All user reviews for the Aria Pro II PE-1500

Solidbody guitar type, single cutaway.
Manufacturing in Japan in the famous factories Matsumoku from 1977 to 1981.
This is the first original model of the brand and also the most upscale generally called "The Masterpiece" (the masterpiece)

Fixed bridge "while a" home Aria Pro 2.
Maple body into several pieces sandwich, table and carved back
Maple neck glued into 3 pieces, 22 boxes, key in Jacaranda
Mechanical 3x3 Aria Pro 2 (with the small key adjustment to tighten C).
Pickups Dimarzio humbuckers original DP100 Super Distortion
Controls: 1 volume, 1 tone, 1 3-position selector for the pickups.

For further specification, that is: http://www.matsumoku.org/models/ariaproii/catalogs/77_pe_mstrpc.html
and there: http://www.matsumoku.org/models/ariaproii/catalogs/78_pe/78_pe1500-1000-800-600_pg2.jpg.html

UTILIZATION

The quality workmanship is beautiful, the wood, varnish violin way (inspired by Stradivari is what was written in the pubs of the time), the cream and black binding is the most beautiful effect. This guitar has nothing to envy to a Les Paul from Gibson, a violin, which is remarkable both in time (mine is 1980). What I really like the buttons Knob with wooden top and rear door of carved wood to blend into the body.

The neck is thin, a bit like some strata, very nice, adjustable via a bullet truss rod, very nice quality wood.
The ergonomics are very good, as the back is carved, it has better ergonomics than a Les Paul. Access to the treble is increased due to the shape of the body-neck junction without heel patented by Aria.
Major concerns of this guitar: the weight! It is largely as heavy as a Les Paul (or a little more, I have the numbers in my head), so obviously you have to have good shoulders and provide a comfortable strap!

The adjustments are very effective, although the amount can gradually refine his game, the tone plays a lot on the sound can range from very severe nasal frankly.

SOUNDS

The mine was equipped with microphones Gibson T-top 1979 when I bought it, so I can not judge the original sound of this guitar. I ordered but not yet received Dimarzio pickups (DP100 and DP103) to give it a vintage sound.

Incredible sustain (obviously with that mass of wood!) That vibrates into my back!
Its fairly round with a bit of banging in the treble. We can get what you want by playing with volume and tone.
Very nice clean sounds, especially in the intermediate position, the crunches are a delight (very jazzy if you lower the volume a bit) and large distos sound great even if it is not the highlight of my microphones.
Lots of bass and roundness on the neck pickup, very sharp and rock on a beautiful combination of 2.
Very good guitar for a powerful rock to Guns, Maiden or Motley Crue.

I re-edit this post once I installed the Dimarzio and discovered the original sound.

OVERALL OPINION

I bought eight months ago and I admit that I do not regret it. I stumbled upon an advertisement for 400 € and a vintage guitar of this quality, I still can not. The brand Aria Pro 2 is too often confused with the recent Aria made in Korea or China and entry level.
In years 75-80, Japan produced beautiful guitars that can be found at reasonable prices today, including Aria Pro 2 (RS series, CS or TA) as well as Vantage or a few Epiphone and Ibanez ( Musician ah ...). Guitars to discover and collect.