You’ve spotted an Aria acoustic at a tempting price, and now you’re asking the obvious question. Is it actually any good, or just cheap?
That’s the right thing to weigh with budget gear. Aria has spent decades aiming at lower price tiers, so what matters is whether the build and tone hold up for the money.
This article gives an honest read on the brand and where the guitars are made today. We’ll also point out a couple of models worth a look, like the Vintage 100 parlor.
Let’s answer the main question head on.
Are Aria Acoustic Guitars Good?
Yes, Aria acoustic guitars are good quality, especially considering the price. Aria guitars are designed to fit into a specific price range, and their products really do fill that need well.
For an affordable guitar with a fairly level set of features and specifications, Aria performs above what you’d expect from the cost. The brand has spent decades refining how to deliver playable, decent-sounding instruments without pushing the price up.
What Is an Aria Guitar?
Aria Guitars has been around since the 1950s and has drawn a lot of attention for its low-cost instruments.
The company started selling acoustic guitars in 1960, but it wasn’t until 1964 that it began making its own. Aria arranged for Matsumoku, a guitar maker, to produce the guitars for them on a contract basis.
In 1964, Arai and Matsumoku began producing acoustic guitars, followed by electric guitars in 1966, under the Arai, Aria, Aria Diamond, Diamond, and, less frequently, Arita acoustic guitar brand names.
In late 1975, the Aria brand was renamed Aria Pro II, which was used mostly (but not solely) for electric guitars and basses.
Until February 1987, all guitars were built in Japan. At that point, production of the less costly models (the Magna MAB/MAC and Integra IGB series) was moved to Korea, with Samick-factory production actually starting as early as May 1986.
Where Are Aria Guitars Made?
Aria guitars are made in Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, depending on the model and price tier.
The company also runs a research and development department that has developed new products for its flagship guitar line, the Aria Pro II series. This series includes acoustic guitars with elements aimed at making them better-sounding instruments while keeping them accessible to more players.
What Are Some Good Aria Acoustics?
Aria acoustic guitars are good, considering the price. For an affordable guitar with a fairly level set of features and specifications, they do well.
Aria offers a very wide array of acoustic guitar models and covers almost every kind of body style imaginable. Where other cheaper brands tend to either do one thing well or everything poorly, Aria has managed to strike a fairly good balance between those two extremes.
A couple of my favorites:
Aria Vintage 100 Parlor Guitar
The Aria 100 series is a budget-friendly option that maintains outstanding playability and a rich, clear tone projection. Matte finishes and deluxe open-gear tuners give this parlor guitar a vintage feel, and it’s available in matte tobacco burst.
It features a spruce top, sapele back and sides, and a mahogany neck. It has 20 frets, a 25.5-inch scale length, vintage tuners, and a matte tobacco burst finish.
Aria Vintage 100 Series OM Orchestra Model
The Aria OM model is an excellent entry-level option that offers the playability of an acoustic-electric guitar at an affordable price. A solid spruce top provides balance and clarity, while the mahogany neck and body and rosewood fingerboard respond well to string attack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Aria guitars good for beginners?
Yes. Aria acoustics are built for the budget end of the market, which makes them a sensible first guitar.
The playability is solid and the price is low, so a beginner can learn without a big upfront investment.
The Vintage 100 series in particular offers good tone and comfortable action for new players, making it easy to stick with practice.
Are Japanese-made Aria guitars better than the others?
Historically, all Aria guitars were built in Japan until 1987, and many players prize those older Japanese-made instruments. Today, Aria produces guitars across several countries to hit different price points.
Country of origin matters less than the specific model and price tier. A higher-spec Aria from any of its factories can still be a very good instrument.
How long has Aria been making guitars?
Aria has been around since the 1950s and started selling acoustic guitars in 1960. The brand began producing its own guitars through Matsumoku in 1964.
That’s well over half a century of guitar-building experience, which is part of why the brand has refined its budget instruments so well.
Are Aria acoustics good value compared to other budget brands?
Generally, yes. Many cheap brands either do one thing well or do everything poorly, but Aria tends to strike a balance, offering consistent quality and a wide range of body styles.
For the money, an Aria acoustic gives you a level set of features and dependable playability, which is exactly what you want from a value instrument.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, these guitars are genuinely good. Of course, some models are better than others, but overall the lineup is very affordable and works well for the price.
Aria offers a very wide array of instruments and covers almost every kind of body style imaginable. Where other cheaper brands tend to either do one thing well or everything poorly, Aria has managed to strike a fairly good balance between those two extremes.
If you want a dependable, budget-friendly acoustic with decades of brand experience behind it, Aria is a smart place to start your search.
