vintage classical guitar Aria A552, made in Japan, Matsumoku, 1978

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Aria A552, made in Japan, Matsumoku, November 1978.

Some pretty crazy specs: all massive, Red Cedar top, Ovangkol sides and back, one-piece mahogany neck, Rio Rosewood fingerboard, stainless steel frets, top and back binding....

"This instrument has got me hooked; it's obviously solid wood. You can play both the sound board and the back plate like a conga drum. The catalog says it's obancole-mahogany. Luthier's Merchantile lists "ovangkle" as a close relative of bubinga ( African rosewood). They are not true rosewoods; their sonic properties are more similar to Hawain Koa. Koa resonance is highly selective; it's very unforgiving of bad tuning and sloppy technique. Think of it as mahogany on steroids. Advertising obancole on a factory produced guitar is probably unique. It's twice as expensive as Indian rosewood on today's market. The straight-grain cedar top has over 24 annular rings per inch, about the same as a Sradivari violin."

Excellent condition, slight dents here and there on its top, with a tear in its very fine varnish, hence the dark stain a little behind its soundhole. I also had to replace two of the machine head rollers whose plastic was crumbling, in addition to the usual care, especially frets and fingerboard jobs.

Setted with Savarez 28/43 strings, 52mm at the nut for a scale of 655mm, bone bridge saddle and bone nut, D profile neck, it is a 4/4 sized with all the projection that one would expect, super comfort to play since the action is 2.25mm at the 12th fret, and the strings at the back of the soundhole are only 9mm from the top.

Worldwide shippment available, please ask for shipping quote.

Vintage item, no return.