The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 02-20-2018, 12:58 PM
Casey86 Casey86 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Vancouver Canada
Posts: 95
Default HELP - somebody talk me out of buying this '85 Aria aw40 (Martin D45 copy)

Ok, the gas is setting in again.

I've stumbled across this '85 Aria aw40. It is a dreadnought, top model for Aria, and 'kind of' a copy of the Martin D45 (imho). Don't confuse this guitar with the Ibanez aw40. It's $750 Canadian.

https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/rds/...465986769.html

Please tell me some reasons why I should or should not look at this thing.
I figure it will be a hard one to resell. Perhaps a slightly more expensive Martin or Larrivee dreadnought would be way easier to resell in the future. I'm looking for great sounding dreadnought to keep. My wife has a killer Larrivee d-04 but she is left handed so I can't play it haha!


I already have a very nice Larrivee lv-03. I also own a sweet Aria classical from the mid sixties. I do not own a big sounding dreadnought though.

I have bought two Larrivee's this year, four basses & one very expensive upright last year. My wife has been very understanding.

Last edited by Casey86; 02-20-2018 at 03:28 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-20-2018, 01:06 PM
lowrider lowrider is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 7,012
Default

This is AGF. No one here is going to tell you not to go look at it. Whether you buy it is up to you.

It looks beautiful.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-20-2018, 01:09 PM
dkstott dkstott is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Middletown, Connecticut
Posts: 1,368
Default

Please forgive me. But it boggles my mind when people worry about the resale value of a guitar that they're considering buying?

Are you buying it as in investment or are you buying it to play?

Dave
__________________
2003 Froggy Bottom H-12 Deluxe
2019 Cordoba C-12 Cedar
2016 Godin acoustic archtop
2011 Godin Jazz model archtop
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-20-2018, 01:16 PM
HHP HHP is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 29,351
Default

$750 strikes me as a little steep. The bling seems sort of cheesy. I'd be surprised if the B/S are solid as he claims, but could be. Good chance mid-80's Japan will be overbuilt so not sure you will get that big sound you want.

Try it and see. Worst case you lose a little time and money.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-20-2018, 01:16 PM
Casey86 Casey86 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Vancouver Canada
Posts: 95
Default

Lowrider:
Ha ha talk like that will get me out the door with beer stained gig cash in hand.
Yeah, it does look beautiful.

I'm looking to buy to keep and play. I could base the purchase on the sound of the instrument.
If it is awesome, I buy it. $750 does seem high, but that is Canadian (maybe around $575us)

Last edited by Casey86; 02-20-2018 at 01:22 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-20-2018, 02:01 PM
Casey86 Casey86 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Vancouver Canada
Posts: 95
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by HHP View Post
$750 strikes me as a little steep. The bling seems sort of cheesy. I'd be surprised if the B/S are solid as he claims, but could be. Good chance mid-80's Japan will be overbuilt so not sure you will get that big sound you want.

Try it and see. Worst case you lose a little time and money.
Good points, thanks.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-20-2018, 02:05 PM
HHP HHP is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 29,351
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Casey86 View Post
If it is awesome, I buy it. $750 does seem high, but that is Canadian (maybe around $575us)
That reminded me of when I went to Mexico with my ex. We checked into the Ritz-Carlton, and wanted something to eat. She had a cow over a pizza costing $100. The menu was in Pesos.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-20-2018, 02:27 PM
sid45 sid45 is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 149
Default

I think 350 for these is more reasonable and common on our west coast , also, this is not a style 45 copy at all, trim wise at least, sid
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 02-20-2018, 02:37 PM
Skarsaune Skarsaune is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,464
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by lowrider View Post
This is AGF. No one here is going to tell you not to go look at it. Whether you buy it is up to you.

It looks beautiful.
What he said.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 02-20-2018, 02:46 PM
backdoc backdoc is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 387
Default

I’d take the $750 and buy an Eastman E6D or a used E8D if you must have rosewood. My E6D and I will not be parting ways..ever. I have WAY more guitars than I need, but the Eastman and my Martin OM15M are just amazing guitars.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 02-20-2018, 02:47 PM
Mystery123 Mystery123 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Colorado, US
Posts: 1,153
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dkstott View Post
Please forgive me. But it boggles my mind when people worry about the resale value of a guitar that they're considering buying?

Are you buying it as in investment or are you buying it to play?

Dave
That's what happens when you want to try different guitars until you know what will last long with you.
Want vs need.
Why waste a lot of money to try guitar for few weeks?
If you like it great, if you don't like it, sell it.

If you truly know that's your guitar, spending is no issue.
__________________
Acoustic-Electric: Yamaha FGX800C, Jim Dandy. Seagull S6.
Electric: Schecter C1+, Aria Pro II Fullerton.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 02-20-2018, 02:54 PM
Big Band Guitar Big Band Guitar is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,031
Default Go Look

If you don't go look you will be sorry.

If you don't buy it you will regret it.

If you do buy it you may regret it.

How many guitars is too many? Answer: The one after the next one.
__________________
"My opinion is worth every penny you paid for it."

"If you try to play like someone else, Who will play like you". Quote from Johnny Gimble

The only musician I have to impress today is the musician I was yesterday.

No tubes, No capos, No Problems.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 02-20-2018, 03:07 PM
Athens Athens is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Tellico Village, TN
Posts: 1,878
Default Aria

Aria actually made some very good guitars, although I don't know this model. The price seems a bit high ( is that USD or Canadian? ) but it's definitely worth a look if it's not far from you.

You can tell if the sides and back are solid or laminate by pulling the end pin and looking at the cross section. Sometimes you can also tell by comparing the back and inside of the body.

There's a web site for MIJ guitars, i can't look now but you might search here;

http://forum.japanaxe.com/phpBB3/

If you like the way it sounds and plays throw an offer at him.

As the others say, don't worry about resale if you like it and can get it at a good price.

Good luck with your quest!
__________________
1995 Taylor 412
1995 Taylor 612C Custom, Spruce over Flamed Maple
1997 Taylor 710
1968 Aria 6815 12 String, bought new
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 02-20-2018, 03:28 PM
Seagull S6 Seagull S6 is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 351
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by lowrider View Post
This is AGF. No one here is going to tell you not to go look at it. Whether you buy it is up to you.

It looks beautiful.
Kinda like going to your local drug house to get help to kick your drug habit.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 02-20-2018, 03:36 PM
Zigeuner Zigeuner is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Northern California
Posts: 1,116
Default Sigma DS-45?

If you want a nice guitar that looks something like a D-45 Martin, take a look at a used Sigma D-45. My son has owned one for close to 20 years and it's really an excellent guitar. It's got an excellent tone with some very nice inlay on the top binding. I've played it quite a bit and found it very attractive. They are actually rather rare anymore, however.

The build quality on the Sigmas was excellent, similar to Martin quality. His was built in Taiwan.

At the very least it would be good for a comparison to the one you were looking at.

Tell us again why you are concerned with resale before you even buy the guitar?
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Tags
aria aw40

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:22 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=