Aria Pro II Guitar Tremolos

Gaskell Guitars Australia
Mar 9
11 min read

Updated: Nov 12

Aria Guitar Co. is a major musical instrument brand from Japan. They produce a well-respected range of guitars and basses and have done so since 1964.

Aria used Kahler tremolo systems until 1984, after which the company went on to produce a number of excellent proprietary and licensed Floyd Rose tremolo systems for its "Aria Pro II" guitars during the 1980s, as well as using shared OEM systems. In the late 1990s, Aria went back to using Gotoh, Kahler, and Original Floyd Rose systems.

This information covers Aria's own development of Floyd Rose-style proprietary systems and use of OEM licensed Floyd Rose systems from 1984.

Left-handed availability

During the 1980s, left-handed availability was only by special order, through dealers. No explicit statements about left-handed availability appeared in Aria Pro II catalogs.

Japanese production

Matsumoku Industrial Co. Ltd. was one of the largest producers of OEM guitars in Japan. Matsumoku built guitars and drums for Aria. It also built guitars for Epiphone, Fernandes, Ibanez, Greco, Hondo, Samick, Univox, Vantage, and Washburn. Aria and Matsumoku had a major business relationship. Aria provided design development and business arrangements on behalf of Matsumoku, such as the contract to build Epiphone guitars for Gibson in the 1970s and 1980s.

Matsumoku built Aria Pro II guitars with the following tremolo systems:

Bendmaster FT

The "Bendmaster FT," was designed by the lead designer and product manager of St. Louis Music, Tom Presley, for SLM's "Westone" brand. It is a two-point, string-through bridge with vertical fine-tuners. It is quite distinctive for the curved sides of its base plate and J-shaped string hooks. It was manufactured in-house by Matsumoku and first appeared in the 1984 Electra-Westone catalog. It was used by several other brands that Matsumoku built for, including Aria. Although not mentioned in the Aria Pro II catalog for 1985, this 1985 left handed Laser Electric Heritage has a Bendmaster tremolo.

Aria Pro II ART-2 (1980s)

Some Aria Pro II guitars built by Matsumoku (and later Samick) came with a tremolo listed in the Aria Pro II catalogs as an "ART-2" which is identical in every way to the Fernandes "Body Crasher" and Yamaha "RMX" tremolo. The Aria Pro II version is stamped "Aria Pro II ART-2" on the base plate.

It was available on the 1986 left handed Aria II Pro Mega Metal Stage III built by Matsumoku and this 1988 left-handed Aria Pro II XR Series ST-3 built by Samick. The Aria catalog supplement of 1986 calls it a "FT-1 Fine tuning Locking tremolo with Zero Fret Nut Lock."

Aria Pro II ACT-3 (Japan)

(1984 - 1987)

Aria Pro II's first own proprietary locking tremolo system with fine tuners was a unique tremolo called the "ACT-3." (It was also used on some Washburn guitars, for which it was designated "600-T" for Washburn.)

The ACT-3 first appeared in the Aria Pro II catalog for 1985, featured on the RS Esprit, RS Hellcat, RS Inazuma III, XX and ZZ Custom, all 3 Custom X models in the CT range, and the Diamond Series JX-Plus and JX-Custom. Yngwie Malmsteen had his own RS Esprit Yngwie Malmsteen Signature model.

In the Aria Pro II Japan catalog for 1986 it was used on the RS Knight Warrior, RS Knight Warrior-MX, RS Hellcat, RS Wildcat PLUS, and RS Inazuma-III; on the CT Series Custom X-FR, Custom X-MX, and Custom X; and on the Diamond Series JX-Plus and JX-Custom. The international Aria Pro II catalog for 1986 lists these models with the ACT-3: Knight Warrior Deluxe 3, Knight Warrior STD-3, Road Warrior 3, Wildcat-3, and Bobcat-3. It was also used on the international Exotic Series XX Deluxe and ZZ Deluxe.

The ACT-3 has very different dimensions from a genuine Floyd Rose and is not at all interchangeable. Whereas a Floyd Rose has a post spacing of 74mm, the ACT-3 has 73mm post spacing, thus it is not interchangeable with standard Floyd Rose systems.

It is very recognizable for the large, raised rectangular collar on its base plate where the tremolo arm goes through; the strings are fed through the horizontal tube screws at the back without needing to cut off the ball ends; and it has hinged rectangular carbon steel "pressure pads" (string clamps) that clamp the strings down and are locked in place by a hex screw. It has an L-shaped block into which the tremolo arm screws.

