Rayman

I think dull insinuates a negative thing, whereas dark is more descriptive? Dark is good, I definitely lean in a darker direction now, tonally, compared to the bright tone I used to prefer years ago. To me, dull means meh

Dark, to me, is a lack of top end clarity and sparkle. Not necessarily muddy, but more mid and bottom than top. I had a 60s fender jazz that wasn’t as bright as my 70s jazz, mostly because the bridge pickup placement is different. I used to describe that bass as sounding darker than the other.

Yeah I’ve seen this before. Not the most accurate or correct information from this guy, but yes that’s a very similar bass to mine.

And compounded by the obscene soaring prices of new gear…. times are getting harder, people have less disposable income, but the prices keep rising….. I agree, there are some really beautiful basses on here (there always is), but I for one am getting less and less able to afford anything. I do love to browse and dream though, and there are tons of bargains to be had.

I sold my blue PEB65 a couple of months ago, very nice thing, I just couldn’t quite get on with it for some reason. This Integra is absolutely wonderful. The pickups sound amazing, lovey harmonics, it’s so light and easy to play, but with a monster tone and output. What an absolute bargain. Ace thing.

If anyone cares about such things, the history of Aria is really interesting, and every bit as embedded in Japanese instrument manufacturing history as any of the other revered builders. The Aria story is really fascinating. They really cared about making high quality guitars, but these days it’s more about affordable offerings mostly, which is a shame.

Yes me too. I think now they’re seen as one of the entry level companies rather than being recognised for the great quality guitars they made in the 80s and 90s.

Yeah right? This is the same…. I had to double check it wasn’t active! This thing could be the new backup for the Thunderbird for gigs. Definitely a rock machine.

I’ve always been a fan of Aria, and in particular the original 90s Integra and IGB basses. My IGB 68 is currently my only 5 string, great bass, very underrated. However I picked this IGB SPT up recently for not a lot of money…. not entirely sure what it is…. 90/91 I believe, made in Korea… similar to the Billy Gould bass…. It was in a sorry state, but a full strip, clean, set-up and strings and it’s a fine thing indeed. Very light, really killer tone and lovely fretboard…. this things ace, but that’s all I know Any more info?

I bloody love Level 42, however my one and only live experience, many years ago, wasn’t a good one. Probably down to the terrible Blackburn King Georges Hall more than anything, but also the band didn’t seem to be firing on all cylinders either. I’m embarrassed to say that I left halfway through and went home. I’d love to give them another go…. but missed out this time

I’m a Warwick fan, but I agree. The price of them is just ridiculous, however, I think the price of literally everything is ridiculous. If we all just stopped buying these ridiculously priced instruments and stuck with what we already have, most of these companies would be f****** 1K + for budget instruments is absolutely taking the pi55

Having done removals/van deliveries on and off for years, I’ve often wondered if it would be possible to have a van/courier business, purely for musical instruments. I’ve ummed and ahhhd about it for years. I think it would be extremely difficult to pull off though, for one guy and a van. Picking up and dropping off the length and breadth of the UK, assuming that you could get enough work to make it pay. The company I used to work for were piano specialists, but obviously I would have to avoid those. I’m thinking basically guitars, amps, keys and drums only. I don’t know if it’s do able or not.

Massively overpriced budget instrument with some fancy tech shoved into it. Sterling by MM basses seem pretty decent for what they are, like Squier CV etc etc….. but prices like this are outrageous. I hope absolutely nobody buys one.

I didn’t know they made these in wood? Interesting. Never owned one either.

Yeah, he didn’t even need dancers, he didn’t need anything…. just karaoke machine.

Yep, I jacked it in for nearly ten years..... once the realisation that the band was done, and I didn't care about any of it anymore, and the thousands of pounds I wasted on buying, modding, trading, swapping, upgrading...... blah blah blah...... a massive waste of time and money, all of it. Started again a couple of years ago..... and I'm enjoying it again, but without all the nonsense mentioned above.

Here are mine….. ripped out of a Warwick Fortress and replaced by a lovely Aguilar pre. Sorry not a fan of the stacked thing.

There's a live version on YT (from an american chat show I think) of him doing Chocolate Jesus..... it's fabulous. And he was of course fabulous as Renfield in the Dracula film......

Awesome......... I'm seeing them at the Manc Apollo tomorrow night

I had been on a stag night the night before…. I was running between the front room and bathroom all day….. I remember Bono….. then going to throw up

No…. but long term yes….

Well….. Mrs Rayman wants a double bass! ……. So……. 😆