NZGuitars.com

Went to the Lower Hutt Rockshop for a browse, saw an Aria Pro 2 PE 480, with the no GST and a discount I couldn't resist so it followed me home. Mahogany body, quilted maple translucent black cap.

My first solid body with humbuckers. It has series/parallel switches so will be interesting to check out, the Deluxe will be rocking tonight.

IMG_1932 by Laurie Franks, on Flickr

IMG_1935 by Laurie Franks, on Flickr

That looks tasty omm nom nom!

That looks pretty cool, I could hang that next to the Cabronita and be happy. I'm still eyeing that Tokai on TradeMe but its unlikely it will be around when I have some cash. Car needs tyres in Jan, bike will need them in Feb... ahhh

Everyone loves a NGD! Nice!

Never owned a "Les Paul" style guitar. I was looking to buy the Epiphone version late January. The price on this was the deal sealer, $620 with a gig bag. But those knobs have to go. Only flaw is the fret ends are a little sharp, I'll file those tonight.

Sounds great, the parallel switch gives a more sparkling high end and it plays nice with the Deluxe, I can get close to the Neil Young drive sound, but getting used to such a small body will take time. Overall very happy.

k1w1 wrote:Never owned a "Les Paul" style guitar. I was looking to buy the Epiphone version late January. The price on this was the deal sealer, $620 with a gig bag. But those knobs have to go. Only flaw is the fret ends are a little sharp, I'll file those tonight.

Sounds great, the parallel switch gives a more sparkling high end and it plays nice with the Deluxe, I can get close to the Neil Young drive sound, but getting used to such a small body will take time. Overall very happy.

Yeah, I know what you mean about those knobs. This would look great with black speed knobs

Aria sure have upped their game!! I thought they only used to make budget stuff???

jeremyb wrote:Aria sure have upped their game!! I thought they only used to make budget stuff???

No. Aria have always had a range of professional grade instruments and they really are excellent. The lack of promotion by the company and blind snobbishness by players meant they have always flown under the radar. Oleg got a 335 style Aria from me that he describes as the best Larry Carlton style semi he owns.

Slowy wrote:

jeremyb wrote:Aria sure have upped their game!! I thought they only used to make budget stuff???

No. Aria have always had a range of professional grade instruments and they really are excellent. The lack of promotion by the company and blind snobbishness by players meant they have always flown under the radar. Oleg got a 335 style Aria from me that he describes as the best Larry Carlton style semi he owns.

Interesting! And I bet you'd give me more than a semi!!

jeremyb wrote:

Slowy wrote:

jeremyb wrote:Aria sure have upped their game!! I thought they only used to make budget stuff???

No. Aria have always had a range of professional grade instruments and they really are excellent. The lack of promotion by the company and blind snobbishness by players meant they have always flown under the radar. Oleg got a 335 style Aria from me that he describes as the best Larry Carlton style semi he owns.

Interesting! And I bet you'd give me more than a semi!!

At my age Lad, you should be grateful for a semi.

Slowy wrote:

jeremyb wrote:Aria sure have upped their game!! I thought they only used to make budget stuff???

No. Aria have always had a range of professional grade instruments and they really are excellent. The lack of promotion by the company and blind snobbishness by players meant they have always flown under the radar. Oleg got a 335 style Aria from me that he describes as the best Larry Carlton style semi he owns.

Wait till he plays an SA1000 or 2000...

This would be mid range on their models, I sat and compared with ESP, Vintage both $1-200 more and Epiphone $300 more. It equaled all of them. I don't need much more, I am a home player occasionally jamming.

Filed the fret ends and ordered a new nut, string spacing is a bit narrow for me. Oh and it is a laminate top, not sure what the cap is.

jeremyb wrote:Aria sure have upped their game!! I thought they only used to make budget stuff???

dude... if anything they've dropped their game, they always used to make some shit hot stuff, especially basses...



and my 70's 335 style shortscale bass is fucking awesome.

jvpp wrote:

Slowy wrote:

jeremyb wrote:Aria sure have upped their game!! I thought they only used to make budget stuff???

No. Aria have always had a range of professional grade instruments and they really are excellent. The lack of promotion by the company and blind snobbishness by players meant they have always flown under the radar. Oleg got a 335 style Aria from me that he describes as the best Larry Carlton style semi he owns.

Wait till he plays an SA1000 or 2000...

Oh I'm sure he already has, he owned my 800 at some point too

Bg wrote:

jeremyb wrote:Aria sure have upped their game!! I thought they only used to make budget stuff???

dude... if anything they've dropped their game, they always used to make some shit hot stuff, especially basses...



and my 70's 335 style shortscale bass is fucking awesome.

Oooh is that John Taylor?