Here for sale we have an Aria Pro II PE-500 electric guitar in Cherry Sunburst finish. Made in the Mastsumoku plant in Japan, this guitar is part of a well-regarded era in the Japanese production of guitars, with many brands having instruments manufactured by the Matsumoku company due to their excellent build quality. This was largely thanks to the combined use of CNC machines and skilled labour to complete the instruments. Guitars of this era are quite easily recognised by their similar appearance and 3-pc necks. Other brands produced by Matsumoku include Westone & Westbury. The serial number and specification of this instrument point to its manufacture in the late '70s to early 80s. A seemingly identical model is seen in the 1978 Aria Pro II catalogue. Originally a bolt-on construction, this guitar has been modified to feature a set-neck construction which comprises a Sycamore body, 3-pc Laminated Birch neck and 22 fret Rosewood fingerboard. Gold hardware is fitted including a 3-Way Adjustable Supermatic bridge and Aria Pro II sealed tuning machines. A pair of Aria Pro II Protomatic II humbucking pickups are installed, and are wired to a 3-way toggle switch and master volume & tone controls. The Laminated Birch neck plays very well, with a profile which might be described as a moderately-sized 'D' shape offering a smooth and responsive playing experience across the register. The slightly flattened area to the centre of the rear encourages ergonomic thumb positioning up and down the neck and ensures fast fretting and easy reach in any position. The Rosewood of the fretboard is pleasant under the fingers, and with its 12" radius is practical for both chordal and melodic playing styles. The single cutaway and sculpted neck heel enhance access to the upper register, whilst the smooth bevelled lines of the body are comfortable in the arms. The pair of Protomatic II humbucking pickups deliver thick and full bodied tones, well suited to rock and metal genres. The bridge is bright and fairly hot, and cuts easily through the mix to deliver a snarling drive sound on your riffs and rhythm parts. The neck is of course rounder and produces a smooth buttery sound for lead lines and solos. The onboard controls are kept nicely minimal, ensuring you keep your focus on your playing. That said, the pots do feel responsive - handling small changes very well and offering plenty of sonic options. Brand- Aria Pro II Model- PE-500 Finish- Cherry Sunburst Made In- Japan Body- Sycamore Neck- Birch Fingerboard- Rosewood Fingerboard Radius- 12" Frets- 22 Scale Length- 24.75" Nut Width- 1.693" Pickups- 2x Aria Pro II Protomatic II Humbuckers Controls- 3-Way Toggle Switch, Master Volume, Master Tone

Verification report

Luthier Report Our ID: 102042590351 Weight: 7.9lbs Serial: 088081 Aesthetic Condition: Headstock: Overall good condition. The front face demonstrates indentation & chipping of the finish to the edges towards the top of the headstock. This is apparent on the treble and bass side as well as the top edge. Scratching piercing the top coat of finish is apparent throughout the front face. Further chipping is present to the rear face towards the top edge and at the bottom ‘corners’ where the instrument would make contact with a hanger. Neck: Overall very good condition. The rear of the neck demonstrates a mild indentation which chips the finish behind the 6th fret. Further scratching and light indentation is apparent throughout the register which can only slightly be felt in the playing position, and does not impact the overall playability of the instrument. In the upper register from around the 15th fret, the finish has been repaired after the neck was glued in, leaving a slightly different colour and a different texture under the thumb. The fingerboard demonstrates very light indentations infrequently throughout the register. Body: Overall good condition. The bolt-on neck has been converted to a set neck and glued in place. The cavity for the neck screws and plate has been filled and finished, and the work performed to a good standard. The front face demonstrates light scratching and moderate indentation chipping the finish, most notable to the lower bout. The edges and sides demonstrate similar markings, most notable to the edges of the lower bout near the strap button where the wood is slightly exposed and the binding is marked. The rear face demonstrates moderate buckle rash, wearing through the finish by the body contour. At the bottom edge of the lower bout, a fairly large area of finish has chipped away exposing the wood and has since been repaired to a good standard, leaving the grain of the wood visible. Condition of Frets: The frets demonstrate moderate signs of use with flattening of the crowns throughout the register, not impacting playability. There is a small amount of material remaining in the frets for future fret work. Current Set Up: Truss Rod: Fully functional. Truss rod tool (5​/​16" socket) not included. Hardware: Fully functional with moderate signs of wear. The bridge tips forward on the posts, as is typical for this design. The metal hardware shows moderate oxidation and fading of the gold finish. Structural: No concerns or issues to note. The bolt-on neck has been converted to a set neck and glued in place. The cavity for the neck screws and plate has been filled and finished, and the work performed to a good standard. Height of the string from the 12th Fret-1.5mm - Bass 2mm Please be aware that the action on a guitar may move slightly in transit and this measurement is the current height. Strings on Guitar - 10-46 Electrics: Fully functional. Case & Accessories: No case is provided with this guitar. Truss rod tool not included.