Time to reveal goings-on with the Aria 5102T rebuild/zoot

slyd · 2011-07-07T17:02:12+00:00

Well, a coupley months back, I was brought this old early-70's Aria 335 copy. I t was sad . . . very sad. It had been the guy's (late some while) uncle's axe. He had managed to dig it up, and REALLY wanted it fixed-up (although everyone told him to buy a new guitar!). Big issues: body separation, neck-pocket displacement, top warped away from neck pocket, general warping, neglect, sun, water, rats, spiders, etc. Once I found the neck was cool, and my wood-prof told me we could re-shape some wood, . . . I was off . . . . . . . . Check some pics: Just some of the before pics, . . . what a hectic journey and learning-curve ? Many more pics and details to come . . . :-[

Kalcium

DaFiz wrote now I'm sure there are others from here that want to send their old guitars your way. ?

I think Im going to send him a plank and claim that it was once a guitar and see what I get back ?

slyd

Well, . . . . it was time for her to go . . . ☹ :'(

What an experience!

Here's the happy customer . . . . . : (The first minute or 2, all I heard was . . ."wow, . . . wow, . . . .wow . . ".)
So cool! All I needed to hear! He said his grandmother, "Shakes"s mom, was gonna be in tears . . .

And some final goodbye pics: . . . .

Okay . . . done . . . ?
Thank you

Wizard

magic

Norman86

AND a hardcase now too?!

otherwise, fantastic work ?

slyd

I showed him the 2 options of a gig bag or this acoustic moulded case (which fitted beuatifully), and as expected, he knew he had to coff up for the hard case (twas a no-brainer). Was happy to do so. (I worry too much)

Neon-Gecko

The customer's reaction always makes it worthwhile in the end... Whenever I do the "hand over" I always note the facial expressions ?

giggsy

Norman86 wrote AND a hardcase now too?!

Where are the pics of how you made the hardcase? ?

domhatch

Giggsy wrote Where are the pics of how you made the hardcase? ?

<===typical. ?

flatfourfan

awesome finale................

dueys

Great post. The guitar is beautiful! You're a real artist!

Can you tell me what hardshell case you bought for it for the cost?

Duey S

dueys

Hi All,

!st day posting here.

I picked up this Aria Diamond 5102t this past weekend at an auction for $170. I could not have been more please. It is in famtastic shape and plays great!
Just need a case and a strap now...

Duey S

slyd

Thanks Duey

Due to the "big rounded bottom" of the Aria, a normal electric case did not fit the bill. I found it fit beautifully into a "CNB" Acoustic moulded hardshell case.
The case was R700.

Mikko

Hi! Hopefully someone is still reading this thread ?

I've had the similar Aria 5102T lying around for 15 years. It looks pretty good, but there has always been some things to adjust and fix so I havent really got around to use it.

Until now, after finding this thread. I now have huge urge to get that thing working!

My main concern is that when I tried to adjust the neck (was way off, the strings 1 cm off the fret board on the high end) I noticed that the metallic adjustment rod inside the neck was broken. I got it out and it was in two pieces - I guess someone has tightened it too tight and it has snapped in two ☹

QUESTION: where could I possible get a new rod? And how do I know which will fit in?

Also one of the tuning knobs has fallen of at some point, so I assume I need to get new tuning gear.

Thanks!!

Gearhead

Rods and matching nuts can be made by any fine engineering place, actually. For new guitars, you're better off buying from guitar parts manufacturers but it will be hard to match an existing rod.

Mikko

Ok, thanks. I will take the rod with me and go to someone who could make a replacement.

ANOTHER (dummy) question: Also my second pickup is missing (neck). Of course I can just go and buy a humbucker type of mic, but where could I get the "casing" to make it fit on the hole?
(I have the exact same guitar then the one on the picture three posts above.)

Sorry to ask dum questions, but I really havent done any guitar customisation before :-[

Thanks!

Gearhead

You'll find your pickup ring on one of these sites. Wish you a lot of fun putting the pickup in.

slyd

Just a note Mikko,

be aware that the pickups on the Aria are not humbuckers, but a P90 copy which is a more robust sort of single coil.
Details explaining this are here : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-90

Good luck with the rebuild, and don't be afraid to ask . . . . . . . ?

Mikko

Hi Slyd! Thanks for replying and offering for help. Might need some...

But I believe my Aria 5102T is few years younger model, since it has two-coil pickups (at least the one that is left).
Or maybe it have originally had both?? As in the guitar pictured four posts above? But anyway I guess I can put in either one, they both shoud fit in, right?

And thanks Gearhead for the link!

- Mikko

slyd

Mikko wrote But anyway I guess I can put in either one, they both shoud fit in, right?
- Mikko

Whatever pup you decide on, just measure the pup ring and pup dimensions, and ensure it will fit before you purchase. I noticed the Aria p90's were sized differently to other humbuckers, and other p90's ! ??? Check first!

also, you may want to match your pups (ie.p90 with p90, or HB with HB), to best replicate the intended sound, . . . OR, go totally different . . . . hehehe. It's your axe man, do what sounds good! ?

Mikko

Oh.. Aria P90's were sized differently? Ok, didnt know that... Ok, I'll try to be careful.

Thanks!

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