Aria Pro II LS700 Brown Sunburst 1978
Aria Pro II LS700, Brown Sunburst, made in Japan 1978. This is a smooth operator. Aria Pro II guitars were made at the famous Matsumoku factory, and they were having a real moment from the mid 1970s to the mid 80s: the work was very good. This was a high end model, so you get high grade timbers, an unchambered body and a pair of Larry's finest Dimarzio pickups. The neck is a comfy round shape, not as thin as some other examples by Greco and Ibanez from the same era, but certainly not a fat shape. It's freshly back from our handy house tech, who sorted out some neck binding issues and did a marvelous job getting all those frets playing smoothly and cleanly from top to bottom. The mellow burst finish looks classy after all these years; it's got a certain understated charm to it. The pickups are awesome: clear and bell-like on the neck with a deep bass and shimmering treble, and expansive and creamy on the bridge pickup with abundant chime. This is a couple of avocados cheaper than a new Epiphone LP Standard, and dang: this is better, and it's not close.
Model: Aria Pro II LS700
Made: Japan, 1978, Matsumoku factory
Serial: NA
Finish: Brown Sunburst
Body: mahogany, plain maple cap
Neck: mahogany, rosewood fretboard, 24.75" scale, 12" radius, 44mm nut, medium U shape
Weight: 4.420kg
Mods: fretboard binding repaired, new bone nut, some wiring replaced but components are original
Pickups: Dimarzio Super-II humbucker x2
Accessories: none
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has minor scuffs all over but no major marks. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, dimples and scuffs on the back and some fading/discolouration on the inlays on the board. The back has dimples in the elbow area and back edge and some surface scratches in the middle of the body. The sides have minor scuffs all over and some dimples in the elbow area and near the jack. The front has scuffs around the knobs, elbow area and bridge 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