Tinman

[quote name='BassBunny' post='11028' date='Jun 2 2007, 02:23 PM']TM, It's a shame about the lack of value attached to Aria stuff. As a converted guitarist, I got into bass by winning an Aria SB101 in a magazine competition. It's a bolt-on neck with a single active soap-bar and 3 band equalizer and it ain't going anywhere. It has a neck and action to die for and sounds amazing. I've also got 2 Fenders and an Ibanez 5 string, but whenever I take the Aria out it always surprises me. The Gallery have an SB101 for sale at £329 and I would put yours as worth more than that from a dealer as it is a higher spec model. But dealing privately is always a different matter. When you consider you are looking for somewhere around the price of a Mexican P Bass, the Aria is on a different planet. Funnily enough one of the 6 strings I couldn't part with is Aria's version of the Gibson ES335. It has so much sustain you can play a note, go and make a cup of coffee and it won't have died when you come back. Good luck with the sale and whoever get's it will be getting a lot of bass for the money.[/quote] Thanks BB. It is a lot of bass for the money but what can you do when newer Aria stuff doesn't hold it's value like others, not that I regret selling it for that. It needs to be used and if I kept it, it would just gather dust. I wasn't even using it as a back up. It saw me through my transition from the dark side into the light but I quickly realised thru necks weren't for me, so I switched to bolt-ons. You're right about the neck though and I'm looking forward to having the same profile again on my Shuker.

That's looking really nice Darren. Sorry about the pics mate, I had to disappoint Mike as well cos his wasn't there either.

[quote name='Mike' post='10581' date='Jun 1 2007, 02:51 PM']Mr Bowman, you were one of the main culprits! And your SC just sent me over the edge! I've emailed Jon for any info today. Regards Mike[/quote] Mike I was gutted not to be able to get the pics I promised, he told me that he had yours at home and would be in touch. He also told me that to get any photos from him, you would have to keep nagging at him. Pete

[quote name='OldGit' post='10422' date='Jun 1 2007, 10:34 AM']I recommend a good regular nagging or that probably won't happen [/quote] Haha, yeah he said that himself. Don't worry, I intend to nag him.

[quote name='MoJoKe' post='10146' date='May 31 2007, 08:16 PM']That is a BTB 555 in your avatar isn't it? Are you happy with it? I sold my EDA905 with the intention of buing one, but ended up buying a 2nd hand (purple!!) Dean Edge 5, and saving the difference to go towards my elusive Wal 5'ver! The BTB seemed to have a much broader range of tone than the 905, which tended to sound very piano'y. It was the fishman bridge peizos which did it....[/quote] I love it, loads of low end punch, the tops are sweet without being harsh and there's bags of versatility as a result of the mid frequency shift. Only thing you've got to watch is if you have Bart Mk1's fitted (Japanese). Mine hasn't, whereas the BTB550 I also have, has. IMO they're way to toppy. My 555 has the Ibanez DFR pickups and they have a much better tone.

[quote name='MoJoKe' post='10130' date='May 31 2007, 07:54 PM']Hi Tinman, Just had a quick look around the web. Found this Czech site:- [url="http://muzikant.cz/baskytary-7/baskytary-227/5-strunne-241/ostatni-tvary-306/s-aktivni-elektronikou-415/aria-sb505-43064.php"]http://muzikant.cz/baskytary-7/baskytary-2...sb505-43064.php[/url] selling them new for about 500 euros.... dunno if that helps!![/quote] Yeah, thanks man. I saw that when I was trying to find so info on mine. In fact there seems to be a few Eastern European sites with the same picture. I'm wondering if they're a re-issue of the one I've got (the pic shows some differences)

[quote name='Mrs Tinman' post='9995' date='May 31 2007, 04:41 PM']I think not, baby puppy [/quote] Sh*t, who let her in?

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='9741' date='May 31 2007, 10:25 AM']Dont get me wrong - it looks like a nice bass its just not worth loads of money in a fickle world. How do you not get on with through necks? I used a through neck Ibanez Musician for years along with various bolt on's and never really thought about it.[/quote] I prefer the snap of a bolt on, sometimes I felt that the thru neck sustained too much (it makes sense to me, honest). I guess it doesn't suit the music I play or the way I play it. I will probably regret the decision in time but if that's the case, I'll go and have a thru neck made

[quote name='stewblack' post='9638' date='May 31 2007, 12:21 AM']Can I also say something positive? It looks lovely. There you go.[/quote] Thanks mate

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='9596' date='May 30 2007, 10:58 PM']Do they make them like that doon sooth? Explains why you jumped the wire and did off.[/quote] Naa man but at least they'll listen when ya taalkin t' them, not like them Geordie bords. Aa had te gan sooth te gi me ears a rest.

