Aria Pro II History
The Legend of the Aria Pro II "TS": A Revolutionary Instrument That Defied the Times
Having established itself as a leading domestic original model thanks to the success of the PE series, Aria Pro II launched an innovative, multifunctional model that was ahead of its time in 1979 as its next move. Its name was “TS (Tri Sound).”
Deriving its name from the promise of “three distinct sounds,” this guitar was a true “magician of sound,” boasting seemingly infinite tonal variations—so much so that the catalogs of the time boasted it could “create over 30 different sounds.”
The TS: A Masterpiece of Cutting-Edge Technology with Versatile Controls
The TS series’ most distinctive feature was its complex and versatile control system. From its launch, it offered a wide lineup—including the TS-800, 600, 500, and 400—all of which came standard with coil taps and phase switches.
Furthermore, the higher-end models—the TS-500 and above—were equipped with a 6-position rotary switch to adjust the frequency of the active circuit, as well as a powerful booster.There were no compromises in construction either; models from the TS-600 onward featured a through-neck design that offered superior sustain and playability. The asymmetrical headstock shape—with six tuners on one side, unlike the PE series—also symbolized its advanced design.Each model also had its own unique fingerboard position marks: the TS-600 and higher models featured white mother-of-pearl diamond shapes, the TS-500 had slotted diamonds, and the TS-400 had dot position marks.
Behind the scenes: "The Strange Bird." The story behind the development of the TS series
Why was the TS born as such a multifunctional guitar? The answer lies in the existence of a certain copy model that Aria produced in the late 1970s. That model was the MK series, which was the result of a thorough study of B.C. Rich’s “Mockingbird.”
At the time, B.C. Rich was a cutting-edge guitar brand, and its innovative approach shocked many Japanese builders. It is said that Aria’s development team, deeply impressed, borrowed a Mockingbird that had arrived at a music store and conducted everything from taking measurements to disassembling and analyzing the circuitry at their Matsumoto factory.
Thus, the MK series was born under the concept of “surpassing the original.” The technological achievements cultivated there—such as the through-neck construction, booster, and diverse switch configurations—were transplanted almost entirely into the TS series. The TS series was proof that Aria had taken the cutting-edge technology it had absorbed and elevated it into its own original model.
Its innovative design was met with enthusiastic support from users, and it became so popular that at one point, factory production could not keep up with demand.
A short life that changed with the times and raced through the years
At the height of its popularity, the TS, like the PE, underwent a minor redesign around 1981. The headstock shape was changed to the same symmetrical 3:3 shape as the PE-R, and the bridge was updated to a 2-way design allowing for both under-saddle and tailpiece string routing, among other practical improvements.
However, its glory did not last long. The TS series, which had enjoyed such immense popularity, suddenly vanished after the 1983 catalog, bringing its brief production history to a close.
Although it did not have as many model variations as the PE series, there were distinctive models characteristic of Aria, such as Metallic Blue and Black & Gold, which left a lasting impression on many guitarists.
It was an ill-fated model with a lifespan of just a few short years. Yet its ambitious design philosophy and overwhelming presence are still spoken of today as a true legend—an indispensable part of the history of the Aria Pro II.