The Most Iconic Bass Of The 80s? | Aria Pro II SB1000 Superbass Review

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

If you enjoyed this review, make sure you check out other reviews from the *BASS REVIEWS* playlist here kzbin.info/aero/PLzsXx_Ra8MWtUtbu93YymjPx-1reFHSAK

[@CarlMaltby]

I've personally repaired or provided replacement electronics for over two hundred of these basses now! They're really cherished by owners, and good examples are sought after. The modern SB-1000 re-issue isn't anything like the originals from '77-'80 ("batwing" headstock) and '80-'86 ("open book" headstock like this one). The most common failures are the epoxy-encapsulated pickups (Veijo at Rautia Guitars makes amazing retrofit replacements of all the MB pickups) and the preamps, which I've been making for many years now. The real tone in these is in active mode around the 5-7th position, where the mid bump from the LPF varitone brings in that characteristic SB-1000 tone. They're just great basses overall though, and they don't build them like Matsumoku used to any more. Truly a golden era of Japanese production.

[@CarlMaltby]

I think that it's also worth adding that the fingerboard was possibly not a Rosewood, being listed in catalogues as "Jacaranda". That said, Brazilian Rosewood is sometimes termed Jacaranda but isn't true Jacaranda. It's difficult to say, especially since Matsumoku were so spotty with some details and inconsistent with others. I've heard Ebony being mentioned at various points, and certainly some of the instruments I've worked on have had tight grain structures like Ebonies but colouration not entirely dissimilar to vintage well-worn BRW. The jury is out.

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

Thanks for the insight Carl, very much appreciated.

[@CarlMaltby]

@@BrooksysBassCorner It's a great review, and I'm glad that these amazing basses are being kept in the public's mind. I think once we work beyond the false idea that it was "Cliff Burton's bass" (he quickly rejected the SB-1000 he was given and opted for passive variants) and the Duran Duran connection which often unfairly paint this bass into a corner, you've got a solid bass that really thunders and provides a really detailed, usable and non-flabby fundamental in mixes. My personal favourites are the 70s active-only "batwings", if only for the fact that the electronics are simpler with the varitone bypassable. Cheers!

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

Cheers Carl, thanks for the informative comment, much appreciated!

[@barnesdrb]

@@CarlMaltby Do you think the 80's versions of these basses are better?

[@thevintagecorgi8087]

Really can't get enough of this sound! Thank you for reviewing such a legendary bass.

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

My pleasure, glad you enjoyed the review!

[@Parsley1000]

Wonderful review thanks. I have this exact Bass, which I purchased new from London's Bass centre in Wapping in the early eighties. Very versatile bass it is too. Used it for many many gigs and it still looks new! However, have just tracked down someone to replace me the pickup which gave up only last year. All works fine now. What I recommend about this particular bass, it suits many styles of bass playing techniques. Plectrum players, finger pickers and slap bass...whatever your genre, it's that versatile. Thanks for the review which is nice to see as it slips into the 'vintage' league nowadays. Nice work Brooksy.

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it. They certainly fall into the realm of 'vintage classic' these days! Cheers!

[@denfinch5694]

I know seemingly all bassists love Fender P basses but this sounds far more versatile in tone and it isn't ugly! The pickup seems in the same place. My first bass was the 1st ever import from Musicman from the States to the UK. A Stingray made in January 1977. Okay, that only had the one pickup but it was far superior to the Fender due to the actives and humbucker. I did own a black and gold passive Aria Pro ll SRB Deluxe with two humbuckers which was amazing. I did the awful bassist's thing of selling it! This Aria Pro ll SB 1000 has incredible tonal variations.....Great review, Mike :) Regards. Den Finch

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

Thank you sir, glad you enjoyed the video! The basses we've all loved and lost....we should write a book! Cheers!

[@kevinsturges6957]

That sound!!!! What are you playing this through?

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

Bass strung with Rotosound Swing Bass 66 stel roundwounds 45-105, into an Audient Sono interface then straight to my PC. No FX or processing.

[@user-he6xk7ol2z]

Very nice bass, whantid same for my collection!

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

Thanks for the comment. Cheers!

[@jacobnelson4150]

This is the bass brand of the late cliff

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

Yessir, certainly is! Thanks for the comment!

[@jeanmarienoe]

Great

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed the video! Cheers!

[@ThumbFunker]

Hi Brooksy, im about to purchase a batwing 1980 model SB1000 aparently all in good working order could you give me some tips on things to look out for with these basses please many thanks.

[@ThumbFunker]

Great channel by the way very informative😊

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

Hello sir. Check the straightness of the neck and ensure the truss rod is adjustable....if it isn't, walk away. Electronics can be an issue so listen for any failing components, check all the controls do what they should and run thrpugh each setting of the Noise Killer circuit. If it has the LED, is it working and if it flashes, does it make a noise each time it flashes, like a pulsing sound?

