Aria Diamond AFB-60 Brown Sunburst 1977
Aria Diamond AFB-60, sunburst, made in Japan around 1977. Diamond was a sub-brand under the Aria Pro II umbrella, which was owned by the same company as the famous Matsumoku guitar factory back in the 70s and 80s. This model didn't exist for long, it's hard to find it in catalogs. Indeed it's hard to find many Firebird-style guitars out of Japan from this era at all; I was pleased to score this killer example. It's a simpler build than a Gibson: the basic shape and bevelled body is all there, but it's a sandwich-style join body with a set neck rather than the convulted 9-ply-neck-through build of the original. The body seems a hair thicker than a Gibson model, and balances very nicely accordingly. There's a lot of care on show in the build; it's very nicely executed. The neck is a comfy slim-D style shape, quick and easy to play, and the faded binding and super dark Rosewood are a visual treat. The pickups get the sound pretty right: angular and crunchy with abundant clarity and shimmer, paired with a smooth punch down low. It's both articulate and creamy, which is a nice balance. This is the only example of this model we've ever come across, so it's a cool little score. It's your Diamond in the... riff.
Model: Aria Diamond AFB-60
Made: Japan, 1977 approx
Serial: none
Finish: Brown Sunburst, gloss poly
Body: Mahogany
Neck: Mahogany, Rosewood fretboard, 24.75" scale, 12" radius, 43mm nut, slim D shape
Weight: 3.635kg
Mods: none
Pickups: Aria mini-humbucker x2
Accessories: basic vintage gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has dimples on the end and treble edge, a couple of dents in the bass edge and some scuffs on the front around the posts. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor rub wear and some dimples on the back only. The back has dents around the control cavity and some scuffs on the horns, along the whole miuddle section and in the elbow area and baxck edge. The sides have minor dimples and scuffs around the whole body as well as some dents along the bottom side from the knobs to the horns. The front has scuffs along the back edge, dimples in the elbow area, rub wear around the pickups and some play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: very good condition (8/10)
Playing condition notes: action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 10/52 Moonshiners strings.
Fret Life: 8/10, minor wear only