Very informative video - well done! My first guitar in 1988 was a Squier Stratocaster - but within a year, I had bought a second guitar. It was a used electric guitar from Japan, made by Fuji Gen. 6 months later I saw an AriaProII Urchin hanging on the used guitar shop wall and fell in love. 1 week of negotiations, and $125 later, I had my first AriaProII. That guitar quickly became my #1. I’d buy many (many!) other guitars over the next 15 years, including USA Fenders and Gibsons, but I’d always be playing my Aria. I’ve owned around 500 guitars since I started playing, and sadly I could not keep them all - but guess which guitar I still have? Yup, that Urchin! And it STILL gets pulled out from its case whenever I just can’t get my other guitars to feel/play/sound right. You know those frustrating days when you just can’t get a lick down, or your pinch harmonics just won’t work, or your tone just isn’t right... yeah, that AriaPro is STILL my #1. (I currently own about 100 guitars, including a few AriaProII’s.) When I was a teenager, I had a lot less experience with guitars. I’d go to the music stores and play 30 different guitars in an hour. I tried out a bunch, but was surprised the expensive Gibsons seemed to play worse than my used Aria! The quality of the guitar was just top notch. It’s over 40 years old now, and still plays like butter. I became a huge fan of Japanese guitars (half my collection is Japanese guitars from the 80s and 90s), and especially Matsumoku. I have an Atlansia bass which is almost too nice to play. I’m always on the lookout for used AriaProII’s from the 70s and 80s, but for the last 10-20 years they don’t come up for sale as often as they used to. The 90’s were truly a treat - you could grab these great guitars used for $150 all the time. People thought of them as cheap guitars - the secret wasn’t out yet!

I have an Aria pro II TA-60, and I love it. Probably the best sounding guitar I've ever owned. Easy on the hands too. Thanks for this video!

I have an Aria PE 1000 bought it new in the 70s, is a work of art and wonderful tone..It was a wedding present from my wife.

Great video. I bought an SB900 and SB1000 back in the early 80's. Still got them today. Great quality instruments. Only basses I have had for the last 40 yrs.

I got a bunch of them: Aria Pro ii, Westone, Vantage. All 80s stuff

I've had many late-70s and early 80s Matsumoku guitars. I still have many! They're great.

This was UTTERLY AMAZING!!!!!!! Thank you so much for this incredibly informative (and entertaining) video!

Thanks for making this video dude!

I've waited years for this info...appears simple but you summed up Aria in a nutshell...thanks...brill!!

What an awesome history lesson I'll be tuning in for the rest of your segments regarding the foreign guitar manufacturers and instruments that made the sounds and tones of musical history

I hope to see another episode of Japanese guitar factories' history soon, this one was amazing.

Good video. Informative while not boring. Well done.

Haha, love the end. Very interesting video!

WONDERFUL video! Subscribed! I love that you chose John Taylor as your featured SB-1000 player too!

Bought my first Aria Pro II in 1984. Still have it and play it regularly. Currently have about 40 Aria Pro II. All made at the Matsumoku factory. Awesome instruments

Excellent video!!! I have a 1978 Aria Pro II / Matsumoku LC 550 that I dearly love and treasure!!! 🎸👍

Brilliant video. Thank you.

I have an Aria Pro II Thor Sound TS-600 that I bought in 1983. It’s an amazing guitar.

Much needed video. Thank you for making this. I have a few Aria, Aria pro II, Electra, Westone. Information on the Japanese guitar evolution is rare.

This is an EXCELLENT video! Thank you for the research and information. I just picked up an Aria Pro II LS-600D, and it is one of the best Les Pauls I've ever played.

Great video, thanks!

I am lucky enough to have found a 1976/77 Matsumoko PE-180 jazz box. Based closely on a Gibson Super V, it's just gorgeous. These guitars are very highly regarded in the jazz world, and mine is an absolute treasure. Great film, thank you.

