First Draft, subject to inevitable edits and future additions. Making an effort to include pictures is likely to happen in the future as well.
A couple observations in compiling this page. Nine out of ten signature models are 6 stringers, with just one bass. The proportion of bass players increases significantly however in the ‘Sponsored and Noteworthy’ list, with roughly a 50-50 split between 6 strings and bass, notwithstanding future updates from the ‘Other notables’ list. The dominant bass listed is the SB-1000, followed by ZZ and TS types. The dominant 6 string listed is the PE-R80 followed by a few TA-100, a couple PE-1000 and a couple XX versions.
Listings below are in last name alphabetical order.
Japanese Signature Models
Shinichiro Ishihara (aka Shara) from the band Earthshaker had a signature model, RS WARRIOR SHARA [41]
Takayuki Kai from the band Earthshaker had a signature model, SB INTEGRA KAI [41]
Ryudo Uzaki from Down Town Fighting Boogie-Woogie Band had an uncatalogued obscure signature model version of the U-1000 [93] and also played a TS-600
Kazumi Watanabe had an uncatalogued signature model, PE-K200, and also played a PE-R80 and a customized RS-850 [8]
International Signature Models
Robert Conti may have had an undocumented signature model, with details not yet fully determined. Known examples of a single pickup variation of the PE-190 have “ROBERT CONTI” engraved tailpieces
Gerry Cott (Boomtown Rats), had a signature model, PE-1000GC [35]
Herb Ellis had a signature model, PE-175 [34]
Ike Isaacs had a signature model, TA-1500 [36]
Michael Schenker had a signature model, XX-MS [39]
Neal Schon (Journey) had an uncatalogued signature model, unofficially named PE-Neal Schon, and he also played customized PE-R80 models with Roland synth modules and Kahler tremolos [8]
Sponsored and Noteworthy Players – guitars determined from period catalog and advertising ID, related performance pictures/videos that corroborate, plus specific reference numbers as shown [8, 33-41, 43, 80]
Jimmy Bain (DIO) played a ZZB CUSTOM or DELUXE
Jack Bruce (ex. Cream) played an SB-1000
Cliff Burton (Metallica) played an SB-1000 and an SB Black‘n’Gold–I [103]
Tony Butler (Big Country) played an SB-1000
Glen Campbell (and Jerry Reed) played a TA-100 [109]
Vivian Campbell (DIO) played a ZZ DELUXE ZEBRA, ZZ CUSTOM, and an RS ROAD WARRIOR
Larry Coryell played a TA-100
Jay Davis (Rod Stewart) played a TSB-650
Buzzy Feiton played a PE-R80
Dennis Feldman (Michael Schenker) played an SB-1000 and ZZB DELUXE ZEBRA
Bruce Foxton (The Jam) played an SB-1000 [110]
Tim Gaines (Stryper) played an RSB model (customized)
Chris Glen (Michael Schenker) played a ZZB CUSTOM
Billy Gould (Faith No More) played an SB INTEGRA Custom and an SB-1000 [95]
Kirk Hammett (Metallica) played an RS KNIGHT WARRIOR [102]
Trevor Horn (The Buggles) played an SB-1000 [111]
Wayne Hussey (Sisters of Mercy, The Mission) played an RS-800-12 [100]
Danny Johnson (Rick Derringer, Alice Cooper, Rod Stewart) played a CS-400
Robin Le Mesurier (Rod Stewart) played a PE-R80
Yngwie Malmsteen (Alcatrazz) played an XX-DELUXE (incl. a modified version with single coils) and an RS ESPRIT, and he played an RS KNIGHT WARRIOR (in Rising Force). There is some reference info suggestion of signature model consideration at some point, but this never materialised [8].
Reggie McBride (Boz Scaggs) played an SB-1000
George McCorkle (Marshal Tucker Band) played an LC-750 and an LS model (?)
Andy McCoy (Hanoi Rocks) played a ZZ DELUXE ZEBRA and a ZZ DELUXE-V
Marcus Miller (Saturday Night Live + more) played an SB-1000
Neil Murray (Garry Moore, Whitesnake, Black Sabath) played an SB-ELITE-II, SB-900, and SB-1000 (and maybe an SB-INTEGRA ?) [96]
Mike Oldfield played an SB-1000 [107]
John Petrucci as a teenager (pre Dream Theater) played a CS-250 or 350 [114]
Mike Pinera (Alice Cooper) played a PE-R80
Vernon Porter (Kenny Loggins) played an RSB DELUXE (version ?)
