Reverty Used Guitars Japan — every instrument inspected, set up, and played before listing.
1977-1980 Aria Pro II ST-500 "Stagecaster" - Matsumoku, Made in Japan
A genuine Matsumoku-built S-style guitar from the golden age of Japanese guitar manufacturing. The neck plate is stamped MATSUMOKU / MADE IN JAPAN, and the headstock decal reads "Distinguished Custom Body by Matsumoku" - clear, factory-original evidence of its origin.
The Stagecaster series (ST-400 / ST-500 / ST-600 / ST-800) was Aria Pro II's take on the Fender Stratocaster, built at the Matsumoku factory in Matsumoto during the lawsuit era. Matsumoku is highly regarded for its wood drying and neck work, and these late-1970s Aria Pro II models are increasingly collected outside Japan. This example wears a warm natural gloss finish over a maple neck with maple fingerboard and black dot inlays.
== SPECIFICATIONS ==
- Model: ST-500 Stagecaster
- Year: 1977-1980
- Country of Origin: Japan
- Factory: Matsumoku (stamped on neck plate)
- Serial: I771441 (neck plate)
- Color: Natural, gloss finish
- Body: Solid body
- Neck: Maple, bolt-on (4-bolt)
- Fingerboard: Maple with black dot inlays
- Frets: 21
- Scale: 648 mm (25.5")
- Pickups: Three single coils
- Controls: Master Volume, two Tone
- Switch: Pickup selector switch
- Bridge: Six-saddle synchronized vibrato
- Hardware: Chrome
- Weight: 3.75 kg
== CONDITION ==
Overall: Very Good
- Body: Scratches and playwear consistent with age; finish intact
- Neck: Straight
- Frets: Approximately 70% remaining
- Hardware: Tarnish on metal parts (vintage patina)
A well-preserved example for its age. All electronics function correctly and the guitar plays as intended. Please review all photos carefully for the exact cosmetic condition. All photos are of the actual guitar for sale.
== INCLUDED ==
- Gig bag (non-original)
== WHY THIS GUITAR ==
Matsumoku-stamped instruments are the ones collectors look for, and a Stagecaster with the factory name right on the neck plate leaves no guesswork about who built it. Natural-finish examples in honest, playable condition are getting harder to find, and at 3.75 kg this is a comfortable, gig-ready player's piece with genuine 1970s Japanese build quality behind it.
Please feel free to message with any questions before purchasing.
SETUP & INSPECTION
Cleaned, set up, and inspected by our luthier before shipping:
- Neck relief and action adjusted
- Frets and fingerboard cleaned
- Intonation set
- Tuners and electronics checked
Your instrument arrives ready to play.
SHIPPING FROM JAPAN
- Shipped worldwide from Japan with full tracking and insurance
- Carefully packed with protective wrapping, strings detuned to relieve neck tension in transit
- Processed and shipped within 2-4 business days
Please message us with any questions before purchasing.
