Help and advice please?

[ShotgunInnocence]

I've been shopping around for an affordable Japanese LP-alike.  Would prefer to stick to a vintage 70s/early 80s model if possible unless someone can vouch for the quality of current production models.  (yes, yes......I'm familiar with the Edwards line)  I've seen lots of Burnys, Tokais, Grecos, Orvilles.........this one jumped out at me last night though.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Aria-Pro-II-Les-Paul-Solid-Flame-Maple-cf-Greco-Burny_W0QQitemZ110510250994QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item19baec9bf2

No, it's not immaculate, but a little lacquer touch up and she could be.  Any thoughts from the gallery as to whether this is a fair asking price for this beauty?  Also, I'm afraid I'm absolutely clueless about purchasing items like this from overseas (forgive this ignorant American).  I can figure out the cost plus shipping, but I'm lost about the cost for any VAT or import duties.  How does that work and what can I anticipate?  Please feel free to chime in and offer your thoughts, opinions, advice, comments and/or ridicule.   :D  Thank ya kindly.....

[dave_mc]

customs + VAT will probably end up being around 25% of the total price (inc. shipping), but best check hmrc website to be sure.

i've liked the newer MIJ tokais I've tried. that being said, i've got an 84 goldstar and it's badass too, possibly a bit more mojo (though it needs a refret), but then buying s/h you have to be on the lookout for fakes, lower models passed off as higher ones, and stuff not being in amazing nick etc. Up to you, really.

I haven't tried any aria pros- the tokai forum and japanaxe, would probably be the places to go to ask about the going rate, how good they are, whether it's a fake, etc.

[Philly Q]

It looks nice, lovely colour.  The weight I couldn't handle (5.1kgs!!!  :x )

I've really no idea if that's a good price or not, but my gut reaction is that it seems a bit pricey?  :?

[impossible]

I can't vouch much for the price although I know Aria command a lot of respect amongst people who are familiar with them, especially the seventies/eighties stuff.

However when spending £500+ on any guitar I would want to lay my hands on it to make sure I liked it, even if it were brand new. Some guitars just click with you and some don't, regardless of "value". Just my 2p.

[FELINEGUITARS]

It looks nice, lovely colour.  The weight I couldn't handle (5.1kgs!!!  :x )

I've really no idea if that's a good price or not, but my gut reaction is that it seems a bit pricey?  :?

My god - that's over 11lbs!
Too risky and too heavy IMO

[leerocker]

a few more quid and youd get a gibson!
£700 for an aria is way pricey and i prob hasnt got the long tenon or right headstock angle,
if you can get your hands on an 80s fernandes supergrade then get one!

[ShotgunInnocence]

a few more quid and youd get a gibson!
£700 for an aria is way pricey and i prob hasnt got the long tenon or right headstock angle,
if you can get your hands on an 80s fernandes supergrade then get one!

But would I get a quality Gibby?  We already know their QC has been spotty at times.  Actually, in the description he states, that it IS in fact a long tenon, that it has a one piece mahogany back, solid (no veneer) flame maple top, vintage DiMarzios, and I also noticed bound fret wire.......as for the headstock, the Leopard models were supposed to be replicas of a 59.  I suspect they included that detail since they loaded it with everything else.  I'll probably ask for pics of the neck cavity to have a look at the tenon and confirm the top is not veneer.  Would also like to find out if it's a nitro finish......hmmmmm (more questions for the seller).

It looks nice, lovely colour.  The weight I couldn't handle (5.1kgs!!!  :x )

I've really no idea if that's a good price or not, but my gut reaction is that it seems a bit pricey?  :?

My god - that's over 11lbs!
Too risky and too heavy IMO

Yeah, that's a hefty slab of lumber.....of course weight doesn't phase me too badly (already have a 9+ lb solid maple San Dimas style strat and a couple of 11 + lb basses).  Maybe those years of delivering furniture, appliances, etc paid off......LOL!  So is the weight issue just the potential back stress Feline?  Or is there a downside tonally to something that weighty?

[BigB]

is the weight issue just the potential back stress Feline?  Or is there a downside tonally to something that weighty?

Feline and a couple other guitar builder will probably come with more educated answers, but for some woods - swamp ash at least - more weight (for a same body size) means more density means less resonance and possibly a duller sounding guitar.

OTHO, one of the most resonant solid body I've ever heard is my all-maple Vox Standard 25, which is over 5.5kg, so I guess it also depends on timber, construction method etc...

[Philly Q]

I guess it also depends on timber, construction method etc...

And a generous helping of luck!

[HTH AMPS]

Looks like a nice, if heavy, Les Paul replica.  The auction states that the guitar is in the UK, so no import duties - just whatever is costs for the courier within the UK.

If you're willing to pay £700 for it, go for it - looks like a crackin' guitar.  My take is that the seller is asking too much for it - £500 tops is all that guitar is worth (of my money anyway).

This Goldtop is nice for £550... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Orville-Les-Paul-Gold-Top-Dark-Back-Gibson-USA-Pickups_W0QQitemZ250603852925QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item3a5927547d#ht_649wt_1165

[ShotgunInnocence]

The down side is, I'm in the US, so having it shipped here from the UK would cost me some import duties.  That's one of the big issues holding me back on placing a bid......I shudder to think how much they'll gouge me for that........

[Twinfan]

£700 for the Aria is too much.  Way too much.

Just because it's old, doesn't necessarlity mean it's good and the late 70s/early 80s had examples of both great and awful.

Personally, I would look for something local in the US that you can try before you buy.  Or, buy direct from Japan.  Our UK prices make it too expensive for you.

I think a fairly recent Edwards or Japanese Tokai would be a good safe bet to buy without trying.  The Jimmy Page Edwards LP is very good by all accounts.

[ShotgunInnocence]

Honestly, most of the Edwards and (Japanese) Tokais are even MORE expensive here (and not easy to find to pick up and play).  I did get a bit of good news  though, turns out import duties and cost to customs combined work out to a little less than 11% of cost......no VAT here (yet).