A-Team Members Gallery
Aria has always been dedicated to our players and this Members Gallery is just one way we want to say "Thank You" to those who play our guitars and basses. If you play Aria and would like to be added to the Members Gallery simply email a photo of you with your axe and a short bio to DaleT@danabgoods.com. Once you are added to the Gallery please send us frequent updates that we can post so the other members can keep up with your musical journey. These updates can include gigs, awards, new Aria purchases and any customization you do to your instrument. Become a member of the A-Team today!
Buckshot
Buckshot started playing his Aria Pro 2 when he was a young snot-nosed punk playing in his first metal band. Twenty years later and still a punk Buckshot still only plays the Aria Pro 2 brand. His MAB - 40 Aria Pro 2 Magna Series has never left his side when he bought it brand new in 1996. After many years of playing at various clubs though out the United States and Europe, Buckshot's Aria Pro has held together and still stands tough with every nick, bump and the gallons of beers poured on her. This guitar could tell you stories.
Buckshot is currently playing for a Doom/Metal band called MOTH EATER. The band will be recording their debut CD in June 2009 and will be released in the spring of 2010. He first got signed while he was in his start-up band called DIRTY RIG in 2003. The band put out 2 CD/DVD's titled Blood, Sweat & Beer Make America Strong on The Music Cartel (EMI) and Rock Did It on Escapi Music (Warner Brothers).
Links: www.myspace.com/motheater667
Update: Buckshot and MOTH EATER will be playing at Fin's Pub in Oakdale, NY on August 8th and at Cha Cha's in Coney Island on August 27th.
Josh "The Monster" Molitor
Josh has been a professional, classicaly trained musician for the past 30 years. His love affair with music began when he was 6 years old, learning to play piano form his classicaly trained mother. "I began to play guitar at the age of 10 and by the time I was14 I was playing bass on a regular basis. By the time he was 16 Josh was playing bass full time with some of the larger rock acts from within and around his area. In April of 1987, Josh found his first Aria in a music store in Cedar Rapids, Iowa named Carma Lou's. "Having saved $875.00 dollars from money I had made from gigs (my mother put a tight control on my spending habits. That was one of our deals for leting me play in bands at that age!) I was looking for a COOL new axe!!! I just happened to stop in Carma's to see what was new and BEHOLD! There was "Blakie"... My Aria Pro II RSB Performer... I fell deeply in love with her then and I AM STILL JUST AS DEEPLY IN LOVE WITH HER TODAY! Out of owning 32 Basses in my collection Ive aquired over the years I STILL play out regularly with my old Aria Pro II! Nothing will ever take her place after all this time." Josh has two degrees in music and was recently nominated for the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Through it all Blakie has always been by his side...
Links: www.harveyheadbanger.com www.myspace.com/harveyheadbanger
Update: Josh and his band " Harvey Headbanger" are playing this Friday in Cedar Rapids, IA with The Last Vegas, Cockpit and Midnight 2 Twelve.
James Cagey
James Cagey emailed us and wanted share his Aria classical with the other A-Team members. Check it out! "I bought my one and only Aria guitar in 1969. It was a classical guitar, model C-90, made in Japan, and as I recall it cost around $125.00, a bit expensive for me back then. I used this guitar quite a bit over the next 10 years, and it was the instrument I used through 4 years of classical guitar studies. Without doubt, I learned more about music on this little instrument than on any other of the 20 or so guitars of all types I have owned since.
In the mid 1970’s I had a mic installed and got the bridge repaired and better supported. The guitar has been at Carolina beaches, Kentucky mountains, university coffee houses, and small acoustic gigs from Chicago to Cincinnati. I still use the guitar at home and occasionally on small solo gigs, and it remains a dependable, mellow, and very playable guitar. I treasure it and will not sell it at any price.
Even though I never bought another Aria product, this guitar has demonstrated the great quality of the name, and my respect for the company has remained consistently high for 40 years now."
Thanks for the great words, James!
Update: "I will be using the Aria for some solo instrumental performances locally this summer. It still has that performance edge, and it’s still a money-maker for me . . . not bad after 40 years, huh?" - James
Leonard Malvone
Leonard Malvone sent us a short email with a pic of his beloved Aria Classical. Here is his story: "In 1975 I bought an Aria AC-15 [see picture] I taught myself to play and have been using it still in my gigs in music faith ministry. I have been complimented more times by people who have said that the mellow tones coming out of the guitar are so soothing that it is very conducive to pray and reflection. I don't think this is what you are looking for but thought I would give my 2 cents"
That is exactly what we are looking for, Leonard! All A-Team member can share pics of their favorite Aria guitars!
Leonard: Be sure to email us with updates on your gigs!