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='9581' date='May 30 2007, 10:47 PM']As a fellow 'run-away Jock', one does have a certain stereotypical image to live up to don't one agree![/quote] One agrees whole-heartedly old chap, must go and bag me another one of those female types, one that is unaware of the evils of the internet and is unable to use a keyboard.

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='9558' date='May 30 2007, 10:28 PM']Sh*te, don't restore my count! The missus thinks I'm having an on-line affair as it is! Doing wonders for my sex life though... she seems to think she has something to prove, bring it on.[/quote] Cool, get in there bonny lad

Major promise being shown there

[quote name='krazy_olie' post='9381' date='May 30 2007, 06:32 PM']I think it was replaced by a signature model of some sort, which looked a bit odd because it had oak in it. That's a lovely bass there[/quote] Thank you my friend, you're the first one to say something positive about it , I was thinking I'd bought a complete lemon . It is a lovely bass, the neck is stunning, it's just a shame that thru necks turned out to be wrong for me. Anyway, it's for sale now and I'm sure it'll go to a loving home. Pete

[quote name='Bassassin' post='8610' date='May 29 2007, 02:27 PM']Hi Pete, For posting a bass (assuming you're not selling it with a hard case) I use lots of bubble wrap (the sort with the big bubbles) and something rigid to reinforce the package, taped the length of the front & back of the wrapped bass - I've got a bunch of spare laminate flooring boards lying about that do the job. Stick the whole thing in a guitar box (your local guitar shop throws out dozens of them every week - they're only too happy to give 'em away, in my experience) & tape it up thoroughly. A few FRAGILE! stickers for good measure won't do any harm. I know lots of people have had problems with Royal Mail, but so far I've been OK - and having been at courier company depots a good few times (usually to collect things they pretended to try & deliver) the way they treat stuff didn't fill me with particular confidence at using that option. Royal Mail standard parcels rate for a bass - depending on weight, obviously - tends to be less than £10, including a degree of insurance cover. However you choose to send it, it's not as expensive as many Ebay sellers would have you assume. If I sell a bass/guitar on the Bay, I charge £15 P&P. Jon.[/quote] Thanks man, that helps a lot. I wouldn't be selling it with a hard case (keeping that for obvious reasons) so I would have to figure out how to reinforce it.

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='8510' date='May 29 2007, 10:44 AM']Well it wont hurt to copy the first post to the for sale section - you never know. For someone with only £300 to spend it would be a good bass.[/quote] You're probably right but if that's the case then I would need advice on sorting out postage and stuff (I've never sold stuff online before, not even on e-bay)

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='8498' date='May 29 2007, 10:31 AM']I think you are spot on BJ. When ever I value something unless its particularly esoteric or in demand I usually start at half the cost new.[/quote] What I'll probably do is put it the papers. There seems little or no point in putting it up here as I don't think many BC'ers will be that interested (I get the impression that Korean is not that popular, probably rightfully so too ). Thanks for the feedback though, you've pretty much confirmed what I thought. Cheers Pete

[quote name='Brother Jones' post='8435' date='May 29 2007, 01:31 AM']Pete - I've never seen one of these before. That may be a good thing (rarity value?), but, er, probably not tbh. I know Aria were reissuing versions of the (increadingly sought after) 80s SB-series and this looks like a take on that. Problem is most people would rather have one of the actual reissues, or, even better, one of the originals. The definite upsides, though, are the through neck and decent looking electronics. But the resale is going to be poor because no one is familiar with these. Don't think you'll get more than £300 ish. Sorry I can't be more helpful. Jones[/quote] No problem mate, that's why I started the topic, just to see what people thought. I don't know why the discontinued them, lack of interest perhaps? There's no doubting it's a lovely instrument, it's just not for me. Seems a shame to have it sat around gathering dust.

I'm bumping because I could really do with some opinions on it (honest but reasoned opinions please) Cheers Pete

[quote name='Marcus' post='8095' date='May 28 2007, 02:18 PM']Learn where the notes are and you'll not need any LED's ha ha !! Only Kidding !! Red my choice[/quote] You're absolutely right It's more for when I need to go up to the dustier reaches of the board, largely for the rest of the time I can do it without looking (ooh, check me out). I guess it's more of a safety net for when I do need to look.

