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1982 Aria Cardinal Pro II CS 400 vintage Matsumoku Japanese SG style guitar. Amazing guitar in fantastic all original condition. No mods or repairs. Finding these guitars at this quality is getting harder. This is one of the rarer “carved top” set neck Aria CS guitars that were manufactured between 1981-1983.

Wiring untouched and full size pots

Aria’s CS series (CS = Cardinal Sound) had five models between 1981 and 1983. The less expensive CS-200, CS-250, CS-300 and CS-350 models had bolt on necks and a flat, but contoured body. The top-of-the-line CS-400 has a set in neck type with carved top. Aria also offered the CS-Custom and CS-Deluxe later on 1984-1985. The Aria set neck model is a much nicer guitar in my opinion. The higher-end Aria guitars made in Japan by Matsumoku during the mid 1980s are nice guitars.

Aria was formed in Japan in 1956 by Shiro Arai as Arai & Co., Inc (later Aria). First selling classical guitars. Under contract with Matsumoku, started manufacturing acoustic guitars in 1964, and then electric guitars in 1966. Sold under different brand names like Arai, Aria, Aria Diamond, Diamond, and Arita logos over the years.

Aria Pro II was used on electric guitars from 1975 to the 1990s. Early ones from up to the mid 1980s were made in Japan at the Matsumoku factory and are higher quality. Later after around 1987 production was moved to South Korea. Aria Pro II made several “copies” of US made guitars like Strats, Les Pauls, SG, etc. They also built their own designs. Although, this guitar is an SG style guitar it is not at all a copy. It is unique.

Matsumoku Industrial was a Japanese manufacturing company in Matsumoto, Japan, between 1951 and 1987. Starting as a woodworking and cabinetry maker, later making quality guitars. They manufactured instruments and parts for many companies like Wasburn, Yamaha, Norlin (Gibson) as well as Aria. Matsumoku made Epiphone guitars from 1970 through 1986. Matsumoku closed down in 1987.

Guitar has mini switches for coil-taps and reversing polarity for the two Protomatic V Humbucker pickups. Finish has a deep gloss that brings out the wood grain. One unique feature is that the bridge can either be top strung or body thru. Called the Thru-the-body or Quick-hook bridge design. This option allows for different string tension.

Specs:

  • Finish: Mahogany Sun-Burst
  • Neck: Maple 3-piece
  • Fretboard: Rosewood with dot inlays
  • Frets: 22
  • Body: Ash with Carved Top 3-piece
  • Scale Length: 630mm or 24.8-inch
  • Nut Width: 1 11/16-inch
  • Pickup/Control Layout: Two Humbuckers, Two Volumes, Two Tones, 3-Way Pickup Selector, Two Mini Switches
  • Weight: 7-lbs 12.5-ozs