Just bought Aria FA77 from Foulds

[Rob MacKillop]

I was looking for a lower mid-priced archtop with a floating pickup. I tired a few in the local shops, but was impressed enough with Foulds music, and our own Dan, to get in touch. Couldn't be happier with the result for the price.

I didn't want a cutaway - was never a fan of jazz above the 14th fret. I am mainly an acoustic player, and use a The Loar LH700VS as my main jazz guitar - see Plectrum Guitar Rob MacKillop ~ banjos, guitars, lutes and more

The Aria doesn't sound so great or as loud as an acoustic, but good enough and loud enough for practice sessions. The neck is fantastic, much easier to get around on than the Loar, and there is a nice cut to the sound, even with TI flats on. The craftsmanship is faultless at the price point, even at twice the price point. I'm VERY impressed.

The plugged in sound is difficult to determine as I use it through either a Line 6 bass amp, or a small Marshall practice amp - far from ideal. So, a decent jazz amp will be my next purchase - maybe the new Fender...waiting for the reviews...or maybe the Ibanez WT80.

So, no soundfiles or videos yet - sorry! Just wanted to say that Foulds is a great place to deal with, and this Aria Pro II FA77 is a really good guitar for the price.

[Mikomamanga]

Hi, Rob. Your mini-review of the Aria FA77 caught my eye. I´ve been looking at that guitar myself. Haven´t tried it, though. I have decided that I need the cutaway, since I have a Washburn Jumbo, without cutaway, and I tend to overstretch my fingers to reach the upper frets ). Recently I´ve bought a Fender blues Junior amp, a classic, I guess, and I´m very happy with it. Actually I went to the shop to get a guitar, but I couldn´t decide... but all the guitars I tried, Peerless, Ibanez, Aria, and Höfner sounded great with the Fender. It is extremely simple, a bass, mid, treble, volume, gaín and reverb, that´s it. And it is not very big, not very heavy, but it can play as loud as you want... and more! the strange thing is, that it doesn´t necessarily distort. It can play loud and clean at the same time. Very loud for such a small amp. So there is a recommendation for you. I´ll take a closer look at the Arias... with a cutaway ;o)

[Rob MacKillop]

Well, even after just a few days I'm enjoying the Aria more and more. Eventually I'll replace the pickup and pots, but only because I think the neck and body are fantastic for the price. Thanks for the recommendation of the Blues Junior! I'll try one out locally.