[quote name='largo' post='8073' date='May 28 2007, 01:48 PM']I told Jon there was no hurry, and part of my build was I wanted a smaller Jazz style body ala Fender Jazz Deluxe. Last I heard he was waiting for the local Sound Control to get a Jazz Deluxe in and he was going to make a template from that. I started the build, i.e. sent a cheque at the beginning of April so that's 2 months gone. I was told 3 month'ish build time but for some reason I don't think I'll be seeing my bass in that time frame. I'm reckoning August ! Thanks for asking Jon though. Stephen[/quote] Hi mate Jon had a few issues outside of his work to deal with which has put him at least 2 weeks behind. The man is so busy he barely has time to think. He still managed to give me 3 hours of his time on Saturday though, nice fella.

[quote name='Waldo' post='8069' date='May 28 2007, 01:42 PM']It wouldn't matter anyway though would it, if there's bright sunlight you'll be able to see your fretboard rather well anyway [/quote] Unless, as has happened to me in the past, it acts like a mirror. I'm thinking a maple board may cause a problem in that situation. A band I was part of in Germany used to have lights that shone up from the floor, nightmare, it made the ebony board totally reflective.

[quote name='Dr.Dave' post='7983' date='May 28 2007, 10:35 AM']Well , I played OBBM's blue LED equipped bass in his dressing room and they seemed to work very well. I chose red ones for my shuker - probably because I associate LED's with being red!! An unexpected bonus was that - at outdoor summer gigs - I can see them clearly with the sun in my face. I can't speak for other colours in that dept. I think any colour would be better than none and pobably down to personal preference. Shame you're based in the land of the stump - you're welcome to try mine. You didn't - by any chance - spot a headless Status with a new top that looked remarkably close to being finished while you were at Jons did you?[/quote] Dave I expect that blue ones would be swamped in bright sunlight, mind you, there's not much chance of me doing outdoor gigs at the moment. It is a problem being stuck out here in the middle of nowhere (Dood's even worse off) where are you based? I guess you didn't see my thread where I offered to take pics of peoples builds for them. I didn't see yours but that probably means that Jon has taken it home for the final polishing. Alpha-Dave is going to see Jon on Tuesday, you might want to ask him to ask Jon about it. Cheers Pete

[quote name='largo' post='7979' date='May 28 2007, 10:31 AM']Hi TinMan As regards side dot LED's I just got my new Sei bass which has "violet" LED's and they are superb. I have owned basses with both blue and red LED's but I have to see the violet is the clearest and most visually striking of them all. I guess they remind me of ultra-violet lighting. Did you get a chance to ask Jon about my "sparkly" bass ? I was going to with the red LED's but maybe i'll change that and ask if he does the "violet" option. Cheers[/quote] Hey largo I was hoping you'd post. Jon's laminated and cut the neck (hasn't done the shaping yet). When did your build start? I'm just wondering because I didn't see a body or anything. Pete

This has now become redundant, due to my imminent (14 weeks) arrival. So I'm putting the feelers out as to what sort of price to ask (sensible suggestions only) It is a Korean made Aria SB505 4 string, cost £600 new 2 years ago. Aria have now discontinued production so I had a hell of a job getting any spec on it what so ever. Pickup : Two Duncan Designed Custom Double Coils. Bridge & Tail piece : SDX-4 2 way Bridge. Top : Ash Top, Alder Back, Maple/Walnut Center Neck : Maple/walnut, Neck-through body Fingerboard : Rosewood Frets : 24F Scale : 864mm(34") Pickups : Duncan Designed Custom Double Coil x 2 Controls : Volume x 1, Active Treble x 1, Active Middle x 1, Active Bass x 1, 5way PU select Rotary Switch x 1 Tailpiece : SDX-4 2way Bridge Hardware : Gold Finish : STNA, STWR, STBK It's a lovely bass but it's only seen a couple of gigs as I soon found out thru necks weren't for me. I love the neck on it, so much so I had Jon Shuker measure it so that he can make the same neck for me. I think the measurements were: 39.5mm wide at the nut and 20mm deep. The next photo shows the only damage to the bass, unfortunately some nasty belt rash (i was a bit of an idiot at the time) Oops! I have an idea as to how much I'd like for it but I'm interested to see what you think.