Rare - 1977 Aria Pro II LC-1000 Model - Les Paul Custom - In gloss Tobacco Brown Sunburst lacquer finish - Original DiMarzio Super II DP104 humbuckers - Ebony fretboard with real mother of pearl inlays -Made in the famous Matsumoku factory in Japan - MIJ.

• Serial Number: 71812 (1977 YXXXX format is assumed)
• Body: Beautiful 2 piece centre seam maple top on a proper pancake mahogany body (with maple pancake strip)
• Neck: 3 piece maple
• Fretboard: Ebony
• Fretboard Radius: About 10"
• Fret Edge Binding: Yes
• Inlays: Real mother of pearl block inlays
• Frets: 22 x Vintage narrow (1.0mm tall x 2.1mm wide)
• Nut Width: 43.1mm
• Width at 1st Fret: 43.0mm
• Width at 12th Fret: 50.8mm
• Thickness at 1st Fret: 20.0mm
• Thickness at 12th Fret: 24.6mm
• Nut: Bone
• Tuners: Original chrome torque adjustable tuners
• Bridge & Tailpiece: Original Japanese made chrome L.S. bridge & tailpiece
• Pickups: Original DiMarzio Super II DP104 humbuckers
• Neck Pickup Resistance: 8.02K ohm
• Bridge Pickup Resistance: 7.64K ohm
• Pots: Original 500K pots (no date codes)
• Strings: Ernie Ball Super Slinky 10-46 strings - E Standard tuning
• Weight: 9.32lbs
• Non Original Parts: Pickguard and pickguard bracket are not original to this guitar, but are from a 1970's Aria LC
• Case: Vintage (original?) Les Paul hard case with red interior
• Truss Rod: Works as expected

In 1977 Aria started making their solid top Les Paul models (Standard and Custom). 1977 was a big year for Aria, their lineup grew significantly, and in my opinion, this is when they made some of their best guitars (some of the best I've owned), including this one.

In 1977, Aria had 3 lines for their LC (Les Paul Custom) models - the Limited Line, the Custom Order Line, and the Regular Line. The LC-1000 was part of the Custom Order line. It features a solid 2 piece maple top on a a proper pancake mahogany body (mahogany with a piece of maple "pancaked" between it), with a 3 piece maple neck with long Matsumoku neck tenon, black ebony fingerboard, with fret edge binding (fret nibs) and real mother of pearl block inlays, split diamond mother of pearl headstock inlay, 2 screw truss rod cover, multi-ply binding all around, and chrome hardware.

I'm a big fan of vintage MIJ Les Paul Customs, and I'm always on the hunt for them. To find one with a real ebony fingerboard, mother of pearl inlays, fret edge binding AND lacquer finish is incredibly rare, and was usually only reserved for the top tier models for only a few years from Aria, Greco, Tokai and Navigator, so this LC-1000 is in the rarest group of Les Paul Customs from Japan.

I have seen a few LC-1000 listings on Reverb, but none of them have actually been LC-1000's. These are rare, and I have only ever seen 6 of them - 2 of which I've been lucky enough to own.

The LC-1000 only appeared in the 1977 and 1978 catalogs. In terms of specs, in the 1977 catalog it had black Super Distortion humbuckers, while in the 1978 catalog it had DiMarzio Super II's. So although this one has what is assumed to be a 1977 serial number, it has the pickups from the 1978 model - so this is likely a late 1977 model.

The serial number format that Aria used from 1976 onward is well known and documented, usually with 6 digits and then 7 later on. But some earlier examples, like this one, use this 5 digit serial number format. I have only seen this format used on the "Custom Order" and "Limited Edition" lines from Aria - and only ever starting with a 7 or 8. It's assumed today that the first digit represents the year (i.e. 7 = 1977 and 8 = 1978).

This guitar arrived to me with no pickguard & bracket. I was able to source a period correct original Aria LC pickguard and the bracket I had in my parts bin - both are original 1970's Aria parts - so I installed it on this LC and it's a perfect fit.

Other than the pickguard & bracket, everything else appears original on this guitar, and this guitar is in good players grade condition - it has been played a lot over it's life, but not abused. This one is a true player.

This guitar is finished in a super thin Tobacco Brown Sunburst lacquer finish, so there are dings, dents, scratches, everywhere, and a bit of finish checking in area. The finish has been worn through in spots. The chrome hardware has varying degrees of corrosion, tarnish and/or rust on it - although there's still lots of shine left on most of it. The black bobbins on the pickups have staining and scratches typical of their age, and the black plastics have typical scratches and swirling on them.

