eubassix Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 (edited) THE Aria Pro II 1000: body no.- 555719. Matsumoko 4.11.NM. Designed & Approved by H. Noble (Nobuaki Hayashi). An early model (1980) as signified by the use of 'The' (aria pro II), early design Tuners, and flush Jack-socket (1986 was the final year of the Matsumoko factory and the bass produced 1978 - 1987) 5-pc. Maple/Walnut 'Transmit' (thru) neck. Brass top nut and slot-in (solid) bridge. Ebony or Jacaranda fingerboard. Ash body (wings) stained to the popular 'Oak' finish. MB1E double-coil active pickup; Volume, Tone and 6-position active BB Circuit control with bypass (Active-Passive) switch. Difficult to find in this sort of condition (really excellent overall + plays perfectly with no electronic problems etc.) and something of a 'cult' bass (see links below !). Don't appear very often on ebay, although two have recently sold: a 'lower' model (SB-R60) from 83 - @ £358 (now relisted due to some issue: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=250211772183&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=015"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...A:IT&ih=015[/url] ). And a similar SB1000 (in Germany) from 81 - [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=140200069628&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=004"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...A:IT&ih=004[/url] - (though actually the later/revised model with the non-flush jack-socket and power light) @ €884 (about £660). The only aspects of the bass which prevent it being an exceptional Collector are: the minor dings (not bad for a 28-year old, mind) and that the knobs are not original. The current Active Circuit switch is from the original bass, but would have been for either Vol. or Tone. The original control was a long, slim knob. The current Vol./Tone knobs are newer. And on the rear cover (for the battery), the original threaded (countersunk) bolts have been replaced with 'dome' type (of the same thread/pitch). From the Aria Owners site (below):- [i]Aria's SB-1000 bass is widely recognised as the first high-quality original Japanese bass. Several noteworthy bassists such as John Taylor of Duran Duran and Jack Bruce helped popularise SBs in the early 80's. Nowadays with so many other good basses on the market, SBs have become something of a forgotten secret. Yet these basses not only look beautiful, they sound good, play well if they've been properly looked after, and are superbly and solidly constructed. Aria continued to produce SBs in Japan and reissued the SB-1000 (90-94) which sold in the UK for a hefty £1500. The man we are indebted to for designing the original SBs lives in Japan and is called Nobuaki Hayashi. On some SB headstocks you can see a sort of Anglicised version of his name, “H Noble”. SBs were were actually manufactured by a company called Matsumoku, with whom Aria had ties.[/i] Various links:- [url="http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/fyfeholt/aria.htm"]http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/fyfeholt/aria.htm[/url] (SB1000 FULL details and History) [url="http://www.laguitarsales.com/pages/3460/Aria_SB1000_Black.htm"]http://www.laguitarsales.com/pages/3460/Ar...B1000_Black.htm[/url] [url="http://www.ariaguitars.com/int/00int_main/banner_link/pro_new_02.html"]http://www.ariaguitars.com/int/00int_main/...pro_new_02.html[/url] (new model / reissue) [url="http://www.matsumoku.org/models/ariaproii/bass/sb/sb.html"]http://www.matsumoku.org/models/ariaproii/bass/sb/sb.html[/url] (original Matsumoko website details) [url="http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/fyfeholt/sb1000.htm"]http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/fyfeholt/sb1000.htm[/url] (owners 'club' and photo examples etc.) This bass came to me as part of a 'deal', so it's a difficult one to price (?!). Based on the SBR60 & SB1000 (above), splitting the difference equates to £510. So I'm offering at [b]£SOLD SOLD SOLD [/b](incl. DHL 24h). There's no case or gig-bag but I'd be happy to source one (at cost) if requested... Edited March 16, 2008 by eubassix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted February 4, 2008 Share Posted February 4, 2008 (edited) I always wanted an Aria SB1000 since i saw John Taylor in Duran Duran using one. Good luck with the sale. Edited February 4, 2008 by dave_bass5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E_MaN Posted February 4, 2008 Share Posted February 4, 2008 [quote name='dave_bass5' post='133456' date='Feb 4 2008, 10:13 AM']I always wanted an Aria SB1000 since i saw John Taylor in Duran Duran using one. Good luck with the sale.[/quote] +1 And Cliff Burton lol Great looking and sounding bass....I would but I can't justify buying this bass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geddys nose Posted February 4, 2008 Share Posted February 4, 2008 Really Well built (sustains for weeks)and great sounding basses these and what a great idea to have a rotary tone selection,I love mine.Bruce Foxton played one on 'The Tube' on the last TV apperance of The Jam,Classic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machinehead Posted February 4, 2008 Share Posted February 4, 2008 Gorgeous bass. My main gigging bass in the eighties was an SB900, the two pickup passive model. Good luck with the sale and have a bump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eubassix Posted February 5, 2008 Author Share Posted February 5, 2008 Bumping back to Page-1 .. and thanks, various guys, for the interesting background info. and positive comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krysbass Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 Always wanted an SB1000, I still think it's the best looking bass ever made (IMHO, of course). Sadly my recent bout of GAS prevents any expenditure at this time. As my 24 year-old Westone Thunder III was also made by Matsumoku, I can vouch for the solid build quality - have another bump on me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nimrod Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 Any interest in a Fender 3TS MIM fretless Jazz for trade? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eubassix Posted February 6, 2008 Author Share Posted February 6, 2008 [quote name='David Nimrod' post='134948' date='Feb 6 2008, 12:41 PM']Any interest in a Fender 3TS MIM fretless Jazz for trade?[/quote] HI David - thanks for the interest and offer, but I'm pretty happy with my Celinder Classic Jazz, and might well be looking for another (special) J4 if I do make it to Frankfurt (which is why I'm more keen to get the ££'s) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nimrod Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 [quote name='eubassix' post='135108' date='Feb 6 2008, 04:00 PM']HI David - thanks for the interest and offer, but I'm pretty happy with my Celinder Classic Jazz, and might well be looking for another (special) J4 if I do make it to Frankfurt (which is why I'm more keen to get the ££'s)[/quote] Aaah, I see your point Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tech Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 oh my god! where's 500 bob when you need it!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eubassix Posted February 11, 2008 Author Share Posted February 11, 2008 The relisted ProII SB-R60 didn't make quite so much this time:- [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=250211772183&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=015"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...A:IT&ih=015[/url] £321 (£350 with the postage) .. whatever happened to 'the good old days' on ebay where I could now contact the other four, unsuccesful bidders to see if they fancied a ProII SB1000 ?!!..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderthumbs Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 [quote name='machinehead' post='133509' date='Feb 4 2008, 11:37 AM']Gorgeous bass. My main gigging bass in the eighties was an SB900, the two pickup passive model. Good luck with the sale and have a bump.[/quote] Same here....mine used to belong to Tony Butler of Big Country (tenuous claim to fame!). Lovely bass. Wish I still had it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FJ1200 Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 Remember the SB1000 coming out and drooled over it for ages. I have an Aria now but nothing like those gorgeous basses. Ah - happy days.... Then someone above mentioned the Westone Thunder III and I was immediately back in college - early 80's, hair half way down me back in a leather bike jacket.... (me, not the hair!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eubassix Posted February 14, 2008 Author Share Posted February 14, 2008 BUMP ... some interest ... still available ... offers invited (based on asking ££). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eubassix Posted February 15, 2008 Author Share Posted February 15, 2008 BUMP / weekend special: £449 (inclusive) !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eubassix Posted February 19, 2008 Author Share Posted February 19, 2008 Bumping at £449 (incl.) + amended original listing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eubassix Posted February 23, 2008 Author Share Posted February 23, 2008 Sat_BUMP / bttt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eubassix Posted February 26, 2008 Author Share Posted February 26, 2008 (edited) Last try (March is fast approaching !...). Edited March 3, 2008 by eubassix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eubassix Posted March 2, 2008 Author Share Posted March 2, 2008 BUMP ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eubassix Posted March 3, 2008 Author Share Posted March 3, 2008 Wow!!.. look at this:- [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120227700942&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=002"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...A:IT&ih=002[/url] .. that's $1075 (£540) with almost 3-days to run, 11-bidders !! Same series as mine and very close chronologically according to the serial. Might even out-bid the previous SB1000 from Germany (€884 / £675):- [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=140200069628&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=004"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...A:IT&ih=004[/url] so, am putting mine back to the original asking price accordingly. I'll place on ebay this week. £499 (incl. DHL next-day) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geddys nose Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 Good for you, quite easily the best constructed bass I've ever owned it feels like a +£1000'er. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eubassix Posted March 4, 2008 Author Share Posted March 4, 2008 Thanks G N ... the USA (ebay) one is still rising.. now up to $1425 (£717) !!.. so it's already outdone the other one and still has 2+ days to run. Mind, it does appear to be more-or-less 100% original and has what looks like the original case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eubassix Posted March 4, 2008 Author Share Posted March 4, 2008 ebay listed :- [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160215168574&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=006"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...E:IT&ih=006[/url] .. ends Sunday evening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eubassix Posted March 7, 2008 Author Share Posted March 7, 2008 KNOB update: have now managed to source the other Vol/Tone knob .. so the bass now has 2/3 (rather than 1/3) knobs, with the Vol & Tone being the correct ones (like the one previously used for the 6x switch .. which has now been replaced by an old, circular/domed + pointer knob. it's not the correct knob, but looks about right with the pointer hitting the 6 white dots). I'll try to add a photo tomorrow. BTW, the USA (ebay) listed SB1000 (1980) ended @ $1495 (£717). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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