Aria Pro II has also been producing guitars in Japan for quite some time now. The PE-R80, PE-R100 and PE-1500RI models are available for purchase. They all seem to be faithful reproductions of the old Aria Pro II guitars. I don't know the price, but it's probably cheaper than Gibson.

I have an Aria pro two left handed guitar, 1970,s, love it.

Absolutely brilliant

Thanks for making this video. I love all of my Aria guitars, even the cheap latter Magna. Apart from that one , I've got the acoustics as an A587, 6710, 6712, LW12HB-1, next a Fullerton, Pro ii Wildcat and an Inazuma-V.

Excellent clip, extremely well-researched and completely free of eBay-seller myths. :-) I salute you, sir. I'm more of a generalist MIJ guitar fan than a dedicated Matsu-head, but I'll be going to Japan next year (hopefully) and a small pilgrimage to the little Matsumoku monument in Matsumoto City is probably unavoidable. :-)

A couple of years ago I bought an Aria 1820 bass without knowing what it was (since it was beaten up and was resprayed with a can). Played it for a short time, and then bought a near mint Aria Pro II TSB 350 which really sparked my love for old Japanese guitars. I now own 6 basses and 1 guitar, all made at Matsumoku or Fujigen. Awesome instruments!

Great video.

Love my Aria Pro SB bass. Took on many tours. Also, I think some new Aria Pro II models are made in Japan. Thanks for the video🥂

Good Vid dawg keep it up

Super leuke video Sander!

Heel informatief, goed werk...zelf heb ik 2 westone gitaren uit die fabriek. Geweldige gitaren!! Groet, Joost.

Great video.. thank you so much!!!!!!!!! Vielen Danke, Grazie!

I have a 1976 Aria Les Paul Custom that I found in a pawn shop in 2008, best $150 I ever spent. Over the years, as the internet blossomed, I’ve loved diving deeper into the history of these Matsumoku masterpieces. Even so, you’ve done a masterful job laying out the origin story. Well done 👍

Thank you so much for creating this video. I was looking for info on the history of Aria Pro II guitars and found it. I bought and gave my nephew a made in Japan 1980 Aria Pro II Les Paul last year. Great guitar for the money. I just picked up a made in Korea 1996 Aria Pro II FA-70 hollowbody jazz guitar (Samick made, I believe). It's an amazingly good guitar. The value of these guitars compared to price is hard to beat.

Thank you so much 😘

Thank you for this video. I play two Aria Pro II SB 900 and have completely customized them to suit my preferences and playstyle. One of them is still my first bass and I bought it in 1991. If you want you can see them on my Lemmy Bass channel. RIP Lemmy & Cliff

Thank you!! ×100 . I can feeled most happynes .

Thank you!

My old Aria Ts 600 still blows every Gibson and Fender away!

Nice video, I have a Westone Pantera x790 bass and a Westone Pantera x350 guitar. I own and play the bass for years, it looks and sounds great and it has never let me down. Same for the guitar that I found in the music store in my hometown of all places, it was not cheap for a second hand guitar but I had to have it.

As a bass player always liked the Aria pro ll basses, just never could find them around to play,hear they are awsome by people who have

I have a Westone Thunder 1A that I bought brand new at A1 music in Manchester around 1983. It's still a great guitar, you can feel the quality. Nice video, thankyou!

Amazing information…. I collect 70s and 80s Japanese guitars for the quality of craftsmanship.

I just recently picked up a Fullerton Mo-Vibe (Mosrite copy) that was manufactured by Aria. Fantastic guitar!

I'll tell you my story from 25-years ago. In a pawn shop, I saw an Aria SG-2 copy --- never heard the name. It's a wine color (oxblood?) has a Bixby vibrato tailpiece, a bound Ebony fretboard, bound open book head stock and had an action that was out of this world... even out of tune. Something said "quality" in my mind, and I talked the $69 tag price down to $60 "out-the-door." Still have that guitar which I now know is a "pre-lawsuit" instrument. I have other quality guitars that I've paid much more money for, but none exceed the quality of this old Aria which has no serial number I can find, and therefore cannot be dated.

