Is this Aria bass any good?

[PaulT85]

I recently sorted my loft and found my Aria bass that I was given for free about 10 years ago. And up until now I've never thought much about it but I'm curious now and I can't seem to figure out what model it is. It looks like a pro but I'm not too clued up on Aria.

 

[creaturegods]

Is it any good? You're the owner - You tell us!

Looks like it might be an Aria Pro II Integra but we'd need more pics to know for sure. Probably built in the mid-late '80s or early '90s.

 

[Fynn]

It's not some sort of super botique custom bass, but it looks like it could be a bass for a lifetime. I would probably really enjoy it, based solely off this one picture

 

[PaulT85]

It plays really nicely and it has a great feel to it, feels solid.

 

[PaulT85]

Some more pictures

 

[MonetBass]

Looks like a nice bass! FYI, the D and G strings are wrapped around the tuning posts backwards, and the strings should wrap on the post from high to low to provide a proper break angle over the nut.

 

[Mr Horse]

Some more pictures

That's a pretty interesting bridge.

 

[CletusMarley]

It looks pretty solid. I'd rock it..

 

[arbiterusa]

Nice but the D and G strings are murdering my brain. I see so many basses on Craigslist done like that.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

It looks good so it must be good Rock on!

 

[HubbardsFate]

Pickup screws look rusty...that's a bit concerning...

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

It looks like it was brand-new 10 (maybe 15) years ago.

Play it in as many situations as possible (for a while, make sure you also bring a back-up, just in case this one messes the bed on you somehow) and decide for yourself if it's any good.

I would definitely give it as good a shot as any of my basses. Why not? You got it for free. All it's going to cost you is time. At the very worst, you'll find out why you've had it stored away for so long.

 

[Swerve]

It plays really nicely and it has a great feel to it, feels solid.

If it sat untouched for 10 years and still plays nicely that bass is definitely a keeper.

 

[neil|lien]

It is a Harley Benton B-450 looool.. didn't know that that design wasn't actually theirs!

 

[JACKSON JS1XM]

If it holds tune & is intonated, it's a good guitar. If similar design & construction across Aia Bass guitars is relevant to identify, it does look like an IGB-?? model. I realize they aren't exactly the same pickups, but the body construction being laminated multi species wood(s), 4x knobs ? Maybe an SB-???? model for the pickups.

Aria IGB-50 Bass. Alder Body And 5-Ply Maple And Walnut Neck, Active, 24 Frets.

https://ariaguitarsglobal.com/product/sb-1000-bk/

 

[_Tay_]

Pickup screws look rusty...that's a bit concerning...

Pickup screws in my Status have been rusty since 2006..

 

[Smooth_bass88]

is good

 

[Dynomuttasaurus]

I'm going to second the IGB 50 guess. Precursor to the Rosie. My guess is the bridge is not original. Listen to some classic Faith No More to hear a similar bass in action.

 

[rojo412]

Invalid Link Removed
This was in the 2007 catalog, despite the serial leading me to think it was 2005.
Bridge is stock.
Looks like it needs the strings properly wound, the screws could be soaked in mineral oil to remove the rust, but aside from that, not too shabby!

 

[kumimajava]

As many have already mentioned - it looks like an Integra series bass.

From my own experience, these can be a bit hit & miss - they balance nicely & i like the neck shape, but there's a lot of variation in 'stability'.

If you've found one where the tuning holds well - it should be a great instrument. If, on the other hand, the neck tends to wander from day to day - they don't tend to 'fetch much' on resale, so not a big loss. fingers crossed that yours falls in the first group