1975 Aria Pro II PW-75 | Lawsuit Vintage Acoustic Guitar | Japan Matsumoku

I offer here a 1975 Aria Pro II PW-75, a handmade in the legendary Japanese Matsumoku factory in Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan, and all solid top-of-the-line lawsuit dreadnought acoustic guitar with resonant spruce top, three-piece body made of wild grained African macassar ebony, c-shaped mahogany neck, bound ebony fingerboard with abalone hexagon inlays, original Aria gold star tuners and abalone rosette and body bindings in an authentically aged natural high gloss finish with various abalone embellishments in an excellent collector condition incl. brown Daion vintage hardshell case and professional setup with 12 gauge Elixir strings.

This dreadnought is a rare replica based on a Martin D-45, made at the Matsumoku factory in mid-1975 and distributed by Aria Japan during the 1970s. A time when detailed replicas of American originals had not yet been warned off ("Lawsuit Era") and Japanese guitar making was experiencing a veritable golden heyday. In fact, some replicas were in no way inferior to the originals, and some even surpassed them, so that the U.S. companies had no choice but to take legal action against them.

The PW-75 features a select resonant spruce top and a three-piece back and sides made of richly figured African Macassar ebony. The instrument also comes up with a one-piece mahogany neck with a medium C neck profile and an ebony fingerboard set in creamy white bindings on it. Handcrafted in the traditional way, the PW-75 has an excellent build quality and is thus hardly inferior to a vintage Martin D-45.

Due to the large dreadnought body, a truly rich sound with powerful volume is heard: full, gut buzzing and long standing basses and bell-like highs rich in overtones are combined with round, balanced mids to create perfect harmonies. The open sound, covering the entire tonal spectrum, is thus excellent not only for strumming and accompaniment, but also for fingerpicking. It is an instrument that continues to inspire even after hours of playing.

A small sound sample of the guitar itself can be found above (at the end of the photo gallery).

The playability is very comfortable thanks to the perfectly adjusted string action, the 43mm wide bone nut and the medium-width C-neck profile.

Visually, the guitar impresses with its aged natural high gloss finish and intricately designed details such as the abalone hexagon fingerboard inlays and numerous abalone embellishments.

Technical Specifications:

• Year of manufacture: 1975
• Origin: Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan (Matsumoku factory)
• Construction: Dreadnought
• Top: Spruce
• Back/Sides: African Macassar ebony, three-piece
• Neck: mahogany, one-piece
• Neck profile: medium wide "C
• Fingerboard: Ebony with abalone hexagon inlays, bound
• Bridge: ebony, bone inlay
• Tuner: Sealed Aria gold star tuner
• Headstock: Mahogany with rosewood veneer & Ivory logo inlay
• Body bindings & rosette: Abalone
• Pickguard: Tortoise
• Finish: Natural, High gloss
• Nut: 43mm, bone
• Scale length: 648mm
• Action (XII. fret): 2.0mm (e1) / 2.5mm (E6)
• Serial no.: 323025
• Incl. brown Daion Japan high-end vintage shaped case

These early Lawsuit models by Aria are now rare and especially popular with collectors & enthusiasts:

https://reverb.com/item/37048758-aria-dreadnought-d-80-ryoji-matsuoka-pickup-rare-mij-1970-s

Despite being nearly 50 years old, the guitar is in excellent condition and technically sound. The guitar has developed a natural vintage patina and has only occasional fine, superficial signs of use (see pictures). The frets are top.

I have set up the guitar with 12 gauge Elixir strings (I am a guitar teacher for many years) and will ship fully insured with DHL for 24.99€ within Germany or for 59.99€ within the EU.

Please view all photos and clarify any questions before buying. Thanks! :)