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Hi all,
I've been search for a while and I think this is the appropriate place to post. In the mid 90s I traded a computer for this Aria. I was a Cliff Burton and Billy Gould fan and thought it would be cool to own. I played guitar and bass, but was never really serious. This has been in storage since then and I recently found it while trying to clean up a little.
The serial number on the back starts with 101xxxx. Other than that and the following photos, there doesn't seem to be any other identifying information. Can anyone tell me some information on this? Model number, year it was born, etc. I suspect it's an SB-1000 since I got it from a serious Cliff Burton fan. I'm just looking for more information on it, not looking to sell or anything.
Yo Dude !
What you have there is a 1981 (ser no starts 1) SB700, a cracking passive version of the sb1000 i have the a 1983 sb elite I looks similar but the fret markers are eyes rather than your dots ( this denotes the wider fretboard) and yours has a wooden truss rod cover as aposed to mine being metal. but aside from slightly different woods everything else (p-up and electronics) are the same
Got this a few months ago from a local pawn shop for $225.
1981 Aria Pro II CSB-450
The J-pickup was already in there when I bought it, as was the mini toggle and on the side, next to the stock output jack, someone put an XLR jack as well. Had it re-wired though, the xlr does nothing, and the switch is just on/off. Might make it a phase switch at some point.
Excellent sounding bass. It's like a mix between guitar and bass. Lots of higher harmonics going on. Surprisingly it holds drop B very well, despite the short scale. I've been neglecting my other two basses because of this thing.
1981 Aria Pro II CSB-450
The J-pickup was already in there when I bought it, as was the mini toggle and on the side, next to the stock output jack, someone put an XLR jack as well. Had it re-wired though, the xlr does nothing, and the switch is just on/off. Might make it a phase switch at some point.
Excellent sounding bass. It's like a mix between guitar and bass. Lots of higher harmonics going on. Surprisingly it holds drop B very well, despite the short scale. I've been neglecting my other two basses because of this thing.
Any reason I should steer clear from a Post Matsumoku era Elite II bass? I have been looking for a Matsumoku Elite II for quite a while and haven't found one worth buying. I did just found a post-era (late 80's) Elite 2 that looks to be in great shape.
Other than the switches/tone controls, are there any differences? Are the neck/body dimensions/build quality the same for both versions?
Lastly, I have a line on an SB-R80 and can't play it in person. Are the differences between the Elite neck width and the R-80 different enough to justify holding out for an Elite? (I've never played anything but an Elite).
Thanks!
Other than the switches/tone controls, are there any differences? Are the neck/body dimensions/build quality the same for both versions?
Lastly, I have a line on an SB-R80 and can't play it in person. Are the differences between the Elite neck width and the R-80 different enough to justify holding out for an Elite? (I've never played anything but an Elite).
Thanks!
Just picked this up for the low, low price of $75 off my local craigslist. It could use some TLC, but everything is working and it sounds great.
Question: I'm don't know much about Aria basses, and this one has me puzzled. The electronics (18 V active, weird varitone thingy), appear to be those of an SB1000, but it's got a bolt-on neck. I'm guessing from the serial number (J780045) and what I think is the older headstock design) that it's a '78. Can anyone tell me which model of SB I've got?
Question: I'm don't know much about Aria basses, and this one has me puzzled. The electronics (18 V active, weird varitone thingy), appear to be those of an SB1000, but it's got a bolt-on neck. I'm guessing from the serial number (J780045) and what I think is the older headstock design) that it's a '78. Can anyone tell me which model of SB I've got?
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i got this bass like 10 years ago from my parents, it has mosty gather dust in the closet.
but now iv started to play again, but i dont know anything about this bass...
whats its full name...
where it made....
plz tell me if u have any info att all!
thax
/Adam
and btw im from sweden so my spelling is realy bad=)
but now iv started to play again, but i dont know anything about this bass...
whats its full name...
where it made....
plz tell me if u have any info att all!
thax
/Adam
and btw im from sweden so my spelling is realy bad=)
Here is my Aria, dont know what year or anything else. It sounds great and my fav bass to play. S00031319 is the serial number. Whats a good way to find out info about this?
Aaron Lawrence (son of Ken) makes replacement pups for Aria basses. They are really nice.
