IA DM380 DIAMOND ELECTRIC GUITAR

[geoff1711]

Hi All

anyone got one of these poor mans Mosrite?

Geoff

[geoff1711]

actually that should have read ARIA DM380 DIAMOND ELECTRIC GUITAR

[JimN]

I liked the look of it in adverts when it came out, Geoff, albeit it had Strat-type bridge instead of a Jazzmaster or Bigsby-type arrangement. You wouldn't expect to anything like get the original Moseley Vibramute - not even quite high-end copies of Mosrites get that.

But... I haven't seen one anywhere. However, there is a short descriptive review (by Guitar World magazine) on Youtube at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xe4qv33Scm8

and a bit of blurb from NAMM '09 at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVVDrHLBcZg

What's the price? £180?

JN

[geoff1711]

Hi Jim

I've seen them in a couple of places for £159 and £169.

With the Strat style trem they look a bit un-balanced, I guess something cosmetic could be done if that was a problem, but the pickup configuration is right and the trem design is tried and proven, they're bolt on necks and the build spec looks to be fairly Fenderish.

The original Mosrites were glued in neck and I think Mahogany body.

But the two P90's should put the sound in the right ball park

All the best

Geoff

[JimN]

Geoff,

I have two custom-made P90-alikes (in humbucker-sized cases) retro-fitted to my Squier Jagmaster:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29785641@N07/4629687324/in/set-72157628068869103

That guitar, also retro-fitted with a superior, all-steel, Wilkinson vintage bridge, sounds tremendous!

I would expect the Aria, with its longer scale-length (the Jagmaster is an original model from the nineties, with a 24" scale), to sound as good if not even better.

JN

PS: The Jagmaster was mediocre (at best) with the original so-so humbuckers.

[geoff1711]

Hi All

Aria DM 380

well I took the bull by the horns and bought one today, how does it compare to a Mosrite? no idea, I've never laid hands on one.

But it does sound very good, completely different to a Strat or Tele, the neck is a little on the cheap side but the frets are nicely dressed and the action is good, but the warmth and sustain of the pickups is really very good. I'd put a a Seymour Duncan P Rail on the bridge position of one of my other guitars last week, they've had quite enthusiastic reviews, but it sounds weedy compared to the stock pickups on the Aria.

I won't be getting rid of my Fenders or Burns guitars, but for those few Ventures numbers I play it really hits the spot.

Geoff

[geoff1711]

Or then again

http://hallmarkguitars.com/guitars/60-custom.htm


Geoff

[kipper]

hi geoff i brought one a couple weeks ago for i think £159.00. including post. candy apple red i think the colour is. i am amazed that they can make and sell them at such a low price. the finish on mine was really good the neck was finished very nicly as well. i had read a few reviews moaning about sharp fret ends mine was great. i admit that the look of the tremolo lets it down and if i can think of improving it i will. but even allowing for that i cant see how you can get better value for money. i also agree it dosent sound like a strat which is what i was hoping for. if you upgrade the pickups i would be intrested in results. peter

[JimN]

If either of you are looking for an upgrade for Chinese-made P90 pickups, I'd recommend http://www.catswhiskerpickups.com.

Allan (who's in the Birmingham area) provides great products and service for very reasonable prices. He has made me two sets of custom P90s for a Jazzmaster and for a Jagmaster (in h/b cases). Great results each time.

JN

[kipper]

thanks for the link jim. peter