the back of the neck.

The original hard shell case is included. Case has two small tears on the top of it and is in very good condition.

Make me an offer!