Please read my 5 days return policy at the bottom of the page.
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If you are
thinking about a purchase of a used vintage guitar you need to accept the fact
that such guitars may have cosmetic flaws solely associated with their age, but
not related to any particular damage. For example their finishes change their
look over the years and are not glossy and crystal clear like on brand new
guitar. In addition, such guitars may require fret dressing, new tuners, string
action adjustment or a simple repair before they can be fully enjoyed. I see
guitars as musical instruments, not as furniture. When I describe guitar as
being in excellent condition I don't talk only about its cosmetics but mostly
about its structural & functional condition, sound and playability. If you
are seeking a perfect looking, low maintenance guitar you should abandon a
thought about buying used vintage one, especially from me.
I don't offer "sound samples" because they never reflect true sound of a guitar as we hear it playing in our own room. You can greatly change tonality of any guitar by using different strings.
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Aria Takeiri
SA30 in mint condition
This
particular guitar was made in early/mid 1970-ties (1973-1975) and is yet
another example of superb Japanese craftsmanship. Despite its age, it still
remains in mint cosmetic and perfect working condition.
It is a fantastic instrument, a high grade concert
guitar, producing beautiful, clear and well balanced notes at very high volume,
with a lot of resonance and impressive sustain. Guitar is rather light and very
responsive.
It
was made by Masaru Takeiri for SHIRO ARAI, long before Arias AC series were
made in Spain. The price for this guitar was 30 000 yen, while average yearly
salaray of Japanese college graduate was around 70 000 yen. If it was
distributed in North America at that time, it would have to be priced in
vicinity of $500. This guitar (with laminated back and sides) in terms of sound
quality and volume beats many all solid guitars available on the US market at
the price of $3000+.
You would wish your “all solid” Cordoba was made
from such laminates.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Top: High Grade Solid Spruce
Back & sides: Indian Rosewood High Grade
Laminates
Only a total novice into the world of
classical guitars can question greatness of Japanese made laminates. They have
nothing in common with modern era cheap particle-board laminates. They are
nothing but solid wood plates glued together. hence in fact nothing but a
reinforced solid woods. They perform no different from solid woods, while don't
crack as easily, are much easier to work with, and allow for much lower
prices of instruments. Such guitars are true blessing for guitar
enthusiasts with limited funds.
Neck: Mahogany
Fingerboard: Very Well Ebonized Rosewood
With at the nut: 52 mm
Scale: 655 mm
Its action is set to 3.80 mm under E6 and 3.2mm
under E1, with a little extra room left on the saddle for further lowering of
the action.
To all destination (except Australia) It
will be shipped in used original hard case that remains in at least at least
excellent condition.
In order to ship a package with guitar to Australia at affordable rate +/- $150.00 (USPS International Priority Mail), length of such package can’t exceed 42” and its girth (2 x times width + 2 x height) + length can’t exceed total of 97”. If you want original or non-original hard shell case, the size of the package will qualify it only for USPS/Fedex Global Express Guaranteed at $400.00 price.
Here is some
info you might be interested in:
HISTORY OF ARIA
"It all started with the classical
guitar", says Shiro Arai, Chairman and the founder of Aria Guitars.
One day, a friend came to visit Shiro's
apartment with a guitar. Shiro was expecting to hear Koga-type Japanese popular
music, but instead his friend started to play a piece by Bach. From this
moment, he had been inspired by the sound of this instrument forever.
The very next day, Shiro bought his first
guitar, costing over two months salary and began to teach himself to play. Now
playing day and night, his passion for the guitar brought him to a famous
classical guitar master in Nagoya, and soon became one of his students.
Shiro started work for a trading company in
1947, aged 17. In 1953, Shiro and two of his colleagues resigned their
positions and founded their own trading firm. After the fledgling company
failed after just one year Shiro found himself homeless with nothing but his
guitar. In order to live and settle the outstanding debts from this first
business he started to teach the guitar.
In 1954 unable to buy guitars, music and strings
in Japan's music stores, Shiro started to import classical guitars, Augustine
guitar strings, and musical scores for himself and his students. These were the
first classical guitars imported into post-war Japan and included instruments
from renowned makers Jose Ramirez and Hermann Hauser. Recognising an increasing
demand for guitars from friends and players throughout Japan, Shiro grasped the
opportunity to start his own business. On August 2nd, 1956, ARAI & CO., INC
was founded.
