Can This Story Be True? | Trogly Guitar Hunting

[@EmperorSvar]

That first guitar is one of Jail O'Hashi's signature guitars from Seikima-II/聖飢魔II. Aria Pro II. That strat one is a RS-Jail Custom. They're a 1980s Japanese heavy metal band. He also has a single cut model. I own a Killer KG-FASCIST Vice Chameleon(my profile picture). It is one of Luke Takamura's(ルーク篁) guitar from the same band. 1 of 30. Luke came in on the album Big Time Changes. Go check out their first album. 悪魔が来たりてへヴィメタル - Akuma ga kitarite heavy metal. The Devil Comes with Heavy Metal. Or Devils/Demons. 魔王凱旋 Maou Gaisen (The Devil King's Triumphant Return) I was wondering when my time would come. 😂 デーモン閣下 His Excellency Demon(Demon Kakka) is the singer. ダミアン浜田 His Majesty Damian Hamada was one of the original guitarists. Check em out.

[@mutedp666]

I'll second this! Seikima-II is an awesome Japanese metal band. Seeing how you've dipped your toe into some J-Rock, I think you'll find some of it enjoyable! They even rerecorded some of their old songs in English if the language barrier bugs you. Definitely check out "El Dorado"!

[@EmperorSvar]

@@mutedp666 Yes! Definitely check out Akuma Nativity, and Akuma Relativity! Both great albums for the West! El Dorado is awesome!

[@EmperorSvar]

@@johnnyola2205 I wasn't around till the '90s, so sad days for me. LOL. I missed a lot of the bands in their prime. Oh yeah? 🤘😂

[@EmperorSvar]

@@johnnyola2205 Oof. xD

[@lorenshoffos7620]

The printing on the Aria headstock is much like the late 70 and 80's Arias. Those guitars are very well made guitars, the PE series was very high quality. The 1000 and 1500's were called Masterpieces.

[@somethingbl]

They actually spelled Aria wrong though, it says "Arai"

[@acoffeewithsatan]

It's such a shame they've moved production to Korea in the late 80s-90s. I don't know a lot about the brand but I know it has some legit enthusiasts, though a friend of mine has a beaten up Pro II JS and it's such a piece of crap... While I appreciate what one can do with a cheap instrument, besides the passable pickups (and a lot has to be said when I say so about cheap, unpotted ceramics), there's nothing particularly worth keeping about it, from the cheap hardware, bland-feeling neck to the MDF body. Their quality really went downhill at that point.

[@julosx]

One of my friends had a solid body Aria Pro II back in the early 80s, this guitar sucked dicks. The frets were incredibly agressive, enough to peel your fingers skin. Masterpieces ? I mean, come on.

[@lorenshoffos7620]

@@julosx its the same with all makes both good and bad. But I have owned and played 3 1500s and 2 1000s over the past 40 years and found them to be built very well. Too bad about your friends experience.

[@kenthhamner2641]

I was a teen guitarist in the 70s and I think you're romancing the era a tad😂🙄

[@ewankershaw6413]

I love the look of stripped 54. It's so much nicer than plan black. Sorry to the purists that can't get past the point that it isn't as Gibson produced it but the depth of colour and the grain of that mahogany top is truely beautiful.

[@HeelBJC]

"Sorry to the purists that can't get past the point that it isn't as Gibson produced it but the depth of colour and the grain of that mahogany top is truely beautiful." God forbid somebody, ya know, dares to have a different opinion than you...

[@chrispychreme02]

I can’t say I’ve ever seen a whole “works cited” page on a guitar before.

[@mboyer68]

3:07 Your "open book headstock" joke was the most funny thing I've ever heard you say!! "You're not going to get any style points for having a whole book on your headstock, it brings a new meaning to "open book" headstock!😆😖😝😷😂😂😂😂🤪🤣🙄

[@fredchatham6680]

Rimshot-cymbal crash

[@OrfinMusik]

I had a package shipped via EMS from Moscow to Dallas TX.. said it was released from customs in Moscow and on its way then went dark for almost 3 months then just showed up.. this was between February 2021 and the end of May 2021.. just saying ems might be running again but prepare to be patient with no updates for a long time if you ship with them.

