Ariana STI 01 M/SB

This is a sunburst strat copy from the 1970s or something: 21 frets, maple neck + fingerboard, s-s-s, 5-way switch, 1 vol 2 tone, vintage style vibrato etc. says made in Japan on the neckplate, so the build quality is not that bad. I got this used for #40.

All the s/c here sound sharp and noisy (well thats what they are). I like the neck pickup as it has bass and a thickish tone, so when i use my SD-1 it can create passable Hendrix type sounds. The bridge s/c had a twang to it. However, overall the sound is snappish and weak, and when you play you must put effort in fretting the strings otherwise they sound muted (high-action).
I thought that the s/c at the bridge was weak, so I changed it to a P-90, and the midrange has improved. I can play thisng like Muse, some Pink Floyd and RHCP.

I found this guitar a bit of work to play, even after I got it set-up at a shop. The strings (10-46) need to be held down with effort to make notes sound clear, so I would lower the action. I dont like the vibrato system as it goes out of tune easily, so I may block it off one day. I have also managed to snap a few strings (thick and thin ones): the saddles were worn as it was used. Ill file them down and put graphite on the metal. Still despite all this shit, it can create useable sounds.

The build quality is good, but the body is quite heavy (finish it quite tough too), so it should stand up to damage, and the neck seems strongly attached even if it is thin. I dont think the vibrato will stand up to abuse, it will go out of bloody tune if you use it, so blocking it off may improve the tone of the guitar (more wood mass). I replaced the tuners and strap buttons when I got it as these were not good. Guitar is better now.

Ive been playing for 3 years, and I have 2 other humbucker-equipped guitars (which are better). I would say that this is a cheap guitar that does the job, although I dont like the Vibrato or the playability. I want to paint it in a seafoam green or light blue colour soon, and lower the action.
I would not really recommend getting this guitar for the full price (what ever it was) but I am basing this on the condition of the guitar used. New it would probably be set-up better etc. Still, if you want a strat copy there are others about now that are build much better: Squier, Aria, Samnick, Yamaha. Better to try out many guitars first.

Cheap strat made in Indonesia (duh!). 20 frets (duh!), 5-way selector, 3 passive single coil (very noisy), plywood body (duh!), maple neck.

I play metal and this guitar didn't fit my style. Pickups are very bright and noisy... Sound is not awful... But... ;-)
With distorsion : bad But... Fun!

Action is very bad... But it was very well setup.. Everything were very well adjusted.
The finish was perfect... Beautiful sunburst... very durable...

Live playing with this ? Maybe... With a lot of effects. ;-)
hardware was very bad... 5-way selector broken after less than one year..

Warranty : 1 year
Ariana is made by Aria. but Aria don't support these guitars...

I hate this guitar... My Yamaha is better than this !
But it's the perfect guitar for a begginer searching something fun and cheap.