There were two versions, the first was made in Japan and the second was made in Korea. The Japanese version has a German Floyd Rose-style, solid "whale tail" and the later Korean version has a Fernandes Head Crasher-style, flatter, curved tail. The early Aria Pro II unit was stamped with "ACT/3" on the base only. The Washburn version had "Washburn 600-T" on the upper part of the base and "Mfg. under Floyd Rose Pats." in very small lettering at the opposite end of the base under the tremolo arm collar.

This tremolo was highly regarded by players of the time and it was chosen by Neil Schon for his 1986 Schon NS6 Signature model made by Jackson Guitars.

By the late 1980s, Singer was on the verge of bankruptcy. This caused major problems for Matsumoku, and the company was unable to buy itself out from under Singer and closed its doors in 1987.

Various Japanese factories such as Terada and FujiGen picked up Matsumoku's Japanese market contracts, but by the late 1980s Japanese manufacturing had become expensive and most guitar brands that had Japanese lines moved to Korean factories.

Samick inherited the Aria Pro II contract, and continued to make Aria guitars and drums until Aria returned to Japanese production in the early 2000s. Samick also produced the Westone and Series 10 brands for St. Louis Music, the Marlin brand for British Music Strings Ltd, the Vantage brand for Music Technology Inc., and the Applause and GTX brands for Kaman Music Corporation,

KKT-1

The Bendmaster FT tremolo continued to be used on SLM brands and others, with the unit manufactured locally by Korean parts supplier Jin Ah. The Korean version is outwardly identical to the Japanese original, but the block shape is completely different and it is made of inferior metal. In the Samick naming convention, it was designated "KKT-1." As with the original, it was made initially with no inscriptions of any kind. Later versions were stamped "Mfg. Under Floyd Rose Pats." on the base plate, and the bottom of the block was embossed with "JINAH." The KKT-1 was featured on a single model in the 1989 Aria Pro II catalog, on the SL Series model DX3.

Aria Pro II ACT-3 (Korea)

(1987 - 1989)

The ACT-3 was thereafter manufactured in Korea, possibly also by Jin Ah. The Korean ACT-3 had "Mfg. under Floyd Rose Pats." on the tail and ACT3-S on the tremolo arm collar. (Does the "S" stand for "Samick?")

For 1987 the new ACT-3 was standard on the RS Wildcat DX1, DX2, and DX-SH; RS Warrior STD-2, STD-3; Diamond Series JX1, JX2, and JX3; and all 5 models of the Road Warrior Series.

The ACT-3 continued to be standard on 5 of the 6 models in the 1988 RS Series consisting of the Road Warrior 2, Road Warrior 3, Warrior Std-2, Warrior Std-3, and the RS Wildcat DX-3. It was used on the JX1, JX2, and JX3 of the 1988 Diamond Series and the 45-2, 45-3, and 50-3 models of the new 1988 Hellion Series. (Other models of the Warrior and Armoured Warrior Series received the new Takeuchi TRT1.) 1988 was the last year of the ACT-3 tremolo.

Left handed guitars built by Samick with the Korean ACT-3 included the 1987-1988 XR Series. (See information following re 1988 orphan XR Series.)

Aria Pro II replaced the ACT-3 in 1989 with the Gotoh GE1988T and the Takeuchi TRS-101.

KMD Double Locking Tremolo System

Kaman Music Corporation is a U.S company that distributes multiple musical brands in the United States and was the manufacturer of Ovation guitars and its sub brand Applause. In 1988 they released a series of Superstrat guitars under the Applause brand as the GTX Series. Select models of the GTX Series came with a proprietary double locking tremolo called the "KMD double locking tremolo system," which was Kaman's effort to produce an unlicensed Floyd Rose. Those used on Applause guitars had "KMD" stamped on the upper base plate. It has an L-shaped block with no other ID or information anywhere. It has horizontal fine tuners, and the strings are fed from underneath through the block. It is unique in that it has no tail. Today, the KMD would be one of the rarest non-genuine Floyd Rose style tremolos ever.

Somehow, this tremolo ended up on what appears to be a non-catalog version of the 1988 Aria Pro II XR Series. These guitars have one humbucker and two slanted single coil pickups and a reverse headstock. Left hand models were made such as this 1988 XR Series and this 1988 XR Series.

