To identify the manufacture date of an Aria guitar, first locate the serial number, which is likely located on the back of the neck on an electric or in the body of an acoustic guitar. If a serial number is not present, the guitar was likely manufactured prior to the mid-1970s. Earliest known serial number, June 1984 (production number faded away). Samick first started using serial numbers on Hondos and other contract brands in 1984 (their home brand models did not use serials until ~1987), using the following format. Find great deals on eBay for aria guitars. Shop with confidence. Skip to main content. Aria Pro II TS-800 Electric Guitar Vintage good condition from Japan shipping. Number of bids and bid amounts may be slightly out of date. See each listing for international shipping options and costs.
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Overview
Brand name:
Product:
- electric guitars
Series name:
Dates of manufacture:
ARIA/ARIA PRO II manufactured the TA 40 between 1994 and 1996
Specifications (22)
Body
Body shape features | double cutaway |
Hollow body | semi-hollow body |
Pickguard shape | raised pickguard |
Soundhole | 2 f-holes |
Hardware
Bridge | tune-o-matic bridge |
Hardware color | chrome hardware |
Tailpiece | stop tailpiece |
Fretboard
Fingerboard inlay material | pearl fingerboard inlay material |
Fingerboard material | rosewood fingerboard |
Fingerboard position markers | dot fingerboard position markers |
General
Finish colors | red finish, walnut finish |
Number of strings | 6 strings |
Scale length | 24.75 inches scale-length |
Neck
Neck joint | bolt on neck |
Neck material | mahogany neck |
Number of frets | 22 fret |
Tuner layout | three-each-side |
Controls
Pickup selector controls | 3-way selector switch |
Tone controls | 1 tone control |
Volume controls | 2 volume controls |
Electronics
Pickups brand and model | Aria MH-1C pickup(s) |
Pickups configuration | 2 humbucker pickups |
Prices (11)
![Pro Pro](/uploads/1/2/6/6/126609005/178495132.png)
Date | Price | Condition | Name | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | €220 | good | Previous owner upgraded to Gotoh tuners. | |
2015 | £150 | good | robert | |
2015 | €280 | good | ||
2014 | £250 | good | ||
2010 | £400 | good | John | |
1987 | £100 | good | ||
1987 | £100 | good | ||
1996 | £100 | good | Steve tanner | |
2016 | 750 NLG | good | ||
2017 | £150 | good | ||
2017 | Rp2500000 | worn |
Reviews (0)
Gallery (0)
Players (0)
ARCHIVED TOPIC: I really need some help-Ario Pro 2 Banjo |
Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/148394
lynnkit - Posted - 05/20/2009: 05:23:40
I've been reading your forum. Seems like a nice bunch of guys with some great experience and a wealth of knowledge. I was wondering if I could get some help?
My Father was an incredible blind musician for over 60 yrs. He recently passed away and I'm helping my blind Mother to sell his instruments because she needs the money, and none of us can play them any way.
He had top notch instruments. He had perfect pitch and would never have owned any instrument unless it sounded fantastic.
I've not been able to find any information on his 5 string, Aria Pro 2 banjo. It is a beautiful piece, and like all his instruments it is in mint condition. I can't find any serial numbers like I was able to find on his vintage Fender guitar. I know it's older then 1985. I'm guessing late 70's It's beautiful with what looks like beautiful pearl inlay on the frets. The round part of the banjo where a pick guard would be located on a guitar is clear. It is a 5 string, and the tuning keys are also pearl looking. the wood is absolutely beautiful with no scratches or mars.
As you can see, I don't even know enough about a banjo to use proper terminology for a description in a listing. So I was hoping to find a picture of the same banjo and copy the description for my e-bay listing. How can I determine the year? Or an approximate value?
Any suggestions or advice would really be appreciated.
My Father was an incredible blind musician for over 60 yrs. He recently passed away and I'm helping my blind Mother to sell his instruments because she needs the money, and none of us can play them any way.
He had top notch instruments. He had perfect pitch and would never have owned any instrument unless it sounded fantastic.
I've not been able to find any information on his 5 string, Aria Pro 2 banjo. It is a beautiful piece, and like all his instruments it is in mint condition. I can't find any serial numbers like I was able to find on his vintage Fender guitar. I know it's older then 1985. I'm guessing late 70's It's beautiful with what looks like beautiful pearl inlay on the frets. The round part of the banjo where a pick guard would be located on a guitar is clear. It is a 5 string, and the tuning keys are also pearl looking. the wood is absolutely beautiful with no scratches or mars.
