Aria is the trademark of the Arai Company of Japan, which began producing guitars in 1956. Prior to 1975, the trademark was either Aria or Aria Diamond. Original designs in the 1960s gave way to a greater emphasis on replicas of American designs in the late 1970s. Ironically, the recognition of these well-produced replicas led to success in later years as the company returned to producing original designs. The Aria trademark has always reflected high production quality, and currently there has been more emphasis on stylish designs (such as the Fullerton guitar series, or in bass designs such as the AVB-SB). Mandolins first appeared in the mid-1970s with an F-5 copy. In 1975, Aria started using the Aria Pro II brand that was primarily used on electric guitars - acoustic guitars and mandolins still used the Aria trademark. By the late 1970s, Aria was producing a full line of mandolins based on the popular Gibson A-style and F-style designs. Early series that were only produced in the mid- to late 1970s, include the PM and FM model lines. By the late 1980s, most production of Aria instruments was moved to Korea. In the 1990s and 2000s, some production has shifted to China as well. By 1994, the only mandolin series was the AM Series. Aria offers a full line of acoustic guitars, electric guitars, basses, amplifiers, banjos, and ukuleles. For more information, visit Aria's website or contact Hanser directly.
Note: Aria usually releases catalogs and price lists, but the two often don't coincide with one another. Since the marjority of Aria guitars are built overseas and distributed throughout the world, the instruments that make it to the U.S. are very unpredictable. Hanser releases a catalog that includes all instruments that are supposed to available (this may not be updated for several years), but they'll release a price list that reflects what they have in inventory currently and what they are expected to get. Whenever possible, we use the price list to create model production years, but often times we only have a catalog. The following listings are fairly accurate, but it is possible that years may overlap, features may change, etc.
Instruments currently produced in Japan, Korea, China, Indonesia, U.S., and/or Spain since the mid-1970s. Distributed in the U.S. by Dana B. Goods in Ventura, CA. Previously distributed by Hanser Music Group (previously HHI) in Hebron, KY and by Aria USA/NHF in Pennsauken, NJ. The Aria trademark was established in 1956.

ARIA/ARIA PRO II Mandolins Models

ARIA/ARIA PRO II AM200 Image

ARIA/ARIA PRO II AM200

- A-style body, spruce top, mahogany back and sides, two f-holes, top and back binding, mahogany neck, 20-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, standard headstock with four-per-side tuners, adj. rosewood bridge, engraved tailpiece, rai...

ARIA/ARIA PRO II M-180 Image

ARIA/ARIA PRO II M-180

- A-style body, spruce top, mahogany back and sides, two f-holes, top binding, mahogany neck, 20-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, square black headstock with small logo and four-per-side tuners with pearl buttons, adj. rosewood br...

ARIA/ARIA PRO II AM200E Electric Image

ARIA/ARIA PRO II AM200E Electric

- similar to the AM200, except has a single exposed pickup, tortoise pickguard that surrounds the pickup, and two knobs (v, tone), available in Brown Sunburst, Candy Apple Red, or Metallic Blue finish, mfg. early 1990s-present.

ARIA/ARIA PRO II M-300 Image

ARIA/ARIA PRO II M-300

- double sharp cutaway symmetrical body, spruce top, rosewood (early models) or maple (later models) back and sides, two f-holes, top binding, mahogany neck, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, slightly styilized black headstock w...

ARIA/ARIA PRO II AM300 Image

ARIA/ARIA PRO II AM300

- double sharp cutaway, symmetrical body, spruce top, maple back and sides, oval soundhole with white and black rings, top binding, mahogany neck, 26-fret extended bound rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, snake-style headstock with small...

ARIA/ARIA PRO II M-700 Image

ARIA/ARIA PRO II M-700

- F-style two-point body, solid spruce top, maple back and sides, two f-holes, top and back binding, mahogany neck, 30-fret extended ebony fingerboard with pearl block inlays, bound snake-style headstock with small logo and four-per-side tu...

ARIA/ARIA PRO II AM400 Image

ARIA/ARIA PRO II AM400

- F-style two-point body, spruce top, maple back and sides, two f-holes, top and back binding, mahogany neck, 30-fret extended bound rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, snake-style headstock with flower inlay and four-per-side tuners with...

ARIA/ARIA PRO II M-800 Image

ARIA/ARIA PRO II M-800

- F-style two-point body, solid spruce top, solid maple back and sides, dot fingerboard inlays, chrome hardware, available in Antique Violin or Brown Sunburst finish, mfg. mid-1980s-early 1990s.

ARIA/ARIA PRO II AM600 Image

ARIA/ARIA PRO II AM600

- F-style two-point body, solid spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides, two f-holes, top and back binding, mahogany neck, 23-fret extended bound rosewood fingerboard with various design inlays, bound snake-style rosewood headstock with f...

ARIA/ARIA PRO II M-900 Image

ARIA/ARIA PRO II M-900

- F-style two-point body, solid spruce top, solid maple back and sides, flower fingerboard inlays, chrome hardware, available in Antique Violin or Brown Sunburst finish, mfg. mid-1980s-early 1990s.

ARIA/ARIA PRO II M-1000 Image

ARIA/ARIA PRO II M-1000

- F-style two-point body, solid spruce top with scroll, solid maple back and sides, dot fingerboard inlays, gold hardware, available in Antique Violin finish, mfg. early 1980s-early 1990s.