ARIA PROII PE1000

I first saw this guitar in the late 70's while I was studying in the UK. I thought it was absolutely beautiful and I couldn't afford it then. Until a few months ago I spotted this in an auction and I quickly snatched it! Built in the 70's but in a mint condition!

Aria back in the 70's made only cheapo Les Paul Fender copies. And the craftmanship wasn't very good either. But this is their first attempt to dive into the original design top market and you can see a lot of thought had been put into this guitar.

The shape was modified gracefully from a Les Paul body. Nice carved solid maple top with a Fender scale maple neck and Jakaranda fingerboard.

Onlt two controls but I tell me, these contorls are smooth and noiseless, no crackle even they are 34 years old. Try a Gibson of the same age. The knobs are milled aluminium with rosewood insert on top and they are recessed into the top. I'm sure PRS copied this idea!

The bridge is one piece and an Aria original design. But I think they got the idea from Badass bridge. It's solid and fit nicely under the palm.

Pickups are, however, pretty microphonic. Feedback and squeal easily under heavy overdrive. But the tone is good , just need some wax potting. But I cahanged them to Duncan JB and DiMarzio PAF. Beautiful beast.

The back. Look at the way the neck jointed the body. This detail has become a standard on Aria ProII guitars now but it was invented back then. The neck was actually bolted on to the body under the neck P/U and then glued set. It is also amazing that the joint was so stable and no crack whatsoever was spotted on the surface after so many years. Imagine the change in temperature, humidity, mechanical vibration... Again, superb Japanese craftmanship.

Also see the back plate? It was carved from one piece of wood. I love this guitar.Only one complaint, Japanese machine heads; they can never keep in tune!

CHANDLER BARITONE

A baritone guitar is something between a guitar and a bass. This guitar has a very unique sound and I love using it in soundtracks.

And I particularly like the mother-of-toilet-seat goldtop. Sparkling and camp. The fingerboard is ebony and graphite was inserted in the neck to resist the extra string pull. So the neck is nice, thin and straight.

I used to import some Chandler guitars into Hong Kong but I think Hong Kong people are more into name brand. I met Paul Chandler the CEO and he's a real good guy, great guitar player too.