Guide / SELECTED VINTAGE GUITARS
Aria and Aria Pro II: guitar history, SB basses and vintage acoustics
From Shiro Arai’s Nagoya business to SB basses and acoustic guitars: an introduction to a versatile Japanese brand.
Shiro Arai, Nagoya and guitar production
Shiro Arai’s company began in Nagoya in 1956. Its own acoustics and hollow-bodies followed in 1960, solid-bodies in 1963. Growing demand led to Matsumoku cooperation; Aria Pro II was introduced for electrics in 1975.
Aria — History of Aria Guitars ↗
PE-1500: an original 1976 design
The original PE-1500 appeared in 1976. The PE-1500RI reissue explains its carved front and back and heel-less cutaway: a sculpted set-neck joint for access to higher positions. Current equipment includes DiMarzio Super Distortion pickups and a Super Matic bridge. PE represents Aria’s own take on the twin-humbucker guitar.
Aria — PE-1500RI, historia modelu i specyfikacja reedycji ↗
SB basses: a distinctive identity
Aria dates the SB-1000’s introduction to 1978. The current SB-1000RIB reissue combines neck-through construction with the active BB circuit and six low-pass filter presets. When considering a vintage SB, learn its particular circuit rather than assuming every control works like a conventional tone knob.
About the source: Reissue specifications with the original introduction date.
SB and Cliff Burton
Cliff Burton played Aria SB basses. A 2013 tribute model was authorised by his family and Metallica.
Aria — historia współpracy z muzykami ↗
WJ-40: the acoustic side of Aria
Our 1981 WJ-40 is a jumbo acoustic with a spruce top and maple back and sides. Instrument A26009 received fingerboard levelling and new 2.1 mm Blacksmith frets. Its passive SVG piezo pickup is a later installation, not part of the original specification. Documented work explains what the guitar offers today, decades after manufacture.
Selected Vintage Guitars — Aria WJ-40, A26009 ↗
Why try an Aria?
We value Aria’s variety and believe good examples deserve comparison with current standard-series instruments from familiar brands. Try the neck, fretwork, playability and sound. Each listing describes the actual equipment and service work, while availability changes as further guitars are prepared.