Aria 557

According to the Aria website, this model dates back to/prior 1971. Bought it used at a swap meet. Classical model, nineteen frets, solid top. Based on it's tone, I'm guessing the soundboard is spruce; the guitar is old so the color of the soundboard is brown-red. Back/sides are probably rosewood laminate, according to Aria. No idea what the neck wood is. Headstock shape resembles the Torres "La Leona" design, w/ yellow purfling down the center. No "Aria" logo on this one. Tuners are plain, silver type minus one replacement key. Guitar finish is probably "period" varnish used in Japan in the 70's. Guitar looks like it was played by a "strummer" w/ light scratches under the soundhole, but overall very good, clean condition. Bridge has two parallel strips of white purfling. Neck scale is classical, measures two inches at the nut, and probably made of rosewood. Fretwear is minimal. Came w/ old after-market case.

Have played classical guitar for thirty two years. This Aria 557 has a surprisingly full, bright tone which you hear in heavier-bodied classicals. I guess Aria copied some well-known Spanish design known for big sound via light contruction.
The sound however, is one-dimensional like most Japanese guitars from this period. Tone over the soundhole is full, good penetrating ponticello's towards the bridge, unremarkable limited tasto away from the soundhole, over the 15th to 19th frets. Despite the strumming scratches, this guitar must have slept in it's case. This "senior citizen" has lots of sound to it, unlike most played-out classicals.
Tuning/intonation is o.k. except the first string, which tunes very slightly sharp. May be a faulty nut or saddle. Not sure if this is due to factory set-up, and/or age. Will keep watching it.

Action is good. Sound board is old, so can't tell if it was bookmatched. Guitar is strung w/ medium gauge strings. Bridge routing/positioning accuracy unknown. If faulty, then it may explain sharpness of the first string. But in my experience, more than one string will be out of tune if the bridge slot or position (nut to bridge measurement)is wrong. The expense of repair may exceed what I paid for this guitar.

I wouldn't take this out for a gig. It would be like slapping your dear old grandmother.

Wow- would Aria honor the warranty for a thirty-five year old guitar?

Own several concert classicals, one steel string, and various mid-priced classical guitars. Collecting old Japanese classicals is a sentimental hobby. My first decent classical guitar was made in Japan, and I learned many classical pieces on it. I think the price I paid for this Aria 557 is reasonable. I cannot believe some of the higher/rip-off prices people charge for used "hand-made Japanese guitars" via auctions, etc. I guess there's some sort of belief that these guitars are worth a lot. In Japan, you can buy used Japanese classical guitars from $200 - 300 USD.