Jeremy Borgstahl
Jeremy Borgstahl, bassist for These Worlds Collide, wanted to share his story with the rest of the A-Team: "My Aria story starts in late 2000, early 2001 when I started playing bass and became a huge fan of Cliff Burton. 2 1/2 yrs later I finally got my Aria Pro II SB-1000. I got it used off of eBay, I was a senior in High School and ditched school to go home to see if my bass had shown up at my house. I walked in the door and was met by this 4'x4'x3' box, the guy that shipped it to me had packed it very well. I get the bass plugged in ... and I was in heaven! It played so nice... just a minor setup was needed. Ever since then I've faithully played my SB-1000 live and in the studio, I've also had a friend use it recording. As a testiment to how well these basses are built, I was cleaning my bass and took off all the hardware and I got up to get my cleaning supplies and my bass dropped to the floor hitting the tuning keys... I looked it over nothing was wrong - no cracks. I have a few battle scars but nothing major, I LOVE MY ARIA PRO II. I hope to add another to my collection soon.
NOTHING plays better than an Aria Pro II!"
Links: www.myspace.com/theseworldscollide010010110
Update: Keep us posted on you and your band's gigs and recordings!
Adiey Jr.
Adiey Jr, the guitarist for Malaysia's Flower & Poetry, shares his story about how he found his Aria MAC-30, which he calls the Black Beast!
"One day about a year ago I passed a guitar shop that offered a wide variety of guitars. Just like everyone else, I was looking effortless on ever axe that they had when my eye laid on this baby [Aria MAC 30]. I held it in my hands just like a new born soul. I could watch its finish all day long. The body is just crazy. I knew I must have this guitar! It suits my style a lot. The special part about it is that it has a switch that changes the [bridge] pickup from humbucker to single coil. Now that is what every guitar should have!!
So I bought it, oooohh yeahhh!
It has already taken so much beating, from gig to gig, the sweats, falling to the ground etc...And yet ready to rock on Saturday nite, without ever disappointing me.
It makes me realize that I don’t want 10 or 20 guitars. All I want is my one and only Black Beast - but I’m saving up my money to buy another Aria, hehehehe!"
Links: www.myspace.com/flowerpoetry
Update: Adiey Jr. is currently recording a touring with the metal band Flower & Poetry.
Tommy Lorente
Tommy Lorente is a French singer/guitarist who, after experiences with several rock bands, decided to join the classic-rock tribute band "The Brushing Brothers" during the summer 2008.
Almost ten years after his guitar debut, he still plays his very first love, the Aria M-650T.
"When I bought this guitar it was like "love at first sight", my main desire was a flashy solid body Gretsch-style axe. When I entered a tiny spanish guitar shop I totally fell in love with the blue sparkled carved top of the Aria M-650T. The sound, the finish, the fast neck, everything was perfect! I've really found what I was looking for! "
Today, performing shows, touring in bars, he loves to split his life between his band and an acoustic solo career which now is leading him to compose and write for his future own album.
Links:www.rock-danse.blogspot.com/
Update: Tommy just received a brand new Aria TA80-QM! "She rocks! Sounding lighter than the blue one but rocking like a great guitar with such a perfect feeling."
Pajaro Canzani
Been born in Fray Bentos, Uruguay, Pajaro Canzani entered the music scene at 17 years old by winning the First Uruguayan Festival of Candombe Beat at the Parque Harriague in the city of Salto . From then he became an almost mythological figure there.
His first LP “Aguaragua”, recorded in 1973, is one of those strange, cult recordings in the Uruguayan music. The same happened with his follow-up recording “Algun dia”.
After a brazilian period in Rio, he arrived at Buenos Aires in 1975 to join the famous Chilean group Los jaivas. Together they recorded several legendary discs. From 1977 they settled in Paris and regularly toured the world. The activity of Canzani was intense, he recorded (among others a disc shared with Peter Gabriel), started producing other artists, and realized multiple projects.
Pajaro is a vital player that continues to produce great music. In his new work, “Transamericana”, Parjaro touches the musical old dream to unite South American from coast to coast.
Not only is Pajaro Canzani a highly revered world musician....he is an Aria player!
Links:www.myspace.com/pajarocanzani
Update: Pajaro Canzani is touring to support his newest recording "Transamericana".
