Aria (guitar company)
Encyclopedia
Aria is a Japanese
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

 manufacturer of acoustic and electric guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...

s and basses
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....

.

History

Aria was formed in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

 in 1953 by Shiro Arai as Arai and Company. They began retailing acoustic guitars in 1960, although the company didn't actually start manufacturing their own until 1964. Aria arranged for Matsumoku
Matsumoku
Matsumoku Industrial was established around 1900 as a woodworking manufacturer of various items but is best known as a manufacturer of high quality guitars and bass guitars.- History :...

, the musical instrument maker, to build the guitars for them under contract. Arai and Matsumoku started building acoustic guitars in 1964, and then electric guitars in 1966, using Arai, Aria, Aria Diamond, Diamond, and much less frequently, Arita brand names. The Aria brandname was changed to Aria Pro II in late 1975, though this has been used mostly (but not exclusively) for electric guitars and basses. All guitars were made in Japan until 1988, when production of less expensive models (Magna MAB/MAC and Integra IGB series) was switched to Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...

. In the mid-1990s a few models (including the Fender Stratocaster
Fender Stratocaster
The Fender Stratocaster, often referred to as "Strat", is a model of electric guitar designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares in 1954, and manufactured continuously by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation to the present. It is a double-cutaway guitar, with an extended top...

-inspired Fullerton series guitars and the Steve Bailey
Steve Bailey
Steve Bailey is an American bassist who is famous for his pioneering work with the six string fretless bass. He was voted runner up for "Bass Player Of The Year" in 1994 and 1996....

 6-string fretless signature bass) were made in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

.
Guitar designer and audio engineer, Ronnie Parker started his career with Aria in 1985 when they were located in the City of Industry, California.

Guitars

Aria Pro II did some copies of famous American guitars like the Fender Stratocaster
Fender Stratocaster
The Fender Stratocaster, often referred to as "Strat", is a model of electric guitar designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares in 1954, and manufactured continuously by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation to the present. It is a double-cutaway guitar, with an extended top...

 and the Gibson Les Paul
Gibson Les Paul
The Gibson Les Paul was the result of a design collaboration between Gibson Guitar Corporation and the late jazz guitarist and electronics inventor Les Paul. In 1950, with the introduction of the Fender Telecaster to the musical market, electric guitars became a public craze. In reaction, Gibson...

 though it also did its own style of guitars. In the 70s and early 80s the company came into its own in the United States with a series of high end professional instruments. The company had professional endorsements from Herb Ellis
Herb Ellis
Mitchell Herbert "Herb" Ellis was an American jazz guitarist. Perhaps best known for his 1950s membership in the trio of pianist Oscar Peterson, Ellis was also a staple of west-coast studio recording sessions, and was described by critic Scott Yanow as "an excellent bop-based guitarist with a...

, Yngwie Malmsteen, Neal Schon
Neal Schon
Neal George Joseph Schon is an American rock guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist best known for his work with the band Journey. He is the only member to have recorded on all of Journey's albums...

, John Taylor, and many more. Cliff Burton
Cliff Burton
Clifford Lee "Cliff" Burton was an American musician, best known as the bass guitarist for the American heavy metal band Metallica....

of Metallica used an Aria SB Black N Gold I as well as an SB-1000 bass but was never an official endorser. He has a posthumous "Signature Model" (his name is not mentioned on the Aria site) called the SB-CB produced in Korea. The guitars were distributed at this point by Tillman Distributors in Charlotte NC. Aria makes guitars ranging from beginner to professional models.

Aria also has built amps, such as the 10W Birdy.

