The History of Aria Pro II and Arai Trading

Arai Trading Co., Ltd., the creator of the Aria Pro II brand, is not itself a guitar manufacturer but a trading company engaged in the import, export, and domestic distribution of musical instruments. The guitars were built by Matsumoku Industrial Co., a respected manufacturer located in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, which closed its doors in February 1987. Today, a guitar-shaped monument stands at the former factory site, now part of Nanbu Park.

In its early years, Arai Trading mainly sold semi-acoustic guitars, but in 1968, company founder and current advisor Shiro Arai attended an American musical instrument show, where he was deeply impressed by the craftsmanship of the Gibson Les Paul. Upon returning to Japan, he resolved to begin producing solid-body guitars of similar quality.

Among international artists, Neal Schon, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Michael Schenker have played Aria Pro II guitars. In Japan, renowned musicians such as the late Masaki Matsubara, Kazumi Watanabe, Masaharu Fukuyama, and Takashi Igarashi have all been proud users. The PE series, in particular, has earned wide acclaim for its exceptional build quality and refined design.

Company Timeline

• 1956 (Showa 31): Founded by Shiro Arai, current advisor, with initial capital of 1 million yen.

• 1959 (Showa 34): Begins exporting musical instruments, establishing a growing international presence.

• 1960 (Showa 35): The company’s guitars are rebranded from Arai Guitar to Aria.

• 1964 (Showa 39): Begins domestic sales of Japanese-made instruments.

• 1966 (Showa 41): Launches original electric guitars under the Aria Diamond brand.

• 1975 (Showa 50): Opens Tokyo and Osaka branches; separates the electric guitar line from acoustics and debuts the Aria Pro II brand.

• 1976 (Showa 51): Begins full-scale wholesale distribution of musical instruments.

• 1977 (Showa 52): Announces and releases the prototype PE-1500, PE-1000, PE-800, and PE-600 models in October.

• 1978 (Showa 53): Establishes Aria UK Ltd. in London, beginning local distribution in the United Kingdom.

• 1981 (Showa 56): Introduces the PE-R series as a new generation of the PE lineup.

• 1987 (Showa 62): Matsumoku Industrial, the main manufacturing partner, ceases operations; production shifts to Tokai Gakki Seizo.

• 1993 (Heisei 5): Company capital increased to 90 million yen.

• 1995 (Heisei 7): Completes construction of a product distribution center and begins operations.

• 2006 (Heisei 18): Establishes Aria Co., Ltd. and launches mail-order operations.