[@ThumbFunker]

​@@BrooksysBassCorner Thanks so Much Brooksy ,so should i get my hex key out and give the truss rod a wiggle to see if it rotates and adjsts the neck?

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

Thank you very much! :)

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

Never a bad idea, loosen first...but if it ain't budging and shows any signs of not having been adjusted... tread carefully! Best of luck!

[@greatwhite61967]

Hi Mike , I thought id give you a break from my questions about the Aria Pro II SB1000 Bass Guitar but I went back to look at old John Taylor Bass Covers so I could see what Matsomoku Mase Aria Pro II SB Range they where using plus I just like watching the various Aria Basses being played & it has nothing to do with what sound they got as compared to what John Taylor used on I'm guessing the first 3 Duran Duran albums... When I could I loved to go into my local Instrument Store that ive bought every guitar from since it opened apart from the SB1000 & the SBR-60 & I liked to go in & look at all the New & Various Bass Guitars to the point the Staff joked & would say " That Paul in for his Bass Porn Fix " lol They didn't mind me coming in as thet new inwasnt just a window shopper who would predominantly look , then play a guitar but then leave , were as I've easily bought 25 plus bass guitars/8 lead & rhythm guitars & 5 acoustic guitars & by now I would've bought more but I decided over a year ago that no matter what bass they git ujn preowned that would be on my list to buy I didn't do it as I wanted to put enough money aside to eventually by a Matsumoku Made Aria Pro II SB1000 Bass Guitar... There's only one thing I've noticed that's different from the any SB1000s I've seen on KZbin & it's the same with mine is the Red Light flickers rather than staying constant like yours & a few have got back to me & said it's fine & one gentleman got back to me last night as he was adamant that drom specific years this has this & that my he's never changed his stance on the Red Light & he even laid down an almost gauntlet reply by saying he's never seen a Matsomoku Aria Pro II SB1000 Bass Guitar that has the Red Light & thatvit stays on constantly as he says the flickering is normal & to that I said fine but when he said he had heard of or seen a Matsumoku Made Aria Pro II SB1000 Bass Guitar were the Red Light stays on when switched on , so I sent him this link of your Playing & Reviewing your Aria Pro II SB1000 & he has not once replied & I just would like to here if the flickering is normal... To be honest I'm not a fan of these Red Lihhts on a bass guitar but my touring bass had one that came in handy because as soon as the 9 Volt battery started to drain the light would be duller to a point that then it would flash on & off but this was tp tell me to get a New 9Volt Battery as the one I had was about to go... Any advice on why so many many Matsumoku made Aria Pro II SB1000 Red Light Blinks!.. The bass plays fine but I just fine it odd & a bit annoying to see that Red Light flash on & off... I hope this comment finds you in good health & with regards to this still ongoing coronavirus as always Take Care... All The Best Paulo .....

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

I think I said in a previous reply...my bass had the flickering LED but it got on my nerves and I could also hear the pulsing coming through on the bass signal which I couldn't tolerate so when the bass had a major overhaul in 2018, I had it chaged so the LED is either on or off, no flickering. It can be changed back if someone wants it that way but not for me.

[@greatwhite61967]

@@BrooksysBassCorner Cheers Mike , My memories not what it should be buy Thank You for your reply as its put my mind st rest... Oddly enough my Matsomoku made Aria Pro II SBR-60 which has 2 sets of dual concentric pots & 2 coil tapping switches but thankfully no Red Light , as like you im not keen on Lights on the body & out of all my bass guitars its only the Aria Pro II SB1000 thats has a light... Personally ki cant stand them... I hope your week goes in well & that if you have some gigs coming up at the weekend then do enjoy yourself... All The Best Paulo .....

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

Cheers captain, three gigs this week, Friday-Saturday-Sunday. Five next week!

[@greatwhite61967]

@@BrooksysBassCorner Believe me when I say I wish it was me doing it... As I miss playing Live so much but I was forced to listen to my body as it wasn't going to things like it used to push it to do without serious repercussions... Hopefully I should know if my Matsumoku made Aria Pro II SBR-60 will be finished tomorrow as the first pot he bought from Germany wasn't going to work... So he ordered another only to realise that the control knobs that are the original knobs won't fit that pot because of the way its shaped & he asked & informed me that there were 2 ways to go... If I wanted to keep my original stack control knobs he was going to have to do altering work to allow my original control knobs to fit & if truth be told I didn't like the sound of it!... So I went with option 2 & that was he ordered control knobs that would fit without any adjustments being made but as I told him I'm not that fussy about centre control knobs but there are one's I hate & one's I love & I loved the ones originally on the SBR-60 but I made sure to politely ask that he keeps every part he has replaced... As though that might sound odd but I wanted to hold onto everything that was 100% oringal even if it was broken parts or cobtrol knobs that don't fit now... If its finished tomorrow I should get it back on Friday or sooner & he kept apologising for how long it took but I expected this as he is very busy & I can't & wouldn't just expect to jump the queue, us having to try & then order 2 dual concentric pots has held it up but as I told him I don't mind it being with him even if it is for a long spell as I know he'll go through that Aria Pro II SBR-60 with a fine tooth comb & thankfully apart from the damaged pot he said its in great condition as far as all the wiring & he's given the 2 coil tap switches a clean up inside along with everything that within the the cavity area so there will be no odd noises from switches that make an annoying sound when switched on or off & I know he's checked the other dual concentric pot & years doesn't make a noise as thats something that really annoys & thoughnive never had this I watch bass covers or reviews by just normal people who play bass guitar but when they flick a switch or in one cast the SB1000 this young gentleman had I grimaced each time he explained about the 6 way tone selector & then changed to the next position on it , as something I've never had but I've seen plenty of people play their basses on KZbin & if they change their tone or volume & I hear those types of sounds I can't watch the rest of the video , as I want to politely ask them to gey it fixed but if they aren't bothered then why should I... I was going to send a polite comment asking that he fix that but I decided to best leave it.. Enjoy you gigs & as Always All The Best... Paulo .....