Aria Guitars

Model Production Years Category
1502 (F*V) 1974-76 Solidbodies
1502T 1968-70 Solidbodies
1532 1968-70 Solidbodies
1532T (Jzm*r) 1968-75 Solidbodies
1582 (T* Custom) 1972-74 Solidbodies
1582T (T* Custom) 1972-74 Solidbodies
1592 (T* Thinline) 1972-74 Solidbodies
1702T (Mosr*) 1968-73/74 Solidbodies
1723T (St*) 1974-76 Solidbodies
1723TD (St*) 1974-76 Solidbodies
1802T (St*) 1971-75 Solidbodies
1803T (St*) 1971-75 Solidbodies
1832T (St*) 1971-74 Solidbodies
1922 (S*G) 1974-76 Solidbodies
1922T (S*G) 1974-76 Solidbodies
1923T (S*G) 1974-76 Solidbodies
1932 (S*G) 1971-76 Solidbodies
1962T 1967-70 Solidbodies
1982T (S*G) 1971-74 Solidbodies
2302 (ES-175) 1970-74 Hollow Bodies
2312 (ES-175) 1970-74 Hollow Bodies
3301 (B*S*N) 1974-76 Solidbodies
3302T (B*S*N) 1974-76 Solidbodies
3522G (L*P) 1974-76 Solidbodies
5002 (Barney Kessel) 1970-74 Hollow Bodies
5102G (ES-335) 1970-74 Hollow Bodies
5102T (1202 ES-335) 1970-75 Hollow Bodies
5202 (Trini Lopez) 1970-74 Hollow Bodies
5502 (ES-335) 1970-75 Hollow Bodies
5522 (L*P Black Beauty) 1968-75 Solidbodies
5522G (L*P Goldtop) 1970-74 Solidbodies
5522N (L*P*C) 1970-74 Solidbodies
5532N (L*P) 1974-77 Solidbodies
5542 (L*P) 1974-77 Solidbodies
AE-300 LP Copy 1977- Solidbodies
AE-325 LP Copy 1977- Solidbodies
AE-350 LP Copy 1977- Solidbodies
AE-400 SG Copy 1977- Solidbodies
AE-500 St Copy 1977- Solidbodies
AE-550 St Copy 1977- Solidbodies
AE-600 335 Copy 1977- Solidbodies
AE-650 335 Copy 1977- Solidbodies
AE-700 175 Copy 1977- Solidbodies
Diamond EA200 (ES-335) 1974-76 Hollow Bodies
Diamond EL195 (L*P) 1974-76 Solidbodies
Diamond EM165 (Jzm*r) 1974-76 Solidbodies
Diamond ES175 (S*G) 1974-76 Solidbodies
Diamond ET240 (L*PJr.) 1974-76 Solidbodies
G**ld S-100 1971-74 Solidbodies
Lucy (lucite) 1970-74 Solidbodies
Model No. 1202DX 1968-70 Hollow Bodies
Model No. 1202T 1967-68 Hollow Bodies
Model No. 1202TB 1968-70 Hollow Bodies
Model No. 1212 12-string 1967-68 Hollow Bodies
Model No. 1232-T 1968-70 Hollow Bodies
Model No. 1250T 1968-70 Hollow Bodies
Model No. 1302T 1967-70 Hollow Bodies
Model No. 1303T 1967-68 Hollow Bodies
Model No. 1312 12-string 1967-68 Hollow Bodies
Model No. 1402T Violin-body 1967-68 Hollow Bodies
Model No. 1412 Violin 12-string 1967-70 Hollow Bodies
Model No. 1850T 1968-70 Hollow Bodies
R-320 1968-70 Hollow Bodies
R-325 (1282) 1968-70 Hollow Bodies
R-331 1968-70 Hollow Bodies
R-350 (1382) 1968-70 Hollow Bodies
R-500DX 1968-70 Hollow Bodies

Aria Basses

Model Production Years
1220 Bass 1967-68
1420 Bass 1967-70
1420B Bass 1968-70
1540 Bass (J*) 1970-75
1540S Bass (Fretless J*) 1970-74
1550 Bass (P*) 1970-75
1560 Bass (short-scale T*) 1970-74
1720 Bass (Mosr*) 1968-71
1820 Bass (P*) 1970-74
1830 Bass (P*) 1970-74
1910 Bass (E*B*0) 1974-76
1920 Bass (E*B*0) 1974-76
1930 Bass (E*B*0) 1970-74
1931 Bass (E*B*0) 1970-74
1980 Bass (E*B*0) 1970-74
5020 Bass (Barney Kessel cutaways) 1970-74
5120 Bass (E*S-335) 1970-74
5520 Bass (E*S-335) 1970-74
A-100 Bass (B*S*N) 1974-76
A-200 Bass (B*S*N) 1974-76
AE-800 1974-76?
AE-850 1974-76?
AE-900 1974-76?
AE-950 1974-76?
Aria Diamond EJ230 Bass (P*) 1974-76
RB-330 Bass 1968-70
RE550 Bass (Ric* 4001) 1974-76

