Aria Pro II SB-1000B Reviewed by Guitar Interactive Magazine

Details : ariaguitarsglob...

[@terryhogan6003]

I’m playing an Aria Pro II custom at a concert at the weekend. Serial number begins with 1. So, I’m guessing it’s a 1981 model. My friend knows very little about bass guitars. When I tried it - in mint condition - I was blown away with the sound, the playability, the attention to detail. He bought it about 30+ years ago at a small guitar shop in north London. Without knowing anything about the bass - I’ve played Fenders for most of my career - I was stunned when I tried it out. Only drawback is that it’s heavy. But, it’s been designed and crafted by experts. (It had been sitting in my friend’s garage for decades! And he even has a custom built hard case for it.) Oh, and it looks beautiful.

[@paultomey4941]

I own a 1989. Absolutely outstanding instrument.

[@hughes2397]

Man, I love these old Arias! The 5th, and 6th positions on the phase knob sound the best in my opinion.

[@charlielucas3386]

Amazing look at an amazing bass! Dan really pulled some nice riffs while demonstrating each level of the BB Circuit! Fantastic!!

[@atakancagataybekdemir5146]

R.I.P. CLIFF BURTON...

[@rayhewitt6875]

Love the sound!!!! I need one of these bad boys👍🏻 Thank You for the video Dan

[@asphaltcowboy11keleman55]

Same bass cliff used but black

[@giordanodifloridi2616]

This Is my First bass

[@jrb76]

That's one killer bass!!!

[@greatwhite61967]

Quick'sh Question... Did all of the Aria Pro II SB1000 bass guitars all have Matsomoku on the Front of the Headstock?.. I decided to look at as many images i could of the Aria Pro II SB1000 & i was surprised that even Vintage 80s versions didnt have Matsomoku printed on the Front of the Headstock as i was lead to believe that all the Aria Pro II SB Range along with various other models needed to have the name Matsomoku on the Front of the Headstock yet after looking at 100s in the last month many have it on the Front of the Headstock & many Don't!.. I've seen many Aria Pro II SB1000 bass guitars dated from the start to the end of the 80s & many have Matsomoku on the Front of the Headstock & Many Don't Have That Printed on the Front of the Headstock but instead the other Aria Pro II SB1000 bass guitars from the 80s have " Specially Designed And Approved by Aria Research Design Lab " printed on the front & i just want to know if the one that has " Specially Designed And Approved by Aria Research Design Lab " is from the Matsomoku Factory & comes loaded with those sweet unmistakable sounds that they were known for when John Taylor from Duran Duran used the Aria Pro II SB600 & SB1000 on their first 3 Albums & on Tour... I have the chance to buy one but its from Asia & i just want to make im spending a sizeable amount of money on an Aria Pro II SB1000 bass guitar which doesn't say Matsomoku but was built their & has those sounds that the ones with Matsomoku printed on the Front of the Headstock... If i was to buy this specific Aria Pro II SB1000 bass guitar i've got the price of the bass guitar to pay for/plus P&P/Insurance & no doubt a hefty Import Tax Fee which could see this Aria Pro II SB1000 bass guitar costing just under £2K or right on £2K & thats alot of my i dont want to waste on a bass guitar that deliver the Pro II SB Sounds they became known for the world over... Any information would be appreciated... In light of this still ongoing coronavirus and its variants stay safe and healthy wherever you are in this world... .....

[@Danthehorse]

Not the original bridge, which was brass and important in this bass's tone. This one has brass saddles and a zinc plate.. plus it's a different design. Im really surprised about that. And the neck is a more regular width nut to bridge.. and it seems the active circuit is different too.. Not really an SB1000 but a variant then. Why is it not a proper reissue?

[@frankvilla9401]

This is gonna sound stupid but I for the life of me do not know how to buy one these bad boys. Really want one but I have no idea how to buy one.

[@hughes2397]

guillermo melara You can find really nice used ones for good prices on ebay, and and you can also find them used, in great shape, and decently priced from some music stores like guitar center from their used department. If you want a brand new one, then you'll most probably have to go the Aria website. They're rather pricey, but worth it. I've always wanted one of these basses myself, I just haven't had the money lol.

[@MachineGunAustin]

Same, I want one because of Cliff Burton

[@ChrissyOneMusic]

There are several new models on eBay right now, and a few good ones on Reverb, but I just bought the best one. =)

[@gewglesux]

Go to Greed bay....

[@elnjay33]

Excellent demo.

[@keepitreal6487]

What, no Girls on Film?

[@Danthehorse]

What and recognise a great player who isnt Burton?! 😉

[@RhymesWithCarbon]

@@Danthehorse I was hoping for Fantastic Day too. I owned one long ago but it was only a fraction influenced by Cliff. John Taylor & Les Nemes!

