1977 Aria Pro II LS-450 Les Paul Standard Leopard Model MIJ

1977 Aria Pro II LS-450 Leopard Model - Les Paul Standard - In gloss Brown Sunburst (Tobacco Burst) finish - All original, with original chrome covered Matsumoku T-Top pickups - Made in the famous Matsumoku factory in Japan - MIJ.

In 1977 Aria released a new Les Paul model known as the LS-450. This was the first time we see the "Leopard Model" script on the headstock of any Aria models, which disappeared from the headstocks later that year. At that time, many of the LP models from Japan were made with maple necks, but the LS-450 comes with a 3 piece mahogany set neck, which is really nice to play on. The LS-450 is also equipped with Matsumoku T-Top Alnico V pickups - a nod to the Gibson T-Tops of the era (although I have not removed the chrome covers to see the bobbins, everything I see would support that these are original pickups, and therefore would be the T-top bobbins). They didn't have a name for these pickups at that time - just Alnico V. I think these later became known as the AL-V pickups. It's said that Matsumoku may have used Maxon to make their pickups, and I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case, since these pickups sound really good to me. As good as the stuff from Greco and Goto (Gotoh) of this era.

Everything on this guitar appears to be original, and this guitar is in good, if not very good, player grade condition. It's no museum piece or case queen - it does have some scratches, chips and dings all, and there's some slight corrosion, rust and/or peeling on the chrome hardware, but overall it's in good condition, and it play's - and sounds - awesome. If you want a natural looking relic, that is 46+ years old, this is a good option.

Based on the 1977 Aria Pro II Catalog, these are equipped with a arched maple top, laminate mahogany body (i.e. pancake body, which was what Gibson was doing in this time frame), and a set neck, and that appears to be true on this one as well. 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 entry level "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 the guitar weighs in at what a typical solid Les Paul weighs (9.36 lbs). But these LS-450's are really resonant, possibly because of this construction method - they're a joy to play unplugged, and I think that translates into the sound through your amp.

The neck is a relatively thin for a Les Paul, with a nice carve, and it has a nice dark rosewood fretboard with a beautiful grain all the way up the fretboard. Matsumoku was using some really nice rosewood during this time. The frets have been played, and show minor play wear, but overall there's lots of life left in them.

Neck Specs:

Nut Width: 43.61mm

Width at 1st Fret: 43.83mm

Width at 12th Fret: 51.61mm

Thickness at 1st Fret: 20.44mm

Thickness at 12th Fret: 24.44mm

The guitar weighs 9.36lbs

While in the guitar, the neck pickup measures 8.30kΩ, both measure 4.09kΩ, and the bridge measures 8.06kΩ.

Setup in E-standard with new D'Addario EXL 120's 9-42 strings.

5mm hex truss rod works as expected, turns in both directions, and has room in either direction.

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

If you're looking for a Japanese Les Paul, don't miss this one.

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

Overall it's in good, if not very good, player grade shape.

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

The high E string tuner is cracked. The bushing that holds the top collar has snapped from the main body of the tuner, and thus it cannot be tightened in place (i.e. when you tighten the hex bolt on the top side of the tuner, the part of the tuner that holds it in place has snapped off). It was over tightened. Thus the high E washer can rattle when playing. The tuner itself still works. I think that the sizing of these tuners are a typical Grover style, so finding aftermarket or used replacements wouldn't be an issue. I have left it as is in order to be all original. This is shown in the photos.

There is a crack in the top coat on the back of the headstock that runs through the tuners. You can see this in the photos. It appears to only be in the top coat, and does not run over the top side of the headstock, or inside the tuner holes.

The knobs appear to be original. The 2 volume knobs have damage on them - the top cover on the bridge knob is chipped, and the neck pickup volume has some black marks (looks like sharpie) on it. Otherwise, they work, fine. Again, I left it original. This is shown in the photos.

The top binding in the cut out is slightly separated from the body - again this is typical for Aria's of this era. This one is not bad, and I've seen ones completely separated - this one is only slight (you can feel it with your finger). This is showing in the photos.

There are dings, dents, scratches, and swirling all over the body, neck, headstock, typical of a guitar this age. Overall nothing major I'd say.

The headstock has a chips in the top coat on the edges.

The chrome hardware, bridge, tailpiece, pickup covers, tuners, pickguard bracket and hardware all have varying degrees of corrosion and pitting - but for a 45+ year old guitar, it's still in pretty good shape, and still has quite a bit of shine to it.

The cream front plastics, and read black plastics, have lots of pick marks, fine scratches and swirling, typical of a guitar of this era.

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

The frets have been played, and there is some minor play wear across the fretboard, but not much, so 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 16lbs.

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.