I own a modded YS-300. It’s my single favorite guitar I’ve ever owned. If I can ever find a second one I’ll probably buy it on the spot. Good to see Aria getting more recognition these days.

Awesome! Matsumoku guitars are fantastic...

Just got my first Aria. Love the chamfered bolt-on connection. Odd other manufacturers don't make the same as it's very helpful reaching the 24th fret. 😊

I bought a brand new Tobacco Burst Aria Pro II LS-700 in Ft. Worth, Texas in 1978. It was not shaped like the PE models - it was an actual Les Paul Standard replica with open book headstock. The only visible difference between it and a Gibson was the branding "Aria Pro II" on the headstock. It was an amazing guitar.

Seeing the photos of the Aria factory with the blue RSX-80s in the foreground is amazing. I own an Aria RSX-80 in red and a RS Deluxe V in red sparkle and its just amazing to see the place where my guitars were made. Hell, its unlikely but it could even be one of my guitars in those two photos in the background. The care, innovation and shear craftsmanship of these instruments is almost unparalleled. My RSX in particular I would put up against very high end PRS and feel safe that it would compare favourably, and with my guitars coil taps, phase switches and built in overdrive, there are only a few guitars that have that level of flexibility built in, at least without being custom or costing an arm and a leg. I now own many Japanese made instruments from companies like ESP, Tune (absolutely killer brand, way underappreciated for their role in modernizing instruments), and Ibanez, and can attest that despite them all having their own appeal, few companies or countries can produce more forward thinking and well made instruments than Japan, at least on a consistent basis. My Tune bass was made in the late 80's when bass pre-amps weren't really even that common, my bass has 2 separate pre-amps, one with treble and bass control and the other with bass mids and treble, 2 variable mid eqs, 3 pickups and runs on 27v of power, all in a body smaller than a Fender Jazz bass. Where were they getting these ideas from? Now just have to find a way to try out an Atlansia lol (H. Nobles own custom brand.)

I have a 1977 Greco strat and a Matsumoku Aria Pro II Stagecaster, love them both.

Thank you for this! Would love to know about Maison, Fernandes / Burny and Greco!

Sander Visser,thanx for this video,tells a lot more on Japanese guitars and it's history and relations between companies. I owned a Aria Diamond semi hollow electric in my younger years,but it wasn't my "cup of tea",as guitar. Now still owning some Japanese Fenders(Antiqua Telecaster, '51 Pawnshop),4 Terada acoustics,1 Terada ES 335,a 71 Tama Classical guitar. Hopefully you can make a video about Terada and Tama.

Beautiful video. I own a Charvel So Cal MIJ 2011 model which was manufactured before the 2011 tsunami and earthquake that destroyed the facility that was making guitars for FMIC.

love the sweater bro.

Although I have around 30 guitars I own a Matsumoku made Univox Badazz which I bought in the mid Seventies. I still play it and quite attached to it. Love the neck. I've found that it (and a friend's Matsumoku made Epiphone) have 7.25" fretboard radius.

I have an old SB bass from 1982 or around that year. It’s the most solid all around bass I have. Never goes out of tune and always has a nice bright sound

I had an Aria Pro II strikin' sound 1981 in the past, really great quality guitar!

this is an awesome short film. thank you so much for a great documentary. please make a correct short about the actual litigation between norlin and the asian builders!

In 1979-80 my uncle bought a new SB-1000. At the time I had bought my first bass, a jazz copy from the terrible low end of japanese production. I did immediately fall in love with the instrument and this love have just grown. Through the years I have had many different Aria Pro II and Aria basses and guitars, or let's say Matsumoku built instruments. I have loved them all for their craftsmanship, elegance, playability, quality and care in details. I still have 23 instruments from the factory, and one post Matsu. They are my go-to instruments and the ones mostly relies on for a show as they never makes me disappointed. Thank you for an interesting video.