[@MrEvan1932]

I saw the old one at a pawnshop last year for around $400 and I am kicking myself for not picking it up

[@TheRealMarxz]

my first ever ebay purchase sometime around 2003, SB1000 1977 pre production prototype $250 AUD (so about $180 USD back then) had an ex Aria worker working as the bass tech in Ishibashi Tokyo almost go down on his knees to beg me to sell it to him when I took it in for setup...

[@drezy5337]

I own a 2022 SB-1000, and it's definitely not a reissue. It's an SB-1000 with significant changes from the original. It doesn't have the original bridge, string spacing, or preamp. I don't mind the string spacing at 19mm or the ghoto bridge, but the preamp does not sound as good as the original, it lacks in the low end and treble, IMO. Also, not having the original bridge that had more mass and counter sunk into the body may have contributed to the tone. Too bad I sold my 1985 SB-1000, I could have done a comparison.

[@tomowens7499]

I have a 1990 sb 1000, i love it but I'm confused about something... you switched the toggle DOWN to turn on the electronics, mine you switch UP. Plus the light stays on in both positions... is this normal for a 90? Anyone know?

[@dragoste1970]

I just bought one and its my main bass now.

[@ronniethefixxxer531]

i know you don't care but my main bass right now is a Gibson RD bass

[@takamushinagamoto5086]

Personately, I found that old "rosewood fretboarded" versions sounds better ! Ebony miss some low-end dynamic.

[@greatwhite61967]

Sounds absolutely nothing like the original classic Matsumoku made In Japan Aria Pro II SB 1000... Pity as many Bassists like myself would cue up to buy the bass that sounds like that classic Aria sounding Bass Guitar... I had heard there were bad reviews of this bass for that reason but i also heard that Aria had got John Taylor of Duran Duran onboard to help them bring back that iconic classic Aria sound but its definitely not coming from this bass that's for sure... Maybe Aria have a JT Reissue Bass Guitar that has all those lovely Aria sounds from year's ago! If so I'd like to hear that one & if its sounds like its Matsumoku predecessor I'd buy not just one but a few to say the least & I'm not the only one who would do this... If your listening Aria we Bass Player's want the Aria sound that made them so famous & loved all over the world in the 70s & 80's & not this pale imitation of the classic Aria Pro II SB1000...

[@dingushussey4100]

bearing in mind the amp''s probably set flat it reminds me of the tones bruce foxton was getting on the last Jam tour using one. I loved that sound at the timeand with the eq on i could hear it coming thru pretty clear

[@1995themike]

Nice video. I was hoping if you can help me, i have a beautiful Aria SB 1000, but i'm missing that ebony nut cover, on the head stock, where can i purchase that cover?

[@whyjermeysocute]

I’m not positive on this BUT there is a parts supplier on aria’s website that supplies them with most of their parts I’m pretty sure

[@rellik187redrum]

AND JUSTICE FOR CLIFF....

[@dotnineteen.1962]

I want one

[@GillRigged]

How the hell do I purchase this in the US? I can't find one anywhere and the one distributor in Michigan is worthless for info.

[@Braglemaster123]

Excellent 👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@mr.bluenotedoobop]

Where can I get one in the US?

[@kristerlundberg3073]

So, looks like my SB-1000 is from around 1981, by serial number logic (?), bought in 1993 and lived in it's case (original) since then. What would it be worth today? It's in good shape, i.e. has not really been played at all since I bought it.

[@merciless2032]

A new Aria SB costs like 2000-3000 dollars, but I don't know how much does a vintage one. Probably around 2000

[@kristerlundberg3073]

@@merciless2032 Thanks. If that's true then it was a good investment... :)

[@louie8604]

@@kristerlundberg3073 about 1000

[@jazzman1954]

Get it out of the case and play the damn thing.

[@jazzman1954]

When this bass originally came out it was ground breaking because there was little or no choice outside Gibson or Fender for pro standard bass. These days you can spend £850 $1000 and get a superior active instrument. There’s stuff coming out factories world wide that are astonishingly good for the money. Don’t fall for all of this nostalgia crap.

[@sira.scottascot8865]

Superior in what way?

[@jazzman1954]

@@sira.scottascot8865 Superior, meaning high/good quality as opposed to inferior quality product.

[@justinszeto9401]

Give some examples please

[@jazzman1954]

@@justinszeto9401 Spector NS pulse2. £899.00 uk pounds. Put on some decent strings and set up properly it’s as good as anything and I repeat ANYTHING out there.

[@rockdiner]

@@jazzman1954 thanks. It is a pretty new model. The pick ups differ from the 4 string n 5. Which one were you refering too. Thanks.

[@jazzman1954]

This isn’t a review. It’s a guy selling product. Just so you know it’s not an unbiased review.

[@bassdaze]

cameraman doesnt know how to pay attention to reviewer... super irritating

[@rosscostuart3409]

Wouldn't you want to set up the bass so it doesn't sound like shit with a ton of fret buzz before you make a video?