[@Trog]

Sounds like they shipped it via sea mail EMS which was the only available service at that time

[@tiger31tiger31]

By the guitar. It may well be a part of a series with a printing error in the text on the headstock. Arai vs Aria

[@playswithpixels]

I just had a Les Paul shipped from Japan to the US via EMS. It took about 7 days and cost $225.

[@collintheplonker4809]

The crazy print on the headstock is what drives the price. Those are considered extra special guitars.

[@mightyV444]

They could've just put it on the *back* of the headstock, though!

[@snr2707]

Pretty sure pp linking killing up hi IPO and to

[@treybennett35]

I swear ive seen the same guy post a bs black LP custom. And I may be wrong but i wondered who would put there guitar outside up against a BRICK WALL to sell it????

[@JokersWild70]

My favorite is when they put the guitar right next to a swimming pool or a dock on a lake, lol.

[@twaylan]

Is Aria misspelled on the fine print of the headstock? WTF?

[@JJ-fb8sz]

I caught that too!!

[@neverenoughguitars8276]

Sometimes the exposure in a picture makes burst finishes look very clowny and super high contrast but in person they blend better. Hard to ever know for sure though.

[@mikeglazier5993]

Nice to see an Aria Pro featured. That is the quick change bridge that Aria has used for years. That looks to be a new made in Japan custom shop model. The headstock is a throwback to the 80's models that featured the patent info and the name H. Noble (their head designer). We are a lot fewer in numbers but Aria nerds are as rabid as Gibson nerds

[@jimreilley3417]

Did you notice on the Aria headstock blurb Aria is spelled Arai?

[@88_TROUBLE_88]

Yes I came to the comments to see if anyone else noticed that and it looks like you're the only other person who caught that.. And I don't understand how that's possible.. It's BLATANTLY OBVIOUS and I am wondering if it is supposed to be that way like it was originally spelled that way or some shit? That'd be my best guess otherwise everyone is retarded, and I mean extra chromosome Corky from Life Goes On level of retardation 😒

[@-CLASSIFIED-]

if you look into it all , they all say that. i think its because one of the founders names was "Arai"

[@clarkbabin9799]

I agree about the paint on the aria pro III. The paint needs to be blended better. But every aria I've seen is a pro series and they're typically priced like a custom Les Paul or signature. The Les Paul that was supposed to be aged from being white and or refinished may have been reequiped with the kahler several years after originally being purchased. I don't think I agree with leaning it against a brick wall to display it. Corner or a flat side. I get the aesthetic look using the wall as a background but to lean the guitar against the wall seems like a high probability of damage however so slight or beyond.

[@mboyer68]

For the eagle eyed people who noticed on the headstock paragraph... the Aria guitar has "Arai & Company" but it's not a mis spelling. Arai & Company was founded in Japan in 1956 but had legal issues with the name. So apparently they were allowed to keep the name for the company but not legal to call their guitars Arai. I do know that one Arai is a helmet company but it doesn't appear that company was the source of their legal troubles... but I'm not sure. Japan is infamous for having massive conglomerates... like apparently 4 companies own 95% of everything in Japan? Just fyi:)

[@danmartin633]

3:14 I'm surprised you didn't mention "The" Aria Pro, like early Gibson "The Gibson" logo.

[@michedwards1929]

Did anyone else notice Arai vs Aria on the headstock ?

[@PageMarker1]

Had to stop & rewind it initially and wondered WTF??

[@miserychannel69]

The wiring cavity shows the original finish, still creamy not yellow.

[@metalmig]

that is normal! the nitro finish doesn't age as much in the areas with no sun exposure

[@miserychannel69]

@@metalmig I have a Gibby that this has happened to .. there is a difference in the sheltered areas, I agree. Strange how the sheltered areas under the PU's and the 'factory' Kahler from a time travel experience match the un-sheltered areas. What I see in this video leads me to believe it is a refinish.

[@metalmig]

@@miserychannel69 yes! the top , pickup, and khaler routes are refinished! it would be cool to check that under black light

[@miserychannel69]

@@metalmig YES, BLACK LIGHT! too bad Austin doesn't have the guitar. I think the entire guitar is a refin .. back, neck everything matches except the wiring cavity. CHEERS!

