Aria Pro II SL

The Aria Pro II SL was introduced in 1977 along with the SG-420 as their first set neck SG copies. All of the SL models were made in Japan by Matsumoku. While the SG-420 was slightly more similar to a '60s Gibson SG (by the pickguard shape, smaller headstock and lack of 1st fret inlay), the SL-420 was very similar to a contemporary 1970s Gibson SG.

In 1978, the SL-420 was discontinued and the SG-420 assumed the SL-420 name. Presumably this was because the SG-420 was selling better, but the SL-420 name was less of an obvious reference to the Gibson SG.

In 1980, the SL-500D is introduced. After 1981, the SL does not appear in any more catalogs as Aria focuses more on original designs. This could be a result of some kind of deal where they stopped producing their own copies in exchange for being able to sell Epiphone branded copies made by Matsumoku. The timelines do seem to coincide; the last known Aria Pro II catalog with Gibson copies is from 1981, while the Epiphones seem to have first appeared in 1982. Of course, that would not last long, as Matsumoku went out of business in 1987.

Related:

SL-420[]

1977
42,000 Yen MSRP

Body:

Beveled, solid Nato body
Polyurethane finish

Neck:

3-pc laminated Nato
Set-in construction
- Joins body at 18th fret

Rosewood fretboard
- Acrylic pearloid small block inlays
  - 1st fret inlay
- 12" radius
Large Open Book headstock
- Mother of Pearl Aria Pro II logo inlay
- Mother of Pearl crown inlay
- Volute
22 frets
24 ³/₄" scale
1 ⁹/₁₆" nut width???

Binding:

Neck, single-ply

Electronics:

Two Matsumoku MMK-61 Humbuckers
- AlNiCo V magnets
- 7.7 - 8.4 K Ohms DCR
3-way switch
2 Vol, 2 Tone

Hardware:

Chrome Hardware
Gotoh IDC41 tuning machines
- 14:1 ratio
- Metal Keystone buttons
5-ply Angel Wing style pickguard
Bell shaped truss rod cover
- 2-ply b/w
- 3 screws
Black Speed knobs
Tune-O-Matic style bridge
Stopbar tailpiece

Finishes:

Cherry Wine (CW)
Walnut (WA)

SG-420 / SL-420[]

1977 (SG-420)
1978-1981 (SL-420)
42,000 Yen MSRP

Body:

Beveled, solid Nato body
Polyurethane finish

Neck:

3-pc laminated Nato
Set-in construction
- Joins body at 20th fret

Rosewood fretboard
- Acrylic pearloid small block inlays
- SL-420 sticker after last fret
- 12" radius
Open Book headstock
- Mother of Pearl Aria Pro II logo inlay
- Mother of Pearl crown inlay
- Volute
22 frets
24 ³/₄" scale
1 ⁹/₁₆" nut width???

Binding:

Neck, single-ply

Electronics:

Two Matsumoku MMK-61 Humbuckers
- AlNiCo V magnets
- 7.7 - 8.4 K Ohms DCR
3-way switch
2 Vol, 2 Tone

Hardware:

Chrome Hardware
Gotoh IDC41 tuning machines (1977-1979)
- 14:1 ratio
- Metal Keystone buttons
Gotoh SG30 tuning machines (1980)
- 1:18 ratio
- Schaller-style case
- "Aria Pro II" engraved
- Metal Keystone buttons
Gotoh SD80-L Kluson-style tuning machines (1980-1981)
- 1:15 ratio
- "Aria Pro II" engraved
- Yellow Keystone buttons
  - Double ring
5-ply Angel Wing style pickguard
Bell shaped truss rod cover
- 2-ply b/w
- 3 screws
Black Speed knobs
Tune-O-Matic style bridge
Stopbar tailpiece

Finishes:

Cherry Wine (CW)
Walnut (WA)

SL-500D[]

1980-1981
50,000 Yen MSRP

Body:

Beveled, solid Nato body
Polyurethane finish

Neck:

3-pc laminated Nato
Set-in construction
- Joins body at 20th fret

Rosewood fretboard
- Acrylic pearloid small block inlays
- 12" radius
Open Book headstock
- Mother of Pearl Aria Pro II logo inlay
- Mother of Pearl crown inlay
- Volute
22 frets
24 ³/₄" scale
1 ⁹/₁₆" nut width???

Binding:

Neck, single-ply

Electronics:

Two Dimarzio Super Distortion humbuckers
- Ceramic magnets
- ~13.7k Ohms DC Resistance
- Double cream bobbins
3-way switch
2 Vol, 2 Tone

Hardware:

Chrome Hardware
Gotoh SD80-L Kluson-style tuning machines
- 1:15 ratio
- "Aria Pro II" engraved
- Yellow Keystone buttons
  - Double ring
5-ply Angel Wing style pickguard
Bell shaped truss rod cover
- 2-ply b/w
- 3 screws
Black Speed knobs w/ pointers
Tune-O-Matic style bridge
Stopbar tailpiece

Finishes:

Cherry Wine (CW)
Walnut (WA)