1987 was a transitional time for Aria Pro II. Matsumoku had closed down in February and production had moved offshore to Samick in Korea, so it is possible this KMD product was used while Jin Ah was tooling up to produce their version of the ACT-3. The body and specs of this XR orphan look like GTX guitars. Samick built both brands. I have no proof.

Aria Pro II ART-1 (Gotoh GE1988T)

Gotoh is a major Japanese parts manufacturer that has supplied guitar hardware for multiple guitar brands since 1960 and is world-renowned. Gotoh manufactured OEM and proprietary tremolo systems for multiple brands including Aria Pro II. See here: Floyd Rose Tremolos for Lefties: Proprietary Versions. Gotoh also produces their own proprietary Floyd Rose variant, which has remained largely unchanged since 1988. It is a variant of the Original Floyd Rose 100 Series.

Gotoh's first licensed double-locking tremolo was the GE1988T which was supplied as an OEM unit to several brands, released in 1988. It was stamped "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Patents" on the tail and "GOTOH Japan" on the block. Sometimes it was stamped with "Gotoh" and the Gotoh "G" logo on the upper base plate. It was different from the Floyd Rose originals in that the top knife edge of the base plate was straight. Also distinctive is the saddle assemblies are bevelled making them appear slightly rounded. It has offset saddle screws so that the strings don't get in the way when adjusting the intonation. It also has a square tremolo arm collar base.

The Gotoh GE1988T was supplied to Aria as an OEM product from 1989. The tremolo was stamped "Aria Pro II" on the base with "ART-1" in smaller writing underneath. It was used on the 1989 Japanese Warrior and Libra Series guitars. (Other Series received the TRS-101.) In the 1989 International catalog the ART-1 featured on the Warrior Series WA-1003, WA-803, WR-753, WR-752, WA-653A, WA-653S, WA-603, and WR-503. They were made in Korea.

Aria Pro II ART-2

In the same year Aria and Gotoh entered into an OEM arrangement to make a proprietary version of the GE1988T under exclusive license for Aria Pro II guitars. The new version was designated "ART-2" to differentiate it from the "ART-1" stock GE1988T. The new ART-2 had saddle height adjustment, and the sides of the base plate were curved. It's fine tuners had longer threaded screws. It had an L-shaped block that the tremolo arm screwed into.

The ART-2 was first featured in the 1990 Aria Pro II catalog alongside the ART-1. The ART-1 was used on the 1990 The Warrior Series WR-800 and the ART-2 was used on the WR-500. Other 1990 models that had the ART-2 were the Magna Series MA-750, MA-650, and MA- 550, the Aquanote Series AQ-600 and AQ-560, and the Vanguard Series VA-550.

For 1991 the ART-2 was featured on the Magna Series MA-1000, MA-900, MA-800, MA-650, and MA-550.

In the 1992 Aria Pro II Japan catalog, the ART-2 is featured on the 1992 Magna Series MA-100, MA-85, MA-750, MA-650 MA-60, MA-65, and MA-80. (Other models came with the Takeuchi TRS-101.) It appeared internationally on the 1992 MA-01T and MA-03D.

The 1993 Aria Pro II Japan catalog lists the ART-1 on Aria Pro II Custom Shop models with the Magna MA-100, MA-85, MA-80, and MA-65, otherwise optioned with the ART-2.

For 1994 it was used on the Magna Series MA-100, MA-55, MA-65, and MA-85; the VP-55, VP-65, and VP-75;

For 1995, only the Magna Series was fitted with the ART-2 tremolo, which consisted of the MA-065, MA-055, MA-65, MA-65X, and MA-55.

For 1996, the Magna Series models featuring the ART-2 were reduced to only the MA-55 and MA-65.

The new Magna Carved Series for 1997 utilised the ART-2 on the MAC-75S and the MAC-65R models. Regular Magna Series models for 1997 that came with the ART-2 were the MA-65H, MA-055Q and MA-055.

Gotoh's new 1996T tremolo was used on the 2000 MA Series MAC-85V. This time Aria used the Gotoh original model name.

Takeuchi TRT-1

Takeuchi Manufacturing Co. Ltd was a Japanese company that was a major producer of licensed tremolo systems for many guitar brands that manufactured guitars in Japan beginning in about 1987 or 1988. Takeuchi went out of business in 2010.