[@Jester-Riddle]

3:08 That Aria Pro II says it's produced by 'Arai', as opposed to 'Aria' ... Is that a mis-spelling in a very obvious place ... ???

[@MattSmithMe]

That ‘74 Les Paul is a Chinese knockoff. There are about 5 Chinese sellers on eBay right now with them. The Reverb seller likely got spanked for the counterfeit guitar.

[@gregaltenhofel7326]

I have a Aria model 1932 (blonde clear finish SG copy) made in 1972 before they changed the name to Aria Pro II in 75. It's one of the finest guitars I've ever played and certainly one of the best out of the 70's. It is my #1

[@fabriceamy642]

Funny that the printing on the headstoc has a typo, it says "produced by "Arai & Co " not Aria & Co.... Now, it's a collector

[@jonniegibbins]

Sadly not so - the company is Arai and Co after the company founder Shiro Arai. The guitars are Aria, the company is Arai and Co.

[@Tim8tei]

A collector? What's up with this obsession about every single thing making a guitar unique and therefore collectable.

[@fabriceamy642]

@@jonniegibbins Thanks, I learned something!

[@emdiar6588]

I have a question about the Aria pro II with all the writing on the head stock: The main logo says Aria Pro II, but the ugly 'small print' spec in the middle says "Produced by Arai&co. Inc. Japan". Why the difference in spelling (Aria vs Arai)? I own two Aria pro II basses, and neither of them has the word Arai anywhere on them. Is there a story behind this? For example, did the guys at Arai decide that as their name is nearly an actual musical Western term, they might as well just swap the last two vowels to make it more familiar looking to Europeans. or was it a typo that made it past quality control?

[@SocksworthRiffs]

I really really love that '54 reissue that got stripped. has a super cool Artisan/Custom vibe combined

[@luiscuixara4622]

Hey, Goober ~ Maybe that Aria is so expensive because they misspelled "Aria" as "Arai" on the tiny copy that you read right thru w/o catching it? Kinda like an error strike coin ~ Thought you were a detail guy, Mr. Trogyl.

[@doncavanagh7243]

Thanks Trogly Your channel is priceless

[@themixmasterdylanshow247]

Aria pro 2 is a awesome guitar you should document a 80s japan model

[@fredmerrill4002]

Got a couple Arias & love them, an SL series superstrat & a Cardinal Series CS350, great underappreciated affordable guitars ($30 and $100 respectively). George Lynch played Aria Pro II before moving to ESP, his orange tiger striped one (some type of "Cat" series maybe?) can be seen in Dokken's "In My Dreams" & "Unchain the Night" videos. That being said, that unblended burst is a strange aesthetic, it seems too crude to not be a deliberate choice.

[@guitarcd]

Moto strat bodies are wood (most likely Alder) with an acetate cover, according to some docs.

[@mightyV444]

The first Floyd Rose was already available in '77? Wow! I've had no idea!

[@l8sk8r86]

“Reminds me of looking directly into the Sun...” Now i finally get why this channel is what it is! 😂 -btw- Aria are the BOMB!

[@shanethackeray1988]

I own many lawsuit Aria guitars. Aria made very good quality guitars especially in the 60’ and 70’s, competing with Gibson in craftmanship and priced way lower. I have a Barney Kessel Aria Diamond series 1967 with three humbuckers that is not in the Aria catalog so I think it was a one of custom build.

[@BroKEnCaPSLoCk1]

I can't understand why that guy with the kahler Les Paul decided to lean the guitar up against a brick wall...

[@andytraverse]

So many sellers do that, drives me insane!

[@jeremysmetana8583]

Aria began as a "knock-off" company and was involved in the big Gibson lawsuit at the end of the '70s. At that time, they modified all of their designs and adopted the policy of declaring the make/model/etc. on the headstock. Most Arias have all of that info printed there, to this day. They also improved on the Les Paul design well beyond anything Gibson would consider for decades, and were one of the first to adopt the tapering neck join in the back, that smoothly allows access to the highest frets. Their design is still one of the best in this regard. My PE-150 is one of the nicest guitars I've ever owned, with one of the fastest and most comfortable fretboards I've ever encountered. People rag on Aria OUT OF SHEER IGNORANCE and broad generalizations, but players like Neal Schon have endorsed them over the years. As to the tailpiece, that's just a normal tailpiece, like any other. It's just fancier than most. Nothing "locks," you just slip the string in the back and run it through the front, like normal. The bridge itself operates like a Tune-o-matic, but it's longer front to back to better accommodate intonation. There's also a story as to why "Aria" has two spellings, by why waste it on the ignorant? Unsubscribed (finally).

