Cheap is 'GOOOOOD'

[jennz]

I recently scored a Aria Pro II J-1 at just over half the retail price in good condition.
I have owned and worked on a lot of guitars in my time. I am Blown Away by this Babe !
This all I have done to her and I think I am in Love !
Replaced the strings with a flat wound set of Ibanez jazz Light gauge 11/50.
Made a small adjustment, mild relief, using the unusual slotted Neck truss.
Lowered the action to how I like it.
Replaced the control knobs to Chrome (hate lettering or numbers).
Hard tailed the bridge ( better tuning stability and resonance sound).
Buffed out a few scratches and bumps.

All for less than the NZ retail $399, in Aust.$450+, in UK $500+.
She plays real nice and I like the short scale, off set body and less weight ( 3.25Kg.)With the Neck single coil only I get the sound I love for Jazz and Blues.
The pickup layout is a very effective but fairly uncommon H/S configuration, with an Alnico-5 single-coil in the neck and a Classic Power humbucker in the bridge. There's a master volume, master tone and a three-way toggle on the lower horn
I would really like to hear opinions and if I am just lucky this time or ?

[Slowy]

When you're looking for a good musical tool rather than a collectable status symbol, there's some amazing bargains to be had.

[Jay]

You joined the wrong forum!

Most dudes here gas for expensive, vintage, reliced guitars. It doesn't matter to them if it plays well or can be made to play well. It is all about looks and 'oh wow'

[jennz]

How true but I even like the look of her !

[Zaulkin]

Over the last year or two I've tinkered with an Artist grungemaster that I picked up for $200, that thing is seriously awesome.

Once you have the experience and know what you like, there's plenty of good guitars out there.

[Slowy]

Once you have the experience and know what you like, there's plenty of good guitars out there.

This is one of the benefits of being old.

[Starfire]

How true but I even like the look of her !

*It.

[Slowy]

How true but I even like the look of her !

*It.

I dunno... those curves....

[Jay]

How true but I even like the look of her !

*It.

You didn't pick on 'there's plenty guitars'.

I know this is the forum but you see it also in many media communications. Ffs, what's wrong with knowing your plural verbs... and using them when it is your job...

Oh well

[Slowy]

How true but I even like the look of her !

*It.

You didn't pick on 'there's plenty guitars'.

I know this is the forum but you see it also in many media communications. Ffs, what's wrong with knowing your plural verbs... and using them when it is your job...

Oh well

Been fishing? Sandy vag?

[Mosfet]

That offset looks great! HS is top tier. Way underrated.

[jennz]

That offset looks great! HS is top tier. Way underrated.

Yes I think that is why I was attracted to buying.

[jennz]

Over the last year or two I've tinkered with an Artist grungemaster that I picked up for $200, that thing is seriously awesome.

Once you have the experience and know what you like, there's plenty of good guitars out there.

Halalooya ! Why spend Thousands ?

[jennz]

Once you have the experience and know what you like, there's plenty of good guitars out there.

This is one of the benefits of being old.

I agree but the fingers are getting old too ! ................

[jennz]

That offset looks great! HS is top tier. Way underrated.

Yes I believe one can get any sound they want with this combo.