Aria A551

The soundboard is a rust color like Cedar,but the grain looks like Spruce. I don't know if this is a solid or laminate top. The sides are definitely laminate Mahogony. Mahogany neck.The Tunning pegs are kinda cheap looking but do a good job. The Bridge and the fretboard are Rosewood. The finish is somewhat worn.

Oh Yeah! Great sound equal to $800 Spanish Guitars. I play a Collings D2HA and a D1A and also have a custom Brazilian Classical so i know tone and this one has plenty. I Love the sound. This one i leave on the stand all the time so i can get to it quickly to mess around with,but it's the one i also use when the guys come over with their fancy newer ones and this one seems to outplay them. The sound is well balanced. Not as deep as the Brazilian but what is? I strum and pick it pretty hard and it hangs in there.

It seems to have been built right. Everything matches well and the action is very good. I've never done anything to it except change the strings and polish it up. This Guitar belonged to my wife's Dad,so when i got it it was pretty worn.

I think this Guitar is built very well and will take a lot of abuse. I would never gig without a back-up though.

I've been playing for about 34 years. I like top notch instuments. and refuse to buy alot of the junk that is being made today. Aria is out of business,i think, so i would not be able to replace this guitar. I wish i could try their AC300. I am probably going to buy a Takamine Hirade H8SS, basically because i am so impressed with the Japanese Classicals.

This guitar is a nylon string, classical guitar with slotted peghead. The label says A551B, Made in Japan...unknown year. The top is laminated spruce with some light mahogany back, sides and neck. The finish is probably clear lacquer, quite thin and durable. It has 12 frets to the body, 18 total--probably medium width and quite low frets. I bought the guitar at a garage sale for $5, the tuners were broken, so I put on a cheap set which work fine.

I use the guitar for chording mainly with some flat picking and finger picking. It has a balance sound, even across the board and up the neck. The volume is good for a laminated top. Overall,players much better than I claim it to be a very nice guitar, even though inexpensive. I haven't played many classical guitars, but this one has a very good sound, with excellent volume.

The construction seems quite good also...glue seams clean and tidy, braces well shaped, inside clean with close joints. The binding is even and smooth. The neck is thin, straight and feels good when playing. The bridge is glued solid and overall alignment appears proper.

The guitar has seem some rough times...there's a 1/4" hole in the top next to the neck at the 15th fret. It is clean, causing no problems. There are no rattles or buzzes ; the construction and materials much be quite good. I would say it is a very durable guitar.

No experience with support or factory contact.

I have been playing 25 years, am a hacker...probably best described as a mediocre campfire picker...but have fun. I've owned a number of guitars and mandolins...this one is a very good guitar---easy to play, sounds good and is very durable. You can't ask for much more.

Nice finish for an early 70s guitar. Narrower than some classical models. Made in Japan. No information about this model on Aria websight. Top is solid wood. I would guess spruce.

Deep bellowing lows and crisp highs. I would think it would fit any style of music. This way outclasses anything in it's price range.

Action on mine needs lowering.

35 or so years later and still cookin'

No experience