But overall, everything works as expected, the guitar plays & sounds great, and it has it's own unique vibe - it's dripping with mojo. This is no relic - this is the real deal player, with years of riffs hammered into it.

As a collector & player of vintage MIJ, these types of guitars are my personal favourite - guitars that have been played, with lots of character, but are in tact and can be played today.

Like most Aria Les Paul's from this era, the neck is a relatively thin and narrow for a Les Paul, this one is on the thinner side even for an Aria, likely thanks in part to the strong 3 piece maple neck, starting out at 20.0mm at the 1st fret, making its way to 24.6mm at the 12th fret, and it has a comfortable & typical Aria D carve to it, and a really nice jet black ebony fretboard, with real mother of pearl block inlays.

The 22 vintage narrow frets have been played, and there's play wear across the neck, mostly on frets 1-12, but there's lots of life left in them, and the guitar plays well up and down the neck. Although these frets are just as tall as the medium jumbo frets used on most MIJ guitars from this era, at about 1.0mm, for some reason the narrow frets feel different to play on, and I notice I feel the fretboard a lot more.

There's a few cracks in the ebony fretboard running parallel with the neck, but nothing that affects playability. These could be filled with ebony dust and CA glue if you felt you needed it.

Like all the guitars I sell, I test, thoroughly clean, and setup my guitars completely before I list them. Anything that is missing, damaged, or non original is mentioned in the listing.

I setup all my Gibson style guitars to Gibson factory specs - including neck relief, action, pickup height, intonation, and tailpiece height. So this guitar will be ready to play out of the box (after you tune it up - I ship my guitars with the strings loosened).

Comes with what could be the original hard-shell case for this guitar - it's a proper Les Paul case. It's well used, and the tolex is peeling in spots, and the hardware is corroded, but all of the latches and hinges are in tact, and the case works as it should. There is no key for the lock.

Overall, this is rare and classic guitar - it plays well, looks great, is built to top tier specs, and sounds fantastic.

If you're a player looking to rock out on a vintage MIJ Les Paul Custom, you won't want to miss this one.

CONDITION ------------

Overall it's in good condition.

I've tried to capture all of the flaws in the photos.

The pickguard & bracket are non original, but were replaced with vintage correct original Aria LC parts.

There is some staining or melted spots in the thin lacquer finish mainly on the back of the headstock, with a little bit on the front of the headstock.

There's some significant buckle rash & scratches on the back of the body.

There are many dings, dents, scratches, chips, staining and swirling across the entire guitar.

There's a few cracks in the ebony fretboard running parallel with the neck, but nothing that affects playability. These could be filled with ebony dust and CA glue if you felt you needed it.

The chrome hardware, bridge, tailpiece, tuners, pickup pole pieces, screws, and pickguard bracket have varying degrees of corrosion, pitting, tarnish and slight rust on them, but most of them they do still have shine to them.

The black plastics have typical scratches, pick marks, and staining on them.

The black humbucker bobbins have typical scratches, pick marks, and staining on them.

Around the strap buttons there's strap marks/swirling.

A black light inspection shows no signs of a headstock, heel or any other repairs.

The frets have been played, and there's fret wear mainly on frets 1-12, but overall there's lots of life left in the frets, and the guitar plays well up an down the entire fretboard.

The chrome torque adjustable tuners are in good shape, and work as expected.

The truss rod works as expected, with room in both directions.

The bridge screws and saddles all work fine, and the intonation has been set.

SHIPPING ------------  

Every shipment is expertly packed with great care and includes tracking, signature required on delivery, and full insurance coverage for both the purchase price and shipping.

Every guitar is fully wrapped in bubble wrap, in a cardboard box meant for guitars, with proper support inside. To reduce environmental impact, the packing material (paper, newsprint, gift wrap, bubble wrap, air packets, foam, carboard boxes and/or tube supports, etc...) used may be recycled.

Package dimensions are 118cm x 47cm x 17cm

Note: if you want an exact shipping quote, just send me a note with your postal/zip code, and I'll get a proper quote for your address. 

Note: If you're buying from outside of Canada, you as the Buyer may be required to pay import duties, tariffs, taxes and/or VAT upon delivery, depending on your location and the purchase price.

QUESTIONS ------------

Any questions? Want more photos or detailed shots? Measurements? Shoot me a message, and I'll be happy to answer them, or send more pics, or take any measurements you want/need.

Thanks for looking!