Aria FA-71

**garybaldy** · 04-16-2023, 11:35 AM

Went to a guitar show today in Bristol, UK.
Couldn't afford any of the vintage Gibson archtops or 1960 LPs so I bought this Aria in a private sale 30 minutes from the show.

Aria FA-71-20230416_162656-jpg

**digger** · 04-17-2023, 05:22 AM

I have one of these, too. Really like it, save for the volume and tone controls are right in the way of my natural right hand swing when I get excited playing rhythm guitar. Other than that, I think they're wonderful guitars.

**garybaldy** · 04-17-2023, 05:28 AM

Slightly better pics!! Aria FA-71-20230417_062403-jpg

They always end up on their side sorry.

**garybaldy** · 04-17-2023, 05:37 AM

Originally Posted by digger

I have one of these, too. Really like it, save for the volume and tone controls are right in the way of my natural right hand swing when I get excited playing rhythm guitar. Other than that, I think they're wonderful guitars.

Early days so plenty of time for me to encounter that problem!
Acoustically, mine has a great full bodied sound with lovely bass response even with the light round wounds it came with. Its pretty loud and certainly not dead sounding as some people have reported.Great intonation, action and neck.
Haven't plugged it in yet. Hoping to get that Jim Mullen tone!
Wonderful budget guitar.

**DRS** · 04-17-2023, 10:18 AM

I had one
A very well made guitar.
$500 cdn used so very wallet friendly

**Gretschmann** · 04-17-2023, 10:22 AM

I have the same model but lefty and cannot agree more about the volume and tone being on my way all the time. Otherwise, nice guitar.

**Gretschmann** · 04-17-2023, 11:06 AM

Here is my lefty version. Great guitar!!!

Aria FA-71-img_3332-jpg

**Woody Sound** · 04-17-2023, 11:41 AM

I always thought these are wonderful "budget" archtops, and have steered many students toward them.

**lawson-stone** · 04-18-2023, 09:56 AM

Those are great guitars. I had one similar to it and loved it.

**Hep To The Jive** · 11-24-2023, 07:32 AM

I'm interested in one of those also! For those who have it, how would you describe the neck, back profile, radius, the nut width?

**garybaldy** · 11-24-2023, 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by Hep To The Jive

I'm interested in one of those also! For those who have it, how would you describe the neck, back profile, radius, the nut width?

My 71 is:
Nut width 44mm
Neck width at 12th 54mm
Neck profile D
Neck depth at nut approx 20mm
FB radius (almost educated) guess 12"
All really comfortable (to me!)

**RJVB** · 11-24-2023, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by garybaldy

Early days so plenty of time for me to encounter that problem!

First mod I made to my Loar was replacing the fugly pickguard with a custom wood/laminate one that blocks as little as possible of the treble f-hole and has a "hidden" pot stuck underneath.

**Zigracer** · 11-24-2023, 09:44 AM

Nice! Looks like it will be a joy to play.

**garybaldy** · 11-24-2023, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by RJVB

First mod I made to my Loar was replacing the fugly pickguard with a custom wood/laminate one that blocks as little as possible of the treble f-hole and has a "hidden" pot stuck underneath.

My Loar 700 was modded before I got it. The knobs are imitation bakelite and huge but luckily I don't seem to have a problem with their location. Aria FA-71-20230926_113117-jpg

**Hep To The Jive** · 11-24-2023, 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by garybaldy

My 71 is:
Nut width 44mm
Neck width at 12th 54mm
Neck profile D
Neck depth at nut approx 20mm
FB radius (almost educated) guess 12"
All really comfortable (to me!)

Thanks! 44mm wide, oh man, that's not for me then. I can't stand wide necks, too bad, looks like a nice guitar.

Any narrow neck archtops like this one recommendations?