Aria Pro 2 1981 Sb 900

[Whiteplusgreen]

Hi all, wondering if this is an authentic aria pro 2 SB 900. Seller claims its all stock save for the pickups which have been replaced with Ken Armstrong pickups. However the knobs seem to be off position and/or missing from what I've seen online. Anyone able to confirm its authenticity? Ive been eyeing one of these for awhile. They're selling it at 1200AUD so wondering if the price is worth that as well. Thanks!

 

[rogerbmiller]

This appears to be authentic. Serial number engraved behind curly brackets of headstock was the system at the Matsumoku factory. This is a 1981.

The knobs are not original but close. I have never been able to locate exact replacements.

The countersunk OEM brass bridge is also evidence thisnis a first run. Post Matsumoku era these basses used third party hardware and bridges and jacks were not flush mounted as they are on this one.

The original pups are known to fail in time and are near impossible to fix as they are potted in epoxy. Kent makes replacements that are very close and identical in shape. He made a replacement for the bridge PUP in one of my SB900s about 20 years ago.

That’s also the OG hard shell case. Overall this is a nice specimen.

 

[ajkula66]

I owned an SB900 a couple of years go. Lovely, well-crafted instrument, great tone but on the heavier side when it comes to weight.

This one looks fine to me and that price seems inviting.

Check it out and decide for yourself.

Good luck.

 

[Gluvhand]

reproguitarparts.com does faithful reproductions of the original knobs.

 

[Whiteplusgreen]

Hi! Thanks for the replies, The seller is also selling a 1985 Aria pro ii sb-1000, Previous owner changed the switch to a button, other than that everything else is stock. Anyone able to identify if it is also legitimate? Quite torn between which of the two to get haha. He's selling the sb1000 for 1400AUD. Thanks!

 

[NotColinGrigson]

Tbh I’d lean towards the 1000.
Iconic instrument, and looks great.
Even that switch change could be reversed if you were so inclined.
Equally the 900 is lovely.

 

[tindrum]

Both are awesome but I’d vote for the 1000. My 1985 is identical to that one. An absolutely stellar instrument.

 

[MisterDanger]

Hi all, wondering if this is an authentic aria pro 2 SB 900. Seller claims its all stock save for the pickups which have been replaced with Ken Armstrong pickups. However the knobs seem to be off position and/or missing from what I've seen online. Anyone able to confirm its authenticity? Ive been eyeing one of these for awhile. They're selling it at 1200AUD so wondering if the price is worth that as well. Thanks!

It looks like what I would want to buy. It is what I have been looking for. I own one and I love it so that I want to get at least one or two more.
If you decide not to get it, please let me know because I will buy it. Thank you and good luck, they are great instruments...in my opinion.