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Matsumoku.

#41
Thorsoundcore said:
Jeeze.. I mean, I've heard stories of people having their non-Fender style basses getting turned away when it came to electronic work (One in particular mentioning his bass happened to be an Aria). But dang, do all the old Aria basses require rocket surgery to fix up?! Or is it just the SB1000 in particular?
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it's just that one (I think)...first you have to talk to Carl in Finland who custom makes replacement circuits, then try to get someone with better skills than I have to solder it in...I eventually gave up and went all passive, all Fender...but those SB1000s are absolutely astounding basses...will get another someday
 
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#42
'79 Vantage VP-700B. A bit off-balanced due to the short upper horn, but you want deep? This got DEEP!

79vantage2.jpg
 
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#45
Marc DLarosa said:
I bet that You have NOTHING bad to say. or, do You?
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Actually.. yes I do. If I want a Lefty Guitar from them?
EA-250 Epi-2.jpg Not a problem. This Matsumoku-made '70 Epi EA-250 is a little Blues/Rockabilly monster. It might take a little searching, but their lefty guitars are around... But, if I want a Matsumoku-made Bass?
Epi EA-260 Bass.JPG Well, I'm pretty much SOL. I don't think there were any lefty Epi EA-260s. Never seen one, anyway. And, like 5StringBlues' earlier-model 5120e, it's a Helluve nice bass, too. Matsumoku, in any iteration, was never much for making lefty basses - solid or hollow body. Or, if they did? They kept almost all of them in Japan...:(
 
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#46
Thorsoundcore said:
do all the old Aria basses require rocket surgery to fix up?!
Or is it just the SB1000 in particular?
Click to expand...
HECK NO!!!!!
It’s just that model in particular.

We used to sell Arias & other Japanese guitars in Dads music shop for many years here in Australia. Better instruments than the current (at the time) new US Fenders for 1/4 of the price (the Yen was low and the USD very high then).

A top tech here thinks Matsumoku are very well made instruments with high QC.
 
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#50
tpaul said:
Speaking of Uncle Mat, does anyone have any experience with these pickups? I see them on some of the older MIJ basses, but have never had the opportunity to play one. Wondering how they sound. Are they truly humbucking, or just a cleverly disguised single coil?

View attachment 3214663
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Pure piece of crap. Thanks to those things, I never become professional player. I hated practicing with them to the point I almost smashed the whole thing and call quit forever...
 
#53
Groove Doctor said:
HECK NO!!!!!
It’s just that model in particular.

We used to sell Arias & other Japanese guitars in Dads music shop for many years here in Australia. Better instruments than the current (at the time) new US Fenders for 1/4 of the price (the Yen was low and the USD very high then).

A top tech here thinks Matsumoku are very well made instruments with high QC.
Click to expand...

No surprise to myself tbh. After recently becoming the owner of two TSB's, I can say I'm hooked. Hope to own at least one SB someday, then I'll die a happy man. :roflmao:

I've played some stellar Fenders, but have to say Aria has been every bit of good in their own respect (IMHO).
 
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#54
Thorsoundcore said:
No surprise to myself tbh. After recently becoming the owner of two TSB's, I can say I'm hooked. Hope to own at least one SB someday, then I'll die a happy man. :roflmao:

I've played some stellar Fenders, but have to say Aria has been every bit of good in their own respect (IMHO).
Click to expand...
I had a half black/halt white, ZZB Custom Deluxe Bass, many many moons ago. Sold it out of embarrassment of her looks. Pointy, MTV, 80's hair metal. Now... recalling Her feel, sound, balance... Boy oh boy, do I miss that bass...
 
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#56
Marc DLarosa said:
I had a half black/halt white, ZZB Custom Deluxe Bass, many many moons ago. Sold it out of embarrassment of her looks. Pointy, MTV, 80's hair metal. Now... recalling Her feel, sound, balance... Boy oh boy, do I miss that bass...
Click to expand...
I had look that up to remind myself.... they DID balance really well. Didnt work with the guitar stands of the day though....

They still come up for sale if you ever get the itch....
SOLD - Aria Pro II ZZB Deluxe
(Item sold, no affiliation, etc).
 
#57
Groove Doctor said:
I had look that up to remind myself.... they DID balance really well.

They still come up for sale if you ever get the itch....
SOLD - Aria Pro II ZZB Deluxe
(Item sold, no affiliation, etc).
Click to expand...
I'm actually at the point where I'm selling a bunch of my basses/guitars.
Not gonna go looking, but... if someone brings one to my door... Well, you KNOW...
 
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#58
Marc DLarosa said:
I'm actually at the point where I'm selling a bunch of my basses/guitars.
Not gonna go looking, but... if someone brings one to my door... Well, you KNOW...
Click to expand...

Good news is if you ever so happen to change your mind, they tend to pop up for sale quite often. Gosh, I couldn't even give a count on how many I saw between each website I used for Aria hunting. None in any of the wackier color schemes however..
 
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