As you can see, I don't even know enough about a banjo to use proper terminology for a description in a listing. So I was hoping to find a picture of the same banjo and copy the description for my e-bay listing. How can I determine the year? Or an approximate value?
Any suggestions or advice would really be appreciated.
Edited by - lynnkit on 05/20/2009 05:49:43
Grinnin&Pickin - Posted - 05/20/2009: 05:42:46
Here's a link to a 1976 Aria Pro 2 that recently sold here on th BHO.
http://www.banjohangout.org/classif...asp?cid=9146
http://www.banjohangout.org/classif...asp?cid=9146
Edited by - Grinnin&Pickin on 05/20/2009 05:43:10
lynnkit - Posted - 05/20/2009: 05:48:11
Thank you very much for your help.
My Father's looks different. His must be a different year.
My Father's looks different. His must be a different year.
Edited by - lynnkit on 05/20/2009 05:48:27
lynnkit - Posted - 05/20/2009: 05:50:45
Does anybody know where they put the serial numbers on these banjo's ?
OLDWINGERS - Posted - 05/20/2009: 05:52:26
DO YOU HAVE A PICTURE YOU CAN POST?
MIGHT BE SOME INTEREST HERE FOR THE BANJO.
MIGHT BE SOME INTEREST HERE FOR THE BANJO.
lynnkit - Posted - 05/20/2009: 05:55:07
I can take one in a couple of hours. And post it.
Excuse my ignorance, but where would I go to post it? On this site? Or in a web album and give the link to the album?
Excuse my ignorance, but where would I go to post it? On this site? Or in a web album and give the link to the album?
chrome - Posted - 05/20/2009: 06:03:33
I would like to see the pics, I'm looking for the tree of life inlay archtop pro 2. You can upload pics to your homepage.
I'm always looking to buy old Aria's Pro ll......
I'm always looking to buy old Aria's Pro ll......
Edited by - chrome on 05/20/2009 06:05:20
bowfinger - Posted - 05/20/2009: 06:05:20
I think that is a fair price for the sold instrument. If yours looks like that one I would guess yours would price about the same if not I would guess less. After Googling it I don't see many for sale but. Prices look all over the place from $125 to $1250 on Craigslist.
mikehalloran - Posted - 05/20/2009: 06:46:24
![Serial number lookup iphone Serial number lookup iphone](/uploads/1/2/6/6/126609005/818977757.png)
quote:Originally posted by lynnkit
Does anybody know where they put the serial numbers on these banjo's ?
It doesn't matter.
Serial numbers are of no interest when it comes to '70s Japanese instruments. Even Galaxy made Vegas used the same ones over and over again - they were part of the design and never meant to provide information.
The Aria Pro II was one of the early attempts to market 'pro quality' Asian made instruments in the USA. They were on a par with Hondp, Alvarez etc and were considered a notch below high end Yamahas, Ibanez Professional, Alvarez-Yairi and high end Iida. The brand persisted into the '90s with a Carol Kaye endorsed 32' P-Bass clone (I remember talking to her in the booth iat NAMM in 1997 or 8).
Aria Guitar Serial Number Lookup
Aria Pro II instruments are not collectable but certain players seek them out. The appeal is that they are considered good instruments that can be had for very little money.
Mike Halloran
AKUSfan2 - Posted - 05/20/2009: 07:49:36
I'm not sure that this helps, but, here goes.
I bought a new Aria SB-400 back in 1978. An SB-400 is basically a 'knock-off' of a Gibson RB-250.
Brand new, I believe that it cost me $295, back then.
Yes, Aria is an Japanese import that offered a 'reasonably priced' banjo, cosmetically attractive banjo, for those seeking a somewhat decent banjo, but didn't have the money to buy a Gibson, Stelling, ODE, Baldwin, or, other higher end banjos.
Mine is maghogany, and, the neck has a real nice 'V-shape', and, has a very good resonator. To my knowledge, these banjos do not have 'Serial Numbers' on them.
I'll add, that the quality stopped on those banjos when it came to the Rim and Tone Ring.
In my opinion, the wood rim and pot metal tone ring were 'bottom of the barrel', or basically, 'junk'. The tuners were pretty lousy as well.
I think that others will agree with me that the pot assemblies on these banjos is where Aria really cut corners, in order to make the banjos 'marketable & profitable' for the prices that they were asking.
Of course, I saved my neck and resonator, and, I had an excellent quality new archtop pot assmbley made and fitted, with all new Keith tuners, which now is one heck of a great sounding banjo.
