January 10, 2024 I Acquisition
Aria Guitars Acquires Pignose
Arai & Co., Inc., the brand holder of Aria and Aria Pro II guitars in Japan, has announced its acquisition of Pignose. The acquisition was completed earlier in 2023.
Pignose is a leading portable amplifier brand. The brand’s 7-100 amplifier was first produced in 1972 by guitarist Terry Kath and other members and associates of the band Chicago and launched to music industry at the 1973 Summer NAMM Show. Arai & Co., Inc. had been serving as the exclusive Pignose distributor in Japan since 1976, and, by the mid-1990s, had started to produce Pignose guitars under license from U.S. Pignose Industries.
“We are thrilled to be taking over the legend and history of Pignose brand,” said Sami Yamada, vice president of Arai & Co., Inc. “We will take advantage of our experience and knowledge to maintain and develop [the] Pignose lineup alongside the Aria [and] Aria Pro II products.”