[@dboone7670]

Did Trogly hurt your feelings? An ugly guitar is an ugly guitar.

[@saltpeter7429]

Unsubscribed because of the Aria bit? All right, I suppose. I find the Trogly show a lot of fun, being in agreement with him was never a requirement as far as I know.

[@johnthemachine]

Had a j200 copy from the 70s imported this week from japan. 1 Week total shipping time!

[@hkguitar1984]

The 1954 Black Beauty Les Paul Custom is my all time favorite. Even with the paint stripped off that 54 RI is still very beautiful. Trogly, with the 54 reissue LP Custom the specs state a 1-Piece Body. Are the body wiring channels drilled out or does the solid Mahogany body just employ a separate carved Mahogany top that is installed after the wiring channels have been routed?

[@joshuasmith3114]

So they did this color to look like a vinyl record burst color! They nailed it too! I have swirl/burst vinyl this exact colors! Sweet paint job!

[@rutiger6901]

There is sure nothing wrong with the finish on that guitar. Nor do 3 short lines of description on the headstock drag it down. I can't afford that guitar but if I did, I would likely have another, a Gibson pretty close to that. That fancy guitar is not like the boring monotone finishes we expect and get from every other Gibson style on earth. Refreshing is what it is.

[@wadeguidry6675]

All I know is moto is somehow applied over a traditional wood body like a finish made out of an acrylic sheet. I read somewhere it's a pretty toxic process so it's not done a lot. Who knows?

[@2dazetake]

I bought an aria pro 2 bread board strat at a flea market for 25$ years ago, fantastic guitar even if it only came with 3 way switch.

[@ohmtronseedling]

strange but that "aged Alpine White" is the same shade as my Satin Yellow LP.

[@OzziePete1]

11:20 On that 54 Reissue from the 1970s..... Is there a possibility that Gibson could do that as a Limited Edition with plain mahogany top and a clear finish? I wouldn't pay $14K USD for it either, but you know, this could be a marketable product if priced decently. I live in hope!

[@rocktorrocks]

The jail drop burst colors reminds me a bit of the Gibson Sedona burst. But it needs to be blended much better.

[@leonthompson8988]

Check out the fender Crossroads guitars 1980s. Their around 20g used,mint*

[@devindraper8511]

I will say I have yet to find a production Gibson that can hang with the Aria Pro 2s. The Arias are amazing quality.

[@uhclem50]

It says the brand is Aria which is made by Arai. Was it made by the helmet manufacturer?

[@thejakefromstatefarm6768]

I dig the blue strat. Reminds me of a cool pick i used to have.

[@jeffbrown3009]

I dont hate the stripped LP Custom. It's definitely not worth what they're asking because it's been stripped, but it looks great.

[@mikemcdaniel8746]

I had an aria pro II that was in red burst, it’s was actually more like a ES-330/Casino, it was fully hollow, and had a cross between p90s and Strat pick ups, honestly it was very quacky in the bridge but the neck pick up was so creamy!

[@bpastorb]

The funny part about the 1974 Custom is that it never was white, it was resprayed that ugly yellow.. The hardware would have saved all the paint underneath it from yellowing - like inside the painted kahler route they were so keen to show off. That guitar is not white its yellow..

[@fanoboss]

that Aria is EGG-cellent

[@northyland1157]

Most the true pro's find instruments that play well and sound good. Most musicians care very little about appearance. They get dinged and scratched and rebuild many times as they wear out. Some even look horrible, like willy nelsons trigger. Some have been modified many times, like david gilmore's black Strat. Prince is the only one who really cared that much about looks. So who cares if its been modified, Or has had pickup's re-soldered, or its not vintage correct. Don't be a guitar collector, buy one to play, and don't fall in love with its looks, fall in love with its sound and feel!

[@chipoverbaugh5919]

Oooooooo...that white pearloid Strat with the matching amp...I’m in love!

