1979 Aria Pro II MK-1600 Model - BC Rich Mockingbird Supreme Clone - Maple Neck & Body - Natural Finish - Ebony fretboard with real mother of pearl cloud inlays - Original DiMarzio Dual Sound DP101 (4 wire Super Distortions), booster circuit, 6-way vari-tone circuit, dual sound & phase switch - Made in the famous Matsumoku factory in Japan - MIJ.

• Serial Number: 089012 (August 1979 MMYXXX format)
• Body: Pancake maple wings with walnut stringers
• Neck: 1 piece maple neck-through construction
• Fretboard: Jet black ebony
• Fretboard Radius: About 10"
• Fret Edge Binding: No
• Inlays: Real mother of pearl cloud inlays
• Frets: 24 x Medium Jumbo (1.0mm tall x 2.7mm wide)
• Nut Width: 43.8mm
• Width at 1st Fret: 44.1mm
• Width at 12th Fret: 53.0mm
• Thickness at 1st Fret: 20.0mm
• Thickness at 12th Fret: 23.3mm
• Nut: Bone
• Tuners: Original chrome Grover U.S.A. Imperial tuners
• Bridge & Tailpiece: Original chrome Badass style bridge
• Pickups: Original double cream DiMarzio Dual Sound DP101 (4 wire Super Distortions)
• Neck Pickup Resistance: 12.64K ohm (6.53K ohm with dual sound switch engaged)
• Bridge Pickup Resistance: 12.37K ohm (6.29K ohm with dual sound switch engaged)
• Pots: Original 500K pots (no date codes)
• Strings: Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 2221 10-46 strings - E Standard tuning
• Weight: 9.02lbs
• Non Original Parts: 9 volt battery clip, knobs, chicken head knob, control cavity cover and screws
• Case: Original Aria Pro II MK fitted hard case
• Truss Rod: Works as expected in room in both directions

This is a 1979 Aria Pro II MK-1600 model - a clone of the BC Rich Mockingbird Supreme. Aria was the first Japanese brand to make a Mockingbird clone. While most brands (Greco, Tokai, Burny) were in a race to make the best Les Paul & Strat clones, Aria went ahead and decided to copy a new contender. The original BC Rich Mockingbird was released in 1976, and by 1977 Aria already had a copy - and a good one at that, which is absolutely insane to think about (and also why I love these models so much). Greco, Fernandes and Kasuga also made BC Rich clones, but as far as I can tell, they all came out in 1980.

The Aria BC Rich clones only appeared in the Aria catalogs in 1977 and 1978. Nothing in 1979 onward, although they still built them in 1979 and 1980 - as evidence by this 1979 model. As far as I can tell from tracking them, they were done in 1980 - none were made in 1981 (if someone claims one is from 1981, they're likely reading the serial number wrong).

The MK models were part of the "Limited Edition" line from Aria, which was reserved for their highest priced and highest spec models, including the Rickenbacker clones, and some Gibson clone models.

The MK had 4 different models, the MK-1300/1600, and the MK-1500/1800. The difference between the 1300/1600 and the 1500/1800 models is maple vs walnut construction, and each of those had a version with either DiMarzio Dual Sound humbuckers (1600 & 1800) or Aria Extra-III humbuckers (1300 & 1500), hence the 4 different model numbers.

This one is the MK-1600, so it is maple construction with DiMarzio DP101 Dual Sound humbuckers.

I have owned many Aria Pro II guitars from this era, along with other brands (Greco, Tokai, Burny, Yamaha....) and I can say that these Aria BC Rich clones are some of the best guitars to have come out of any factory from Japan during this time.

The Aria clones differ in a few ways from the original BC Rich models, the Aria uses a stacked neck/body piece. So the maple piece for the neck runs all the way through the body, but the thickness of that maple neck pieces wasn't as thick as the body, so there is a another block stacked on the bottom of the neck within the body. The wings are also pancakes, so 2 pieces of wood stacked on top of each other. Why Aria made them this way, I'm not sure. The other differences are the cavity routes and covers are different from the original BC Rich clones. But otherwise, they are very close.

They are built incredibly well. The necks are flat and wide - wider than their Les Paul and SG models. The frets are excellent, especially for the time. I suspect they used different fret wire for these - even though the dimensions are the same. The frets used on the BC Rich clones seem harder, the ends are finished much better, and the crowns are a little flatter, and they just don't seem to wear anywhere near as fast as their other frets.