Aria Pro II Guitars

Model Production Years Category
EX-750 (Ex*) 1976-80 Aria Pro II V, Explorer, SG Copies, Gibson Copies
EX-850 (H*mer Ex*) 1978-80 Aria Pro II V, Explorer, SG Copies, Gibson Copies
EX-900 (Ex*, H*mer in '79) 1978-81 Aria Pro II V, Explorer, SG Copies, Gibson Copies
FL-05 1995-99 Fullerton Series
FL-10S 1995-99 Fullerton Series
FL-10SL 1995-99 Fullerton Series
FL-10H 1995-99 Fullerton Series
FL-10HL 1995-99 Fullerton Series
FL-20S 1995-99 Fullerton Series
FL-20H 1995-99 Fullerton Series
FL-21HSDW 1996-99 Fullerton Series
FL-30H 1995-99 Fullerton Series
FL-30HSDW 1995-99 Fullerton Series
FL-40W 1995-99 Fullerton Series
FL-50S 1995-99 Fullerton Series
FL-50SSDW 1995-99 Fullerton Series
FL-60H 1995-99 Fullerton Series
FL-60HSDW 1995-99 Fullerton Series
FL-MID 199?-94 Fullerton Series
FV-550 (F*V) 1979-81 Aria Pro II V, Explorer, SG Copies, Gibson Copies
FV-600D (F*V, DMZ) 1980-81 Aria Pro II V, Explorer, SG Copies, Gibson Copies
FV-800 (F*V) 1979-80 Aria Pro II V, Explorer, SG Copies, Gibson Copies
L-1000 (Johnny Smith) 1977-80 Aria Pro II V, Explorer, SG Copies, Gibson Copies
L-1000SM (Johnny Smith) 1978-80 Aria Pro II V, Explorer, SG Copies, Gibson Copies
L-1700C (E*S-175) 1978-79 Aria Pro II V, Explorer, SG Copies, Gibson Copies
LC-1000 (L*P*C, DMZ) 1978-80 Aria Pro II LP Copies
LC-1200 (L*P*C, DMZ) 1978-80 Aria Pro II LP Copies
LC-500 (L*P*C) 1977-81 Aria Pro II LP Copies
LC-550 (L*P*C) 1977-79 Aria Pro II LP Copies
LC-600 (L*P*C, DMZ in '80) 1979-81 Aria Pro II LP Copies
LC-700 (L*P*C) 1979-80 Aria Pro II LP Copies
LC-700N (L*P*C) 1978-79 Aria Pro II LP Copies
LC-750 (L*P*C) 1977-78 Aria Pro II LP Copies
LC-800 (L*P*C) 1978-79 Aria Pro II LP Copies
LC-850 (L*P*C) 1977-78 Aria Pro II LP Copies
LD-700 (L*P*D) 1977-78 Aria Pro II LP Copies
LP-600 (L*P*C) 1976-80 Aria Pro II LP Copies
LP-650 (L*P*C, 3pu) 1978-80 Aria Pro II LP Copies
LS-1000 (L*P*S, DMZ) 1978-80 Aria Pro II LP Copies
LS-400 (L*P*S) 1980-81 Aria Pro II LP Copies
LS-430 (L*P*S) 1977-78 Aria Pro II LP Copies
LS-450 (L*P*S) 1977-80 Aria Pro II LP Copies
LS-500 (L*P*S) 1977-80 Aria Pro II LP Copies
LS-600 (L*P*S, DMZ in '80) 1978-81 Aria Pro II LP Copies
LS-600P (L*P*S, P-90s) 1980-81 Aria Pro II LP Copies
LS-700 (L*P*S) 1977-80 Aria Pro II LP Copies
LS-900 (L*P*S, DMZ) 1978-80 Aria Pro II LP Copies
MK-1300N (Mockingbird) 1978-79 Aria Pro II Rich, Ricky, Fender Copies
MK-1500WA (Mockingbird) 1978-79 Aria Pro II Rich, Ricky, Fender Copies
MK-1600N (Mockingbird, DMZ) 1978-79 Aria Pro II Rich, Ricky, Fender Copies
MK-1800WA (Mockingbird, DMZ) 1978-79 Aria Pro II Rich, Ricky, Fender Copies
RG-680 (Ric* 620) 1976-80 Aria Pro II Rich, Ricky, Fender Copies
RG-750 (Ric* 320) 1978-80 Aria Pro II Rich, Ricky, Fender Copies
RG-800 (Ric* 360) 1978-80 Aria Pro II Rich, Ricky, Fender Copies
SG-380 (S*G) 1977-78 Aria Pro II V, Explorer, SG Copies, Gibson Copies
SG-600 (S*G) 1977-78 Aria Pro II V, Explorer, SG Copies, Gibson Copies
SL-420 (S*G) 1977-80 Aria Pro II V, Explorer, SG Copies, Gibson Copies
SL-500D (S*G, DMZ) 1980-81 Aria Pro II V, Explorer, SG Copies, Gibson Copies
ST-360B (St*) 1980-81 Aria Pro II Rich, Ricky, Fender Copies
ST-400 (St*) 1977-80 Aria Pro II Rich, Ricky, Fender Copies
ST-480 (St*) 1977-79 Aria Pro II Rich, Ricky, Fender Copies
ST-500 (St*, DMZ in '80) 1978-81 Aria Pro II Rich, Ricky, Fender Copies
ST-550 (St*) 1978-79 Aria Pro II Rich, Ricky, Fender Copies
ST-600 (St*) 1977-81 Aria Pro II Rich, Ricky, Fender Copies
ST-600CD (St**, ash, DMZ) 1980-81 Aria Pro II Rich, Ricky, Fender Copies
ST-700J (St*) 1979-80 Aria Pro II Rich, Ricky, Fender Copies
ST-800 (St*) 1977-79 Aria Pro II Rich, Ricky, Fender Copies
TE-400 (T*) 1978-80 Aria Pro II Rich, Ricky, Fender Copies
TE-500 (T* Thin Line) 1977-80 Aria Pro II Rich, Ricky, Fender Copies
TE-500CD (T*, ash, DMZ) 1980-81 Aria Pro II Rich, Ricky, Fender Copies
TE-500N (T* Thin Line) 1977-78 Aria Pro II Rich, Ricky, Fender Copies
TE-500-OW (T* Thin Line) 1978-80 Aria Pro II Rich, Ricky, Fender Copies

