Ever Heard of Ariana Guitars? History, and What to Expect

When you think about famous guitar brands, a few names might come to mind immediately. Gibson, Fender, Ibanez, and others are sold at stores all across the world.

If you prefer to play vintage guitars, a name you might not have heard of is Ariana.

These stunning classical acoustic guitars deliver an incredible playing experience.

They were initially manufactured in Japan, with most models using a mahogany body with a cedar top. Models like the G15 would have about two inches of neck action.

If you’ve ever played a Takamine classical guitar, the experience is quite similar.

What Is the History of Ariana Guitars?

Shiro Arai formed “Arai and Company, Incorporated” in Japan in 1956. About four years later, this small startup began retailing acoustic guitars.

The first instruments Arai produced were for the Matsumoku brand under a contract for the large instrument maker. They worked together to create electric models in 1966.

Several different brands were part of that initial effort to create new Japanese guitars. Aria, Arai, Aria Diamond, and Arita were a few of the models that eventually made it into consumers’ hands.

In late 1975, Aria started a new line of Aria Pro II guitars that were almost exclusively for electric basses and guitars.

Aria produced all of their guitars in Japan until 1988. That’s when the product of the less expensive models moved to Korea and Indonesia.

The company transferred a few models to the United States in the 1990s, including the Steve Bailey six-string signature bass.

During that journey, Arai would create the Ariana brand of guitars. The goal with this option was the same as it was for their Integra IGB and Magna MAB/MAC guitars.

By offering a less expensive model with a similar tone and sustain, the hope was to expand its market influence toward new demographics.

The company now produces several guitar series under the Aria name. Ariana guitars are still widely available on the second-hand market on platforms like Reverb, eBay, and Mercari.

What to Expect from an Aria Guitar

When you look at Ariana guitars’ evolution through the current Aria series, you’ll find several options available worth considering.

Here is an overview of what you can expect from the brand today.

Meister Series Guitars:	These guitars feature Englemann spruce for the top, mahogany sides, and back, with a flamed maple binding. Gold hardware works with a rosewood bridge to create a distinctive appearance and sound. It’s one of the most versatile guitars you can find today.
100 Series Guitars:	The 100-series comes in several different versions to accommodate virtually any playing style. Whether you’re an urban player or have a child who wants to learn how to play, you’ll find several sizes and colors available that meet every need.
200 Series Guitars:	With the Aria 200-series guitar, you’ll get a warmer sound with less intonation due to the mango sides and back. Most models deliver a classical design that feels like an updated version of the Ariana model. You can choose from several different finishes and colors.
ADW/ADF Series Guitars:	Aria uses Sapelli in these guitars to create a powerful sound with clear projection. You have the option for classical or electric cutaway versions with this model. The latter uses an original preamp design to deliver superior tone control, and you receive an onboard tuner with your investment.
Prodigy Series Guitars:	This series is primarily for beginners. It uses Meranti wood and a Nato neck to keep costs down. The chrome hardware glistens as you strum, creating a fun introduction to this musical process. Even though the fingerboard is ironwood, players will feel like their guitar plays well above its price.
Elecord Series Guitars:	The FET-T1 guitar from Aria might be the most beautiful instrument you’ve ever seen. It’s made from teak and ironwood, delivering a thin body playing experience that feels exotic. The resonant sound you’ll receive from this model is incredible!
Mayfair Series Guitars:	This acoustic guitar delivers the traditional playing experience. It features a matte finish on a spruce top with Nato sides, back, and neck. It is a full-bodied tone that works to maximize the sustain received from each strum.
500 Series Guitars	The 500-series guitar from Aria uses solid Sitka spruce for the top and Indonesian mahogany for the back, side, and neck. It uses a 20F fret design with a 14F neck joint and a snowflake fingerboard inlay to create an impressive design. The saddle and nut are bone, while the bridge is made of rosewood. Several color options are available, including a stunning sunburst design.

Best Alternatives to Ariana Guitars for Guitarists

If you cannot find an Ariana guitar that meets your needs, you might switch to an Aria model like the ones listed in this guide.

Trying to find an Aria guitar outside of Japan is not always easy. The company usually develops relationships with a single organization in each country to distribute the product.

That means the only way to secure a new Aria guitar is to work with LPD Music International out of Madison Heights, MI.

Since the authorized dealers don’t have an online presence that lets you get the new guitars you want from the original Ariana producer, you’re left with the choice to purchase an alternative brand that sounds relatively similar.

Here are the best guitars that fit that description today.

1. Yamaha FS830 Small Body Acoustic Guitar

The dusk sun red sunburst pattern is what draws your attention to this guitar immediately. Although it’s available in several other designs, the spruce top seems to sing a lot better with each strum.

You’ll appreciate the adjustable truss rod incorporated in the design, helping you create more powerful and louder sounds in the lower register.

With the Yamaha FS830 Small Body Acoustic Guitar, you’ll get an excellent mid-range tone while creating excellent support with the updated scalloped bracing inside the body.

Each strum sounds natural, authentic, and mellow while keeping enough brightness around for everyone to enjoy.

2. Seagull S6 Original LE Acoustic Guitar

This Canadian-made acoustic guitar produces an excellent representation of the vintage sounds that an Ariana instrument offers.

The pressure-tested top works with a tapered design to ensure stable tuning and precise note placement for those that prefer alternative musical scales.

It also provides a compensated saddle and a double-action truss rod to create the intonation you want for each song.

When you play the Seagull S6 Original LE Acoustic Guitar for the first time, you might notice a slightly different vibration. That’s due to the Tennessee Red instrument using wild cherry wood for the sides and back.

This material delivers the crispness of maple and mahogany’s warmth to make it a highly rated alternative that you’ll love to play.

3. Fender CD-60 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar

One of the reasons to embrace the Arai family of brands in previous years was that it delivered a premium sound without creating budgetary distress.

When you select the Fender CD-60 dreadnought bundle, you’ll get everything you need to start playing for the same price you can find from a used Ariana guitar.

You’ll receive a hard case, tuner, strings, strap, and picks with an instructional book that makes it easy to learn your first chords.

The Austin Bazaar instructional DVD provides relevant advice to help you start conquering the essentials of each note.

It features a laminated spruce top and mahogany sides to create that mellow, vintage tone that you’ll love to hear each time you play.

4. Blueridge 4-String Acoustic Guitar

This unique guitar design provides elements of the ukulele and bass while delivering the resonant acoustic sound you love with a guitar.

It features a rosewood fingerboard for excellent playability while using Sitka spruce for crispness. Each note gets articulately cleanly, whether you decide to pick or strum.

You can tune the Blueridge 4-String Acoustic Guitar as you would a standard instrument. Start at the bottom to give yourself the E-B-G-D format, which is similar to what you’d use to tune a bass.

Some players might need to learn new music theory concepts since you’re moving away from the traditional six-string design, but transitioning to tenor with an acoustic design could be the right move for you as a player.

Are You Ready to Upgrade Your Guitar Today?

Although you won’t find Ariana guitars offered for sale, you can still enjoy the unique manufacturing and sales approach that Arai started over 60 years ago.

Several professional guitarists used Aria Pro II guitars over the years, including Cliff Burton, Kurt Cobain, Rudy Sarzo, and John Taylor.

When you want to achieve the same sound from your guitar that an Ariana produces, you could opt to find that brand on the second-hand market. Websites like Mercari provide reliable access, although the instruments are relatively difficult to find.

You can also look at your local pawn shops to see what guitars are available.

If you want a guaranteed result from your investment, a suitable Ariana guitar alternative delivers the same sound quality at a similar price.