Aria Pro PE series

[mikeluke]

Anyone out there got an Aria Pro II PE from the late 1970's? Something like a PE1000 or PE800 - if so, any opinion on the guitar which you could share?


Thanks


Mike

[Philly Q]

I haven't, but I've always liked the look of them.  Right back to the days Gerry Cott from the Boomtown Rats had a signature model!

I gather that, like most of the other MIJ LP types from that period - Washburn Falcons, Yamaha SGs, Ibanez Artists - they were pretty bloody weighty.  All lovely guitars apart from that fundamental flaw!

I did own a recent PE Exotic for a little while.  Nicely made, ergonomically very impressive - well balanced, great upper fret access etc.  But it suffered from "Korean neck syndrome" and had no mojo at all.  I expect the old Japanese ones don't have those problems.

[BigB]

Never tried one of these models, but by and large, uncle Matz's high end production from the late 70s / early 80s is just great wrt/ wood quality, design and workmanship.  Rather on the heavy side as Philly Q mentions, but well, a non-chambered LP is not really lightweight neither - incredible sustain comes with a price....

wrt/ mojo, well, it's the usual lottery whatever the brand, country, year and whatnot - some specimens are just magic, some are ok, some are lemons - but Mij, and specially Mij from this period, are known for their very good average quality (IOW : possibly less exceptional specimens, but definitly very few lemons). I have to admit I dislike the Aria Pro headstock shape to the point I couldn't buy one, but that's mostly me being snob  :mrgreen:

[itamar101]

I don't own an Aria electric but I do own an Aria AC-30
AFAIK it was there top of the line classical guitar in back in the late 70s/early 80s. Mine used to be my dads and I think it was made back in 79'.
Anyway, I love it. It's got a REALLY rich tone. Very different from any other classical guitar I've played.
The action is quite high but overall it plays ok and sounds great. I know that this question is about there electric line, not the classical but I thought that any input is better than none.

[FELINEGUITARS]

A few friends had them and I loved the easier top fret access, and vowed that I would find a way to make my necks as easy to get to the top frets on.

I liked the Black and Gold series from about 1984 a lot, although it was the XX flying V model that I bought in 1986

[mikeluke]

Well...


I appear to have acquired one - so I will let you know how it turns out!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251125014072?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

Took a bit of a punt for £200, and I was the only bidder!

Fingers crossed...

[Philly Q]

Well...


I appear to have acquired one - so I will let you know how it turns out!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251125014072?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

Took a bit of a punt for £200, and I was the only bidder!

Fingers crossed...

Bloody hell!  I have "Aria PE" and "Aria Pro II" as saved searches, and that one never came up! 

Serves me right for getting the brand name right, I suppose....  :roll:

[mikeluke]

Phil - will let you know if it is a bargain or a pup!

What is your view of the guitar/price? Seemed a good deal to me....

[Philly Q]

I'm far from an expert, Mike, but with that bridge and control layout, plus the set neck, I think (a) it's definitely quite an early model and (b) it's one of the relatively high-end ones, but not top of the range. 

£200 seems a good deal to me, but I have no idea about values (hence my complete failure to ever acquire any bargains - even when I think I've got one it turns out not to be!)

That's all off the top of my head, I hasten to add - I'm sitting here in work so no time to research it! 

[mikeluke]

I've tried to figure out which model it is and I am struggling, as the coil tap mini switch is a bit confusing - maybe this is a retro-fit.

From the information that I can find it looks like either a PE1500, 1000 (maple) or 800 (ash) - only way to tell is to check the body wood and pickups 'up close' - very close specs and the piccies from the 1970's ain't great!

[richard]

I played a couple in the early 80's and I remember them as being really good. £200 looks like a steal.

[Philly Q]

From the information that I can find it looks like either a PE1500, 1000 (maple) or 800 (ash) - only way to tell is to check the body wood and pickups 'up close' - very close specs and the piccies from the 1970's ain't great!

I think you're right, definitely a PE-800 or above, but it is hard to find accurate info.

It's at times like this you realise the internet isn't quite the infinite resource we tend to think it is!

[mikeluke]

Well - it's arrived! Looks in pretty decent shape for a late 70's guitar - I think that it is a PE800 as the body grain looks more like ash than maple and also the back is contoured, rather than a carved arch. Will post some piccies once I get it home and cleaned up.

[Philly Q]

Cool.  8)

Does it weigh a ton?

[mikeluke]

Oh yes! Solid bit of timber! Especially in the 70's vintage hard case that it came with! I need a new arm!