Andrew Ridgeley (Wham) played a PE-R80
Jim Rodford (The Kinks) played an SB-1000
Mike Score (A Flock of Seagulls) played a ZZ DELUXE [106]
Gary Shea (Alcatrazz) played an RSB DELUXE-I and SB-ELITE-II
Pat Simmons (Doobie Brothers) played a PE model
Alec John Such (Bon Jovi) played a WL CUSTOM [112]
Nasty S. (Hanoi Rocks) played an XX-DELUXE
Andy Summers (The Police), played a PE-1000, PE-1500, and an LS-600 ‘Transitional’ [104]
John Taylor (Duran Duran) played an SB-1000, SB-900, RSB-DELUXE-II, and an SB-700 [99]
Garry Tibbs (Adam and the Ants, Roxy Music) played a TSB-650
Paul Weller (Style Council) played a TA-100 and a PE-175 [98]
Sami Yaffi (Hanoi Rocks) played a ZZB Custom
Other notable names in the reference catalogs, period advertising, obscure references, etc., include: Japan - Toshiyuki Abe (Tulip), George Azuma & Kinta Moriyama (Carmen Maki 5X), Hirofumi Bamba, Takashi Fujita, Osamu Ishida (Gas), Shigenori Kamiya, Tsuyoshi Kon & Masaki Matsubara (Parachute), Shizuo Wada (Down Town Fighting Boogie-Woogie Band) / International - Frank Allen (The Searchers), Charles Barrett (The Fixx), Paul Brett, Pete Brough & Michael Dommers & Terry Park (Wallenstein), Hiram Bullock & Will Lee (24th Street Band), Bernie Calvert (The Hollies), Gordon Copley (Lita Ford), Larry Cordola & David Glen Eisley (Giuffria), Henry Davis (Lionel Ritchie), Richard De Gurgh & Colm Jackson (Party Hula), Jurgen Dehmel (Nena), Sheena Easton, Durwood Edwards (Loretta Lynn), Wilton Felder (The Crusaders), Jackie Flavelle & John Slaughter (Chris Barber’s Jazz Band), Debbie Googe (My Bloody Valentine), Mark Griffiths & Cliff Richard (Cliff Richard Band), Jonas Hellberg, Darek Jackson (Ray Parker Jr.), Alan Jones, Yuri Kasparyan (KINO), Chaka Khan & Rufus (Chaka Khan Band), Randy Meisner (The Eagles), Bobby Messano (Steve Winwood), Brian Moore (Athenz), Alan Murphy (Go West), Les Nemes (Haircut 100), Charles Ottavio (Animotion), Phil Palmer, Billy Peek (Rod Stewart), Garry Roberts (Boomtown Rats), Pete Trewavas (Marillion), Richard Searle (Doctor And The Medics), Chris Van Rohr (Krokus), Andy West (Dixie Dregs), Denny Wright
Honorable Mention Stories
It’s known that Alec John Such played a rare WL CUSTOM while other members of Bon Jovi are seen in two 1985 catalog pictures holding Aria Pro II guitars (Jon Bon Jovi w/PE-R80 and RS KNIGHT WARRIOR, Ritchie Sambora w/ZZ DELUXE) [40]. Ritchie Sambora is also seen in a 1986 American advertisement for Aria effects pedals [92]. It’s unclear what the full level of Bon Jovi related endorsement of Aria products was.
George Lynch (Dokken) is pictured with an RS KNIGHT WARRIOR model on the back cover of the Tooth and Nail album (1984) but he admits he didn’t like it and it got almost no use. He did however use an Aria acoustic for all the acoustic parts of the album [12]. He was also given an RS model (which one?) by Aria staff but there are no records of it being used [8].
Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy) is seen in a studio setting magazine picture with Laser Electric bass models but it’s not clear to what degree he used them [105].
John Sykes (Whitesnake) was given a PE Model (which one?) by Aria staff but there are no further details of any use [8].
Staff of the Aria USA office claimed they managed to have Stevie Ray Vaughan see an Aria Pro II guitar (what model?) while recording in Los Angeles. Presumably this was November 1982 for the recording of the debut album Texas Flood. It’s also claimed “He really liked the instrument a lot” but there are no further details to this story [92].
In 1983 several namesake models appeared in Japanese brochures under the badges ‘Diamond by Aria’ and ‘Rock’n’Roller Made by Aria’. These were copy model variations of Fender Stratocaster and Rickenbacker models, respectively. The model names for the Strat copies were Brad Gillis (Night Ranger), Gary Moore, Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple, Rainbow), and Dave Murray (Iron Maiden), and the Rick copies were John Lennon, George Harrison, and Paul McCartney. Clearly, none of these names were official signature models or Aria endorsed players. It is unknown if Aria received any legal backlash for the name associations, but it is hard to imagine they didn’t.
Post Matsumoku Era Anecdotes of Interest
A few online pictures and scattered references suggest Jason Newsted briefly played Cliff Burton’s SB Black‘n’Gold–I in a studio or practice setting soon after he joined Metallica, so in very late 1986 to 1987, but details are vague.
Kim Deal borrowed and used her sister’s early 1980s CSB-380 or 450 bass in 1987-88 after she joined the The Pixies [108].
Kurt Cobain played an early 1980s CS-350 in 1990, and he famously smashed it onstage at a Nirvana show in Seattle. The broken body was sold at auction in 2018 for US $81,250 [101].
Dimebag Darrell (Pantera) was gifted, and maybe never really played, a ZZ DELUXE. It was modified with glued on dimes and called ‘Spare Dime’. He subsequently gave or sold (?) it to Hard Rock International (USA), Inc., and it is reportedly on display at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida [97].
Dan Auerbach (Black Keys) owned an Aria 5502 which was listed in his collection sale at Gruhn Guitars as of September 2025 [94].