At this time, although demand for classical
guitars and accessories were increasing, it was still comparatively low and
business was supplemented with other products including woollen material.
The name, "ARIA", which means
expressive melody, was first used in 1958 when Arai exported Japanese built
classical guitars fitted with steel strings to South East Asia in 1963. Also
the letters of his name "ARAI" were just switched around to
"ARIA as he recalled.
Shiro embarked on a tour of the US with two of
the best Japanese KOHNO guitars. At that time Japanese guitars had a poor
reputation for developing body cracks and warped necks after being exposed to
drier conditions abroad. It was Shiro's intention to prove how good Japanese
guitars were by performing and showing to fellow guitarists, teachers and music
shops. After two months these guitars also started to crack.
Even the best available Kohno guitars faced the
same problem. Shiro took these cracked guitars back to Japan to show their
makers just how vital it is to use properly seasoned tone woods. This trip gave
Shiro the experience and knowledge to improve the quality of guitars and export
Japanese guitars worldwide.
It was as early as the late 50's when Arai
started to import Fender guitars and amplifiers from the US, although at that
time the Japanese market was not quite ready for the electric guitar! With the
advent of rock n' roll demand for electric guitars took-off. Arai released its
first ARIA brand electric guitars in 1963. Exporting to the US followed with
models including the 1532T and 1802T.
To counter the decline of the solid body
electric guitar boom, Arai released the Aria Diamond series hollow body semi-acoustic
guitars. Aria Diamond was named after the imitation diamond inlayed into the
headstock. This series lead to the release of the 1202 and 1302 models in 1966
and caused nothing short of a sensation in Japan. From 1967 Aria added a
variety of models including the solid body 1962T, R-320, and violin shaped
12-string and bass guitars, and a full acoustic guitar, the 1262.
In 1975, Aria Pro II was developed from Aria's
custom shop making high-end models for professional users. In 1976, Aria Pro II
released its first original model, the PE-1500.
PE (Prototype Line) is a classic Aria design,
also known as the legendary masterpiece, it featured an arched top, and all
maple carved body with Aria's original "heel-less neck and DiMarzio Super
Distortion Humbucking Pickups. Primarily designed for tone and playability, the
PE series has been modified to match today's trends while keeping its original
features and timeless design.
In 1978, Aria Pro II released another
long-selling model, the SB-1000. The SB-1000 was highly regarded throughout the
world and came to represent everything that was good about Aria and Japanese
guitar building. Featuring a Canadian Ash body with neck through body and, to
enhance playability, a heel-less neck. For its original tone, SB featured the
Aria original BB circuit. Its exotic see-through finish and the eye position
marks make the SB amongst the most distinctive basses ever made.
Aria Pro II led the way with the 80's shift to
Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. Releasing many models such as XX, ZZ and U-1. Whilst
not abandoning their routes also re-established the semi-acoustic guitar
models, FA and TA. The 80s, also saw the introduction of the famous IGB (SB
INTEGRA) bass series.
In the early 1990s, after the heavy metal rush,
Aria Pro II released one of its favourite original models, the MA series to
reinforce the PE and SB line-ups. MA series bodies are constructed with
innovative crystal shaped carved top and back.
Continuing its remarkable progress, Aria
released the very unique concept of the SWB (electric upright bass) series to
the world in 1992. The SWB range offers compact modern design and features the
Fishman custom bridge Piezo pickup and active tone circuit.
Aria has been at the forefront of guitar and
Japanese guitar building excellence for 50 years, which means a wealth of
experience and acquired expertise. The core value remains the same today, to
constantly strive to achieve a higher level of excellence, quality and value
for musicians.
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Back in 1983 I bought a Masaru Matano clase 400 guitar on the
advice of my instructor. He had a friend that imported them and he thought
they were a bargain at $475.(1983 price) That has been my primary guitar
since then. I've had the opportunity to play many different guitars and I
wouldn't trade my Matano for any of them. Recently I saw a Matano clase 500
model for sale on EBAY. I was the only bidder at $450 so I ended up with it.
My clase 400 was made in 1981 and the clase 500 was made in 1977. The new (older)
guitar obviously hadn't been played for years but it cleaned up beautifully.
