Aria Pro II Backaroo Tele

Telecasters from Matsumoku and Fujigen from this era are always hidden gems. They were slightly in the shadow of the exciting new designs emanating from Hayashi and Toshio at this time - but there is always demand for a traditional Tele and so these models continued in production. Most of the new models in the catalogues were humbucker equipped guitars, and so to give the traditional Fender-based models a chance against them, a little "D" appeared at the end of some model names - the ST-600D and ST-850D offered much more powerful pick-ups known as FS-1 and modelled on the DiMarzio Fat Strats. Catalogues at the time offered no such enhancement for the Tele range, but as we have often seen, guitars were built at Matsumoku and other plants that didn't conform to the cataloges.

Earlier this year we sourced 2 particular guitars being offered together from Japan that caught our eye - the beautiful ST-600D (B800256) and this Backaroo Tele (B800002). We are suckers for close serial numbers, especially when they appear to have been in the same hands since new. The ST-600D has FS-1 pick-ups - mightily powerful as you's expect; and the Backaroo had pick-ups that were obviously original to the guitar, but were different to the TE-450 and TL-500s we have previously had through here. These Backaroo pick-ups are not PU101 and PU-102 - they are significantly hotter; and the bridge unit has the tell-tale big magnets of a hotter pick-up. The neck unit reports 8.65kohms ad the bridge unit reports 13.82kohms. Therefore, we have a hot Tele here.

All other aspects of this Backaroo conform to TE-450 and TL-500s of the time. A thoroughly well built high quality guitar that plays as well as guitars costing many times their price tag. We have given the guitar a new set of CTS250 premium pots, a Sozo capacitor, and a new CRL 3-way switch, and as it arrived with us without a scratchplate, we have produced 3 plates for the next owner to decide on the scheme. Standard Tele plates do not fit MIJ Teles from this era, so these are new plates that fit the Backaroo. Black (as original), Aged White (to match the ST-600D), and Cream.

The serial number looks very interesting - it tells us nothing more than this guitar was the second guitar off the line on Friday, 1st of February, 1980; and our ST-600D later on that day. More than likely despatched to the same dealer, and given their arrival together with us, more than likely purchased together and stood in adjacent stands. Now they hang together on our wall, and if they were to leave here together then I am sure our generosity would be extended.

However, on it's own, this is a fantastic Tele from the strongest era of Matsumoku production. And it packs a proper punch without losing the twang.