SUPERBIST! Thank you for posting.

Nice vid man, you should talk about Penco guitars, there are not much info aviable. Keep the good work!

I used to have a Westone Paduak guitar which was made in the Matsumoku factory. A single pickup model with a switchable active circuit. Great build quality and sound. I bought it brand new in the early 80s when the prices of Japanese made guitars were very reasonable.

I have an Aria Pro II Stratocaster and I'm very satisfied. This sound is unique!

bought my 1979 aria pro custom in greenburst in 1989. Still play it every day

Got a 1978 Aria Pro 2 Hollowbody walnut sounds awsome

I have a westone concorde 1 bass from 1983, I love the quality of these matsumoku instruments.

I have a bunch of Aria Pro-II instruments, including 4 models Urchin - my favourite shape guitar! - like a set-neck U70, a VERY rare Junior and the top of the range: the neck-through U100. Also a doubleneck ST1512, some PEs, an EX850, a few basses too.... A bunch :) Most of these are late 70s and early 80s, made at Matsumoku. I absolutely love them.

Thanks for this. I have an early/mid 90s PE-DLX lefty. I wish there were more lefties because I’d own a dozen if I could find them.

Very interesting video, thank you. I have an Aria Pro II Stagecaster that (I think) I bought in 1978 (aged 16) for £147 - Matsumoku neck plate, Ser. # C780603. It was also everything I earned working that summer. I only recently realised what a gem of a guitar this is, so great to know more of its pedigree.

My first "real" guitar was an APII. Now I sell them! It comes full circle. Couldn't be happier!

Just picked up a gorgeous 1981 Aria Pro-II CS 350 for like $400. SUPER clean. Insanely clean. Can’t wait to get it.

I remember playing a Tokai Superstrat in the late 80s and it was by far the best guitar I'd ever played at the time. It was and H-S-S and the first humbucking guitar I ever played. Sounded way better than my Ninja Nighthawk (plywood I think) 3 single coils and a horrible attempt at a locking floating trem. That guitar had to have the trem fixed to stay in tune as in fixed with a block behind the trem in the body so it would not move. The Tokai was a revelation. Luv and Peace.

Love these guitars Im restoring a Aria Pro II MS. Its a beast.

My first proper guitar was an Aria Arx 100. I became fascinated by its rarity above anything else. At the time I had been only been playing a squier 3-quarter length strat. When I got my arx 100 I found out that there was very little information about it, and this intrigued me. I think this guitar is built from ebony, but I’m really not too sure. Perhaps it’s been modified due to the Grover lock in tuners and the “Duncan designed” hum-bucker pickups. I really would love to know more about this series of guitar. I understand that they made an “arx 200” series, but very little is known about this also.

My first decent guitar was a Matsumoku "Kimbara" Les Paul copy - I still have it 48 years later, plus various other Matsumoku guitars. I also have a lovely second-hand 1980s Aria Pro II TS-800.

Thank you! I have a Matsumoku-made guitar.

I have an Aria Diamond from the early 60's. It was my first serious guitar. It's been a great workhorse, the only issue I've had with it is some finish lifting near the neck because the wood has shrunken. As you mentioned it was a common problem because of the Japanese climate and woods not being dried properly. It's never missed a beat though and very soon I will be restoring it to it's original glory.

🙂👍 Great story. You should do a video on the musical instrument division of the Yamaha company. Seems like everything they touch turns to gold(including several non-musical products)! Up until recently, I'd forgotten all about Aria Pro II's existence. But now I remember their electric guitars being sold at pretty much every local musical instrument store in northern Delaware in the early to mid 80s. They were cheaper than the "top brands" like Gibson and Fender. I never personally owned one in the 80s when I was still _"attempting"_ to play guitar(I owned a Yamaha and a Washburn). Guitar just wasn't my instrument, so I *switched* to drums in the early 90s, which was a MUCH more natural fit.

