Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
)
My thoughts exactly, but the seller lists it as being from the 1980's. Translated from Dutch:
- Exclusive, active, mid-scale bass, les Paul look-a-like from the mid-1980's
-Intended for the Asian market, barely available in Europe
-Active elements by Nordstrand, installed in 2017
-In excellent condition
It could indeed be mid-80s, as it would have a poly finish and if it wasn't played much, would still look new. Also, that is similar to the Les Paul style guitars Aria Pro II was putting out at the time, as noted by the sloping bass bout. These are generally well respected MIJ instruments.
And with a set of Nordstrands, I don't see how you could go too wrong for the asking price.
And with a set of Nordstrands, I don't see how you could go too wrong for the asking price.
Thank you for the reply! Just out of curiosity, what does MIJ mean? I'm new to the forums.
If I was in the market, I would take it for a spin.
Probably dives like seafowl though.
Probably dives like seafowl though.
Thank you!
And yet another saying I don't understand.. I really need to brush up on my English. Would you please explain what you mean with "dives like a sea fowl"?
It appears that the body weight and strap position will not balance the bass.
We call this ‘neck dive’. Common on basses with guitar body designs.
When you strap on the bass, and remove your hands from it, the headstock dives toward the floor. This is known as "neck dive."
It tends to happen when there's not a long upper bout that positions the strap button further toward the headstock. Also can happen if the body is very lightweight compared to the neck.
I'd like to thank everyone for your reactions. (and for your patience) I've decided to go ahead with the purchase. I'll keep you posted.
Just wanted to extend a welcome to you as a new member. It’s always nice when someone new joins the community. 
Definitely an interesting bass. Has a body like an Aria PE-DLX guitar. But the headstock looks like the design they used for their M series guitars. I’ve never seen nor heard of an Aria bass a like yours before. Congratulations on such a rare find.
Definitely an interesting bass. Has a body like an Aria PE-DLX guitar. But the headstock looks like the design they used for their M series guitars. I’ve never seen nor heard of an Aria bass a like yours before. Congratulations on such a rare find.
Last edited:
That headstock shape really looks more modern to my eye... I would guess a recent 'brand re-boot" made in China or Indonesia?? I vaguely seem to recall reading somewhere about the 'Aria Pro-II' brand being recycled... In any event it looks like it might be worth the asking price
That headstock shape really looks more modern to my eye... I would guess a recent 'brand re-boot" made in China or Indonesia?? I vaguely seem to recall reading somewhere about the 'Aria Pro-II' brand being recycled... In any event it looks like it might be worth the asking price
This. I was literally about to post how the headstock definitely suggests otherwise, despite some thinking it could have been from the 80's. So far searching through the back catalogs, there were certainly regular 6 strings with that body style from the 80's, but nothing bass wise. Also, even those guitars still had the open book style headstock that was used on almost everything back then.
There are plenty of basses you can't even find any info on there, but I know even the basses they released all the way till the late 80's used similar (headstock) styles to the one I mentioned above. Also don't think they released too many instruments back then with an FMT-looking style finish.. or a dark purple finish of that tint for that matter.
Source:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Does he mean it looks like a Les Paul from the 80s maybe?
As mentioned already, the body looks like an elongated (could just be the angle of the picture though) version of the PE guitar bodies which were definitely made in the 80’s up until, I believe, the present day. The headstock, however, is different from any Aria I recall seeing. Looks more like a modern Ibanez or Cort. None of that means that it wasn’t a Japan only model or something like that. There must be an Aria serial number decoder somewhere on line for when you go look at it.
I’d certainly be interested, depending on the price.
I’d certainly be interested, depending on the price.