Gregg Charles
Gregg Charles is one of the West Coast's busiest guitarists, currently playing in four bands - CRV, Vertigo Blend, New Jersey (a Bon Jovi tribute band) and Heart On (a Heart tribute band). Gregg has been playing guitar for over thirty years and he is an Aria player! "I got my Knight Warrior sometime around 1985 and it was my #1 till around 1989. It lasted through the 'Hair Band' wars on the Sunset Strip and outlying environs. I like it so much I got another basic Pro II with a single humbucker as a backup. We changed the pickup to a hotter Aria pickup. I don't know the model number but it was completely encased in a potted shell. Kind of like an EMG pickup. My music store owners/friends also got hold of an acoustic 12-string and got it in my hands around 1986 or so. It is still being used and still gets compliments on its tone. It's my go-to for recording when a 12 string is needed. I'm currently demoing a 714 CST and recording some new tracks with it. I also used a Mac 25 at a recent Vertigo Blend gig. Played a whole set with it right out of the box and it was plug and play away. Didn't have to make any amp adjustments at all. Aria is Back!"
Links:www.myspace.com/crvcountry www.myspace.com/vertigoblend
Update: As mentioned above, Gregg can always be seen live, playing in one of his four bands!
Garrington Begner
Check out this great email and photo we received from Garrington Begner:
"I am an Aria player and have been since I was a punter. I started out on a friend's Aria and made my way through the ranks of basses. Settled on Rickenbacker for several years until I found a black Aria SB900 elite in a pawn shop. I had seen the bass in magazines being played by Cliff Burton and John Taylor. I was a struggling bass player and completely broke, so my friend Kevin, who just got paid, lent me the coin so I could buy it. That was it! What a sound. I sold my Rickenabackers and dedicated my sound to the Aria bass. I used that thing unti it was trashed. (broke the neck 7 years later) and wasn't able to find another one. I started playing Fenders and Ricks again until 3 weeks ago when I stumbled across the Aria Pro 2 SB900 elite. The Fender and Rick are being put away. When I plugged in the Aria Pro 2 it delivered the sound again. Tight bottom end, smooth mid and bright highs. Teamed up with an Ampeg SVT and 2 4x10 cabs it is great. More bass players should be playing these. "
Thanks, Garrington! Please keep us posted on your musical adventures!
Rebecca Murray
Rebecca "Beck" Murray is the guitarist from the band Elf Wind. She started her musical "reign of terror" in the early 70's, playing blues with Bob Johnson at the "old stone Chuch" in Connecticut ,and elsewhere for dinner and drinks. At that time she was fresh out of high school, a trumpet player turned guitar playing slayer of 6- string blues, with her telecaster and pignose.
"Back then I was Dave Murray. When I would get on stage and be asked my name i would reply 'Dave, man' so I was introduced as "Dave Man" and it just stuck . These days, after a little creative surgery I am Rebecca but everybody calls me Beck. I've played coffee shops, benefits and anywhere else for kicks trying on every style of guitar playing with pretty much every kind of guitar. Finally in the mid 80's I fell into my own style of playing and began weaving my own musical 'cloth of many colours' I fell in love with Aria acoustics and recently discovered the Aqua note 12-string which has become my axe of choice. I can't imagine carrying on with any other brand of guitar - it's fine beyond compare. I do plan to add the Mac 30 to my arsenal in the very near future and will be posting a tune or two on You Tube". I am currently signed on with "Uber Lumen" records and expect to have at least two albums out by the turn of the new year."
Fernando Soriano
Fernando Soriano is a speech therapist in Redondo Beach and also a shredding guitarist. After watching the GuitarWorld.com video spotlight on the DM-380 guitar, Fernando went right out and bought himself one, which has become one of his favorite axes.
"The pick-ups are warm and clean. Each position on the toggle gives me a truly different sound from the pick-ups. I like the middle position with my style of country-bluesy-hawaiian music. But definitely a guitar for rock n roll. I like the diagonal movement of the toggle switch. It's very comfortable switching pick ups on the fly."
Enjoy your new Aria guitar and welcome to the A-Team!
Ken Mickey
Ken Mickey is a songwriter, performer, teacher, and a self-proclaimed student of the guitar. He lives in High Point, North Carolina and released a Cd called "Stand" in 2008. He sent us this photo of his favorite Aria guitar, the half-sized Pepe P-49!
"I recently came across a PEPE P-49 Aria Guitar Nagoya Workshop Classic made in Japan 1/2 size Guitar with serial #649011 and in a "sweet" hard
shell case. I love this 'little' guitar!"
Thanks for sharing your photo, Ken! Keep us posted on any upcoming gigs or sessions!
Links: www.kenmickey.net
August Zadra
August Zadra has played thousands of shows all over the country since falling in love with the guitar as a teenager in Alaska. His passion led him to the Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood, CA, and he remains one of the busiest guitarists in the SoCal music scene.
“I was thrilled at the opportunity to own one of the PE-RX80. The finish and hardware are top-notch, and the pickups sing with great punch, sustain and articulation. The brass nut is a nice touch, and the heel-less neck joint makes upper register soloing a joy. Aria rocks!”