My first guitar was an Aria Pro II Heritage. Fantastic guitar. Bought an Aria Kat the ( with Kahler Trem ). I now have quite a few Fender and Squires, nearly all made in Japan. Amazingly quality! But don’t tell everyone 😉

Really interesting. More Japanese guitar stuff very welcome, esp Greco, Burny

I just picked-up a nice 1974 Greco JB420S. Matsumoku-made. Has the three-pice neck that you mentioned (and it is freakin' awesome). Also have one of the last Aria Pro II made in 1986. Two of the nicest in my "JV" arsenal.

Still an excellent video - in both content and production quality (I got an old '75 Greco tele)

I own a couple of Aria PRO II, Greco, Tokai and Burny. Would be nice if you could continue with the history of Kanda Shokai and Tokai Gakki

I couldn't agree more. Myself I have 8 high end Matsumoku guitars from the eighties (Westbury, Aria and Vantage). Beautiful and trustworthy.

I have an Aria Pro II PE-R80. I think it's an '82. Great video! Thank you for this.

I have a matsumoku build Aria Pro II Gibson Ripper copy c. 1977. From what I can tell is it the PE-200 Bass from 1977 but the lettering on the headstock is different. I said I would never sell it but sadly it's up for sale right now 😥. I really love this bass! BTW, I found it in a pawnshop in 1995 for not much money.

I have 2 Aria Les Paul Customs and an Aria Pro 2 Les Paul Standard. Love and play them regularly.

I own a mid-80s Aria Pro II "The Cat" Bass with the active electronics P&J setup. I purchased it new from Sam Ash on Queens Blvd. in NYC back in the spring of '87. It is great to learn more of the history of Aria, and it is a shame that are made in Korea and China now. Nothing against those places, it's just a sad part of history. Thanks for the great video.

Thanks Man, I always guessed Aria was a false name base on the muscial term so Arai it is ! I just bought and old « Country » brand Les paul made in 80 in Matsumoku hope the guitar will rock !

My main player is an ‘85 Squier Bullet 1. The MIJ models were an excellent example of quality to dollar ratio.

Have two Aria Pro II LC Customs '78-'80 with ebony board and all. Guitars with so much character and qualities you won't find today.

Hey, Bill Coolen! That's where I bought my used PE-175 jazz guitar in 1988 🙂

I have an Aria Custom Shop SB-025 Rosewood from 93 with the old Bart PUs and TCT, Rosewood fb and top/back body laminates, and even has coil switches for each pickup. The most unique Super Bass Ive found. It outclasses any Warwick, Stingray, Fender that Ive played. The only equal is the NS Design CR5. Makes me want to put a piezo in this SB025

I had an Aria Pro II bass in '79 , was my begginnings on Rock Bands and finally I exchanged it for a Les Paul Custom '78 , in 1988.

I have a columbus Les Paul and SG Both made in the matsumoku factory in mid 70's

I bought a Emperador Les Paul copy (lawsuit) in 1970. Presumably it was made earlier in the late sixties. That was from a factory called Hayashi Mokko in Matsumoto city . Some people from Headway Guitars may have started from there. It is amazing quality and I still play it today. Your story and presentation is excellent and have a lot information that I was not aware of. I heard that Jimmy Page who is know for being on the cheap side, would tour with those as a back up. there must be some connection between Matsumoku and Hayashi which we both in Matsumoto city ( a very small place)??

I have T.Hauro. T-60 It is a 1970s copy of a Martin D-35 and I absolutely love it. The craftsmanship is top notch. I will never sell it, because I’ll never find anything that sounds and plays as nice that I could afford without taking out a second mortgage on my house. I have also owned a 83 Fender Squire SQ series. A wonderful instrument! A lot of folks say they are basically early 80s fenders because Japan was making a superior instrument at that time.