The Takeuchi TRT-1 was Takeuchi's first licensed Floyd Rose tremolo based on the Original Floyd Rose, and introduced in 1986. It was the predecessor of the TRS-101 and has the same trapezoid base plate shape. Early versions were engraved with "Mfg. Under Floyd Rose Patents." on the base plate. Later versions were engraved with "TRT-1" on the upper base and "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Pats." stamped in very small letters on the lower base next to the tremolo arm collar. The TRT-1 block simply says "Takeuchi." (The subsequent TRS-101 block also says "Made in Japan.") It was used by ESP, Ibanez and Aria Pro II.

The TRT-1 was used on the 1988 Aria Pro II "The Warrior" Series models 753, 752, and 602; models AW-75 and AW-90 of the Armoured Warrior" Series, and the "Precede" Series 75-SM and 75-HM models. These guitars were made by Samick in Korea. The Aria Pro II version has "Mfg. Under Floyd Rose Patents" on the base.

The 1989 international Aria Pro II catalog lists the TRT-1 on the 1989 Aquanote Series AQ-60 and AQ-65 models, the Armoured Warrior Series AW-75 and AW-90, and the Precede Series PR-75-HM and PR-75-SM.

Takeuchi TRS-101

The TRS-101 was Takeuchi's refined version of the TRT-1 and was adopted by many guitar brands that had Japanese lines throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including Aria Pro II, B.C. Rich, Charvel, ESP, Fender, Greco, Fernandes, Ibanez, Jackson, Kramer, Washburn, Westone, and Yamaha. It was produced from 1988 until 2008 and is a straight swap for an Original Floyd Rose. It is identical in appearance to the earlier TRT-1.

The TRS-101 was stamped on the top part of the base plate with either "TRS-101" or with the name of the guitar brand and with "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Pats." stamped in very small letters on the base plate next to the tremolo arm collar. Later versions did not have the licensing statement. The block was stamped "Takeuchi" with "Made in Japan" below it. It is distinctive for its trapezoid-shaped base plate and slightly more angular tail. It has a screw-in tremolo arm which screws into the block. To this day, the TRS-101 is the most copied Floyd Rose-style tremolo system of all time.

The TRS-101 first appeared in the 1989 Aria Pro II Japan catalog on several models of the CT, XR Series and the Vanguard Series. In the international catalog for 1989 the TRS-101 appeared on the Vanguard Series VA-553 and VA-453, and the Warrior Series JR-503.

It was used thereafter on several models of the 1991 Vanguard Series, and on the 1991 Magna MA-550, the 1991 Avenger X and Z, and the 1991 Viper VP-60.

For 1992 it was used on the Magna MA-550, MA-30, Vanguard VA-650, VA-600, VA-550, Viper VP-60/VP-65, and the Avenger X and V.

In the 1993 Japan catalog it was used on the Magna MA-55 and MA-75, the Viper VP-55, VP-60, and VP-75; and the Avenger AV-X and AV-Z.

This left handed 1993 Aria Pro II Magna Series MA-62 LH came with the TRS-101.

KKT-2

Samick built some Aria Pro II guitars with a single-locking tremolo manufactured by Jin Ah, which they later used on their own Samick-branded guitars during the 1990s. This unit was designated "KKT-2." Strings were fed through a self-locking T-shaped saddle assembly on a see-saw pivot. Vertical fine tuners at the rear of the individual saddles pressed on the base plate when turned, thus making the saddles pivot to make tuning adjustments. This unit has a rectangular tremolo collar like the ACT-3 / 600-T. The top of the base plate was stamped "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Patents."

The KKT-2 was used on the 1988-1991 left handed Aria Pro II Excel Series XL SPT-3RL, the 1991 left handed Aria Pro II VP-40 Viper, and the mid-90s left handed Magna Series MA-20.

Aria Pro II ART-10 (KKT-3)

From 1989 Samick introduced a TRS 101-style double locking tremolo manufactured by Jin Ah but with one straight knife edge. It was designated "KKT-3" by Samick. For Aria it was designated "ART-10." The ART-10 was stamped "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Patents" on the upper base plate in "Courier New" caps-and-lower-case font. It is also recognizable for its conical shaped fine tuners. Cort and World Musical Instrument Co also built guitars with this tremolo.

The ART-10 was used on the 1989-1995 left handed Aria Pro II XL DLX3, and the 1990-1993 left-handed Aria Pro II Mad Axe ST-02-3XL/VS.