[@_levandre_]

Hey trogly! Could you do the new ibanez iron label basses if you can... Love your content man. Stay safe!

[@wrenchhead4378]

The new ziphos look awesome

[@maxwellpowell4306]

Is anyone else absolutely freaking the f*** out over the new Alex Lifeson Epiphone or is it just me??

[@PaulCooksStuff]

I've been waiting for traditionalist Trogly to hate on it. "No pickguard, a piezo bridge, a belly cut, and omg .... a double locking trem! This is not a Gibson!" 😉🤣

[@sixstringer3783]

Thanks to Trogly B/S Gibson sellers are having a harder time with their B/S sales 🤣🤑👌

[@howardskinner4916]

I once had an Aria Pro II similar to a Les Paul, it was extremely good. Had a tailpiece like the one on this guitar.

[@liveconcerts7550]

Trogly is in the house 🏠😳🙌😍😎👀.

[@runrabbitrun4342]

i bought a Korina flying V outta Japan a month ago fedex held it for a few days over some BS crap i called and called and finally got a girl to release it, But 3 days ago i got a bill from fedex for just under $100 for duty fees i'll pay it but it might take a minute.

[@saltpeter7429]

Damn! I had wondered about the "other" charges that may apply, regarding buying a guitar from oversea's. Thanks for the info

[@runrabbitrun4342]

@@saltpeter7429 Hi, Yeah i bought the guitar with shipping /FedEX for $2165.00 & like i said i just received a bill for $97 from fedex, In saying that This was a brand new guitar, I've bought a few high dollar ($1600) Orville by Gibsons a few years back (used guitars) using DHL and there were no duty charges. i don't know about now with this extreme inflation on the US dollar but in the past Japan has been a great place to pick up Guitars.

[@FECRWY]

Same guy selling that "factory order" LP is the same one selling the MOTO Strat....Guess the Florida selling prices don't just apply to classic cars

[@1972LittleC]

Is the MOTO toilet seat something from the US? I can't remember ever seeing one ever in Europe, and I travelled all over here.

[@getredytagetredy]

I love the color... Scrounged up prison shit It all works good...

[@raphaelklemm2806]

And there's a typo on the truss rod cover!!! It says Arai

[@markjamesmeli2520]

Hinky as it might be, I like the color of that 1st Les Paul.

[@allisonholmesmusic97]

That Aria isn’t really that bad. I wouldn’t buy it but it looks better than Gibson’s 34 Burst

[@keefjunior4061]

Someone needs to buy that Aria and make it into the Goatsee edition!

[@iyhgtyea8028]

03:03 'Arai' on the headstock... they spelled their own company name wrong???

[@joshuataft5541]

I know its sacrilegious to take the black finish off the 54 reissue but I do like the way it looks

[@ragusascension146]

Think 100$

[@ArchmageOfAnarchy]

That Alpine White Les Paul has aged to TV Yellow by now XD

[@jamesluther3506]

I love natural mahogany 🎸 guitars.

[@electroKrunch]

All the exotics $10 $15 guitars. Shit, I just wanna play!!!

[@kenk7049]

Some Arias were bad but the ones from the late 70's early 80's are very good. I have a '78 PE 1500 and the design and craftsmanship is second to none. I'll take my Pe 1500 over a LP any day. Aria still make the PE 1500, they go for around $2800 new

[@anthonybeno1481]

Love your information.....question.....how much is a Jay Jay French epiphone worth.....no case

[@Trog]

I offer private help sessions on my website at www.troglysguitatshow.com - I’d be happy to take a look at it for you. Those are pretty desirable

[@paulmatulevich3623]

Well I imagine that printout on the headstock could be interpreted as a defense against lawsuits 😆

[@jonathanmack5474]

The yellow LP looks kinda like Robert Fripp's fernando LP

[@PulledPurk]

Quick question, why do some guitar cases smell so sweet and delicious inside?

[@OrfinMusik]

Said it was released from customs and on its way after only 3 days I meant then magically showed after 3.5 months

[@Chris.1812]

"Arai" typo on the headstock...

[@phileeepaye1641]

Trogly, do you think you'll be able to get hold of one of the Japanese Final Fantasy Strats? Really strange looking!

[@scottblackwell157]

What's up trogly!!

