1980 Aria Pro II PE-R60

I must admit that I don’t know a great deal about Aria guitars. Still, since the PE series is arguably the most iconic line produced by Aria, I figured it was time to educate myself a little.

Around 1980, a major upheaval swept through Japan’s electric guitar industry. It began in 1977, when Gibson filed a lawsuit against several Japanese manufacturers over illegal copy models. Although the case was ultimately settled without major financial penalties, it forced domestic guitar makers to abandon direct copies and focus instead on developing original designs.

As a result, an explosion of unique Japanese models appeared—but most of them quickly disappeared, and many companies vanished entirely. Among the few survivors, the Aria Pro II PE series truly stood out. One can only imagine how different Arai Trading’s fate might have been if this series hadn’t been a success.

In recent years, the PE series—especially the higher-end models—has enjoyed a sharp rise in popularity, with prices climbing steadily. This particular model, however, remains relatively affordable and accessible. Its classic mahogany back and maple top produce a warm, powerful tone, and personally, I actually prefer it to the more ornate high-end versions.

It’s equipped with New Extra III pickups, though I haven’t yet done a full tonal evaluation.
Weight: 3.88 kg (including strings)
(Updated May 18, 2016)