Rare 1970s Aria Pro II Les Paul Custom, Made in Japan - Transparent Black

Epic Axes is a musician-driven showroom in Los Angeles. Each guitar is personally selected, inspected, and tested to ensure top performance - only instruments we would play ourselves become part of our collection.

A stunning late-'70s Aria Pro II LC-550 Les Paul Custom, made in Japan during the legendary Matsumoku era.This is an incredibly well-preserved example that has aged beautifully over the decades. One of its most striking features is the finish - a rare transparent black that reveals deep brown and subtle olive undertones under different lighting, giving the guitar a unique vintage character that's difficult to capture in photos and unlike the typical solid black Customs.

The vintage Jack Johnes PAF humbuckers sound absolutely incredible, delivering warm, rich cleans, thick and articulate overdrive, excellent note definition, and a tight, balanced response across the entire frequency range. It's one of those guitars that feels alive in your hands, whether you're playing clean or pushing an amp.

The electronics are completely quiet and function exactly as they should. The neck is straight and the frets show only even wear with plenty of life remaining and no divots. It has been professionally set up and plays effortlessly all the way up the neck.

The original hardware has developed a beautiful natural vintage patina that perfectly complements the guitar's overall appearance without taking away from its excellent condition. It comes complete with a vintage hardshell case.

If you're looking for a golden-era Japanese Les Paul Custom with exceptional craftsmanship, outstanding tone, and a finish you almost never come across, this LC-550 is a truly special instrument that won't disappoint.

The following work has been done: full fretboard conditioning with lemon oil, fret polish, pickup height adjustment for balance and clarity, and a fresh set of D’Addario 10-46s installed. String height at the 12th fret on the low E is right at 2.2 mm - set for comfortable playability. 

Body

• Construction: Solid body, set-neck
• Top: Maple
• Body Wood: Mahogany
• Finish: Transparent Black (dark brown/olive undertones), gloss polyurethane
• Binding: Multi-ply body, neck, and headstock binding
• Weight: Approx. 9.5–10.0 lb / 4.3–4.5 kg
• Shape: Les Paul Custom

Neck

• Material: Mahogany
• Joint: Set-neck
• Profile: Medium C
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Radius: 12" (305 mm)
• Frets: 22 medium frets
• Fret Condition: Very good, even wear with plenty of life remaining
• Scale Length: 24.75" (628 mm)
• Nut: Original bone nut
• Nut Width: 43 mm / 1.69"
• Neck Finish: Transparent Black gloss polyurethane

Hardware

• Bridge: Tune-o-Matic style bridge
• Tailpiece: Stopbar tailpiece
• Tuners: Upgraded Sperzel USA locking tuners (original tuners removed; previous mounting holes visible on the back of the headstock)
• Strap Buttons: Standard
• Hardware Finish: Gold

Electronics

• Pickups: Vintage Jack Johnes PAF humbuckers
• Configuration: HH
• Controls:
  • 2 Volume
  • 2 Tone
• Switching:
  • 3-way toggle switch
• Output Jack: 1/4" mono

Other

• Model: Aria Pro II LC-550 Les Paul Custom
• Year: Circa 1977–1979
• Made in: Japan (Matsumoku)
• Color: Transparent Black (rare translucent finish with dark brown and olive undertones)
• Case: Hardshell case included