1976 Aria Pro II LS-700 Les Paul Standard Made In Japan MIJ

Rare - Used 1976 Aria Pro II LS-700 Model - Les Paul Standard - In rarely seen gloss black finish - With likely the original Matsumoku T-Top PAT PEND NO 027899 pickups - Made in the famous Matsumoku factory in Japan - MIJ.

In 1976, the LS-700 model was the top spec model for Aria's Les Paul Standard line. It was also the only set neck Standard model in 1976. This is a rare guitar - I've gone through about 10 years of Japanese auctions, and I have not seen another black LS-700 from 1976, so either these were produced in low numbers, or not many survived, or a combination of the two.

When I received this guitar, the bridge pickup cover had been removed to show off the black bobbin T-Top pickup. I have replaced the cover with a new aftermarket chrome pickup cover. You can see the bridge pickup before and after the chrome cover was installed in the photos.

I don't know for certain that these are the original pickups, but I would think that they are for multiple reasons. The neck pickup is stamped on the bottom PAT PEND NO 027899, while the bridge pickup does not have this stamp - however, the bridge pickup had been wax potted at some point, so it's very possible that the stamp came off during this process.

I don't own any other guitars with these pickups in them, but from a quick google search, I do see early 1975 and 1976 Aria LC750's and ES700's with these pickups installed, and Aria was the only brand that I am aware of that used T-Top bobbin's in their guitars, like this bridge pickup has. I have not removed the neck pickup cover to see if it is also black t-top bobbins.

Also, when I received the guitar, the original volume pots were not functional - they didn't go to zero. Even after disassembling, and cleaning them thoroughly, they would not go to zero, meaning you could never turn the volume off on either pickup on the guitar. So I replaced them with new 500k audio taper Alpha pots. I can include the original pots if you'd like them, for posterity. As I received the guitar, the neck pickup solder joint appeared to be original, but the bridge looked like it had been modified - again this could have been done during the wax potting process.

Aside from the missing stamp and the wax on the bridge pickup, the pickups look nearly identical on the bottom, they sound really similar, and have similar DC resistance values. So these are the reasons why I think they're original pickups to the guitar. The neck pickup I'm near certain is original, with the bridge pickup being the one I can't say with certainty.

These pickups sounds really good. They're lower output, and quite bright and clear, but in a good way. And they can drive an amp when needed. They are versatile.

Beyond the bridge pickup cover, everything else appears to be original, and this guitar is in good player grade condition. It's no museum piece or case queen - it has scratches and dings all over, there's some slight corrosion, rust and/or peeling on the chrome hardware, but it play's - and sounds - awesome. If you want a natural looking relic, that is 45+ years old, this is a good option.

Based on the 1976 Aria Pro II Catalog, these are equipped with a "Maple Pro Arched Top", mahgony solid body, and a 3 piece mahagony neck. Although this one is painted black, based on what I can see in the cavities, that appears to be true. The top isn't a solid cap - it's a carved maple top sitting on braces that attach to the mahogany body. The body is much more solid than other "chambered" or "veneer" tops of this era. When you tap the top of this body, it doesn't sound hollow or thin - it sounds solid. And this LS-700 is really resonant, possibly because of this construction method - it's a joy to play unplugged, and I think that translates into the sound through your amp.

Although it's difficult to the 086018 serial number on this one, since it was stamped into the neck, it shows up easily with a black light. This particular guitar was made in August 1976 (serial number format MMYXXX).

The plastics are all in tact, and in good shape too, with some typical pick marks on the pickguard & pickup rings, and typical swirling on all of the plastics.

The cool looking original chrome Aria "A" tuners are included, and work as expected.

Like most Aria Les Paul's from this era, the neck is a relatively thin for a Les Paul, likely thanks in part to the strong 3 piece mahagony neck, and it has a comfortable carve. This one also features a beautiful rosewood fretboard that has a lovely grain all the way up the board, along with some stunning real mother of pearl inlays, and fret edge binding (fret nibs). This was their top of the line model, and it shows.

The frets have been played, with wear especially on the G and B strings almost all the way up the fretboard. It's definitely been played, and was likely someone's main guitar, but the frets still have lots of life left in them.

Neck Specs:

Nut Width: 43.22mm

Width at 1st Fret: 44.11mm

Width at 12th Fret: 51.6mm

Thickness at 1st Fret: 20.5mm

Thickness at 12th Fret: 25.5mm

The guitar weighs 9.22lbs

While in the guitar, the neck pickup measures 8.21kΩ, both measure 4.08kΩ, and the bridge measures 8.07kΩ.

Setup in E-standard with new D'Addario EXL 110's 10-46 strings.

I always set up my Les Paul guitars to Gibson specs, with slight relief in the neck - usually about 0.010" to 0.012" between the string and the 8th fret with a capo on the first string and the 17th fret depressed. Right now, the truss rod is all the way loose, and there is only 0.006" of relief at the 8th fret. The guitar plays fine, and there's no dead frets or buzzing, so it plays as it should right now. But I have not tried it with lower gauge strings, or really low tunings - in other words with lower string tension, to see if the neck becomes even more flat. The truss rod does work as expected when tightened.

Comes with unbranded vintage brown leather case that's in good usable condition. I'm not sure if it's original to the guitar, but it's very possible this is the case that this guitar has been living in all its life.

Overall, this is rare and classic guitar you'll love to play and look at - it plays well, looks great, is built really well, and sounds awesome.

Whether you're a collector, or a player looking to add an incredible guitar to your arsenal, you'll want to add this 1976 LS-700 to your collection today.

CONDITION ------------

Overall it's in good player grade shape.

I've tried to capture all of the flaws in the photos and in the description below - if you want more pics (I have them) just send me a message and I'll send them to you.

There are multiple dings, scratches and dents all of over the top, sides and back of the body and neck, but most of them are on the edges of the top and back of the body.

Like any gloss black guitar, there's lots of fine swirling in the finish.

The headstock has a few chips in the paint on the edges.

The chrome hardware, bridge, tailpiece, pickup covers (neck), tuners, pickguard bracket and hardware all have varying degrees of corrosion and pitting.

The bridge pickup cover is new.

The cream pickguard and pickup rings have lots of pick marks.

Around the strap buttons there's some very light strap marks/swirling.

The frets have been played quite a bit, and there is play wear across the entire fretboard, mostly on the G and B strings, but none of the frets are dead or get stuck or fret out when bending, and there but there's lots of life left in the frets.

SHIPPING ------------

Shipping is available - contact me for more details.

I ship with full liability coverage and tracking, and fully wrapped in bubble wrap, in a cardboard box meant for guitars. There will be proper support inside the box. In order to reduce environmental impact, the packing material (paper, bubble wrap, air packets, foam, etc...) used inside the package may be recycled.

Package dimensions are 118cm x 47cm x 17cm

Total shipping weight will be around 17lbs.

Shipping within Canada - via Canada Post Regular or Expedited Parcel from Ayr, ON, Canada.

Shipping to United States - via UPS Standard from Ayr, ON, Canada.

Shipping everywhere else - contact me for a precise quote on shipping.

Note: if you want an exact shipping quote, just send me a note with your postal/zip code, and I'll get a proper quote for your address.

QUESTIONS ------------

Any questions? Want more photos or detailed shots? Measurements? Shoot me a message, and I'll be happy to answer them, or send more pics, or take any measurements you want/need.

Thanks for looking!

MORE PICS ------------

For more pics, check out the listing on my reverb store here:

https://reverb.com/shop/rising-sun-vintage-guitars

TRADES ------------

Not interested in trades.