Serial dating sets this guitar as a 1978 Matsumoku, lawsuit era, Gibson Dove copy. Up for sale is a cool and clean 1970s made in Japan Aria AF255 Mach 1 J200 Copy.

Had an ex-GF in college who had the identical guitar, same chip case as in the Goodwin link, label and headstock logo font date it circa 1970 (I had a 12-string dread with the same label/logo, bought new in May '70); unlike the upscale instruments made by Matsumoku (this one's made by Arai) the serial number has no special embedded code or significance in this case. Definitely a low-end piece - lam top, back/sides look like hog veneer over nato or luan, basic tuners; she paid about $60 for hers back then, probably not worth much more than that today. Bottom line: if it plays well and serves your needs, just enjoy it and don't sweat the dollars and cents. From Vintage Guitar: Early Arias don't have serial numbers.

Serial numbers began to be used in the mid 1970s. At least for the Aria guitars made by Matsumoko. The serial number contains the year in the first one or two digits (Y##### or YY###). Thus, a guitar from 1979 might begin with 79### or from 1981 with 1####. I feel silly resurrecting a five year old thread, but if this info above is solid, would it be safe to assume an Aria MIJ acoustic with a serial # beginning with 0 was made in 1980? Thanks for any replies.