What are these two little switches on the Aria Pro II SB900? Is there any site where I can find serial numbers to find out year of manufacture of my Aria Pro II bass?
The top one is Series/Parallel, the lower is a coil tap for the bridge pickup. There are two issues of the SB-900... the first (1980 ish) has a 3-way p/up selector, two vol pots, one tone pot & a flush-mounted jack socket. The second (1981/2 ish) has a 3-way p/up selector, two stacked vol/tone pots & a recessed jack socket.
The first digit of the serial usually gives the year...
0 = 1980
1 = 1981
2 = 1982
etc.
They're awesome tone monsters, but will do subtle. Crank it up is my advice, you don' need no steenkeeeng R***enb***er with one of these!
Pete.
Hi,
I just shot an Aria Pro II SB-1000 (old Series, without LED) in a lokal Second-Hand-Store.
I have 2 problems with the electronics.
First, when I play harder, i get a mean distortion (brand new batteries in), and second, the 6-Position-Switch seems not to work, i don´t hear any difference.
Can perhaps someone of you guys help me with a wiring diagramm or something alike?
Do you have an idea about the distortion?
And, is there a site/databank for the serial numbers? I would love to find out when this lady was bulidt! (S-No.: 011027)
Thanks in advance and greets from germany,
Matthias
I just shot an Aria Pro II SB-1000 (old Series, without LED) in a lokal Second-Hand-Store.
I have 2 problems with the electronics.
First, when I play harder, i get a mean distortion (brand new batteries in), and second, the 6-Position-Switch seems not to work, i don´t hear any difference.
Can perhaps someone of you guys help me with a wiring diagramm or something alike?
Do you have an idea about the distortion?
And, is there a site/databank for the serial numbers? I would love to find out when this lady was bulidt! (S-No.: 011027)
Thanks in advance and greets from germany,
Matthias
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Hi Matthias, I can tell you the bass was made in 1980, the first number of the serial # indicates year. 9xxxxx would be 1979, 011027 would be 1980 and so on. I believe Aria changed to the LED model with slightly different headstock in '81 or so.
As for the distortion, unfortunately that is a common problem the Arias had: with the active electronics and pickups going out. I've had an SB-1000 that had fried electronics (literally, smoking) and an Aria RSB-900 with the same electronics as the SB-1000 that had a dead circuit. I've also had numerous SBs with dead pickups. But yours sounds more circuit related. Is there any distortion when you play in passive mode (when the switch is flipped)?
As for sites, there is some good info at these sites:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Link Removed
I don't know if you have Aria dealers around in your area, but I know Aria USA can get replacement pickups and possibly the SB-1000 circuit (for the Re-Issue, which might be as close as you're going to get).
Good luck and let us know if you get it fixed!
As for the distortion, unfortunately that is a common problem the Arias had: with the active electronics and pickups going out. I've had an SB-1000 that had fried electronics (literally, smoking) and an Aria RSB-900 with the same electronics as the SB-1000 that had a dead circuit. I've also had numerous SBs with dead pickups. But yours sounds more circuit related. Is there any distortion when you play in passive mode (when the switch is flipped)?
As for sites, there is some good info at these sites:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Link Removed
I don't know if you have Aria dealers around in your area, but I know Aria USA can get replacement pickups and possibly the SB-1000 circuit (for the Re-Issue, which might be as close as you're going to get).
Good luck and let us know if you get it fixed!
I'm totally hooked in Aria basses. They just keep coming in and I can't help it. Where could I find a twelve-step support group?
I'd say you found one right here on TB! Welcome!! Don't even bother trying to fight it. The older Arias are supremely great basses all around. Anyone here will back me up on this.
Hi, I'm new to the forum. On my local craigslist they have what I believe is a SB elite II (they have absolutely no clue) for $550. It looks to be in very good condition.[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Is this a good deal. I only seem to find people talking less about the elite's. Are they not as good as the other SB basses? What are the differences between the 900/1000, elite's, and the black and gold's? If I buy it should I swap the pups or electronics?
Thanks in advance
Is this a good deal. I only seem to find people talking less about the elite's. Are they not as good as the other SB basses? What are the differences between the 900/1000, elite's, and the black and gold's? If I buy it should I swap the pups or electronics?
Thanks in advance
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