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Cheap is 'GOOOOOD'

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2024 1:05 pm
by jennz
I recently scored a Aria Pro II J-1 at just over half the retail price in good condition.
I have owned and worked on a lot of guitars in my time. I am Blown Away by this Babe !
This all I have done to her and I think I am in Love !
Replaced the strings with a flat wound set of Ibanez jazz Light gauge 11/50.
Made a small adjustment, mild relief, using the unusual slotted Neck truss.
Lowered the action to how I like it.
Replaced the control knobs to Chrome (hate lettering or numbers).
Hard tailed the bridge ( better tuning stability and resonance sound).
Buffed out a few scratches and bumps.

All for less than the NZ retail $399, in Aust.$450+, in UK $500+.
She plays real nice and I like the short scale, off set body and less weight ( 3.25Kg.)With the Neck single coil only I get the sound I love for Jazz and Blues.
The pickup layout is a very effective but fairly uncommon H/S configuration, with an Alnico-5 single-coil in the neck and a Classic Power humbucker in the bridge. There's a master volume, master tone and a three-way toggle on the lower horn
I would really like to hear opinions and if I am just lucky this time or ?

Re: Cheap is 'GOOOOOD'

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2024 1:08 pm
by Slowy
When you're looking for a good musical tool rather than a collectable status symbol, there's some amazing bargains to be had.

Re: Cheap is 'GOOOOOD'

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2024 1:48 pm
by Jay
You joined the wrong forum!

Most dudes here gas for expensive, vintage, reliced guitars. It doesn't matter to them if it plays well or can be made to play well. It is all about looks and 'oh wow' :wink:

Re: Cheap is 'GOOOOOD'

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2024 1:53 pm
by jennz
How true but I even like the look of her !

Re: Cheap is 'GOOOOOD'

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2024 1:55 pm
by Zaulkin
Over the last year or two I've tinkered with an Artist grungemaster that I picked up for $200, that thing is seriously awesome.

Once you have the experience and know what you like, there's plenty of good guitars out there.

Re: Cheap is 'GOOOOOD'

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2024 2:31 pm
by Slowy
Zaulkin wrote: Sat Jan 13, 2024 1:55 pm Once you have the experience and know what you like, there's plenty of good guitars out there.
This is one of the benefits of being old. :D

Re: Cheap is 'GOOOOOD'

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2024 2:36 pm
by Starfire
jennz wrote: Sat Jan 13, 2024 1:53 pm How true but I even like the look of her !
*It.

Re: Cheap is 'GOOOOOD'

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2024 2:41 pm
by Slowy
Starfire wrote: Sat Jan 13, 2024 2:36 pm
jennz wrote: Sat Jan 13, 2024 1:53 pm How true but I even like the look of her !
*It.
I dunno... those curves....

Re: Cheap is 'GOOOOOD'

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2024 3:00 pm
by Jay
Starfire wrote: Sat Jan 13, 2024 2:36 pm
jennz wrote: Sat Jan 13, 2024 1:53 pm How true but I even like the look of her !
*It.
You didn't pick on 'there's plenty guitars'.

I know this is the forum but you see it also in many media communications. Ffs, what's wrong with knowing your plural verbs... and using them when it is your job...

Oh well

Re: Cheap is 'GOOOOOD'

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2024 3:09 pm
by Slowy
Jay wrote: Sat Jan 13, 2024 3:00 pm
Starfire wrote: Sat Jan 13, 2024 2:36 pm
jennz wrote: Sat Jan 13, 2024 1:53 pm How true but I even like the look of her !
*It.
You didn't pick on 'there's plenty guitars'.

I know this is the forum but you see it also in many media communications. Ffs, what's wrong with knowing your plural verbs... and using them when it is your job...

Oh well
Been fishing? Sandy vag?

Re: Cheap is 'GOOOOOD'

Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2024 6:45 am
by Mosfet
That offset looks great! HS is top tier. Way underrated.

Re: Cheap is 'GOOOOOD'

Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2024 8:42 am
by jennz
Mosfet wrote: Sun Jan 14, 2024 6:45 am That offset looks great! HS is top tier. Way underrated.
Yes I think that is why I was attracted to buying.

Re: Cheap is 'GOOOOOD'

Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2024 8:45 am
by jennz
Zaulkin wrote: Sat Jan 13, 2024 1:55 pm Over the last year or two I've tinkered with an Artist grungemaster that I picked up for $200, that thing is seriously awesome.

Once you have the experience and know what you like, there's plenty of good guitars out there.
Halalooya ! Why spend Thousands ?

Re: Cheap is 'GOOOOOD'

Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2024 8:50 am
by jennz
Slowy wrote: Sat Jan 13, 2024 2:31 pm
Zaulkin wrote: Sat Jan 13, 2024 1:55 pm Once you have the experience and know what you like, there's plenty of good guitars out there.
This is one of the benefits of being old. :D
I agree but the fingers are getting old too ! ................

Re: Cheap is 'GOOOOOD'

Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2024 8:55 am
by jennz
Mosfet wrote: Sun Jan 14, 2024 6:45 am That offset looks great! HS is top tier. Way underrated.
Yes I believe one can get any sound they want with this combo.