The simple answer is that your Aria banjo may bring you a couple hundred bucks if someone is willing to offer you that. If you can get more than that, grab it, and, consider yourself 'lucky'..
Gary Phelps
St. Louis, MO. 63129
2007 Stelling Sunflower Serial # 6393
Gibson Masterclone RB-250 with Sullivan Rim and Sullivan archtop.
I bought a new Aria SB-400 back in 1978. An SB-400 is basically a 'knock-off' of a Gibson RB-250.
Brand new, I believe that it cost me $295, back then.
Yes, Aria is an Japanese import that offered a 'reasonably priced' banjo, cosmetically attractive banjo, for those seeking a somewhat decent banjo, but didn't have the money to buy a Gibson, Stelling, ODE, Baldwin, or, other higher end banjos.
Mine is maghogany, and, the neck has a real nice 'V-shape', and, has a very good resonator. To my knowledge, these banjos do not have 'Serial Numbers' on them.
I'll add, that the quality stopped on those banjos when it came to the Rim and Tone Ring.
In my opinion, the wood rim and pot metal tone ring were 'bottom of the barrel', or basically, 'junk'. The tuners were pretty lousy as well.
I think that others will agree with me that the pot assemblies on these banjos is where Aria really cut corners, in order to make the banjos 'marketable & profitable' for the prices that they were asking.
Of course, I saved my neck and resonator, and, I had an excellent quality new archtop pot assmbley made and fitted, with all new Keith tuners, which now is one heck of a great sounding banjo.
The simple answer is that your Aria banjo may bring you a couple hundred bucks if someone is willing to offer you that. If you can get more than that, grab it, and, consider yourself 'lucky'..
Gary Phelps
St. Louis, MO. 63129
2007 Stelling Sunflower Serial # 6393
Gibson Masterclone RB-250 with Sullivan Rim and Sullivan archtop.
RB100 - Posted - 05/20/2009: 09:39:24
Here is a photo of an Aria Pro II that I own:
http://bcbrown.net/bluegrass/banjo/aria.html
A very good instrument...I have also owned one of the 'hearts of life' inlay flatheads - which I regrettably traded back in the late 80s.
The arch top here sold for close to $1000 retail back in the late 70s...could be bought for $700 or so new...I paid more than that in the mid 90s for this one and was happy to get it. Today, the street market is $900 or better because the pot can be swapped out rather easily and you can have a killer banjo for not a huge amt of money.
My Pro II now has a Cox rim and a gold Hatfield tone ring installed and set up by Arthur. This makeup has been together for about two years and this is an outstanding banjo IMO.
I should also mention that I have not seen a serial model on mine. The Pro II Arias that I have seen came in three 'looks' - 1) the archtop like mine 2) a flathead with hearts and flowers inlay and 3) the 'hearts of life' inlay (hearts instead of leaves in the full length of fretboard inlay) which was a flat head also...there could be others but I am not aware...
Then you have the Aria banjos (non Pro II) which were more generic to Alvarez, Conrad, Venture and a lot of other brands of that time....lots of difference in the original prices and quality of these and the Pro II models.
For the history of Aria, check out the following:
http://www.ariausa.com/aboutaria/aboutaria.html
Bill
'I've been to Georgia on a fast train...' Shaver
North Georgia Bluegrass Chronicles
http://bcbrown.net/bluegrass/chronicles/
http://bcbrown.net/bluegrass/banjo/aria.html
A very good instrument...I have also owned one of the 'hearts of life' inlay flatheads - which I regrettably traded back in the late 80s.
The arch top here sold for close to $1000 retail back in the late 70s...could be bought for $700 or so new...I paid more than that in the mid 90s for this one and was happy to get it. Today, the street market is $900 or better because the pot can be swapped out rather easily and you can have a killer banjo for not a huge amt of money.
My Pro II now has a Cox rim and a gold Hatfield tone ring installed and set up by Arthur. This makeup has been together for about two years and this is an outstanding banjo IMO.
I should also mention that I have not seen a serial model on mine. The Pro II Arias that I have seen came in three 'looks' - 1) the archtop like mine 2) a flathead with hearts and flowers inlay and 3) the 'hearts of life' inlay (hearts instead of leaves in the full length of fretboard inlay) which was a flat head also...there could be others but I am not aware...
Then you have the Aria banjos (non Pro II) which were more generic to Alvarez, Conrad, Venture and a lot of other brands of that time....lots of difference in the original prices and quality of these and the Pro II models.
