Aria & Aria Pro II Club (Part Three)

[bigsnack]

My SB Integra is still my absolute go-to bass for all of my recordings. Whenever I can fit that bad boy in on a track, I do!

[Pauly 4001]

Originally Posted by Alembic83

Hello, remember, no pics means no basses.

I've seen/had Barts and Alembics in SBs as replacements. They are different sounds of course, so it just depends on if you want the original sound or something different. I got lucky and found Alembics at a good price, usually they will be super expensive and you'll also need the Alembic activators to use them. Also, you will need to route the cavity a little bit for Barts and Alembic, at least in my experience.

For SB replacements, I know someone on here (Odin?) went the Armstrong route and was happy.

There is also Reed James:
http://reedjamescustom.com/id22.html

But I don't of anyone that has tried these. Also, he epoxies his too so maybe they'd fail at some point, too, especially if you live in an area that has hot and cold extremes, which apparently causes the epoxy to shrink and damage the pickup.

Finally, there is an outside chance of the current Aria US distributor (Jim Chen at Audio Images) or the former distributor (Dana B Goods) having replacement pickups. I bought one from Dana B Goods a couple of years ago and it sounded like the original to me.

Good luck!

I seem to have found a pair of pickups that are replacements to the SB reissues and the SB1000 from an Aria distributor that I can't name at this point . If I understand correctly these are the same as the original mb-1e which is not what the Elite's had, which was the mb-II or maybe mb-II2 which had the 5 strand cables which allowed for the series/parallel switches. If one contacts K Armstrong directly one can request the 5 strand and retain most of the original character of the Elite setup and sound but are there any suggestions on wiring the mb-1e in the Elite II using the switches and concentric knobs and three way pickup selector?

What about these guys? http://www.rautiaguitars.net/aria-pro-ii.html they certainly cost a fair amount more than the replacement stock pair that I'm looking at.

I guess what I'm after is keeping as close to the original tone and pickup/wiring set ups of the original or using some combination of the mb-1e pickups with the Elite wiring without changing the body much if at all.
Thanks for any suggestions.

[zuma]

Originally Posted by Prostheta

I'd like to think so! Funny to think how old these basses are and how loved and inspiring they continue to be.

Any chance you might cover Ian Dury and The Blockheads' "Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick"?

Let me give it a listen and see how much trouble it's gonna be!

[MOTORHEADBANGER]

Hey guys,
There's a super-rare SB-R150 lined fretless for sale in the classifieds in a really cool orange color.
FS Feeler: Minty Aria Pro II SB-R150 (2 PU SB1000!) MIJ Factory lined fretless

[Prostheta]

ZUMAAAAAAAA!!!!!!
I hope you are in a position to snag this.

[vishuddha]

Bad pic, but it's an Aria DMB-380! Plays like a dream.

[Prostheta]

Originally Posted by Pauly 4001

I seem to have found a pair of pickups that are replacements to the SB reissues and the SB1000 from an Aria distributor that I can't name at this point . If I understand correctly these are the same as the original mb-1e which is not what the Elite's had, which was the mb-II or maybe mb-II2 which had the 5 strand cables which allowed for the series/parallel switches. If one contacts K Armstrong directly one can request the 5 strand and retain most of the original character of the Elite setup and sound but are there any suggestions on wiring the mb-1e in the Elite II using the switches and concentric knobs and three way pickup selector?

What about these guys? http://www.rautiaguitars.net/aria-pro-ii.html they certainly cost a fair amount more than the replacement stock pair that I'm looking at.

I guess what I'm after is keeping as close to the original tone and pickup/wiring set ups of the original or using some combination of the mb-1e pickups with the Elite wiring without changing the body much if at all.
Thanks for any suggestions.

I emailed Veijo at Rautia because I'd like to look at them myself. Seems he does the other MB variants also which is very interesting. MB-1, 2, 3 and 4!

Elites had MB-IIIs.

[Prostheta]

Originally Posted by vishuddha

Bad pic, but it's an Aria DMB-380! Plays like a dream.

Oh cool. Making a fearful too I see!

[zuma]

Originally Posted by Prostheta

ZUMAAAAAAAA!!!!!!
I hope you are in a position to snag this.

I am not!

[Immigrant]

Originally Posted by vishuddha

Bad pic, but it's an Aria DMB-380! Plays like a dream.

I've been curious about those. I have a dream to build a bass like Rudy had on Fat Albert or more recently, Token on South Park (same bass). Those Mosrite copies are the perfect body shape.

[AMp'D.2play]

How good, or not, is the Aria Integra IGB-68? (the single humbucker model)

A shop near me has a NOS and he's flexible on price to move it. This particular one is made in Korea.

It's going to be a back-up bass. Used around the house a bit, but mostly to be brought to those gigs where I don't want people within arm's reach of one of my "A" basses (i.e., clumsy/drunk crowd, or band members).

From the limited online info, I take it the Integra is/was Aria's "budget" line, so to speak. I don't expect it to make me sound like Tony Levin playing one of his Stingrays, but at showroom volume it does sound decent (with both coils engaged; with coil splitter, no so much for my tastes). Plus, the feel, balance, & playability of the instrument was not an immediate turnoff.