[@tallthinkev]

The Aria looks like a re-fin, at least on the top, plus having the replacement pickups, well over priced

[@mboyer68]

Paint some black dots on it and it'll look just like a watermelon. Woever did that burst paint job, it was definitely their first burst paint job attempt. They should've practiced on cardboard or something before someone let them go on a real guitar.

[@maon7565]

It was refinished, and THAT was their color choice...

[@JokersWild70]

Yes, he can advertise the guitar for whatever price he wants, BUT, I feel that he's really being deceptive about it by leaving important info out of his description. I hope that whoever is looking at it does their research!

[@Customwinder1]

Jail Drop Burst ! Well ..... It does look like a bar of soap in the middle. Burst ...... That feeling when you drop the soap !

[@wesleyAlan9179]

I gotta get me a pearloid toilet seat now, haha

[@johnnyxmusic]

With a Fender logo. And a pickguard. 😳

[@CianRourke]

The “story” on the headstock is a throw-back to what Aria did in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. But, yeah. Aria is misspelled. 😂

[@EmperorSvar]

Shiro Arai started the Aria company way back in the day. So, I'd imagine that's why it's spelled Arai, and not Aria. If that's what you're referring to. xD

[@CianRourke]

@@EmperorSvar Ah. Good to know. You learn something every day. 👍

[@EmperorSvar]

@@CianRourke Yeee. That's what I always say. What's not fun about learning? 😝

[@knedy]

I wonder if they think the text looks cooler in Japan like some people think Japanese characters look cool here?

[@jonniegibbins]

That's a fair point. I've seen a lot of T shirts in Japan with nonsense English words on them, but to be fair to them I can't read Japanese :-)

[@blacktoothfox677]

Trogly, I beg you, hear me. You LOVED that Black-Beauty re-ish UNTIL you realized it was a re-finish. But... so... DOES IT LOOK GOOD OR NOT? I know you are a collector; for me, only useable tone has value, & I have little consideration for much else. NOT saying my way is best... My everyday players range from pre-lawsuit ESP 400's that have been played from new into something that is on the way to giving Rory Gallagher's Strat a run for it's money in terms of scruffy, to a £70 AXL I bought from a furniture shop (SNAKESKIN FINISH!!!). Now, I ADORE that natural Black-Beauty. And so did you, until you realized the context. I think it is a unique Les Paul, and a player would do well to own & nurture such a beast, one day, it could be the trademark axe of someone special, at which point, it's value soars waaaaay beyond the realms of even the most ardent collector. I just wanted to nudge you, Trogly, to note that you loved this guitar at first sight. Keep in touch with that love, and keep producing these wonderful videos. Frankly, I'm no mug, I'm over 30 years deep into this craft, and I want you to know, that YOU are my go-to channel for Les Pauls and their relatives. Your content is simply wonderful. Bless you and yours. stay safe, and....'natural beauty' is certainly one of a kind, or of very very few... It merits our love.

[@blacktoothfox677]

(they ARE asking too much at 14 tho')

[@acoffeewithsatan]

The seller of that Custom Reissue, besides not having done their homework, has missed one of the greatest rules when selling something for a profit - don't say you're selling something for a profit, duh!

[@floopusdoopus]

I love Kahlers tbh

[@robertlathan4639]

What happened to Fender Friday and when are you going to review the new Glarry II's? Glarry actually listened to you and added willconson pickups and a bone nut!!

[@Trog]

Glarry video is in the works. Fender is more so just regularly incorporated now

[@jeffreymonroe153]

That Moto Blue Strat has the typical TERRIBLE Fender string alignment. Sheesh, embarrassing!! Really shows at 13:36

[@ronsheehan]

That strat gives me an idea…. MOTO Flame. 🤪

[@zurnie]

Mother of Toilet... I remember those toilet seats. my rich uncle had them in all 4 bathrooms in his house. As a toilet seat, I thought it was gaudy as all hell. As a guitar on stage? rockin

[@facurojas4477]

Am I the only one who can't watch this video in 1080p without it crashing even after a day?

[@Win7ermu7e]

You could have just stopped at "Kahler hadn't been invented yet".

[@ravencrestmedia]

That color scheme looks like the magic egg laying guitar

[@miserychannel69]

Gene and Paul are slipping ... that guy is looking to get sued?