Aria Pro II Basses

Model Production Years Category
Bass II 1984- Diamond Jet Series
CSB Deluxe 1984-85 CSB Cardinal Series
CSB-300 1981-85 CSB Cardinal Series
CSB-380 1981-85 CSB Cardinal Series
CSB-450 1981-85 CSB Cardinal Series
CSB-450 Black 'n' Gold 1982-85 Black & Gold Series
Diamond Jet Bass I 1984- Diamond Jet Series
GSB-4000 4-string (Andy West 4) 1986-87 GSB Graphite Super Balanced
GSB-5000 5-string (Andy West 5) 1986-87 GSB Graphite Super Balanced
GSB-5000V 5-string (Andy West 5) 1986-87 GSB Graphite Super Balanced
GSB-6000 6-string (Andy West 6) 1986-87 GSB Graphite Super Balanced
GSB-6000V 6-string (Andy West) 1986-87 GSB Graphite Super Balanced
ICB-1 Interceptor Bass-I 1986-87 ICB Interceptor/WL Series/LEB Lazer
JB-450 (J*) 1977-80 Aria Pro II Copies
JB-450 (J*) 1977-78 Aria Pro II Basses
JB-500 (J*) 1977-80 Aria Pro II Copies
JB-600 (J*) 1977-80 Aria Pro II Copies
JB-600 (J*) 1977-78 Aria Pro II Basses
JB-600 N (J*) 1977-78 Aria Pro II Basses
JB-600 S (J*) 1977-78 Aria Pro II Basses
"JB-700D (J*, DMZ)" 1980-81 Aria Pro II Copies
JB-800 (J*) 1977-79 Aria Pro II Copies
JB-800JN (J*) 1976-77 Aria Pro II Basses
LB-650 (Gr*bber) 1977-80 Aria Pro II Copies
LB-650 (Gr*bber) 1977-78 Aria Pro II Basses
LB-650 Fretless (Gr*bber) 1977-80 Aria Pro II Copies
LEB-CLS Classic 1985-86 ICB Interceptor/WL Series/LEB Lazer
LEB-HRT Heritage 1985-86 ICB Interceptor/WL Series/LEB Lazer
Model No. 2000 Bass 1977 Aria Pro II Basses
PB-400 (P*) 1978-81 Aria Pro II Copies
PB-400 (P*) 1977-78 Aria Pro II Basses
PB-420 (P*) 1977-79 Aria Pro II Copies
"PB-500 (P*, DMZ in '80)" 1978-81 Aria Pro II Copies
PB-550 (P*) 1977-79 Aria Pro II Copies
PB-550 (P*) 1977-78 Aria Pro II Basses
PB-550 (P*) 1977-78 Aria Pro II Basses
"PB-600D (P*, DMZ)" 1979-81 Aria Pro II Copies
PB-600R (P*) 1979-80 Aria Pro II Copies
PB-700J (P*) 1979-80 Aria Pro II Copies
PB-750 (P*) 1977-79 Aria Pro II Copies
PB-750JN (P-Bass) 1976-77 Aria Pro II Basses
PB-800 (P*) 1978-79 Aria Pro II Copies
PE200 (R*pper) 1977-78 Aria Pro II Basses
Prototype Bass PE-65B 1979-81 PE Series Prototypes
RB-650 (Ric* 4001) 1977-81 Aria Pro II Copies
RB700N (Ric* 4001) 1978-81 Aria Pro II Copies
RB-700N (Ric* 4001) 1976-77 Aria Pro II Basses
RB-750 (Ric* 4001) 1978-79 Aria Pro II Copies
RB-750 (Ric* 4001) 1977-78 Aria Pro II Basses