Right now, the other option is a used MIM Fender Jazz at a similar price. I know, totally different tones, but they each have their +/-.

[Prostheta]

The Integra was not the budget end when they were made in Japan. The IGB-600 is worth more than the subsequent models like the IGB-50, IGB-68, etc. despite them all being not MIJ. I wouldn't pay more than "cheap price" for it unless it is particularly nice for whatever reason. If you like it, great. Good choice for a knockaround or a spare.

[Duuuuuuuuuude]

I saw this today and thought you Aria guys would dig it

http://www.zazzle.com/aria_pro_ii_sb...62212962965664

[zuma]

Originally Posted by Duuuuuuuuuude

I say this today and thought you Aria guys would dig it

http://www.zazzle.com/aria_pro_ii_sb...62212962965664

I may just have to upgrade my phone to support that!!! I love it!

[Alembic83]

Some big news from Aria...Apparently they are re-issuing the Black n Gold I. Cliff Burton's dad will be on hand so I guess this is now the "official" Cliff Burton model.

From Metallica's Facebook post...

ARIA Guitars is proud to introduce the Aria Pro II Cliff Burton Signature Bass. The bass will be officially launched at The NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA on January 24 - 27. Cliff's father, Ray Burton, will be on hand at the Aria Guitars booth to do the introduction and sign autographs on Friday, January 25 at 12:00 noon.

Updated: more pics here. Looks pretty cool!
http://www.metallica.com/news/20130116-463284.asp

[zuma]

Originally Posted by Alembic83

Some big news from Aria...Apparently they are re-issuing the Black n Gold I. Cliff Burton's dad will be on hand so I guess this is now the "official" Cliff Burton model.

From Metallica's Facebook post...

ARIA Guitars is proud to introduce the Aria Pro II Cliff Burton Signature Bass. The bass will be officially launched at The NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA on January 24 - 27. Cliff's father, Ray Burton, will be on hand at the Aria Guitars booth to do the introduction and sign autographs on Friday, January 25 at 12:00 noon.

Updated: more pics here. Looks pretty cool!
http://www.metallica.com/news/20130116-463284.asp

Looks pretty cool. So...because of those inlays I am assuming this is a wide neck?

[x64]

I'm betting it'll go for more than the real deal black n gold.

[MOTORHEADBANGER]

They even brought back the original SB bridge!

Here's the specs:

Specifications:

Headstock: Original SB Design
Neck Shape: Standard, Medium
Neck: 7 Ply Maple/Walnut
Neck Joint: Neck-through, Heel-less Cutaway
Tuners: Handmade Solid Brass Tuner Buttons, 24 K Gold Plated
Nut: 40mm Width Solid Brass
Truss rod Cover: Solid Brass
Headstock Front Inlays: Patent Statement
Headstock Back Inlay: Cliff Burton Authorized Signature

Fretboard Scale: 34" or 864mm
Frets: 24 Frets
Fretboard: Rosewood
Fretboard Inlays: Cat Eye, Mother of Pearl Inlays

Body Shape: Original SB Shape, Super Balanced Body
Body Material: Alder
Pickup: Aria MB-V Passive Pickup
Controls: 1xVolume, 1xTone, 1-Dual Sound Mini-Toggle Switch
Knobs: Black SB Knobs
Tailpiece: Solid Brass With 24K Gold Plated Saddles and Black Plated Body
Strap Pins: 18K Gold Plated Solid Brass
Strings: Rotosound RS66LB (35, 55, 70, 90)
Certificate: Certificate of Authenticity Signed by Ray Burton and Toshi Matsumura
Case: Deluxe Ostrich Hardshell Case With Gold Hardware

[zuma]

Originally Posted by MOTORHEADBANGER

They even brought back the original SB bridge!

Here's the specs:

Specifications:

Headstock: Original SB Design
Neck Shape: Standard, Medium
Neck: 7 Ply Maple/Walnut
Neck Joint: Neck-through, Heel-less Cutaway
Tuners: Handmade Solid Brass Tuner Buttons, 24 K Gold Plated
Nut: 40mm Width Solid Brass
Truss rod Cover: Solid Brass
Headstock Front Inlays: Patent Statement
Headstock Back Inlay: Cliff Burton Authorized Signature

Fretboard Scale: 34" or 864mm
Frets: 24 Frets
Fretboard: Rosewood
Fretboard Inlays: Cat Eye, Mother of Pearl Inlays

Body Shape: Original SB Shape, Super Balanced Body
Body Material: Alder
Pickup: Aria MB-V Passive Pickup
Controls: 1xVolume, 1xTone, 1-Dual Sound Mini-Toggle Switch
Knobs: Black SB Knobs
Tailpiece: Solid Brass With 24K Gold Plated Saddles and Black Plated Body
Strap Pins: 18K Gold Plated Solid Brass
Strings: Rotosound RS66LB (35, 55, 70, 90)
Certificate: Certificate of Authenticity Signed by Ray Burton and Toshi Matsumura
Case: Deluxe Ostrich Hardshell Case With Gold Hardware

MB-V pickup?
And those are some light strings!

[MOTORHEADBANGER]

Originally Posted by zuma

MB-V pickup?
And those are some light strings!

How do you think Cliff did those ridiculous string bends? Especially with Roto's.