For the history of Aria, check out the following:
http://www.ariausa.com/aboutaria/aboutaria.html
Bill
'I've been to Georgia on a fast train...' Shaver
North Georgia Bluegrass Chronicles
http://bcbrown.net/bluegrass/chronicles/
Edited by - RB100 on 05/20/2009 10:22:20
mikehalloran - Posted - 05/20/2009: 10:36:15
The4 Pro II was better built and marketed differently than the plain Aria. Still, it was not considered on par with the high end Iida and later GTR or Gold Star masterclones.
I would put the Pro II banjos that I have seen equal to the Galaxy Bega and mid level Iida. They certainly appeared to come from the same factory.
The most desirable has the tree of life fretboard inlays.
Mike Halloran
I would put the Pro II banjos that I have seen equal to the Galaxy Bega and mid level Iida. They certainly appeared to come from the same factory.
The most desirable has the tree of life fretboard inlays.
Mike Halloran
chrome - Posted - 05/20/2009: 10:51:42
One of the Pro 2's I regretfully sold came from the factory with a clear head, archtop tonering, tree of life inlay up the whole neck and a carved heel....I would like to find another.
The one I had I bought new in 1977 from a music store in Shelby NC, and it was $649 and as a comparision a rb250 in the same showcase was $949...
The one I had I bought new in 1977 from a music store in Shelby NC, and it was $649 and as a comparision a rb250 in the same showcase was $949...
Edited by - chrome on 05/20/2009 10:56:55
lynnkit - Posted - 05/20/2009: 11:52:20
quote:Originally posted by RB100
Here is a photo of an Aria Pro II that I own:
http://bcbrown.net/bluegrass/banjo/aria.html
A very good instrument...I have also owned one of the 'hearts of life' inlay flatheads - which I regrettably traded back in the late 80s.
The arch top here sold for close to $1000 retail back in the late 70s...could be bought for $700 or so new...I paid more than that in the mid 90s for this one and was happy to get it. Today, the street market is $900 or better because the pot can be swapped out rather easily and you can have a killer banjo for not a huge amt of money.
My Pro II now has a Cox rim and a gold Hatfield tone ring installed and set up by Arthur. This makeup has been together for about two years and this is an outstanding banjo IMO.
I should also mention that I have not seen a serial model on mine. The Pro II Arias that I have seen came in three 'looks' - 1) the archtop like mine 2) a flathead with hearts and flowers inlay and 3) the 'hearts of life' inlay (hearts instead of leaves in the full length of fretboard inlay) which was a flat head also...there could be others but I am not aware...
Then you have the Aria banjos (non Pro II) which were more generic to Alvarez, Conrad, Venture and a lot of other brands of that time....lots of difference in the original prices and quality of these and the Pro II models.
For the history of Aria, check out the following:
http://www.ariausa.com/aboutaria/aboutaria.html
Bill
'I've been to Georgia on a fast train...' Shaver
North Georgia Bluegrass Chronicles
http://bcbrown.net/bluegrass/chronicles/
lynnkit - Posted - 05/20/2009: 12:01:15
Aria Pro Ii Serial Number Date
I'm so thankful for everybody's input. It's like putting a puzzle together. Since my Father is no longer with us, I can't ask him the questions that I want to. I really appreciate EVERYBODY taking the time to share their knowledge with me about this banjo.
I clicked on the link above telling about the history of Aria. Very interesting. However, I couldn't seem to find anything about banjo's. Several other types of instruments that Aria makes, but I couldn't find anything about their banjo's. Is it there and I'm missing it? Or do they not say anything about their banjo's?
I looked closely at the banjo that sold on this sites classifieds, the link that was posted above for me. The inlay on the neck is different. My Father's banjo has a clear head, not white, and there are hearts, on the frets, but also some things that look like the spade on a deck of cards, not sure if that is supposed to be a leaf or not?
I'll try to find some time later today to take pictures of it and post them.
Thanks again to everybody for their help.
I clicked on the link above telling about the history of Aria. Very interesting. However, I couldn't seem to find anything about banjo's. Several other types of instruments that Aria makes, but I couldn't find anything about their banjo's. Is it there and I'm missing it? Or do they not say anything about their banjo's?
I looked closely at the banjo that sold on this sites classifieds, the link that was posted above for me. The inlay on the neck is different. My Father's banjo has a clear head, not white, and there are hearts, on the frets, but also some things that look like the spade on a deck of cards, not sure if that is supposed to be a leaf or not?
I'll try to find some time later today to take pictures of it and post them.
Thanks again to everybody for their help.