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Aria PRO II the cat bass

D

dives

Sep 3, 2007
22
0
#1
Anyone have any info on Aria ProII bass? I just purchased a ProII called "The Cat". Near as I can guess its from late '70's or early '80's. It has active electronics (that don't work). In passive mode, this has a very sweet sound. It has a very fast and comfortable neck, too! I know that Aria is a Japanese company, and this was a mid-line instument, aimed at professional bassists. Schematics for the active system would be really helpful.

To fret or not to fret, only a bassist knows!
 
#2
I had an Aria Pro Cat bass back in the day - fun bass! It was a nice player, very comfy, with a better than expected sound. I want to say that I paid $200 for it, but it was a long time ago (sometime in the mid 80's) so I could be wrong. I sold that when I upgraded to a Kawai bass.

I don't have anything in the way of schematics, sorry, but good luck with the Cat!
 
#7
Deathblade Eric said:
Greetings,

According to info posted over at [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] it's likely to date from 1986 or 1987. The serial no. may give a more accurate guide.

Pics?

Pete.
Click to expand...

yeah the first digit in the serial number will be the year in the 80s that it was made. i.e. 6329295 would mean it was an 86 model, 7329295 would be 87.
and yeah pics please
oh and if anyone will have schematics they will be hanging[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
here.
 
#10
I've got an RSB Special I in black. "After-market" fretless. Great feeling bass. Was my main bass for a couple years.

Passive version though, so I can't help on the schematics. I changed the stock PU for an EMG hz 35 w/ coil kill, much improved.

I'll suggest removing the finish from the back of the neck if yours is maple with a transparent finish. What's already a good feeling neck becomes wonderfully smooth & fast.

I worked in a music store that carried Aria when these came out (first 'real' job :) ), IIRC, these retailed around $350 in the mid-'80s, and the Deluxe versions (which you probably have) were about $100 more.
 
#11
Hope these pics will help. I couldn't find anything on Matsumoku.org, guess I need to post pics there as well...
 

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#12
I put an EMG split passive pup on my fretless, too. Man it sounds so much better!
I think I may dull the neck on the Cat a little, thanks for the hint!
To see 'Woody', my fretless shop custom in action, go to www.pierbranch.com and check out the latest pics. None of the posted music has him in it yet, though we're workin on it.
 
#13
I still own my Cat Bass. I got it in Germany in 1986. It's the passive version with the P & J pickups. Heavy, but great neck. It was my main bass until about 4 years ago. I know it isn't the fanciest bass out there but it sure served me well over the years. The pickups are really noisy now, so it is a backup emergency type bass for me now. After owning it for 22 years, it has held up well. The neck is still fast like my Jazz.

I am thinking about shielding the insides and replacing the pickup and this thing will sing again.
 
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#14
Hehe...I still have my 'Cat'. :bassist:

It was my very first Bass. It originally came with a metallic red finish, but my good friend and guitar player was a fantastic artist and though the years had several cool paint jobs. I put EMGs in it way back around '90 and was just stunned at how good they sounded at the time.

Currently she sits in her half-melted case (pyrotechnic accident :eek:), with no finish at all, just bare nekkidness...warped, twisted neck, and completely bum electronics.

I still love that old girl though, she's seen alot of stages, alot of very good times. :smug:
 
#19
Like many others, the Cat was the my first bass, back in '86... I had the passive version, gloss black. It was an alright bass until I started to tinker... I had mine until about '95 or so, when my father-in-law at the time offered to refinish it for me. Well, during that time, the wife & I had a falling out, got divorced and I never got to see my bass come back to life.. C'est le vie...

As I recall, it had a decently slim neck, and the pickups were alright. It was a huge change for me moving from the Cat to my 2nd bass, an MIJ P with a baseball bat neck.
 

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