Aria Pro II PE-1500 in-depth explanation

NIHEYThe Aria Pro II PE-1500

Ladies and gentlemen Aria Pro IIof thePEThe model is called "PE".

PE is the original model introduced in the Aria Pro II and is called "Pro ElectricPE is an abbreviation of "Pro Electric".

Ariawas established in 1975 as an electric manufacturer and brand owned by Arai Trading, and was named Aria by replacing the "i" and "a" in Arai (Arai).

Pro IIwas added to the name Pro II because the U.S. distributor at the time requested something a little different.

Pro I was also a candidate, but it was decided not to use it because it did not sound good.

Back to the story, the PE-1500 model was introduced two years after Aria was established.1977two years after Aria was founded.

Speaking of the late 1970sGreco GOandYAMAHA SG-2000and other domestic makers such asOriginal flagship modelswere beginning to appear, and PE stood alongside them as a cutting-edge model of its time.

The PE-1500 was produced with a different approach from the original models of other companies, and in particulardesignThe PE-1500 has established its originality especially in terms of design.

Let's take a closer look at the PE-1500, which is filled with Aria's charm as well as other Japanese original models!

Head

The tip of the head protrudes like the horn of a stag beetle, and the center of the head has two peaks and valleys like a Gibson.

The central text reads.DESIGNED AND APPROVED BY H.NOBLEand it currently readsAtlansiawhich is currently involved inMr. Nobuaki Hayashiwho was involved in PE development.

Neck/Finger Plate

The PE-1500 uses either Hakaranda or Ebony for the fingerboard.

Body

Maple was used for the body when it was first released, followed by maple/mahogany/maple in the 1980s.

One of the main features of the PE-1500 is that both the top and back surfaces are arched.

Combined with the antique brown paint, it gives it a luxurious feel like a violin or vintage furniture.

The neck joint has a smooth heel-less cut, which makes it very easy to approach the high frets even though it is a single cut.

It is hard to see, but the left side is maple/mahogany/maple body. The right side is maple body.

The controls have been carefully dropped in.

The arches on the top and back of the body give it a high-class image, but the focus on functionality is what makes the PE unique and different from other instruments.

PU/Parts 

The PU is equipped with DiMarzio's Super Distortion, which was the leading replacement pickup at the time.

At the time, DiMarzio did not sell the pickups separately, but instead installed them in Aria Pro II guitars for sale at a low price, which is why they were also installed in PE and other copy models of the same period.

The top surface of the control knob is covered with rosewood, giving it a high-class feel.

The bridge is the original Supermatic bridge.

The bridge is supported at two points, and the bridge is also rounded to match the fingerboard surface.

Early models used a regular + screw for the angle adjustment screw on the end side, but this was changed to a regular potato screw because the sleeve would get caught when playing.

The left is the early model. The right one is the imo screw type.

The original Japanese models such as YAMAHA SG and Greco GO have many charms that other models do not have,

The greatest appeal of PE is "high playability and beauty coexist" in my opinion.

When I held a PE for the first time, I felt that the body shape was very comfortable to my body.

I still remember how shocked I was that the arch back, which I had seen from the perspective of luxury, could fit my body so well.

I think PE-1500 is the model that led to the answer to the problem that is difficult to realize even if it is pursued, that is, to be easy to use for players in terms of performance while placing emphasis on the sense of luxury!

 NIHEI