Univox Hi Flyer / Aria 1702t

[surfing-matze]

Has anybody of you also played one of these nice old mosrite copies ?

I have an Aria 1702t and a Univox High Flyer phase 2 - these 2 guitars have been made in the same factory in the early 70ies (Japan). they're not identical, but nearly the same. I like them a lot - as a (so far) mostly Fender-guy playing Jags and JMs I like the power and the way these pups "power" through the mix very well.

I have some problems to intonate, some dead notes and sustain is not great (especially on the higher scales) which make it not easy to play on them, but the sound is really nice. I guess without these probs, the Aria could be my main guitar. I play 12-rounds on them.

Has anybody of you experience with these Guitars and how do they compare soundwise to the other highly recommanded clones as the Hallmark and the Mosrite Excellents, which are for sure better playable guitars ?

surfing-matze

[Dennisthe Menace]

Matze,
Think of the Aria/Univox as being "Nice" guitars to start out with, sort of like getting your very first car.
......OK, now, think of the Mosrites/Hallmarks as getting your first Ferrari........

[surfing-matze]

ooohhhh ferraris are among the most amazing cars ever made - especially the old ones .

[zak]

Has anybody of you also played one of these nice old mosrite copies ?

I don't think they really qualify as "Mosrite copies" - aside from the similar body shape there is no resemblance. The hardware and electronics are totally different, not to mention the sound and feel of the instruments.

I don't think there is ANY way you can compare these to a Hallmark or Mosrite reissue. The Univox HiFlyer was a "beginner's" guitar, I don't think they are really professional quality instruments (terrible hardware, mediocre pickups, very poor tuning stability). Having said that, some of them DO sound very nice, but nothing like a Mosrite.
Their real weakness is the incredibly thin body and flimsy neck heel pocket (which is NOT set deep in the body below the neck pickup like a Mosrite), that is why you see so many of them with a crack radiating out of the neck pocket. There's just not enough wood there to provide solid neck support, if you drop it it is very likely to blow a chunk of wood out of the neck pocket. At least half the HiFlyers I've seen were either cracked in that area, or broken and previously repaired. Big design flaw.

[surfing-matze]

Hi Zak,

thanks for your answer - everything you say bout the quality is true. But as a player I have to add, that with some effort to get the right setup these guitars can stay in tune - even with use of the vibrato.

What I like so much about them is the sound - it's great when you play surf music with lots of reverb, cause it cuts through the mix sooooo well, as mentioned before. Without reverb it even sounds a bit brutal ....

By the way: Jack White likes to play old junky guitars (like the Airline), cause he thinks, it's a challenge. I think he does it quite well . However I think I don't wanna compare myself to him - I'm thinking bout getting a Hallmark or anExcellent, maybe a Ranger - cause I'd like a guitar without these problems with lack of sustain, dead notes and intonation.

So can someone describe the difference in sound ? (this would be very interesting, cause soundwise, I like these junky things.

best reverbs
Matze

[mosriteman26]

I own both an Aria and a hi-flier, I absolutely love them! The Aria is so comfortable to play and I love it's mid-rangey tone. My hi-flyer is a phase III and has those unique humbuckers which sound pretty sweet IMHO.

[surfing-matze]

Hi Mosriteman26,

I also heard a lot of good things bout the Univox humbuckers, but I never had the chance to listen to :-/. Do you also own a Mosrite ?

My Aria has something - can't explain - some songs just feel soooo right with it .

Since yesterday I'm a proud owner of a pearl white Hallmark Custom 60 - I have to set it up the way I want (heavier strings - 11s i think) and lower the PUPs - I can't say more about it for now - but its a sooo beautiful axe !!!

reverbed Cheers
Matze

[mosriteman26]

I sadly do not own an actual nosrite:( I wish I have played a couple though it's just out of my price range:(