Aria GL-350, natural gloss, made in Japan 1975. You see plenty of Martin style offerings from vintage Japanese makers, and a fair few Gibson style models, but a Guild-style? This is certainly an unusual guitar, no doubt about it. It's styled after a Guild D-50 'Bluegrass', an iconic and underrated American classic with a spruce top and rosewood back and sides. There's a couple of recognisable touches: first up, that gorgeous cloud headstock. It's big and bold and the logos are so cool. It also gets the three-piece neck: two pieces of mahogany with a little strip of maple down the middle, carved to a comfy soft-V shape. The neck feels reassuring and comfy in the hands, and the construction style makes it extra stable, so it's in great order all these years later. The understated bridge shape and tasty Guild-style tort guard tie the look together nicely. Guild dreadnoughts have a recognisable tone: warmer and rounder than a Martin, but snappier and punchier than a Gibson. This gets really close to that sound, it's a very accurate tribute. Being a more subtle tone, it takes a few bars to grow on you, but it really is a gorgeous rhythm guitar, it sounds so balanced and full. These are pretty rare and fetch good coin when they occasionally pop up, and this one is in remarkable shape, so nab yourself a quirky little strummer brimming with charm while it's going.

Model: Aria GL-350
Made: 1975, Japan, Matsumoku plant (serial 5053)
Finish: natural gloss
Body: spruce top, rosewood back and sides 
Neck: mahogany/maple 3-piece, rosewood fretboard, 25.5" scale, soft-V shape
Mods: none
Pickup: none
Case: basic non-original gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: mild finish wear. The headstock has a couple of dimples on the end and some light scuffs on the front near the logo. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The back has some light scuffs near the neck joint and in the elbow area. The sides have light scuffs on the botm horn and some dimples on the bottom horn. The front has some light rub wear on the elbow area and some minor play wear on the guard and shoulders, no major marks. Overall: excellent condition (9/10)

Playing condition notes: action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good. The frets look great, 9/10 for fret life left. Setup with fresh 12/54 Moonshiners strings.