Awesome demo, awesome bass! Even though it has some similarities to a P (series mode) and a StingRay (parallel mode), it's definitely its own thing. The pickup position is right between the two as well, but probably the neck-through construction makes it sound very different still. Amazing how versatile a single-pickup passive bass can be! I'm happy to own a cousin of this one: an old Aria Pro II RSB Standard from '83 out of the legendary Matsumoku factory. I got it really cheap, but it's amazing! It has a P-style pickup in the same position as the SB, but a bolt-on neck and a simple bent-steel bridge. Sounds very much like a P, with hints of a StingRay, depending on how/where you pluck the strings. But plays much easier because of the slim J-style neck and downsized body. I changed the pickup to a less hot AlNiCo5 one which brings it much closer to a vintage P. I also have flats on it, and now it _begs_ to be played Joe Dart style. But it also loves Motown and Soul. After listening to your demo, I'm thinking about adding a series/parallel switch... On the other hand, I love its pureness and simplicity.
I'm a huge Matsumoku fan. My 1984 Electra Futura is my pride and joy. I also played an amazing mid-80s neckthru Ibanez for a few years. I was also lucky enough to own a Univox HI-Flier 6-string for a time. It's a comfortable guitar to play aggressively, and the original pickups are so legit.
Those basses were awesome from day one. I remember getting the Aria Pro II catalog in 1982. Those bridges are the best, solid and sunk into the body. The bridge in this video looks like the old one, but as I take a closer look, it looks like a surface mount bridge.
Cool review, but an (unsolicited) opinion: in the earky part of the review, you should make sure we can see the control knobs and switches in your front angle shots so we can see what settings you're changing. It's frustrating because it's cut off at the bottom of the screen. That said, I have an original 1980 SB-700 and it's great!
Good day, and God bless you. This appears to be a new reissue of the Aria Pro SB 700, which I didn't know existed! The active SB 1000 has been reissued numerous times and has been re-released yet again in the last 5 years or so, but the passive 700 is new. The SB 1000 was the very first bass on MTV, appearing on "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles. These were very famous basses in the 80's, and are well worth checking out. They were known as the "poor man's Alembic", released in various configurations, and played by a number of famous bassists at one time or another. Including John Taylor of Duran Duran, Cliff Burton, Rudy Sarzo, Jack Bruce , Marcus Miller, Juan Formell of Los Van Van, Les Nemes and many others. The Lord has blessed me with 4 different models, all of which cost a song at the time. The originals are hard to find and stupid expensive now. It looks like they have done a good job of it. Thank you so much for this review.
I have an original SB 700 From the late 70s from Japan Matsumoku factory. Brass bridge and nut. A great instrument. Jack Bruce used one also. There were several different models from that era.
Beautiful looking and sounding bass… it has between MusicMan and Precision sound as you dial in … the SB 1000 has more variation.. but in my case this bass I love how it sounds …. I will like to add it on my arsenal ….
![Victory Amps MK Clean & OD [With Martin Kidd & Lee Anderton]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/PgKHBpHKQ-g/mqdefault.jpg)
Jayme "I'm not much of a slapper" proceeds to triple slap with ease.
Love this format. Owned 2 Aria Pro 2s in the 1990s
Awesome demo, awesome bass! Even though it has some similarities to a P (series mode) and a StingRay (parallel mode), it's definitely its own thing. The pickup position is right between the two as well, but probably the neck-through construction makes it sound very different still. Amazing how versatile a single-pickup passive bass can be!
I'm happy to own a cousin of this one: an old Aria Pro II RSB Standard from '83 out of the legendary Matsumoku factory. I got it really cheap, but it's amazing! It has a P-style pickup in the same position as the SB, but a bolt-on neck and a simple bent-steel bridge. Sounds very much like a P, with hints of a StingRay, depending on how/where you pluck the strings. But plays much easier because of the slim J-style neck and downsized body.
I changed the pickup to a less hot AlNiCo5 one which brings it much closer to a vintage P. I also have flats on it, and now it _begs_ to be played Joe Dart style. But it also loves Motown and Soul. After listening to your demo, I'm thinking about adding a series/parallel switch... On the other hand, I love its pureness and simplicity.
I'm a huge Matsumoku fan. My 1984 Electra Futura is my pride and joy. I also played an amazing mid-80s neckthru Ibanez for a few years.