Once you pick up these guitars, you can feel just how much is done by hand - there are a lot of curves and contours on these bodies and necks, and the access to the upper frets is completely unimpeded.

The tonal options you can achieve from one guitar is incredible thanks to the dual sound switch, the phase switch, the booster circuit, and the 6 position vari-tone.

Often times the booster circuits aren't working or have been removed - but this one is intact and working fine.

Often times the strap buttons have been relocated (a few times sometimes), but this one has the original strap buttons in the original place.

Other than the 3 knobs, chicken head knob, the 2 bridge stud screws, 9V battery clip, control cavity and screws, everything else appears original on this guitar, including the pickups, bridge/tailpiece, pickup rings, strap buttons, switches, switch tip, Grover U.S.A. imperial tuners, bone nut, frets, inlays, truss rod cover, jack and jack plate, and all of the electronics.

This guitar is in good player's grade condition - it has been played, but not abused in any way. There's a handful of scuffs, scratches and dings in the clear finish, but since this is a clear finish on a maple body, it hides all imperfections incredibly well, and overall the finish on this guitar is in good shape for its age.

The chrome hardware has varying degrees of corrosion, tarnish and rust on it - although there's still lots of shine to it.

The cream bobbins on the pickups have some heavy staining on them - which is common to see on this era of DiMarzio's (in my experience).

The black plastics have typical scratches and pickup marks.

But overall, everything works as expected, the guitar plays & sounds great.

The DiMarzio Super Distortion and Dual Sound (which is just a 4 wire version of the Dual Sound) humbuckers are high output humbuckers, that can be put into normal humbucking mode, or flick the dual sound switch (which splits the bridge humbucker) and you've got a single coil sound. DiMarzio Super Distortions are the original after-market pickup, and have been used on countless hits in every genre - they just sound great! These pickups can scream, but can also clean up if you roll down the volume.

When in the middle position, the phase switch places the 2 humbuckers out of phase, giving that classic "cocked wah" sound.

The 6 position vari-tone circuit has 5 positions, plus an off position (fully counter-clockwise). Each position uses an LC filter to give it a different tone - they can be quite usable.

The boost circuit is the middle mini switch. It runs off a 9V battery inside the control cavity, and it can be turned on/off via the switch, and the middle knob controls the amount of boost. This allows you to hit the front of your amp hard, taking an amp from edge of breakup, to full on crunch.

There is a master volume (top knob) and master tone (bottom knob) to complete all of the controls.

Thanks to all the switching options, there is a ton of tonal options at your disposal.

Like most Aria's from this era, the neck is a relatively thin being 20.0mm at the 1st fret and 23.3mm at the 12th fret. It has a comfortable flat D shaped carve, and a really nice jet black ebony fretboard, with real mother of pearl cloud inlays.

The 24 medium jumbo frets have been played, but there is not much play wear on these frets and fretboard, and overall the guitar play extremely well and there are lots of life left in these frets.

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 guitars - 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).

This one comes with the original Aria Pro II MK fitted hard-shell case with red interior. It's a great case, but it has been used. There is some painted on "graffiti" on the outside, the words "Nightmare" and "Seko" written on it, staining on the tolex, a couple rips in the tolex here and there, and the tolex is slightly peeling in spots. All of the latches and hinges are in place and working as expected, but the metal is corroded and tarnished in spots. Inside there is some staining on the red plush interior. The neck holder is not attached to the case, so it can come out. There is no key.

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

If you're a player looking to rock out on a vintage MIJ guitar, 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 knobs, chicken head knob, 2 bridge stud screws (the ones that move the bridge forward and backward on the studs), 9V battery clip, control cavity cover and screw are non original.

There's a few scratches, chips, dings, and dents on the guitar.

The chrome hardware has varying degrees of corrosion, tarnish, pitting and/or rust, but overall everything works as expected, and there still lots of shine left on the hardware.

The cream bobbins on the pickups have some brown staining on them.

The black plastics have typical scratches and swirling on hem.

The original jack plate has been cracked and glued back together, but it works as expected with no issues.

The frets have been played, but not much, and overall there's almost the full life left in these frets.

The original chrome Grover U.S.A. imperial tuners are in good shape, and work as expected.

The bridge screws and saddles all work fine, and the intonation has been set. The low E saddle is heavily worn.

The truss rod works as expected and there's room in both directions.

The original case is included, but has some graffiti, staining, rips, tear, peeling inside and out, and tarnish/corrosion on the metal parts.

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!