Product: Aria FET-CST
Price Paid: GBP 350
Submitted
11/27/2007
at
07:36am
by
Ken
Features
:
6
Quilted Gravure arch top (laminate). Mahogany laminate arched back. Solid mahogany sides. Mahogany neck. Slim electro-acoustic with cutaway. Rosewood fingerboard. Made in Japan. Fishman Prefix Pro pickup and pre-amp with on-board eq etc. Don't be fooled by the specification on the web-site. This guitar does not come with the Prefix Pro Blend system (featuring internal mic), the product catalogue confirms this!
Sound
:
5
Unplugged sounds very nice but a little quiet, great for practice but not really practical except for really "intimate" lounge sessions. The sound leans towards that of a vintage solid arch top (i.e. a little flat but funky!). Plugged in sound is not as good as I expected (sounded alright in the shop but that was at low volumes). Piezo quack is obvious, "presence" needs to be turned right off! I have now put it through a Zoom Acoustic effects pedal with lots of EQ and it sounds reasonably good (and very good with the Zoom effects). Seemed to have a very low response on the bass strings, I've had to cut grooves in the bridge to increase the break angle of the strings but the saddle is glued in and I think that's part of the problem.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
5
Action was great straight out of the box, although the nut could benefit from some adjustment I haven't bothered yet (I've had it 12 months). Finish is not good, paint flaws in the "gravure" top, bad finish around the pre-amp cutout. Neck though is excellent and feels very slick. Much more like an electric than an acoustic, and playing is very light. The saddle is glued in!
Reliability/Durability
:
7
Only had it for 12 months but I'm getting to like it more and more for performance.
Customer Support
:
4
Aria uk were good at getting the guitar to my local store but I was not impressed when I found that the spec did not match. Aria UK seemed unaware of this and could find no explanation. The did offer me a Seymour Duncan Mag Mic at discount price, which I declined and I'm glad I did. The "real" sound of this guitar is not that brilliant so spending loads of dosh to amplify it is daft. A good equaliser with some effects is all it needs.
Overall Rating
:
5
I've been playing on and off for 40+ years but seriously for the past 10 years or so. I also have a Sigma Martin DR-28 (which I love) with a Fishman Rare Earth Blend system. I wish I'd confirmed the pickup spec first. I wouldn't buy another one, first I'd look at Crafters and Yamahas.
