Aria (guitar company)

Aria Guitars Co. is a Japanese manufacturer of musical instruments. The company, sited in the city of Nagoya, produces electric, acoustic and classical guitars, electric basses and ukuleles through its brands Laule'A, Mojo Gig Bags, Fiesta, José Antonio, Pignose and Kelii.^[3]

Aria Guitars Co.

Company type	Private
Industry	Musical instruments
Founded	1956; 69 years ago (1956)[1][2]
Headquarters	Nagoya, Japan
Area served	Global
Key people	H.Noble / Noubuaki Hayashi
Products	Guitars: electric, acoustic and classical Electric basses Ukuleles
Brands	List Laule'A Mojo Gig Bags Fiesta José Antonio Pignose Kelii[3]
Website	ariaguitars.com

History

Aria was formed in Japan in 1956 by Shiro Arai as "Arai & Co., Inc".^[1][2]

They began retailing acoustic guitars in 1960, although the company did not start manufacturing their own until 1964. Aria arranged for Matsumoku, the musical instrument maker, to build the guitars for them under contract. Aria and Matsumoku started building acoustic guitars in 1964, and then electric guitars in 1966, using Arai, Aria, Aria Diamond, Diamond, and much less frequently, Arita brand names. The Aria brandname was changed to Aria Pro II in late 1975, though this has been used mostly (but not exclusively) for electric guitars and basses. All guitars were made in Japan until February 1987 when Matsumoku closed its doors. Production moved fully to Samick in Korea, although Samick had begun producing Aria Pro II guitars for Matsumoku as early as February 1986.^[4]

In the mid-1990s a few models (including the Fender Stratocaster-inspired Fullerton series guitars and the Steve Bailey 6-string fretless signature bass) were made in the United States. ^{[citation needed]}

Gallery

Aria Pro II

• 
  LS-700 (Les Paul type)
• 
  Aria Pe Elite (Les Paul Type)
• 
  PE-R100
• 
  MA-40
• 
  RS
• 
  Tri Sound TS-600
• 
  TA-30
• 
  Space Dime
• 
  Urchin Deluxe V
• 
  SB-R80 Bass
• 
  Cardinal CSB-300 Bass