Anyone know much about aria mandolins?

[SpencerMando]

I was just offered a pro ii for 750€. I know I can get the guy down a little bit. It looks exactly like this one: http://elderly.com/vintage/items/90U-5817.htm I did notice that the site did not specify about the woods being solid or laminate. Does anyone know if its laminate or solid?

Thanks

[pheffernan]

You can search the archives: http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/se...archid=4405314. I still think you're better off going through the Classifieds.

[Steve Zawacki]

There are indeed threads on it - http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...ro-2-Mandolins is one and there are others. Agree with pheffernan if an EU vendor (like the store in Galway) is not preferred.

[fatt-dad]

I had a solid wood Aria Pro II Pm-780 and it was just fine. Narrow nut!

I bought another Aria Pro II A-model. All laminate and it fell apart!

I have no idea the difference between the 780 and the 750 ?

f-d

[mandobassman]

I've played a couple of Pro II mandolins and they were fine sounding mandolins. I have always thought they were pretty well regarded mandolins, at least the ones from the '70. The newer Aria mandolins are nothing like the older ones. I had one (780) for a brief time and it was beautifully made and sounded very good. I'm pretty certain that the Pro II F-model is all solid wood.

[Tim2723]

I had one back in the early 80s that I though was very nice. I ended up selling it for an oval-hole two point, bit I wish I'd kept it.

[mandobassman]

Yeah, I had the same problem. I traded mine for another mandolin that on first playing, I thought was very nice. Later, I very much wished I still had the Aria. It was one of those dumb moves that I regretted for several years.

[multidon]

Don't know if it's solid or laminate but I think probably not carved. There is no ridge on the front or back of the scroll. It's just flat and thst usually means pressed. Look at how rough the binding scraping job is on the inside of the scroll. Yikes! It might sound and play just fine but I think there are better choices for the money. I do understand your choices in Europe are limited though. On the plus side it has lots of nice inlay and bling. And what looks to br a nice rectangular case.

Update- I just looked it up in the Vintage Guitar Guide. It is listed. 2010 is the newest year I have. It says the PM750 was made from 1976 to circa 1982. It is listed as a "F style Loar copy, maple plywood body, sunburst." Used value in Excellent condition is given as 450-550 dollars US. FWIW. There does seem to be some collector interest in thesr.

[almeriastrings]

These are nothing special. A copy of the F-5 Gibson of the 70's, essentially. Very hit and miss. I even sold quite a few - when they were new! Now they're vintage and I feel old....

€750 ($1,025) is a crazy price. You can get much better today. They "look the part", but they have very little volume, have a very thick finish, decidedly average materials, are are quite thin-sounding. I would value one at no more than €350, maximum. My recollection is that the top is solid, but indeed, pressed not carved. The backs/sides were solid, but of very plain materials and quite thick and heavy.

[SpencerMando]

Thanks for the info, i think I'll hold off on this one. It appears that mandolin prices in germany are quite insane if you can even find a used one. Perhaps I'll have to have a look in the US when I go there this summer.

[almeriastrings]

Keep a real close watch on ebay in .co.uk, .de, and .fr versions. I picked up an absolutely superb Kentucky KM-1000 for just €650 about 2 years ago, then another for €800. Both of these are in a whole different league than the Aria. You just have to keep watching closely....have the cash ready, then jump on them right away.

[Pete Jenner]

My first mandolin was an Aria. A simple A model. It sounded great.

[fatt-dad]

Yes, my 780 was stamped, "Hand Made."

f-d

[Pasha Alden]

Well this is an interesting thread. We have an Aria mandolin for sale. A bowl back mandolin. I was indecisive as to whether I should purchase it or not. So this thread leaves me wondering. Apparently the mandolin is 25 years old. Now selling for R3200. I can still not make up my mind. Perhaps I should wait for a better bowl back mandolin. On the other hand choices in SA are limited.

[Capt. E]

I still own and play a "Shiro" A (pretty sure it is actually an Aria as the founder of the company was Shiro Arai). He switched the letters on his last name to make Aria and also used his first name for a while). They made made some fine instruments acoustic and electric. Shiro Arai was a classical guitarist and some of the classical models were very nice indeed. The mandolins vary a lot in quality, but if you find a good one, keep it.