Fionn Posted December 30, 2018 Share Posted December 30, 2018 (edited) Sold Aria Pro II SB1000, made in 1981 at Matsumoku, Japan. The SB1000 is a true classic with a place in bass history. It was Aria’s flagship bass, top-of-the-line during the famed Matsumoku era, being played by a number of notable players, including Jack Bruce, John Taylor, Cliff Burton, and many others. It’s very versatile for a single-pickup bass. The 6-position ‘varitone’ selector switch (essentially a stepped low pass filter) provides a fast way to access a rake of highly varied and useable tones on the fly. It allows effortless switching from the fat and dubby, through some great modern slap tones, getting honky or punchy for the fingerstyle funk, or bright and open, just by a click of the varitone. It also has a wide tone control, volume control, and battery status LED. Not least, a passive switch so you can bypass the preamp completely for a more classic tone. What these basses are best known for is their strong presence that sits so very well in the mix, punchy and solid, with a good thick low-mid-rich bottom end, massive sustain, and crystal clear harmonics. Loads of growl on tap. The dynamic range is really impressive. The body is made from Canadian ash, the neck is maple/ walnut, and the fretboard is rosewood with 24 frets. Brass bridge and nut. Aria-branded Gotoh tuners. MB1-E pickup. I’ll include a hardcase in the sale. The bass is all original, and in perfect working order. Structurally solid, and in lovely cosmetic condition. There are a few minor surface marks, and the patina of life that one should expect with a vintage instrument, but it’s in fantastic shape for its 38 years. It has been well looked after and is a thing of beauty. There are no dead spots anywhere, the frets show very little wear, the neck is straight, and the truss rod does what it should. No issues whatsoever. It’s set up very nicely, and is good to go. The bass is in Pittenweem, Fife. I’m happy to meet within reasonable distance. I’m also willing to courier at the buyers expense. I’ve posted several basses in the past without issue, and I know the importance of bomb-proof packaging. Edited February 2, 2019 by MB1 Sold 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassislife16 Posted December 30, 2018 Share Posted December 30, 2018 That looks phenomenal 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briansbrew Posted December 30, 2018 Share Posted December 30, 2018 (edited) Tis A real beaut, I have one which I stripped down to the bare wood as it was badly chipped and did not look that good but well pleased with the finish. The buyer will not be disappointed GLWTS Edited December 30, 2018 by briansbrew 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassatnight Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 Did I recently see this bass (and the SB900) on the Facebook Aria forum? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fionn Posted December 31, 2018 Author Share Posted December 31, 2018 51 minutes ago, bassatnight said: Did I recently see this bass (and the SB900) on the Facebook Aria forum? Aye Steve. Messaged you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 Lovely. As is Pittenweem 😊 Sadly I'm selling rather than buying at the moment, otherwise I'd be knocking on your door for this beauty! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prowla Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 They're nice basses - I nearly had a go on one in a shop on the weekend, but I was pushed for time (and it didn't have a price label on it). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fionn Posted February 2, 2019 Author Share Posted February 2, 2019 (edited) This is up for sale again folks. Edited February 2, 2019 by Fionn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
totorbass Posted February 2, 2019 Share Posted February 2, 2019 Hi, Gorgeous bass. 16mm string spacing I Believe? Do you know its weight? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fionn Posted February 2, 2019 Author Share Posted February 2, 2019 3 minutes ago, totorbass said: Hi, Gorgeous bass. 16mm string spacing I Believe? Do you know its weight? 16.5mm. I’ll need to borrow a set of scales and get back to you about the weight. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokyflipps Posted February 2, 2019 Share Posted February 2, 2019 Stunning grain, stunning bass. I thought the SB1000 had the ebony fingerboard? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deedee Posted February 2, 2019 Share Posted February 2, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, smokyflipps said: Stunning grain, stunning bass. I thought the SB1000 had the ebony fingerboard? Beautiful bass. I just wish it was the R-150 (2 pickup) version with the wider string spacing 😟. With regard to the fingerboard, according to the Matsumoku catalogues they used jacaranda on the 1000 from ‘77 to ‘80 and ebony thereafter so this should be/is ebony if it’s an ‘81. Edited February 2, 2019 by Deedee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fionn Posted February 2, 2019 Author Share Posted February 2, 2019 6 minutes ago, Deedee said: With regard to the fingerboard, according to the Matsumoku catalogues they used jacaranda on the 1000 from ‘77 to ‘80 and ebony thereafter so this should be/is ebony if it’s an ‘81. Oh, I had just assumed it was really dark rosewood. Thanks for that 👍🏻 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigguy2017 Posted February 2, 2019 Share Posted February 2, 2019 Had an identical one around 1985 - lovely to play, one really nice tone. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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