Aria Pro II TA-100 Titan Artist by Matsumoku 1981 -- AMAZING & RARE

1981 Aria Pro II TA-100 "Titan Artist" built by the famed Matsumoku factory during Japan's golden era. Excellent condition with original case that's in barely serviceable condition (but it's original). The following is copied from an Australian ad for the exact same guitar. I am pasting it here because it is a perfect description of my TA-100. All of the pics are of my guitar (and any additions or changes to the copied ad I wall put in bold).

Let me just be totally clear, this is an absolutely awesome guitar.  Okay, some details:

My TA-100 is completely original except for:

• The original bridge has been replaced with a tun-o-matic. 

• The original tuners have been replaced with Grovers -- and there are small screw holes from the mounting screws not lining up (done before she was mine).

• There was some decay on the tailpiece from some partial outgassing of the original pickguard which you can see. It was orginally gold plated with a kind of surface texture to it. I had to work the greenish decay out of the piece and you see the result in the pics.

• The pitting on the bridge pickup is also from outgassing. 

• Oddly, the original pickguard (bound translucent tortoiseshell) and mounting is still in great shape and included.

Okay, now on for the copied & updated Australian ad for the Titan Artist TA-100:

Produced in the Matsumoku factory between 1982 and 1986 (mine in 1981), the Aria Pro II TA-100 Titan Artist was one of Aria’s flagship guitars, a 335 style guitar, smaller bodied version, with the works. Size of the body would be between 339 and 335.

Near mint condition and structurally sound with a straight neck, this all original TA-100 Titan Artist has been serviced, cleaned, polished and set up with a low action. The electrics are all original and in perfect working order. When you pick up a TA-100 Titan Artist you immediately get the sense that these guitars ooz quality in feel, touch and sound. Great playing and sounding vintage f hole guitar that handles both blues and clean. (I used this as a jazz guitar easily, as well as for blues and rock, it is incredibly versatile)

The TA-100 Titan Artist has a long list of features only found in premium model guitars:

* Solid carved maple top

* Arched sycamore back with sycamore rims

* Solid mahogany center block

* 5pc mahogany/maple neck

* Ebony fretboard with 22 (jumbo) frets

* Real mother-of-pearl fretboard inlays with inset abalone

* Solid brass top nut

* Solid brass truss rod cover

* Full creme body, neck, F-hole and headstock binding

* Original “Classic Power” covered humbuckers  (These are the highly collectible original MMK75 PAF pickups)

* Two vol and 2 tone controls with factory knobs etc

* Three way pickup selector switch

* Factory die-cast machine heads (Replaced with gold Grovers)

* Adjustable bridge and quick hook tail piece (Bridge replaced with tun-o-matic)

* Gold plated hardware (faded or mildly refin'd tailpiece to remove mild outgassing staining and decay)

* Catalogue Antique Brown (AB) finish

* Comes with hard case

The condition of the guitar is outstanding with a couple of lite scratches to the poly finish with some tarnishing to the gold hardware. The fretboard and frets are in excellent condition with lite signs of ware. All the electrics work fine and no scratching in the pots.

Not a lot of these guitars were made and are rarely listed for sale (actually only 1500 of the TA-100 Titan Artist were made).