(SOLD) Aria Pro II Backaroo TE-450 Sunburst 1980
Aria Backaroo Tele, sunburst, made in Japan 1980. It has a bit of swagger, right? Aria Pro II was a house brand for the iconic Matsumoku factory, who made gorgeous and collectable guitars for brands like Ibanez Epiphone through the 70s and 80s. The 'Backaroo' series were all T flavoured and were made briefly from the late 70s. They're mostly 50s style, but this one is a fun because it has an early 60s style rosewood board and sunburst finish. It's been played and played and has the scars to prove it: plenty of wear and tear, but also plenty of natural resonance. The neck is a comfy moderate C style shape and the body is pretty lightweight given it's made from, and the hardware is sturdy and reliable, so it's a simple and easy guitar to play. The bridge pickup does what you'd guess: big thick midrange punch with plenty of twang on top. The neck pickup is surprisingly convincing: it's clear and glassy but also fat and rich, it sounds unreal. There's a lot to like here, and it's surely a bit of a bargain really.
Model: Aria Pro II Backaroo TE-450
Made: Japan 1980, Matsumoku factory
Serial: C802191
Finish: sunburst, gloss poly
Body: sen ash
Neck: maple, rosewood fretboard, 7.25" radius, 25.5" scale.
Weight: 3.725kg
Mods: bridge replaced, knobs replaced, guard painted white
Pickups: Aria TR-1 single coil x2
Accessories: none
Cosmetic condition notes: moderate finish wear. The headstock has scuffs and dents on the end and bottom edge, dimples on the top edge, and back and some fading and scuffs on the front, as well as the digits '3569' scratched into the finish near the high E post. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, with some play wear on the board and dimples, scuffs and a few dents on the back. The back has widespread scuffs and surface scratches around the whole body, dimples and dents around the whole outside of the body, buckle scratch marks near the ferrules and the words 'let me be! Mind your own business.' written in what appears to be a paint pen in the elbow area. The sides have a chip and some dimples and scuffs on the top horn, a bunch of chips, dimples and scratches in the elbow area and along the back edge to around past the jack, and some dimples and scuffs on the bottom horn. The front has a bunch of finish missing in the elbow area, chips and scuffs around the edge near the knobs and on the bottom horn, tonnes of dents and dimples around the bridge, controls and guard, a burnt patch on the top horn, and play wear on the guard and horns. Note the guard was painted white and has partially worn through back to black.
Overall: good condition (7/10)
Playing condition notes: action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.
Fret life: 6/10, normal play wear inc some pitting, but it's playing nicely with no major buzz issues