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Aria Pro II identification help, please

DonovanJM

DonovanJM

Apr 21, 2010
117
162
Washougal, Wa
#1
So this bass is on my local Craigslist and I am having a difficult time finding any information on it. I have Googled and can't find anything that matches it. I have seen some Aria Pro II's with the same body style but not the same knobs or pickups. Any information would be great. I love that body style and I'm thinking if I can pick it up for the right price it would be a nice rebud project.
Screenshot_20200201-213838_Chrome.jpg

Screenshot_20200201-213929_Chrome.jpg

Screenshot_20200201-213945_Chrome.jpg
 
#2
Well, first thing the bass was built at the Matsumoku plant in Japan. These are the same people who built Aria. However, this bass isn’t an Aria Pro II, or an Aria for that matter, as this model bass was likely built before the Pro II branding came about in the late 70’s.

It is very similar to an Aria model #1980 from the early 70’s. But the headstock and bridge pickup aren’t a match. I doubt you will be able to pull an exact model match for this one based on what I could find.
 
#4
Kawai2g4b said:
Well, first thing the bass was built at the Matsumoku plant in Japan. These are the same people who built Aria. However, this bass isn’t an Aria Pro II, or an Aria for that matter, as this model bass was likely built before the Pro II branding came about in the late 70’s.

It is very similar to an Aria model #1980 from the early 70’s. But the headstock and bridge pickup aren’t a match. I doubt you will be able to pull an exact model match for this one based on what I could find.
Click to expand...

Doesn't it say Aria Pro II on the plate on the back? It's blurry so it's difficult to read. Though they could probably change that out.
 
#6
The bridge doesn't look right to me, other than that I find it legit-looking for a '70s Aria. Can't really see the branding on the headstock, if any.

No idea on what the CL price is, but the one in the online ad is ridiculous since you can buy an unmolested slothead Gibson for that type of money. That bass might be an interesting project for $300 or less presuming it's in really good shape...not for over a grand.

My $0.02 only...
 
#8
ajkula66 said:
The bridge doesn't look right to me, other than that I find it legit-looking for a '70s Aria. Can't really see the branding on the headstock, if any.

No idea on what the CL price is, but the one in the online ad is ridiculous since you can buy an unmolested slothead Gibson for that type of money. That bass might be an interesting project for $300 or less presuming it's in really good shape...not for over a grand.

My $0.02 only...
Click to expand...

They don't have a price on the CL it's make an offer. It's been on there for a while. I think last time I saw a price they were asking $150 or $200. I'm not positive but it wasn't a whole lot. The coating is definitely not in good shape. I'm not sure what the wood looks like. I was thinking about throwing them a $50 offer and seeing what they say.
 
#16
Not sure where my reply went. Anyways, sorry for ranting about the missing details. Looks like the website I was looking at doesn't have all the models. Even the price is in synch - will fight temptation, probably loose though!

M-u-s-t b-u-y o-n-e m-o-r-e B-a-s-s arrrghhhh :D
 
#17
cdef said:
Those hi-res pics make me suspect it's actually an (unbadged) Ibanez 2354, with a Matsumoku neck plate. The bridge is not original either, as can be clearly seen. And yes, it's wildly overpriced, given its condition.
Click to expand...
I'm thinking it's more likely an early Teisco/Crown/Electra brand rather than the Ibanez since the headstock shape is a little different on the Ibanez.
 

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