Aria - 9020 - - Acoustic guitar - Japan - 1974

Aria 9020, acoustics Made in Japan produced in the 1970s at Matsumoku plants, one of the most renowned Japanese factories of the era. Matsumoku is known for the quality of its luthiery and for building instruments for Aria, Epiphone Japan, Vantage, Westone, Electra, Univox and other American and Japanese brands.

In the 1970s Aria produced some of the best Martin copies, part of the so-called “lawsuit” era, when Japanese guitars faithfully reproduced the aesthetics and tone of the most famous American models.

The 9020 model clearly takes inspiration from the Martin D‑18, as confirmed by several online sources.
It follows the classic configuration: spruce top, back, sides and neck in mahogany, rosewood fingerboard, dreadnought body and the focused tone typical of the D‑18.

Features and materials
Top in spruce.
Back and sides in mahogany
Neck in mahogany with a soft V profile, typical of traditional American acoustics.
Rosewood fingerboard with hexagonal inlays in abalone.
Rosewood bridge.
Martin-style rosette and binding from the 1970s.
Original Japanese hardware.
Solid and precise dreadnought construction, typical of Matsumoku production.

Luthier’s revision two days ago
The guitar has just undergone a full check:

body and neck polishing

full setup (action, intonation, truss rod)

frets polished

board oiled

bridge and machine heads cleaned

new strings installed D’Addario EJ26 (.011–.052)

general inspection of the structure and gluing

Instrument ready to play, no further work needed.

Sonorous quality
The tone of the Aria 9020 recalls that of the Martins
focused and projected sound
excellent mid and high frequencies
soft and controlled basses
long and natural sustain
rich harmonics
great projection thanks to the dreadnought body
Extraordinary sound, warm, balanced and very musical, as confirmed by online reviews and comparisons.

Condition (as visible in the photos)
Instrument in very good overall condition for a model from the 1970s.
Top, back and sides perfect, no cracks.
Straight neck, even finish.
Frets polished, fingerboard nourished.
Original hardware working.

There is a small cosmetic flaw: an area of the finish slightly dulled by time on one corner of the top.
Purely cosmetic flaw, not structural.

Why it’s interesting:
Made in Japan in the 1970s.
Matsumoku production, one of the best Japanese factories.
Martin D‑18 copy, confirmed by multiple online sources.
Quality woods (spruce + mahogany).
Soft V neck profile.
Extraordinary sound.
Professional revision.
Excellent condition for the age.
Instrument suitable for both collectors and players.