ARIA OF EXPERTISE

GW DIGS THROUGH 60-PLUS YEARS OF ARIA GUITARS HISTORY

- JOE MATERA

WHILE ARIA GUITARS might not enjoy the same lofty status as Gibson or Fender in the echelon of guitar makers, its outsider status and unique craftsmanship have certainly made it a worthy contender during the course of Aria’s 60-plus years of existence. Some of the greatest guitarists — from Herb Ellis to Andy Summers, from Yngwie Malmsteen to George Lynch — have, at some point in their careers, brandished one of Aria’s guitar models, such as its popular Aria Pro II series. Even in today’s highly competitive marketplace, Aria continues to flourish and continues to build upon its innovative spirit.

THEY SAY NECESSITY is the mother of invention. In the story of Aria Guitars, necessity is very much central to the company’s humble beginnings in Nagoya, Japan, in 1956. It started when talented classical guitarist Shiro Arai struggled to find outlets in his native country where he could buy nylon strings for his classical guitar. Frustrated by the scarcity, he came up with the idea of importing classical guitar strings from Augustine, a manufacturer in New York City. As word spread among Japanese guitarists and demand for Augustine strings grew, Arai set up Arai & Co. Inc. to cope with the flourishing sales. With the arrival of rock ’n’ roll, Arai also began importing guitars, including Framus models from Germany.