Aria (guitar company)
Aria is a Japanese manufacturer of acoustic and electric guitars and basses.
History
Aria was formed in Japan 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, 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. In the mid-1990s a few models (including the Fender Stratocaster-inspired Fullerton series guitars and the Steve Bailey 6-string fretless signature bass) were made in the United States. [citation needed] 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
 | This section contains content that is written like an advertisement. (June 2009) |
Aria Pro II did some copies of famous American guitars like the Fender Stratocaster and the Gibson Les Paul 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, Yngwie Malmsteen, Neal Schon, John Taylor, and many more. Cliff Burton 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.
Models
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 |
| Mad Axe | 198? | Aria Pro II Basses |
| 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 |
References
External links
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