It has a really bright sound and IMHO is worth at least three to four times
what I paid for it. The two guitars are ,as expected, very similar and I'm
still trying to make up my mind which one I like better. The only obvious
difference is that the 500 has a prettier bridge and what appears to be ebony
re-enforcement in the neck. |
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http://www.classicalguitardelcamp.com
by Whooper »
Sunday 30 March 2008, 01:09 am
Dear Mr. Fritz Kadiddlehopper,
Luthier Masaru MATANO is less known even
in Japan. Though he is an old timer, I had known him nearly 40 years ago.
In 1962 in Kyushu, Masaru MATANO started
the production in order to make a Spanish model like Jose Ramirez type. He
established his "MEIKO (superior artisan)" factory. He produced not
only classical but also acoustic ones. He also advised and supervised
"Arai Trading" now called "Aria" brand.
In 1981 he stopped his work suddenly and left from the industry completely. The
reason is not clear. His factory was handed down to the current "Asturias"
brand. When I was young to buy a first fine guitar, I was torn between Matano and Chai brands. I
bought a Chai one but still have an attachment for Matano.
Re:
Masuru Matano
by jebejava » Sunday 30 March 2008,
05:29 am
Whooper,
Thanks for the information on Masaru Matano. I
bought a Matano in 1980 from the US
distributor JTG of Nashville, but sold it in 1983 after I got a luthier made
guitar. I liked it very much, but had to pay for the other guitar. As far as I
remember, my Matano cost around US$600.
The person who bought it from me was a performer. About ten years later, I
tried to buy it back, but he loved it so much he wouldn't part with it. When I
sold mine, the prices of Matano guitars
had almost doubled in price, due in part I guess to his having stopped making
instruments.
It's a pity he left the industry, but the few people I knew who had his guitars
appreciated them highly.
by Whooper »
Sunday 30 March 2008, 05:57 am
Dear jebejava,
It is too bad for you. Yes, Matano was
then one of best luthiers in Japan. I still try to find a straight well
seasoned Matano. I will let you know, if
I could obtain.
Regards
Whooper
by BarbBarth » Sunday 13 April 2008,
21:12 pm
I'm excited to see info on this Luthier. I purchased a '77 class
400 Masaru Matano a little over 5
years ago (mint condition) for $300 and really didn't know much about it except
it seemed to be a lovely guitar. I found very little about the luthier. I have
kept an eye on auctions hoping for more info after the luthier I took it to for
repair (it tipped over and had a boo-boo) told me it was a really well made
guitar and worth a lot more than I paid for it. Eeeek... It had been my
"out and about" guitar that I didn't worry about.
The people I have found that have one all seem to really like their
Masaru Matano guitars. I posted a
general inquiry online a few years ago and received several inquiries from
people here in the states and overseas. But not a lot of info about the man who
made it until now.
While I have taken care of it (except for the tip over) I feel like I haven't
given it the proper respect over the years!
Barb
by Whooper »
Monday 14 April 2008, 01:18 am
Dear BarbBarth,
I am happy to be of your
little help. A beautiful Jacaranda model is on net sale now. Bid Yen 52,000.
Class 600 probably produced in 1972 by himself.
Ed Chait
Who
can tell me something about this Japanese luthier?
Chris
I have
one of his guitars, a Clase 600, but there is very little information
available on Masaru Matano.
My Matano classical is a really superb instrument, built in 1976. My guitar
teacher helped me to select it. It has very light construction, with a
wonderful tone and good balance between trebles and basses. Has these fat
round sublime tones that project very well.
It seems that Masaru Matano passed away before he had the opportunity to
build more than just a few guitars.
Ed
Junior Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 1 |
Masaru Matano Classical Guitar Hey everyone, |
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Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1 |
Hi zacleb, |
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#3 |
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Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 2 |
Hi Zacleb, |
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Returns
If you are not happy
with your purchase you may return the guitar for a refund of a purchase price
of a guitar. The
cost of shipping both ways will not be refunded.
All you need to do is
to:
1. Notify me within 3 days after delivery
2. Pack guitar the same way I do it, using the same box and materials
3. Ship it back to me within next 2 days
Another words I expect
this “trail” period to occur within +/- 5 days. Naturally if you expect to
receive a full refund, guitar has to be returned in the same condition as I
ship it to you.
Victor
P.s. If you'd like to check my other posted on E-bay guitars click
on the links below: