SOLD - Aria Pro II TS 400 Tri Sound Series – Japan 1980

SOLD

The Aria Pro-II TS-400 is the third-in-line model of the company’s famed Tri-Sound series. This one was built at the Matsumoku manufacturing plant in 1980.

By the late seventies Matsumoku was making some absolutely superb guitars and before closing in 1987 they made some of the greatest guitars on the planet.

Based loosely on an SG shape the TS stood for Tri-Sound and the TS 400, 500, & 600 models hit the market. The 500/600/ variants had active electronics and a through neck construction, but the TS 400 has the more conventional set-neck and passive electronics.

Which is not a problem, because it is actually more in line with traditional classic electric guitar design which has been proven through the ages.

The body is a beautiful piece of construction using a maple and sycamore laminate with a natural finish.

The set neck is laminated maple and is very comfortable and super playable. The fretboard is a beautiful piece of rosewood fitted with a full 24 frets and access all the way to the top. Early versions such as this had the six a side headstock which turned into the more common three per side ARIA headstock later in 1981.

The pickups are Arias Protomatic III humbuckers. These were made by Maxon but carry no markings to verify that, which isn’t uncommon.

They are strong and high output with heaps of frequency response and sound good in single coil mode as well, which is not always the case.

Features –

Body                 Maple centre with sycamore wings
Neck                 3 piece maple set in

Scale                 25.5”
Fingerboard    Rosewood 24 fret
Pickups            Protomatic III HB

Bridge              String-thru-body chrome bridge
Tuners             Covered Kluson style
Nut                   Plastic/Bone
Hardware        Chrome
Finish               Natural Poly

Weight             8.2 lbs

This is a solidly-built, well crafted instrument. It is all original and fully functional. It is in excellent condition with no changes or modifications that we can see. A few chips & small marks here and there, but nothing too bad. The neck is straight, truss rod works fine, medium jumbo frets in good condition. Great sounding pickups.

It is a very balanced and comfortable guitar to play. All of the early 80s Aria Pro II TS series guitars deliver big time in quality, fit & finish, playability and most importantly – in tone. This one is no exception, and at a bargain price.

Comes in a quality gig bag in good condition.