Aria Les Paul project

[charlyg]

I just picked this up. The hardware is all rusty (I will replace) and there is some long "checking" in the finish. Since it is natural I am thinking about sanding them out and putting on a new clearcoat. I will be using black hardware. The hardware that was on it is faded rusted gold. The saddles look like they are fused! Here's a few pix.

[jps]

A friend of mine used to have one of those.

[charlyg]

I had a 1972 Aria Les Paul that we used for the band on the ship. I have no idea whether it was bolt on or not. We put Dimarzios in it and it smoked!

I'm taking my time and maybe I'll even put Tone Pro hardware on. Still deciding how much to "upgrade".......

[johnallg]

I had a 1972 Aria Les Paul that we used for the band on the ship. I have no idea whether it was bolt on or not. We put Dimarzios in it and it smoked!

I'm taking my time and maybe I'll even put Tone Pro hardware on. Still deciding how much to "upgrade".......

Depends on how deep the pockets are....

[winston]

Aria guitars are well made and they are tone monsters. Have fun with the rebuild Charly, I look forward to seeing the finished guitar.

[whojamfan]

I had a double cutaway hollwbody F-hole with splitable humbuckers that really smoked as well.

[charlyg]

The pickups are Seymour Duncans with rusty screws. The neck is an sh-5 and the bridge is an sh-4. Not sure if I will keep or not. I'll call SD today and get the skinny on these. I tend to gravitate to a little hotter than vintage humbuckers, but still "warm".

[charlyg]

Ok pickups are bought. Pearly Gates in the bridge, and SH-2 in the neck. I always have the JB bridge pup if "needed".

I should have it ready in a couple weeks as most.

[johnallg]

We'll be waiting for your tone assessment when you get it up and running.

[charlyg]

took a bit of time away from the project.. Our house got approved for a mod so we'll be able to keep it!!! YAY!!

I also traded an amp for a 2006 Epiphone Les Paul Custom (the tuxedo model) that truly smokes!!

BUT, the fellow that I traded with plugged in a Gretsch G5120 (think Brian Setzer) to the clean channel of the DeVille and the tone was to die for!!!!!!!


Now I need to spend some time with a Gretsch!!

[whojamfan]

My Gretsch is kicking my butt Charly, and I'm a die hard Gibson and Rickenbacker player.

[charlyg]

Got the Gretsch and love it!!! Traded Big Red and the new Les Paul custom for it.....