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

Cheers captain! Enjoy!

[@HeliPaardProd]

Matsumoku! \m/

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

Absolutely! Thanks for your comment!

[@PapaShongo25]

Cliff Burton used this bass on the Master of Puppets album

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

Thanks for the comment. Cheers!

[@TristanJCumpole]

Not true. Cliff first had a one-off black SB-1000, but preferred the tone and neck taper of the passive basses. The bass most commonly associated with Cliff is the Aria Pro II SB Black n' Gold, which is itself a cosmetic alteration of the SB-R60. Cliff also owned a few modified passive SBs such as one that he put a guitar pickup into. The basses used on the album were the SB Black n' Gold plus an Alembic Spoiler 🙂

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

Thanks for the comment!

[@jeromino833]

@@TristanJCumpole In this way, that's an SB 1000 not an Elite I kzbin.info/www/bejne/bouTZXmqh9-agMU The Elite 1 and 2 series arrive in the Aria catalog in 1984 to replace the SB-R80 and R60

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

Cheers for the heads-up!

[@bass1013]

Ye ariapro2

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

Absolutely, the SB Superbass is exactly that....super! Thanks for your comment!

[@petem8630]

I've got one 11lbs, do you gig yours?

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

Thanks for the comment. Yes I do, although not for some time as I haven't had a gig where the tone was what I needed. I had the perfect gig (a Duran tribute) lined up for April last year but the pandemic stopped that. Might well bring it out for a spin or two once UK gigs can start again over the coming months. Cheers!

[@petem8630]

@@BrooksysBassCorner i get nerve tingles up my left arm after about 20 minutes of the thing hanging off my shoulder with a 3" strap. Still love the bass for home sitting down

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

@@petem8630 Have you tried a Comfort Strapp? Been using them for 23 years, no shoulder, neck or back pain, even with my Alembics which are long and heavy.

[@rudygracia5573]

I had one.H-E-A-V-Y!Bolt on,No active electronics.Trans teal?Very weak pickup.Sounded great,but you had to max out your amp!I also don't like narrow width of the neck on the higher register.This was ALMOST a fabulous bass.I Loved the sound on albums;Duran Duran,Kool&the gang.I never heard(noticed)Burton's tone.

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

Thanks for the comment, Rudy! Cheers!

[@davormaricic]

hi, @BrooksysBassCorner, this is really a great review of SB-1000, those are best basses - and I sure love them kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqObpHR3f8ernbM as you can see :) But have a question - I see that you have changed active ON-OFF switch, but also see that your LED is not blinking all the time (as all of my post-batwing SB-1000 do, having bunch of them) but just when you enable active. Did you modify wiring also?

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

Hello there! I didn't change the switch, that would have been a previous owner if that is the case. The blinking LED was my doing. The bass had a major overhaul and service in 2018 and the blinking LED could be heard through the bass signal when playing which made the bass pretty much unusable. So when the bass was serviced, I asked for the LED to simply be set to on or off based on the switch setting. Hey presto, no more 'tick-tick-tick-tick' continuously in active mode.

[@davormaricic]

@@BrooksysBassCorner yes, great - I`ve heard that some owners had this ticktacking problems, great you solve it! Beauty bass, same 1983 here, too. Keep up the great work on this channel!

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

Thank you sir, appreciate it!

[@AriaPro-II-SB-1000]

@@BrooksysBassCorner Thanks for curing my LED-envy with the above explanation (I have a 1980 pre-LED version) Now, I also have a useful anecdotal story if anyone presses the point "Well, I know this bloke who had to switch it off blah blah blah..."

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

Glad to be of use!

[@Josh-o]

Very mid heavy

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

Cheers for the comment. The bass is 'as is' - clean signal and flat EQ at the interface, so what you're hearing is the bass's natural tone and circuit EQ. All the best!