Product: Aria 1802T
Price Paid: N/A
Submitted
12/29/2005
at
01:30pm
by
j.s.c
Email: j dot s dot c<at>caramail dot com
Features
:
10
It was made in Japan between 1971 to 75. It has 2 single pickups famous "diamond model" (3 for 1803T model), 1 volume control, 1 tone control, a three way pickup selector and a 3 ways switch that is a tone inversor (it adds bass which is near to a real bass when the tone is cut off).
The maple neck is very modern for a 70' guitar, the top is flatter and thiner that a classic stratocaster neck. The original frets are thin model.
It pretty much looks like a strat but is slightly different (bigger and the weight is 1,5 stratocaster one). The original tuners are as simple as tuners can be.
One more word, you could olso find the same model under the Epiphone reference ET270(it s seems that Epiphone has choosen Aria to design its first japaneese guitars). Just a word about Curt Kobain who has played this epi'ET270 in the early years...
Sound
:
10
That the main quality of this strange model. The tone inversor switch offer a very large range of sound. To the Brightness of a texas strat (very good for the blues), to a flat sound good for jazz (like a mute tone of a gretsch...) which can be near Gibbons (ZZtop) sound if you plug a disto effect.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
6
each pickup is adjusted by 2 scews
Bridge style Tune-O-Matic with a little wheel for each string !
The vibrato is not very usefull (short action as bigsby even is the construction is very different and more basic)
Reliability/Durability
:
10
As conclusion, this instrument has a very original sound.
Customer Support
:
1
...not a word on the Official Aria web site. It's a pity that they don't develop their archive and vintage section.
Overall Rating
:
No Opinion
Product: Aria 1802T
Price Paid: 100 (CAD)
Submitted
01/15/2005
at
02:37pm
by
Anonymous
Email: pascalnormand<at>hotmail dot com
Features
:
9
It was made in Japan. It think it is from early 80's. It has 2 pickups, 1 volume control, 1 tone control, a three way pickup selector and a switch that adds bass and tone. It pretty much looks like a strat but is slightly different. I have try to find info on this guitar on the web but could not find anything. If anybody has something for me, please e-mail me.
Sound
:
10
I use it through some BOSS stompboxes and a Fender Ultimate chorus amp. This guitar sounds amazing. It really have tone. I play mostly alternative rock and it suits my style very well. In fcat, I think it is ver versatile.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
9
Reliability/Durability
:
10
I bought it used around 1992 and never had problem with it. However, I don not tour or gig, just play music has a past time.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
I don't know, never contacted them.
Overall Rating
:
10
I have been playing for more than 12 years now (on and off) and altough I have played other great guitar (I remember an american standard strat that was amazing) I never heard a guitar that sounds like this one. It is very unique and sounds awesome. If it was stolen, I would definitly search the whole world to find another one. It has tone and soul, and cost only a fraction of Fenders or Gibson. If you see one, do not hesitate and buy it right away. I love it.
