This rare, vintage, classical guitar was made in Japan sometime between 1963 and 1973 by Seisaku Matusuoka in the Matsuoka factory. It is part of Aria’s premium “Black Label” line of classical guitars, indicating it is one of their higher-end models. It is stamped on the back brace by Seisaku Matusuoka, Luthier stamps like this are typically only found on higher-quality handmade or very well-constructed guitars, not mass-produced entry-level instruments. Aria is generally regarded as making well-constructed classical guitars adhering to traditional Spanish design principles, especially in their Black Label and higher-end lines.
The Matsuoka factory was a family business led by chief Luthier Ryoji Matsuoka in Nagoya Japan, who was later succeeded by his son.
Specifications:
- Solid Cedar top.
- Rosewood Binding
- Rosewood Fingerboard
- Mahogany Neck
- Brazilian Rosewood laminate Back and Sides
The Aria A554 Black Label Classical Guitar is a high-quality instrument made by the Japanese manufacturer Aria. Some key points about this guitar:
- It is part of Aria’s premium “Black Label” line of classical guitars, indicating it is one of their higher-end models.
- It bears the luthier’s stamp “Seisaku Matsuoka”. This suggests the guitar was constructed or at least inspected/approved by an individual luthier (guitar maker) named Seisaku Matsuoka working for Aria.
- Luthier stamps like this are typically only found on higher-quality handmade or very well-constructed guitars, not mass-produced entry-level instruments.
- Without being able to inspect the guitar in person, it’s difficult to pinpoint an exact production date. However, the presence of the luthier stamp implies it is likely from the last few decades rather than being a vintage guitar from many decades ago.
- Aria is generally regarded as making well-constructed classical guitars adhering to traditional Spanish design principles, especially in their Black Label and higher-end lines.
In summary, the Aria A554 Black Label stamped by luthier Seisaku Matsuoka is likely a finely crafted classical guitar from a respected Japanese maker, probably constructed sometime in the last 20-30 years given the luthier stamp. But pinpointing a more precise date would require additional details about the instrument.
Includes new Hardshell Case
Price: $1499.99