RSB Deluxe-5 1985-87 RSB RevSound/RockSolid/The Cat
RSB Deluxe-I 1983-85 RSB RevSound/RockSolid/The Cat
RSB Deluxe-II 1983-87 RSB RevSound/RockSolid/The Cat
RSB DX2L Deluxe 2 1986-87 RSB RevSound/RockSolid/The Cat
RSB Medium-II 1985 RSB RevSound/RockSolid/The Cat
RSB Performer 1986-87 RSB RevSound/RockSolid/The Cat
RSB Special-I 1983-85 RSB RevSound/RockSolid/The Cat
RSB Special-II 1983-84 RSB RevSound/RockSolid/The Cat
RSB Standard 1983-84 RSB RevSound/RockSolid/The Cat
RSB Standard 1986-87 RSB RevSound/RockSolid/The Cat
RSB Straycat 1986-87 RSB RevSound/RockSolid/The Cat
RSB-600 1979- RSB Rev-Sound
RSB-800 1979- RSB Rev-Sound
RSB-900 1979- RSB Rev-Sound
SB Black 'n' Gold-I 1984-87 Black & Gold Series
SB Black 'n' Gold-II 1984-87 Black & Gold Series
SB Elite-I 1983-86 SB Series Super Bass
SB Elite-II 1983-88 SB Series Super Bass
SB-1000 1978-87 SB Series Super Bass
SB-1000 Active FO 1986-87 SB Series Super Bass
"SB-600 (bolt, fixed in '81)" 1979-84 SB Series Super Bass
SB-700 1978-84 SB Series Super Bass
"SB-900 (short, long scale in '83)" 1978-84 SB Series Super Bass
SB-INT SB Integra 1986-87 Integra
SB-R150 1983-84 SB Series Super Bass
SB-R60 1979-83 SB Series Super Bass
SB-R80 1979-83 SB Series Super Bass
Special Series PB-550 (fretless) 1977-79 Aria Pro II Copies
ST-540 (J*) 1980-81 Aria Pro II Copies
Super Bass SB-R80 Black 'n' Gold 1982-84 Black & Gold Series
The Cat Bass RSB-CAT 1986-87 RSB RevSound/RockSolid/The Cat
The Cat Bass RSB-CATA 1986-87 RSB RevSound/RockSolid/The Cat
The Cat Bass RSB-CATAL 1986-87 RSB RevSound/RockSolid/The Cat
The Cat Bass RSB-CATL 1986-87 RSB RevSound/RockSolid/The Cat
TSB Special-II 1983-85 TSB Series ThorSound/TriSound
TSB Standard 1983-85 TSB Series ThorSound/TriSound/FDP model
TSB-350 1981-83 TSB Series ThorSound/TriSound
TSB-400 1981-83 TSB Series ThorSound/TriSound
TSB-500 1979-83 TSB Series ThorSound/TriSound
TSB-550 1979-83 TSB Series ThorSound/TriSound
TSB-650 1979-83 TSB Series ThorSound/TriSound
Wedge WL Custom Bass 1985 ICB Interceptor/WL Series/LEB Lazer
XXB Deluxe 1985 XXB/ZZB Series
ZZB Custom 1984-86 XXB/ZZB Series
ZZB Deluxe 1982-87 XXB/ZZB Series
ZZB-50 Bass 1983 XXB/ZZB Series
ZZB-DXZ Zebra 1984-86 XXB/ZZB Series

External links

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