noelk27

[quote name='Annoying Twit' post='956378' date='Sep 14 2010, 06:55 PM']Rather modern-looking Aria Pro II. But the model number checks out as being '85-6. [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Aria-Pro-II-LEB-CLS-Classic-bass-Matsumoku-Japan-/130431711689?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item1e5e55f9c9"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Aria-Pro-II-LEB-CLS-...=item1e5e55f9c9[/url][/quote] That's a Lazer/Laser (LEB) series model, manufactured between '85 and '87 officially, but some '88 examples circulate. There were two models, the Classic (CLS) and Heritage (HRT), available in flat and burst finishes. Unfortunately his statement that these were built by Matsumoku is incorrect. This model was never produced at the Matsumoku factory complex. (He also seems somewhat confused about the history of Matsumoku - the Singer Corporation didn't buy the complex post-Matsumoku, it owned the complex and Matsumoku, and the complex consisted of more than one factory. The unit in which guitars were made was neither destroyed by earthquake or fire, simply closed as it was not economically viable at the time - the time being a world recession.) The LEB series was manufactured in Japan, and reportedly Taiwan, although it's uncertain as to where, and by who.

Thought McCartney used Pyramid Golds.

Should be in "eBay links", mate.

[quote name='Bassassin' post='935762' date='Aug 25 2010, 10:07 AM'][K]new they were MIJ but had an idea they were from '87 and therefore post-Mat.[/quote] The SB-INT was a catalogue model in '86, but not built by Matsumoku. Thereafter there were two Integra lines, the IB models manufatured in Japan/Taiwan, and the IGB models manufactured in Korea. The IGB models were mostly export, sent to the European and American markets, while IB models are more commonly found throughout Asia. Exactly which factories were manufacturing for Aria at that time though isn't clear.

[quote name='Bassassin' post='934475' date='Aug 24 2010, 08:37 AM'][T]he IGB range does date back to the mid 80s, so there are a few MIJ (possibly Matsumoku) examples which come up from time to time.[/quote] The original SB-INT was not built by Matsumoku.

[quote name='Bassassin' post='932881' date='Aug 22 2010, 04:12 PM']These are both Matsumoku examples and the prices of both - nice though they appear - are well beyond the realms of gibbering, tongue-swallowing, compulsive self-abusing loony land.[/quote] Yea, these are overpriced. What amazes me, with all the information that's out there, is that people still get their descriptions of the instruments they own wrong. Then again, a lot of the so-called expert sites that are out there continually quote the same generic ill-informed garbage, which is what these people are recycling.

[quote name='karlfer' post='931402' date='Aug 20 2010, 08:35 PM']Lost the link somewhere in the ether, but 2 Aria Pro 11's on ebay one at £1500, one at £1850 I think. Am I missing something?[/quote] Depends what you mean by missing. New MIJ SB models can cost that, and then some. An SB1000/5, in premium finish, could easily cost over £2,000.

Not designed by Leo Fender ... Yamaha TRB5P (Series I) (or BB5000A if you prefer a narrow string spacing).

[quote name='Stag' post='920794' date='Aug 10 2010, 04:02 PM'][T]rying it would probably be a good idea. ... Cant see it being too dissimilar to my current axe to actually play :-)[/quote] I'm guessing there are a significant number of members on this site who own multiples of the same series/model, and who would state otherwise. If it is as big an investment as you imply, I'd say you have to try it out before making any decisions about buying, or selling.

Nope, don't give a flying f**k when it happens.

Depends on the sound you want to achieve and the characteristics of the instruments you use. With the DR strings, the Hi-Beams and Sunbeams work well across styles, and have a bite I associate with modern instruments, but if you prefer a 70s sound then Lo-Rider Steels or Lo-Rider Nickels may work better. I found that the Hi-Beams and Sunbeams work fantastic on most of the instruments I play (80s Yamaha BB series, G&L L series, 90s Sadowsky) but Lo-Rider strings work better on 80s Goodfellow and late 70s and early 80s Aria SB series basses (PPII and MBI pickups working best with Lo-Rider Nickels, and later MBII and Alembic AXY pickups with Lo-Rider Steels).

[quote name='Bassassin' post='919199' date='Aug 9 2010, 12:01 AM'][url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270619342707"]This[/url] is quite simply extraordinary. I just don't know what to say... J.[/quote] What the f**k!

[quote name='rmshaw37' post='918384' date='Aug 7 2010, 09:10 PM']and where did they learn spelling and grammar??!??!??[/quote] Some classics - but my favourite, "need's".

Two (a fretted and a fretless), both passive, 4-string examples, and a few sets of fresh strings. Could probably do the whole set on a fretless, but using a fretted allows me to concentrate on my vocals.