Several hundred guitars I have sold in the past are presented at Facebook.com/Victors.Guitar.Library.

Aria AC80(S) 1999

This guitar was made sometime in late 1990s in Spain at workshop led by Spanish luthier known in Japan as Jose Antonio. Jose Antonio still makes Aria Concert models for Shiro Arai’s company as well as manages his own line guitars. AC80 was a mid-range model within Aria Concert guitars lineup of that era (the lowest among “all solid wood” models). With all its tonal traits it certainly deserves a title of Concert guitar.    

It offers great volume combined with lyrical, charming, and colorful yet rather bright tonality, with high level of note clarity and separation, and very nice sustain. Its basses are quite deep and rich with overtones, while trebles a strong, round and crispy. With all its tonal traits, besides classical tunes, it can be used in variety of other music styles, including flamenco or bossa nova etc.    

Aria AC models are made in Spain since mid1980s and still have the same headstock as it was designed by Masaru Matano in late 1960s.  

Despite several very minor dents, scratches and /or light rubbing marks on its soundboard, back and sides as well as few light string burns below the bridge, overall condition of this guitar can be described as “close to excellent”. Very importantly its neck is straight, fingerboard and frets in excellent condition.

Perhaps the most “serious” flaws are partial cracks of almost each plastic roller peg within tuning machines structures. These cracks are only on one side of these pegs. It is highly unlikely that tuners would ever need to be replaced for that reason. These are very smoothly working high grade tuners.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Top: High Grade Solid Spruce/urethane

Back & sides: Solid Indian Rosewood

Neck: Spanish Cedar with Ebony reinforcement

Fingerboard: Ebony

With at the nut: 52 mm

Scale: 65o mm

Action is set to 3.5 mm under E6 and 3.00 mm under E1 with still extra room on the saddle.

This guitar will be shipped in used thick padded gig-bag in still usable condition.

IF YOU'D LIKE DECISIVELY HIGHER CLASS INSTRUMENT AT LOWER PRICE YOU SHOULD CONSIDER

https://reverb.com/item/42124396-made-in-1989-yukinobu-chai-no10-superb-kohno-class-classical-concert-guitar

https://reverb.com/item/45205525-made-in-1995-yukinobu-chai-no15-superb-kohno-class-classical-concert-guitar 

History of Aria Guitars

One day, a friend came to visit Shiro's apartment with a guitar. Shiro was expecting to hear Koga-type Japanese popular music, but instead his friend started to play a piece by Bach. From this moment, he had been inspired by the sound of this instrument forever.

The very next day, Shiro bought his first guitar, costing over two months salary and began to teach himself to play. Now playing day and night, his passion for the guitar brought him to a famous classical guitar master in Nagoya, and soon became one of his students.

Shiro started work for a trading company in 1947, aged 17. In 1953, Shiro and two of his colleagues resigned their positions and founded their own trading firm. After the fledgling company failed after just one year, Shiro found himself homeless with nothing but his guitar. In order to live and settle the outstanding debts from this first business he started to teach the guitar.

In 1954 unable to buy guitars, music and strings in Japan's music stores, Shiro started to import classical guitars, Augustine guitar strings, and musical scores for himself and his students. These were the first classical guitars imported into post-war Japan and included instruments from renowned makers Jose Ramirez and Hermann Hauser. Recognizing an increasing demand for guitars from friends and players throughout Japan, Shiro grasped the opportunity to start his own business. On August 2nd, 1956, ARAI & CO., INC was founded.

At this time, although demand for classical guitars and accessories were increasing, it was still comparatively low and business was supplemented with other products including woolen material.

The name, "ARIA", which means expressive melody, was first used in 1958 when Arai exported Japanese built classical guitars fitted with steel strings to South East Asia in 1963. Also the letters of his name "ARAI" were just switched around to "ARIA as he recalled.

Shiro embarked on a tour of the US with two of the best Japanese KOHNO guitars. At that time Japanese guitars had a poor reputation for developing body cracks and warped necks after being exposed to drier conditions abroad. It was Shiro's intention to prove how good Japanese guitars were by performing and showing to fellow guitarists, teachers and music shops. After two months these guitars also started to crack.

Even the best available Kohno guitars faced the same problem. Shiro took these cracked guitars back to Japan to show their makers just how vital it is to use properly seasoned tone woods. This trip gave Shiro the experience and knowledge to improve the quality of guitars and export Japanese guitars worldwide.

It was as early as the late 50's when Arai started to import Fender guitars and amplifiers from the US, although at that time the Japanese market was not quite ready for the electric guitar! With the advent of rock n' roll demand for electric guitars took-off. Arai released its first ARIA brand electric guitars in 1963. Exporting to the US followed with models including the 1532T and 1802T.

To counter the decline of the solid body electric guitar boom, Arai released the Aria Diamond series hollow body semi-acoustic guitars. Aria Diamond was named after the imitation diamond inlayed into the headstock. This series lead to the release of the 1202 and 1302 models in 1966 and caused nothing short of a sensation in Japan. From 1967 Aria added a variety of models including the solid body 1962T, R-320, and violin shaped 12-string and bass guitars, and a full acoustic guitar, the 1262.

In 1975, Aria Pro II was developed from Aria's custom shop making high-end models for professional users. In 1976, Aria Pro II released its first original model, the PE-1500.

PE (Prototype Line) is a classic Aria design, also known as the legendary masterpiece, it featured an arched top, and all maple carved body with Aria's original "heel-less neck and DiMarzio Super Distortion Humbucking Pickups. Primarily designed for tone and playability, the PE series has been modified to match today's trends while keeping its original features and timeless design.

In 1978, Aria Pro II released another long-selling model, the SB-1000. The SB-1000 was highly regarded throughout the world and came to represent everything that was good about Aria and Japanese guitar building. Featuring a Canadian Ash body with neck through body and, to enhance playability, a heel-less neck. For its original tone, SB featured the Aria original BB circuit. Its exotic see-through finish and the eye position marks make the SB amongst the most distinctive basses ever made.

Aria Pro II led the way with the 80's shift to Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. Releasing many models such as XX, ZZ and U-1. Whilst not abandoning their routes also re-established the semi-acoustic guitar models, FA and TA. The 80s, also saw the introduction of the famous IGB (SB INTEGRA) bass series.

In the early 1990s, after the heavy metal rush, Aria Pro II released one of its favorite original models, the MA series to reinforce the PE and SB line-ups. MA series bodies are constructed with innovative crystal shaped carved top and back.

Continuing its remarkable progress, Aria released the very unique concept of the SWB (electric upright bass) series to the world in 1992. The SWB range offers compact modern design and features the Fishman custom bridge Piezo pickup and active tone circuit.

Aria has been at the forefront of guitar and Japanese guitar building excellence for 50 years, which means a wealth of experience and acquired expertise. The core value remains the same today, to constantly strive to achieve a higher level.

Important message for Australian buyers:

USPS International Priority Mail packages destined for Australia have quite restricted size (max. length is 42” and max. length + girth is 97”). For these reasons I must use the case that is no longer than 41” and therefore it may be different than the one you see on the pictures. You should ask me for any other details prior to making a purchase.