Vintage Aria / Raven 12 String Acoustic

[DanMac]

Hello Everyone,

I am new to the forum and hope one of you other guitar lovers can help me to identify the year of my guitar. It is a 12 string acoustic that has an Aria headstock but the label inside the body says Raven.

This is an OLD guitar, I have had it for more than 30 years now, and it was old when I got it in 1978. I was told once that Aria and Raven guitars were built in the same factory, but I don't know if that's true, it seems impossible to get any history on Raven guitars at all.

The numbers on the label are a little difficult to read, it says the Model number is 5714, but then there is another number stamped right into the "V" in Raven, and that number is 5392. It doesn't appear that the neck has ever been changed, everything looks original.

I have a small collection of guitars that I want to sell, so I am trying to figure out a value for this handsome old 12 string. This guitar plays well and has a beautiful tone from the aged wood. If anyone can help me with a value, I would appreciate it. Thanks for reading, hope to hear from you.

.

[ManTuna]

Pictures of DanMac's guitar

[PickerAUS]

Hi.
Is there a number stamped on the neck plate?
You may be looking at an Aria made in the late 60's to early 70s'.
The Aria website lists the first of the recorded 4 figured model 12 string as:

1977- Traditional Series 6714 Western Jumbo 12-String (bolt, Martin hs, mah)

Presuming that you are accurate with the 5714 model number and that you have a dreadnought style, it's not too much of a jump to say that it is an earlier model or that the Raven was the dreadnought version.

[Spud1950]

Here's one exactly like it for sale on Craigs List.Picture of the label is a bit blurry,but it definately looks like 6714 to me. Don't know about the asking price, but in my unexpert opinion it seems a bit unrealistic to me.

[sneakypete]

a bit unrealsitic?...you`re too kind, I know many sellers are now trying to take advantage of the feeding frenzy thats been underway for a few years on older MIJs but that one has a zero too many. Maybe it`s a typo.

[PickerAUS]

Spud? It's the same guitar. He's selling it for $1800 - which is a bit too much IMHO.
Just a note: The 1975 Aria dreadnought 12 string was being sold new for $185 USD at the time.

Also my research has shown that it should have a Martin headstock - this one doesn't - no matter how hard I squint at it. It's also not a Jumbo. That's what makes me think that the 'Raven' was a model name.
It's gotta be worth something to a serious collector though. It looks like a well cared for, quality instrument.

[Spud1950]