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Aria Pro RSB bass

RumbleMan3

RumbleMan3

Apr 14, 2018
1,754
1,634
Australia
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#1
So I’m able to acquire a Japanese Aria Pro II RSB Bass (single humbucker style) for a very affordable price. ‘83 I’m really considering accepting this offer.

I’ve always liked the sound of the aria Pro II SB basses from the likes of John Taylor in Duran Duran’s early days. This RSB model is the same as the SB just a bolt on version, thus more affordable.

Before I pull the trigger I just wanna ask some questions because I don’t know much about these basses.

I here the string spacing is really narrow. I’ve got a cort artisan C4 with tight spacing (17.5 or 17?) I can’t remember exactly. Just wondering what the string spacing is on these SB/RSB aria basses. And what’s the neck profile like on these? My favourite is a thicker, p bass style nut width, with a slim taper, but I can also go the other way round, with a slimmer nut feel but slightly chunkier front to back like a jazz bass. Is it anything like this?

Also, being from the 80s (that qualifies as vintage right?) does this mean it should go up in value over time, or at least hold its current value? Don’t wanna buy it, not like it, and then lose money on it. The bass has some heavy cosmetic damage, but it’s all cosmetic.

I’m planning on getting it anyway, just as an investment, considering it’s vintage, and apparently aria are very well regarded and sought after, I shouldn’t lose on it.

Thoughts? I’m really interested in buying and I don’t expect this bass to hang around for much longer so I wanna be quick about it. Basically I’m just waiting for the all clear.
 
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#3
RumbleBot said:
I've never owned an Aria but I am a big fan of Asian made basses. I have owned Yamaha and Tune basses. High quality with a lower price tag.
Also, I feel like 25+ years may clasify as vintage?
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That's great to hear. Yeah I'm pretty sure Aria is a well regarded brand. Not sure how sought after they are or how rare they are becoming.

I'd also really like some experience from an Aria owner in particular. Will the RSB hold it's value? Should I be confident in buying this? Owner claims it functions as intended, and any imperfections are cosmetic.

And the question on string spacing is a big one for me. Can't seem to find any specs on it anywhere.

Thanks
 
#8
RumbleMan3 said:
Really? How so? Similar but slightly different or different altogether? Can I still get that punch p bassy/stingray tone out of it?
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First of all, please understand that I owned and played these when they were new, so we're going back 35 years or so.

RSB will give you some of the "P" vibe that. Stingray, not so much.

SB1000 has its own thing going. And it feels like a more expensive instrument as it should.

Is $500 AUD/$318 USD a good price for an ‘83? (I’m assuming it’s Matsumoku? The colour is also white pearl if that helps?)

Would I ever lose money on one of these?

Thanks
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The price seems OK to me by pre-C19 criteria

Could you lose money ? I don't have a crystal ball but that's not a lot of money to invest in a bass. You won't get filthy rich off of it for sure.
 
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#9
RumbleMan3 said:
So I’m able to acquire a Japanese Aria Pro II RSB Bass (single humbucker style) for a very affordable price. ‘83 I’m really considering accepting this offer.

I’ve always liked the sound of the aria Pro II SB basses from the likes of John Taylor in Duran Duran’s early days. This RSB model is the same as the SB just a bolt on version, thus more affordable.

Before I pull the trigger I just wanna ask some questions because I don’t know much about these basses.

I here the string spacing is really narrow. I’ve got a cort artisan C4 with tight spacing (17.5 or 17?) I can’t remember exactly. Just wondering what the string spacing is on these SB/RSB aria basses. And what’s the neck profile like on these? My favourite is a thicker, p bass style nut width, with a slim taper, but I can also go the other way round, with a slimmer nut feel but slightly chunkier front to back like a jazz bass. Is it anything like this?

Also, being from the 80s (that qualifies as vintage right?) does this mean it should go up in value over time, or at least hold its current value? Don’t wanna buy it, not like it, and then lose money on it. The bass has some heavy cosmetic damage, but it’s all cosmetic.

I’m planning on getting it anyway, just as an investment, considering it’s vintage, and apparently aria are very well regarded and sought after, I shouldn’t lose on it.

Thoughts? I’m really interested in buying and I don’t expect this bass to hang around for much longer so I wanna be quick about it. Basically I’m just waiting for the all clear.
Click to expand...
The RSBs are very different beasts. They are lighter, thinner neck, thinner body, different body construction, different pickups and different electronics. I have many samples of both.
 
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#10
My RSB Deluxe II has been my main bass since I bought it new in 1985. I also have an RSB The Cat. The latter is a single pickup version. The neck on both are great. Thin, but not too thin ( a bit more meat then Ibinez from the same period, slimmer than a Fender Jazz). I don't know what these go for in Austalia but the price is on th higher end of reasonable in the US. They may appreciate but I doubt it. Just get it and have one of the most comfortable basses ever made.
 
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#13
Do the RSB deluxe basses with the single MB-III pickup sound anything like the CSB basses or the Thor Basses? Cos I can’t find any sound demos on the RSB deluxe bass with the single pickup, but I’ve found a few on the CSB and Thor ones and I really like the sound. So just wondering do they sound similar, so it gives me an idea?
 
#14
RumbleMan3 said:
Do the RSB deluxe basses with the single MB-III pickup sound anything like the CSB basses or the Thor Basses? Cos I can’t find any sound demos on the RSB deluxe bass with the single pickup, but I’ve found a few on the CSB and Thor ones and I really like the sound. So just wondering do they sound similar, so it gives me an idea?
Click to expand...

Anyone?

RSB vs CSB or TSB tone?

Similar to the MB-III or even MB-II CSB and TSB basses?

I’m assuming they sound the same because it’s the same pickup in the same position.

And I’m assuming the MB-III sounds the same as the MB-II Only a little brighter?
 
#15
I had a CSB in the 1980s.

Medium scale, more of a jazz bass easy playing feel than the big fretboard P bass.

It was really great sounding with medium scale roto swings on it when I could find those. I was looking for some Entwistle tone. Various long scale strings were often on there, not so musical, those. You might check, the RSB could be medium scale too.
 
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