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 Post subject: Aria Pro II CS-350 Cardinal Series - 1981
PostPosted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 8:50 pm 
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Joined: Mon Mar 02, 2009 7:45 pm
Posts: 581
Location: Hampshire, UK
I thought it was about time I posted some pics of my recently-acquired 1981 Aria Pro II CS 350 cardinal series guitar.

Made in Japan (MIJ) at the famous Matsumoku factory.

It's got a fairly small contoured flat ash body, in "SR" - what Aria called "See-thru Red". This is a deep red high gloss type finish, where the color shines through but you still see the wood grain clearly. It's difficult to see the true colour in the photos.

Die-cast thru-body bridge with adjustable saddles.

2 "Zebra type" humbucker pickups with 2 extra miniature toggle switches for coil tapping and phase reversal .

This is my first Matsumoko-made guitar and the Aria reputation for quality in this era is obviously well-founded. It's a great guitar to play, especially for the blues. 8-)
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97 Fender Strat Plus; 81 Aria Pro II CS-350; 70s Gherson Les Paul; 09 Hofner Verythin; 02 Takamine EG540SC ;03 Johnson Travel; 60s Minorca Classical; Indian Sitar; 70s Ovation Deacon; 76 Shergold Meteor Deluxe; Godin Multiac Nylon SA


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 Post subject: Re: Aria Pro II CS-350 Cardinal Series - 1981
PostPosted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 8:53 pm 
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Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2010 7:46 am
Posts: 8
I love the Aria Pro II's, I had one just like this in the mid 80s

There was a craze back then for mini toggle switches, the more the better. Coil taps and phase reversal were what everyone wanted, but then rareley changed after the original try-out.

They seem to go for bargain prices now, I might keep a lookout for one.

YOurs looks in nice clean condition


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 Post subject: Re: Aria Pro II CS-350 Cardinal Series - 1981
PostPosted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 10:21 pm 
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Joined: Mon Mar 02, 2009 7:45 pm
Posts: 581
Location: Hampshire, UK
Thanks Joe, it's pictured pretty much as received, except for a polish and new strings. I got it from eBay, complete with a decent hardshell case. A great guitar for the Blues. :mrgreen:

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97 Fender Strat Plus; 81 Aria Pro II CS-350; 70s Gherson Les Paul; 09 Hofner Verythin; 02 Takamine EG540SC ;03 Johnson Travel; 60s Minorca Classical; Indian Sitar; 70s Ovation Deacon; 76 Shergold Meteor Deluxe; Godin Multiac Nylon SA


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 Post subject: Re: Aria Pro II CS-350 Cardinal Series - 1981
PostPosted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:58 pm 
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Joined: Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:54 pm
Posts: 1
If you ever want to sell it, you have a buyer here.

Mario


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 Post subject: Re: Aria Pro II CS-350 Cardinal Series - 1981
PostPosted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 12:41 pm 
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Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2012 11:47 am
Posts: 3
I actually have that same exact guitar! They could be twin sisters! Alas ... one of my saddles just broke (low E) Do you by chance know where I can by a replacement?? I want to keep her original, therefor i really don't want to replace the bridge. I picked it up in a local pawn shop in Portland Maine, about 17 years ago, and it still remains the pride of my 11 guitar fleet! any help or tips would be much appreciated! Thanks!- Tracy


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 Post subject: Re: Aria Pro II CS-350 Cardinal Series - 1981
PostPosted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 9:49 pm 
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Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2012 11:47 am
Posts: 3
Does anyone know what brand bridge these have?? I really need a new saddle, like to keep it original ..... perhaps does anyone know if a different saddle will fit in this bridge without replacing the other 5?? Or maybe I can replace the 6 saddles without replacing the bridge itself? Thanks for any help!! -Tracy


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 Post subject: Re: Aria Pro II CS-350 Cardinal Series - 1981
PostPosted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 9:51 pm 
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Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2012 11:47 am
Posts: 3
@ Mario .... there is one on ebay right now! (april 2nd. 2012)


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 Post subject: Re: Aria Pro II CS-350 Cardinal Series - 1981
PostPosted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 7:32 pm 
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Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2012 8:10 pm
Posts: 1
mgiamei wrote:
If you ever want to sell it, you have a buyer here. My dad is an accident attorney in Los Angeles who likes to play the guitar in his spare time (sometimes he takes the guitar to his office and plays it when he has no clients, or in his lunch time.

Mario


I am also ready to bargain to get it.Ready to pay more than "mgiamei" :lol:

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 Post subject: Re: Aria Pro II CS-350 Cardinal Series - 1981
PostPosted: Tue Sep 23, 2014 1:11 pm 
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Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2014 5:35 pm
Posts: 13
Very good and informative exchange .. Thank you!

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