| Private | |
| Industry | Musical instruments |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1956[1][2] |
| Headquarters | Nagoya, Japan |
Area served | Global |
| Products | Guitars, Bass guitars |
| Website |
Aria is a Japanese manufacturer of acoustic and electric guitars and basses.
How to Date an Aria Guitar. Aria guitars serial numbers represented the year of manufacturer as either the first one or first two. Vintage Guitar Pro: Aria Guitars. Need help identify this aria pro II. Early 90's date. Serial number is. My understanding is that the serial numbers for Korean Aria Pro 2's follows. My Aria pro SB1000 serial numbers is #5083139. Seven digit serial numbers date from 1981 to 1990. Minor ii-V-I in Jazz. Dating Aria Guitars. I have aria pro ii viper series vp-60, serial # 912299. It says made in Japan and has serial number 1043360. Can anyone help me date it.
- 3Gallery
History[edit]
Aria Pro Ii Serial
Aria was formed in Japan in 1956 by Shiro Arai as 'Arai & Co., Inc'.[1][2]
They began retailing acoustic guitars in 1960, although the company did not 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[3] started his career with Aria in 1985 when they were located in the City of Industry, California.
Guitars[edit]
Aria Pro II did some copies of famous American guitars such as 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 Michael Schenker, Yngwie Malmsteen, Neal Schon, John Taylor, Henrik Flyman, Loose Wayne and SS of Dark Frost 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' called the SB-CB produced in Korea. Aria makes guitars ranging from beginner to professional models. Some of their professional models were known as Firebrands because of the Firebranded Aria logo on the reverse of the headstock. The Firebrand guitars were produced in very small runs. They were then given to either named artists who promoted Aria Guitars or to the very top dealers as gifts. Firebranded Guitars were produced to a much greater standard than production runs.
Aria has also built amps, such as the 10W Birdy.
Gallery[edit]
Aria Pro Ii Serial Numbers
Aria Pro II[edit]
Aria Pe Elite (Les Paul Type)
PE-R100
PE
TA-30
Cardinal
Cardinal CSB-300 Bass
Tri Sound TS-600
RS
RS
John Taylor model Bass
SB-R80 Bass
SB CB Cliff Burton Bass
RSB Bass
MA-40
Urchin Deluxe V
Space Dime
LS-700 (Les Paul type)
Britz by Aria Pro II (Les Paul type) [bottom]
(ES-335 type)
(Stratocaster type)
References[edit]
- ^ abHistory of ARIA Pro II, 'The company [Aria Co., Inc] was established in 1956 by Mr.Shiro Arai.
- ^ abThe History of Aria, 'On August 2nd, 1956, ARAI & CO., INC was founded.'
- ^Fjestad, Zachary. 'RJP Technologies'. Blue Book of Guitar Values. Blue Book Publications, Inc.
Luthier/designer Ronnie Parker was the CEO of RJP Technologies. ... RJP Technologies has designed instruments for several large manufacturers including Washburn and Daisy Rock. ...
Bibliography[edit]
- 'History of ARIA Pro II (Arai Co., Ltd)'. Music-Trade.co.jp. Yokohama: Dai-Showa Corporation.
- 'The History of Aria'. Aria Guitars [Arai & Co., Inc].
- 'About Aria' (in Japanese). Nagoya: Arai & Co., Inc.
- 'About Aria UK'. Guildford: Aria UK Limited.
Further reading[edit]
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aria (musical instrument brand). |
Aria Pro Ii Guitar
- アリアの響 [Aria's sounds]. Japan Vintage. Vol.5. Tokyo: Shinko Music Entertainment. 2004. ISBN978-4-401-61885-9.
- アリアプロIIの壱 [Aria Pro II part 1]. Japan Vintage Collection. Vol.6. Tokyo: Shinko Music Entertainment. 2006. ISBN978-4-401-63044-8.
External links[edit]
- Shiro Arai Interview NAMM Oral History Library (2006)