Aria Pro Dreadnought D50 1976

This guitar was handmade sometime in late 1976 or early 1977 by either Ryoji Matsuoka’s own workshop or under his supervision.

Ryoji Matsuoka was making these terrific acoustic Arias only until 1976. The very top model of that era was D200 with solid Figured Brazilian rosewood b/s, followed by D150 with solid straight grain BR b/s and D100 with solid Indian Rosewood b/s. Models D200 and D150 both had Martin D45 looks and Matsuoka vertical logo. Aria’s catalog from 1976 presents all these guitars as “Masterpieces by Ryoji Matsuoka”. All these Arias had Matsuoka (wooden) label inside. Matsuoka also made Arias DS100, DS80 and DS60, all with Torch Inlay on the headstock and snowflake positions marks. In 1976 the lowest model in Aria’s lineup was D50. In earlier years there were also models D20, D30 and D40.

Since 1977 Arias introduced new acoustic guitar lineup with Aria’s own vertical logo. The top models of that era were W100 and W80 (both with Martin D45 style looks). Perhaps only W100 was “all solid woods” construction.

Although this D50 guitar is not labelled as “Aria by Matsuoka” it was made exactly the same way, from the same grade materials, following the same general design and represents exactly the same level as D50 with Matsuoka’s label inside.  

All Matsuoka acoustics were made basing on Martin blueprints. I won’t however call them “copies” of Martin guitars. The word “copy” suggests a product of somewhat lower quality than the “original”. This guitar can easily beat many brand-new Martin guitars.  

Although it was a midrange model such vintage Aria D50 is a truly terrific instrument that beats many “all solid woods” guitars currently sold on US market for $ 3000+USD.

It offers immense volume and superb response. Its sound is somewhat warm yet very rich, with quite deep yet clean basses and colorful sweet trebles, all with great note clarity & separation, and all magnified by very impressive sustain. Briefly saying, this guitar as musical instrument represents much more than you can expect just by looking at it. It is truly extraordinary ordinary guitar.      

Even though this guitar has one deep dent and several other light marks on its top, tuners have lost some of their original luster ( and wedge shaped end pin plate is no longer perfectly lined up with side plates), its overall condition can still be described "very good for its age". Judging by condition of fingerboard and frets one can be quite convinced that this guitar hasn’t been really played a lot. Very importantly neck is straight. Truss rod is working fine too. Neck/body angle allows for very comfortable string action.

Specification:

Top: Solid Spruce with Martin style X bracing with not scalloped braces

Back & Sides: Brazilian Rosewood “laminates”

Neck: Mahogany with 2-way truss rod

Fingerboard: Rosewood

Nut width: 43mm

Scale: 650 mm

The action is set to 2.30 mm under E6 and 1.80 mm under E1, with still some extra room on the saddle.

Comes with case!