Aria Pro II LP

[anaerobe]

I was looking around the local scene for Mats products, and found this (sellers pic)....




The best I can guess (from the headstock, sharp horn, and lack of coil tap) is that this is a ~ 1979 Aria Pro II les paul copy. Kind of odd in that its plain jane is matched with gold hardware. The neck blocky inserts are found on either LC or LS models, going from the catalogues on the Matsumoku site. The bridge looks like pre-mid eighties stuff. Has anyone seen one like it?

I appreciate any feedback. I will take a camera and visit the seller today. The price is decent. I'll try to find out whether the pups are stock.. etc.

Ian

[corsair]

Hmmm; could be an APII PE series - that's certainly what it sort of seems like but it looks dodgy in that the knobs are not right and it doesn't have the carved top with the indentations for the knobs. Could be a Korean; does it say MIJ or Matsumoku on it anywhere?; if it doesn't then it ain't, seems to be the general rule!!

The early LP copies were just that - slavish copies, albeit well regarded ones; this is the classic PE shape and makes me wonder but I'm no expert on 'em; whip over to Matsumoku and ask the guys in there; they'll set you straight!!

http://www.matsumoku.org/ggboard/index.php?sid=27fcd47c2f4d99f271f7dd2871dc9d5d

[anaerobe]

Thanks! I'll do that.

I went and saw it at lunch. Plays nicely, very good neck on this one (heeless bolt-on neck). No ID for Mats anywhere. This seller says its a 1980, but I dunno for sure.... those knobs are definitely not the originals.

The top is flat, not carved.

More pics to follow.

Ian

[anaerobe]

Lots of hacks and dings. The buckle rash is pretty extensive.. clearly she's been played, a lot. The knobs were changed over to another bunch by the vendor, to what you see now. The price is really attractive, but the weird bolted heeless neck is a puzzle. No serial number visible. The neck looks quite similar to the Vantage "Entertainar" that I own, as well as my Granada - blocky inserts and bound. Wood grain is visible through the paint. The pups look identical and likely original, given all the wear and tear.

Mats or not?? No clue....

Ian

[Barry]

That is a bit of a puzzler Ian.
My first impression, like John's, was PE series...but it ain't quite right is it? Except for the knobs the parts look original enough.
The headstock is the same as my '82 Urchin if that means anything.
And is it an optical illusion from those big ass markers, or is that neck really w-i-d-e?

No matter really, it looks well made, and from what you've said it sounds like a keeper at a good price.
You gonna get it?

EDIT: Hang on. Are we looking at two different guitars here?? The original pic is more brown than red and has black knobs.

[anaerobe]

Hey Barry,

Same guitar, but when I went over to see it today, the current owner switched the knobs to what you see now (see above). Its a weird beast.... the strangely bolted on neck makes me think its early Korean. Most of the true blue PE, LS and LC APII models on the web are set neck beauties, so I'm looking for info.

Seller thinks its an '80 or thereabouts... need to confirm or get another opinion.

The neck issue could be a CDN import oddity, such as my Granada (mats). However, I will wait for experts to wade in. Its a tease.

~ I

P.S. Please shoot me a pic of that '82 Urchin headstock... any info is appreciated.

[Barry]

"Feels" MIK to me too; I've seen that three bolt neck attachment before but I can't recall where.

As for the headstock, I don't think it's unusual for APII's. What I was getting at was that it was distinctively different from some of the earlier models on the info site. Mine's a serious "rescue" effort and you can get an idea by jumping into some of the gory details here: LINK

[anaerobe]

O my gosh.


(Solemnly) Ohio, ko sare masu, Barry-sensei.

That is very ambitious and cool!! Props to you man, you've come full circle - restorations, no less! I hereby dub thee, Urchin - master.

+++++++

BTW - the guitar in question in this thread is MIK according to Jorg of the Matsumoku forums , so the hunt continues... I am still looking for a mats APII LS, PE, or LC of any description. Hey Frenchy, do you have an extra in the closet?

[corsair]

Hmmm, yeah; thought so!! Jorg is good value, eh!! A proper PE will cost an arm and a leg; that's a Korean copy: probably a very good copy though...

[Barry]

...(Solemnly) Ohio, ko sare masu, Barry-sensei.

Um, right. Thanks...I think.

I hereby dub thee, Urchin - master.

Ewww! Sounds all slimy and prickly.

Hey Frenchy, do you have an extra in the closet?

Where is Frenchy anyway? Haven't heard from him on either Mats forum in a very long time.

[anaerobe]

Barry, its just a Japanese greeting to the master. I only have deepest respect for anyone who tears down and then fixes their guitar. That Urchin needed some serious love! In that case the name is quite appropriate. She is a Toronto street Urchin.

John - yep there's those that know their stuff on the Mats forum. I need to get over there more often, too. Good value!

Ian