I had to have it. Cool & rare V.

[6077dino]

Cool score. Looks mint! congrats.

[Sanctuary]

Yeah, the Matsumoku factory closed up around 87 or 88 I believe, and from that point on production moved to Korea as far as I know, with super cheapo parts, plywood bodies in a lot of cases, and the Aria name went to shit. I've missed out on a lot of auctions for super minty 80s Arias, often with very cool graphics (black and yellow tiger stripes etc) simply because I have an aversion to bolt-on guitars. Then this one came along.

Congrats, and nice axe. Yes, you are right. The Matsumoku Factory was closed down in 1988 by Singer Sewing. I remember getting my Westone Spectrum SX new back in '87, so they were still around then. And yes, we do have quite a few of these Matsumoku-made axes down here. Fantastic quality. Just wish people took care of them as most of them have battle scars now days. Yours looks awesome!

[Sanctuary]

BTW, those pickups look like the rails they stuck in the Westone FX. Good sound.

[zeegler]

BTW, those pickups look like the rails they stuck in the Westone FX. Good sound.

Yeah, I remember those pickups. My sister had a Westone Spectrum. They also look suspiciously like the rail pickups in my old metallic-pepto-pink Ibanez Pro Line V. If I remember correctly, they sounded pretty decent. I wonder if they are the same units.

[dg]

Those pickups also look a lot like the Ibanez V5s that my old Destroyer came with. Cool guitar Zeegs! Congrats!

[RacerX]

Wow! That's a nice one! I expect a review (and clip?) when you get it!

[zeegler]

I can handle the review, but clips I'm not so sure about. I still don't have a place to host clips. I'm sure you can point me in the right direction Ron!

[VulfgangPfuck]

The pickups were a cheaper alternative to a DiMarzio X2N
I had them in a second generation Ibanez Destroyer Star (X-Series)
IIR they didn't sound too bad...a little shrill, but nothing you couldn't warm up.

Great score Zeegs!!! That is a VERY cool lookin' V!!

[chrisolson]

Ron Keel had one of those in the "Right To Rock" video (they threw it to him during the guitar solo). Cool axe!! Looks awesome!

[RacerX]

I'm sure you can point me in the right direction Ron!

I don't have an account here, but I've seen other dudes use this:

http://www.yousendit.com/

[zeegler]

The V arrived today. It's in unbelievably good condition for a 20 year old guitar, and virtually unplayed. I'm at work, so won't have a chance to plug it in until later. It will need to be set up for sure. The neck is like a Les Paul (one of the thinner ones). Full review, and pics to follow.

[MegaMarty]

excellent!!

[straycat]

I had those pickups in an 80 Fernandes "the function"strat copy.The Fernandes strat head copys are very hard to find now.Nice Aria V that is bad ass.