Here is a recent shot from a headlining House of Blues gig with the Journey tribute band “Lights”.
Andrés Rúa González
Andres Rua Gonzalez is one of Puerto Rico's top guitarist and he is an Aria player! "A few years ago I bought an Aria TA 60, the guitar was in good shape and I immediately fell in love with its look.
Since then this guitar has been bouncing and banging around countless floors and stages and is the guitar with more bad nights in its history of all the guitars I have ever owned.
Today the guitar still in good condition, and continues being a perfect instrument in the studio and on stage. I love that guitar."
Even though he is only 36 years old, Andres has played guitar for 25 years. In 2009 he released his first solo CD Humano. Currently he is the guitar player for Rei Ortiz , television programs in main channels in Puerto Rico, Heineken Ventana al Jazz and soon will be touring in Latin-America.
Links: www.myspace.com/andresrua
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsoGf5zoQso&feature=youtu.be&a
Jeff Robillard
Here is a great email we received from guitarist Jeff Robillard:
"Was on the computer and typed in 'Aria Guitars' in the search window and up came your site. Says you're putting together an A Team playing list for a section on your site. This is me and our bass player back in '77 playing one of the local halls in our home town of New Roads, Louisiana. Bought the guitar from a local dealer in' 76 and still have the thing today. It sits on a stand in my middle daughter's bedroom. More for decoration only now. Anyway thought you might enjoy the pic. A 'blast from the past' sort of thing. Had a lot of fun with it back then. Pick it up every now and then to tune it."
Thanks for the killer picture and for telling your story! Now get back to playing that Aria!
Kevin Ross
Kevin Ross got his first guitar when he was around the age of 14. That guitar was and Aria Pro 2 sl Series all black with wammy bar and trem. "It was the most beautiful guitar I had ever seen". Over the years he has played guitars made by other manufacturers, but he still finds himself going back to that Aria Pro. He changed the color and gave it his own little twist (note the custom paint job).
Now playing in the band Heartbreak in Headlines, Kevin gets a lot of attention for his guitar. "I thank Aria for making such a wonderful sounding guitar and really amazing piece of work. I know it has helped my sound and has made me a better player."
You got it, Kevin!
Links: www.myspace.com/burninginside16
Sal Orona
Here is a great email we received from death metal guitarist, Sal Orona:
"Hi my name is Sal Orona. I acquired my Aria XL DLX back when i was about 17 years old. At the time I was looking for a guitar with a whammy bar. I kept visiting different guitar shops to see what they had to offer. I like to have unique things -I dont want anything anybody else has. One day i stopped at Billy's Guitar Garage in Carpinteria, California and found the Aria. It captured my attention because i never heard of an Aria guitar before or seen anyone play one. I decided to buy it and i fell in love with it. A year later I decided to get new, different pick ups for it because it did not have the sound I was after. Although it did have great tone and sustain, I needed something more aggressive. I then found out about the Seymour Duncan Blackouts, so I switched the pick ups and the guitar became a perfect weapon for metal!
I couldn't be happier with this guitar and I am in no hurry of buying another guitar soon. If I ever decide to buy another guitar it would most likely be another Aria!"
Thanks, Sal! Welcome to the A-Team!
Serf - Scratch Addict
We would to welcome Serf to the A-Team! Serf is the guitarist for Scratch Addict and he is an Aria player! Here is what he recently wrote to us:
"I have an Aria Pro II that I bought back in the 80s, which is now my primary axe. I recently had it in to get cleaned up and the guy at the shop was basically coveting my guitar. He told me that it's likely worth a lot more than I would have expected.
I play for Scratch Addict and my Aria is my primary axe. I love this guitar! I put an EMG pickup in it years back and having played some of the best made guitars in the industry, I keep coming back to my Aria. In fact I named my cat Aria.
I've attached a crappy little photograph of me playing it in Nashville and thought I'd share. We are getting ready to go on tour in the next few weeks and I can assure you that my Aria will be by my side the whole trip."
Thanks, Serf! Good luck on the tour and keep us posted with updates from the road!
Links: www.scratchaddict.net
Russ Knapp - Joe Friday
Russ Knapp is the bassist for Northern California rock band Joe Friday. Known for their high-energy shows, Joe Friday is one of the busiest bands on the scene today.
Russ bought a vintage Aria ZZ bass that had been horribly abused. Like Dr. Frankenstein he raised this beast from the dead and turned it into a rock monster.
If you are going to be in the Sacramento area check out Joe Friday to feel the thunder of Russ' killer custom Aria bass!
Links: joefridayrocks.com