Aria Pro II LC-430 Transition

Made in 1978 at the famous Matsumoku Factory in Japan. 22 frets on a Birch neck with Rosewood fingerboard. Mahogany body with a birch top. Birch isn't used very often in newer guitars, from what I gather, it is a hard wood for bright tones.

The top is laminated wiht 5 layers, and has a semihollowbody to it. There are "tone chambers" in this guiar which is why it is a laminated top. I think. There are two tones, and two volumes, and one switch to change the two humbuckers into single coils.

This one is Black. The paint is almost 30 years old and still looks amazing. The body style is Les Paulish, but this one is a "transition series" which were released, for I believe 1 year before Aria started releasing their more popular "PE" models. It has a sharp lower horn, and it is more like a tear drop.

Neck is thinner than an LP, and more playable. The action is lower than my Ibanez shred guitars.

Tuners are not locking, bridge is just like a les paul. MOP square inlays in the neck, possibly plastic I can't tell. NEck is a BOLT ON. But when I unscrewed the neck plate, the neck is fitted in very snuggly. I had to struggle to fully remove the neck. The neck sits perfectly parallel to the body when fully screwed in, a masterpiece of a bolt on.

I play a variety of music. Definitely rock, and instrumental music. I have used this guitar with a JCM 900 4100 DR, a Marshall 30th Anniversary 6100 Blue Tolex, a Carvin x-100b, and a Carvin VTR 2800, a Rocktron Prophesy played through a Marshall 9100, and a Digitech 2101 Artist played through the same 9100.

Of course single coils have hum. This guitar is one of the best sounding guitars I have ever played. It is sweet, just like a les paul, but the single coil switch adds immense versatility. Bell like cleans can be achieved, and it is clearer than all the les pauls I have played.

The hollow tone chambers add a subtle airiness to the sound. The bridge pickup is a bit hollow and trebly, the neck pickup is amazing. In the middle position, this guitar really shines.

The sound is full and rich. My only complaint is the bridge pickup. It isn't full enough. But rarely have I played a guitar as long as this one and had so little to complain about. Oh yeah, I have some fret buzz, but I just moved and don't trust anybody with this one.

This is where I was knocked off my ass. This guitar at 30 years old, has amazing action. The neck is thin meaning not wide, but it is somewhat chunky. IT just plays so well. I have a couple of S series Ibanezes with jumbo frets, and this old vintage guitar has equal or better action. The buzz is the only reason it isn't head and shoulders superior.

30 years old, no problems. The hardware is gold and is showing wear. But I think that's reasonable.

I have been playing steadily for 16 years. I recently bought another one of these LC series guitars. It's either a LC 550 or another LC 430, can't tell if the top is maple or birch. I own an Ibanez s540LTD, S470fm, a RGA121NTF, RG5ex1, and a Fender 50th Anniversary Strat, 2 tone with 54 pickups [which I am selling], a Tacoma DR14 acoustic, a AE100 acoustic/electric amazing guitar, and my last gem a Washburn EC 29, a 29 fret neck through active pickup monster from the 80s. The amps I mentioned in the Sound section.

I loved this guitar so much I bought another one. I love the fact that they are built WITH ULTIMATE QUALITY and nobody knows about them. THere are so many "music school" fools who insist on buying Gibson or Fender. What vintage Aria Pro IIs stand for to me, is true musicians who can close their eyes pick up a guitar and THEN judge it.

Not read some lame vintage guitar magazine which dictates what's cool, and then going out and spending 4,000 dollars, on a guitar that sounds muddy and is one dimensional. Yes there are many good sounding Gibson les pauls, but the new ones are just horrible.

This guitar can do so much, and it has made me a better human being. A real gem. IF you find one, buy it. I've only found 2 and I bought them both.