Aria Pro II PE-60 (Japan 1986 - Les Paul killer)

Price drop! Here we have a Matsumoku-made Aria from 1986 - the last year of Japanese production of Arias - the golden age. It is in excellent condition. Aria's PE (prototype electric) series arrived in 1978 with the mighty PE 1000 (as played by Andy Summers on the first Police album and Gerry Cott and Garry Roberts from the Boomtown Rats). The 1000 was all maple and had a 25.5" scale length and was much thinner than a Les Paul with a single volume and tone and a one piece bridge. In 1981 Aria revamped the range with the PE60 and the top of the line PE-R80 which Neal Schon in Journey played. More 70's Les Paul like (maple top on a mahogany body and a three piece maple neck, with a 24.75" scale. Both the PE60 and PE-R80 guitars have coil taps (the mini switches) and the only differences between them are the fret board inlays, the pickups (MMK45 'Smooth Crash' ceramics in the 60 and MMK 75 'Classic Power' alnicos in the PE-R80) and the back of the 80 is carved. Specs are on the page of the 85 catalogue attached. The neck carve on these is slim - like a 60s Gibson Les Paul. You don't see many of these around now and it is hard to find one in as good condition as this. This is as good as any Les Paul and better than some! Not to be confused with the modern Korean and Chinese Arias - not bad guitars at all but the Matsumoku guitars are on a different level, quality wise. Comes with non-original hard case.