Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: kellar on September 26, 2008, 05:10:50 PM

Title: Is this a deal? (Aria LP)
Post by: kellar on September 26, 2008, 05:10:50 PM
I don't know anything about Aria's but have read good reviews and have been looking for a decent priced LP with a similar finish. Can someone educate me on them? Is this a good deal?

http://cgi.ebay.de/ARIA-PE-ELITE-Honeyburst-E-Gitarre-OVP-NEU_W0QQitemZ150295316360QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item150295316360&_trkparms=39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A1|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
Title: Re: Is this a deal? (Aria LP)
Post by: sambo on September 26, 2008, 05:16:04 PM
Someone on here recently bought an Aria LP I think? Can't remember who it was.

An old guitar teacher of mine had one but it was a mish-mash of different parts so probably not a good indicator of what they're like.

Alternatively you could get this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Les-Paul-Signature-Red-Satin-Electric-Guitar-Brand-New_W0QQitemZ160284089782QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item160284089782&_trkparms=72%3A1301

£200 is a truly awesome price for that guitar.
Title: Re: Is this a deal? (Aria LP)
Post by: kellar on September 26, 2008, 05:20:09 PM
I am in Germany so the Aria would cost me significantly less than the Signature. The Signature is in pounds plus shipping. The Aria is 250 euros with free shipping. Plus, I love the finish on the Aria.
Title: Re: Is this a deal? (Aria LP)
Post by: sambo on September 26, 2008, 05:24:28 PM
Ah for some reason I thought you were in the states so was assuming you were looking to take a hit on shipping anyway. (Why I thought that I have no idea! :lol: :oops: )

Try doing a forum search for Aria if you haven't already, to find that thread I mentioned by someone who recently bought one.
Title: Re: Is this a deal? (Aria LP)
Post by: kellar on September 26, 2008, 05:25:49 PM
I'll do that. Thanks Sambo!
Title: Re: Is this a deal? (Aria LP)
Post by: kellar on September 26, 2008, 05:59:29 PM
I found that thread, didn't give me much info. Doesn't seem to be a whole lot of info around on Aria. I checked out the company website and whatnot. Does anyone else have experience with these guitars?
Title: Re: Is this a deal? (Aria LP)
Post by: mikey5 on September 26, 2008, 06:10:59 PM
I do.. Well similarly to sambo my best friend Johnny Meyer had one. He was really good at guitar, and he really inspired me to take the instrument seriously. He Had a blue Aria Pro Les Paul type guitar. He complained that it had a thing or two wrong with the bridge (which would have been easy to fix), and he wanted to change out the pickups to Paf Pros, He had evolutions in his. When I played the guitar I was amazed. It really was something. It was a little lighter than a gibson les paul, but I assume that if Aria is copying a Gibson the Aria might be a little better. I'm not sure but his just might have been higher end. Also he bought his used for about 700 USD

If it looks good to you then roll with it. Aria makes good instruments, but if I were you ( you seem to own a few guitars am I right ) I would maybe spend your money on something higher end. Like a feline from that dude or find a custom luthier That is what I did, and I have had two Les Pauls build for me. If you like a design you can give it to them and they can make it for you. If you want info on my luthier I will give you his info.Anyway I hope that answers a question or two that you had.
Title: Re: Is this a deal? (Aria LP)
Post by: Will on September 26, 2008, 06:22:24 PM
I borrowed a mates Aria acoustic when my only guitar at the time went in for setup.
It was shite. I think it must be a modern MIK with an appalling setup and electronics though.
^ just to clarify, I HATED IT ughhhh - bad memories :P

Then again, the older ones may be better
Title: Re: Is this a deal? (Aria LP)
Post by: kellar on September 26, 2008, 07:52:53 PM
Well, I am quite undecided. Still don't know anything about the company. I figure for 200 euros though, it is worth trying out and it won't set me back. If I don't like, I will Ebay it. :D
Title: Re: Is this a deal? (Aria LP)
Post by: Will on September 26, 2008, 08:02:29 PM
Thank god you didn't, just looked at the link. I wouldn't trust it, being a new one. Play one first, and form an opinion from first hand experience is my vote
Title: Re: Is this a deal? (Aria LP)
Post by: kellar on September 26, 2008, 08:07:07 PM
I had exactly the same thought Will.
Title: Re: Is this a deal? (Aria LP)
Post by: mikeluke on September 26, 2008, 10:53:51 PM
Aria made excellent stuff in the 1980's which go for reasonable prices - Euro500+. More recent stuff is only mediocre unless you go for a high-end model.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Aria-PE-Ltd-Electric-Guitar_W0QQitemZ230295332157QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item230295332157&_trkparms=72%3A1301|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

This is a much better Aria that the PE Elite that you mentioned.

I've had two - a PE Anniversary and a PE-SPL DLX - both set necks and nice guitars.  Neck joint gives much better access than a traditional Les Paul. As I've said my advice would be to go for a higher end model if you can find one.

Or the Signature LP Sambo mentioned - that is a bargain!
Title: Re: Is this a deal? (Aria LP)
Post by: Philly Q on September 27, 2008, 12:29:31 PM
I've had two - a PE Anniversary and a PE-SPL DLX - both set necks and nice guitars.  Neck joint gives much better access than a traditional Les Paul.

I think Jonathan has said before that the Aria PE neck joint was an influence on his design of the Feline Lion contoured heel.  :)
Title: Re: Is this a deal? (Aria LP)
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on September 27, 2008, 01:05:56 PM
I've had two - a PE Anniversary and a PE-SPL DLX - both set necks and nice guitars.  Neck joint gives much better access than a traditional Les Paul.

I think Jonathan has said before that the Aria PE neck joint was an influence on his design of the Feline Lion contoured heel.  :)

Correct - a friend had one of the black n gold series PEs and I used to admire it
The all access heel made for a sweet guitar

Of the current PE range I like the Inspire, Deluxe and Anniversary models.
Allow to upgrade pickups and have a really good setup done and you'll get the best from it
Title: Re: Is this a deal? (Aria LP)
Post by: kellar on September 27, 2008, 01:11:57 PM
Unfortunately, thinking about buying that guitar last night opened up a serious case of GAS.
Oh dear. :lol:
Title: Re: Is this a deal? (Aria LP)
Post by: TheDev01dOne on October 01, 2008, 11:19:15 PM
My GFs dad has an Aria LP copy, not sure if it's the same as the one you're looking at (haven't seen it in a while) but I recall I really hated the feel of it. Had a really wide flat neck almost like a classical, and had tiny frets.

Although that probably doesn't help you much I just thought I'd share an opinion.
Title: Re: Is this a deal? (Aria LP)
Post by: bobthemerciful on October 02, 2008, 12:25:08 AM
If they're only half as good as the 80's ones then it'd be a good guitar. Dunno what they're current pickups are, but I've been quite happy with the ones in my 1984 Urchin. There's a catalogue scan http://www.matsumoku.org/models/ariaproii/catalogs/uuxxzz/u_catalog_1.jpg.html (http://www.matsumoku.org/models/ariaproii/catalogs/uuxxzz/u_catalog_1.jpg.html) and a pic of mine
(http://www.bobelliott.co.uk/Images/static/Aria01.jpg). Matsumoko site is the best place for info on Aria's, found out a bit about mine and I've had it 24 years now. Good luck with it if you do get it. The one mikeluke pointed out looks nicer (to me anyway)  :D