(SOLD) Used Aria Pro II Strikin' Sound Strat Black 1981
Aria Pro II Strikin' Sound Strat, made in Japan's famous Matsumoku plant in 1981. This is a great example of the amazing value and quality available from vintage Jap Strats; it's a seriously good guitar. The St-400 is basically a '62 Strat copy, so you get the slim neck with rosewood board and the three ply guard. The neck is immaculate, it really feels great in the hand and is conducive to fast movement. The ash body lends the guitar a thick, warm dimension to the traditional Strat-spank, there's something pretty tasty about the way this wood ages tonally. The finish is thin, and has a few gashes and chips, but it's a good looker in classy black-on-black with the big headstock. If you're after a killer Strat to add to the arsenal and care more about tone and value than logos, this will serve you well indeed.
Model: Aria Pro II Strikin' Sound ST-400
Made: 1981, Japan, Matsumoku plant (serial E8101118)
Finish: gloss black poly, 3-ply black guard
Body: sen ash
Neck: maple with rosewood board, dot inlays
Weight: 3.5kg
Mods: none
Neck pickup: original, 5.81k ohms
Middle pickup: original, 5.82k ohms
Bridge pickup: original, 5.80k ohms
Bonuses: tremolo arm
Cosmetic condition notes: Moderate cosmetic wear. There's a few proper dings and gashes in the finish, the most notable is on the top near where your arm contacts the body. The finish is super thin, so when damaged it tends to show the wood quickly, have a look at the pictures. The finish has seeped into the wood, so at certain angles you can see the grain of the sen-ash poking through the black. Board and neck are in great shape. Overall condition: fair (6.5/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good. All electrics tested and working properly. Frets have a little wear, but really not much for a guitar this old; they're in pretty good shape. Recently been through a Topshelf setup with 10/46 strings and playing super smoothly.