I was also lucky enough to own a Univox HI-Flier 6-string for a time. It's a comfortable guitar to play aggressively, and the original pickups are so legit.
JohnTaylor of Duran Duran used one back in the day, an SB1000. One of the nicest basses I've ever played, well the original ones were anyway.
he even started with SB-700 (first album and part of Rio), same colour
@@davormaricic was it not an SB600 with a bolt on neck?
@@bassatnight nope, it was neckthrough 700.
Btw, 600 were bolt-on (batwing and early openbooks) and post-1981 openbook set-neck versions
@@davormaricic John Taylor himself is quoted as stating he used a 600 on the first album as he couldn’t afford an Ibanez Musiciam.
Just checked his autobiography, and he does indeed state that it was a 600. I knew I hadn’t imagined it. 😉
Pretty sick. I have one from 1985 that is a beautiful instrument. One of my fav basses in my collection. Cheers from Nashville.
Great review! I own a Sb700 from 81, still all original and its always completely silent no matter the toggle position.
Those basses were awesome from day one. I remember getting the Aria Pro II catalog in 1982. Those bridges are the best, solid and sunk into the body. The bridge in this video looks like the old one, but as I take a closer look, it looks like a surface mount bridge.
I used to have a SB1000... It was a fabulous sounding bass. I found the neck to narrow for my thumping days but, a brilliant bass none the less
I still have my Aria from 1981….My dad bought it at SamAsh.
I was a John Taylor fan…It still plays great!
Cool review, but an (unsolicited) opinion: in the earky part of the review, you should make sure we can see the control knobs and switches in your front angle shots so we can see what settings you're changing. It's frustrating because it's cut off at the bottom of the screen. That said, I have an original 1980 SB-700 and it's great!
Me to, and exactly the same color and from 1981
I have one of the old Active Pro2 Lazer Electrics Phil Lynot was sometimes pictured with is a beast
i have an 80s RSB Deluxe that i love, amazing action.
This reminded me a Stingray (which I usually think sounds too bright) with a darker tone. Really loved it!
What a great review. Using the bass in mixes. It’s rare to see a reviewer actually use an instrument in a song. Brilliant stuff.
Nice! I’m glad somebody is reviewing an Aria bass!!! I have a Sb-1000 and it’s amazing! And yeah Cliff played the Sb-1000s but it’s pretty close! 🤘🏻🔥
Good day, and God bless you. This appears to be a new reissue of the Aria Pro SB 700, which I didn't know existed!
The active SB 1000 has been reissued numerous times and has been re-released yet again in the last 5 years or so, but the passive 700 is new.
The SB 1000 was the very first bass on MTV, appearing on "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles.
These were very famous basses in the 80's, and are well worth checking out. They were known as the "poor man's Alembic", released in various configurations, and played by a number of famous bassists at one time or another. Including John Taylor of Duran Duran, Cliff Burton, Rudy Sarzo, Jack Bruce , Marcus Miller, Juan Formell of Los Van Van, Les Nemes and many others.
The Lord has blessed me with 4 different models, all of which cost a song at the time. The originals are hard to find and stupid expensive now. It looks like they have done a good job of it.
Thank you so much for this review.
I have an original SB 700 From the late 70s from Japan Matsumoku factory. Brass bridge and nut. A great instrument. Jack Bruce used one also. There were several different models from that era.
Wow Jayme that's really nice
Beautiful looking and sounding bass… it has between MusicMan and Precision sound as you dial in … the SB 1000 has more variation.. but in my case this bass I love how it sounds …. I will like to add it on my arsenal ….
"I need to practice my slap"
*proceeds to play lines that most bass players aren't able to*
great demo, thanks! Beside not having a brass nut, looks and sounds like original SB-700.
It would be cool to see Jayme's review of the new Epiphone Grabber
Great video
It sounds great but, a bass is only ever as good as the person that plays it, and. You're a great player
always enjoy your videos bro. what headphones are you using?
Great video! I hate this bass, but I love your demos!
Beautiful bass, just wish they made a budget model! I think J&D make a good copy but not available in the west
“Perfectly balanced…as all things should be” - The purple guy
I want one
I want one so bad
Didn’t know you could still get them
Price?
Joe dart ?
Made in Indonesia? Eh
These aren't made in Japan? 😢