legend guitars from 80's ? Aria/Korea What wood were they?

[msplines]

I've got a couple of "Legend" guitars (I think they were a sort of Patrick Eggle copy or even PRS flattery), possibly by Aria but made in Korea).
I was wondering if anyone knows what the main body woods are likely to be?
One of mine has a maple cap, the other a three piece plain body.
The guitars are set neck 24 fret and very well made, but were supplied with cheap hardware.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
I did a search, but didn't find anything.

 

[Lagotto]

Re: legend guitars from 80's ? Aria/Korea What wood were they?

Well, if they're not plywood, they would either be basswood or alder.

 

[MikeS]

Re: legend guitars from 80's ? Aria/Korea What wood were they?

The LEG series... either a Legend I or Legend II. Produced in 1986-87. Should be alder. You don't see much (if any?) plywood from Aria, and I've seen more alder than anything else. Cheap alder and often multi-piece (4+), but still alder.

Got any pics? That might help.

 

[msplines]

Re: legend guitars from 80's ? Aria/Korea What wood were they?

The LEG series... either a Legend I or Legend II. Produced in 1986-87. Should be alder. You don't see much (if any?) plywood from Aria, and I've seen more alder than anything else. Cheap alder and often multi-piece (4+), but still alder.

Got any pics? That might help.

I'll try and stick one in, but I'm not sure if thyey are small enough to get accepted
Despite the terrible quality, this one is red sunburst with the maple top

 

[MikeS]

Re: legend guitars from 80's ? Aria/Korea What wood were they?

OK, it's not an Aria LEG series guitar :smack: My brain must not have been working this morning. I really don't know anything about Legend.

Can't really tell anything from the picture, but based on what I've been reading, it's either plywood or alder. Easiest way to tell would be to pull a pup from the cavity and have a looksie. On a set-neck, though, I'd almost bet on alder.

 

[msplines]

Re: legend guitars from 80's ? Aria/Korea What wood were they?

It's definately not plywood, the neck is almost certainly mahogany and the body wood is a pale colour, so I think you are right about the alder. The guitar has a satisfying mass without the neck breaking weight of a Les paul. I'm interested in the wood as I want to replace one or both of the pickups - the current residents (ALpro11neck and ancient Dimarzio super distortion bridge) are excellent split, almost strat like quack with both on, but lack balls when the humbucking mode is engaged.
Thanks for the help.

 

[aleclee]

Re: legend guitars from 80's ? Aria/Korea What wood were they?

Aria was known to use some odd woods. This guitar actually has a sycamore body!

 

[msplines]

Re: legend guitars from 80's ? Aria/Korea What wood were they?

Yes, i've also got a THorsound TS600 which is an absolutely brill guitar with good poky pickups that don't require changing, the only thing I did do was to put on-on-on mini toggles for the pickup split to give me split, parallel and HB modes which is a nice plus for certain sounds.
Yours is a lovely guitar, it has the nicer headstock and did you retrofit the trem? It looks much nicer than my plasticene ibanez lo(quality) trs!!!!