I have the aria pro II zzb deluxe in black with the red thunderbolt, original pickups, all my mates can say is it’s one mean bass. Current gig bass 10/10!
I've got a blue one, had it for 32 years. Years ago i used to gig it in a soul band in Cornwall UK....visually it didn't go too well with a grey suit jacket and shiny shoes, but it always played very well ...and had funk. I plan to upgrade the electrics, so this video has given me some useful ideas, thanks for posting it 👍
Such a great modifications. I owned this model as well but in the stock condition. Yours video gave me a very goooood guideline to mod this beast. Thank Lobster!!
Great video Lobster, or perhaps I should say 'far out man.' Howard Ulyate is truly a "mad scientist" with his windings. I'd love to hear the TBX control turned all the way up, and the bass played with a pick for "Roundabout." Cheers!
Thanks Floyd! I can't take the credit for the pickups, the owner of this bass send them with the bass. I put it all together for him though and I agree, it sounds great!
I’ve seen a few of those around and have been curious. Most seem to be out of Russia. Good job man. I find this body shape to be really comfortable especially if you play it in a classical position whilst seated.
We've got tons of different japanese guitars down here in Russia. They usually don't cost much: dirt cheap but great instruments for half a price of American-built ones. Usually even cheaper than MiM Fenders: just got myself Yamaha BB1200 (the vintage one, like McCartney's one) for nearly 600$ (more like 550), and Arias like the one in the video - 300-400$. =)
I though you were gonna throw a belt buckle attachment on it a do the ZZ Top guitar spinning thing to pay homage to Dusty Hill. Great sounding bass. Nice mods Lobster.
I love Metal shaped basses I usually play alot of Metal on my bass even though it's a Ibanez Roadstar II RB650 bass which a lot of punk rockers used in the mid to late 80's.
As usual a nice job.It sounds superb.I own a Carvin V440 that resembles it in a way.I put EMG P-Js in it almost 40 years ago and it sounds amazing.Also plays a dream.Played scores of gigs with it and I recorded it recently and I'm still blown away by the sound.Sometimes you do things and get a magic bass as I'm sure you've experienced.Just wish I had the formula.
Another great video!! That bass looks so fun to play. And by the presentation in the video it was a blast to play!! Thanks lobster for sharing. Have a great day.
Great vid as usual. They do come in 2 different scale lengths, 34 scale is available. The guitars also came in 2 scale lengths. I have one of each 👍🏻The neck thrus from this era are also top quality. Thanks again
Hah I just got a 1986 Aria Pro II MII w/ 32' scale. For my small JV collection of basses. I used to only play Japanese basses, until the 2 Harley Bentons on which your other videos sold me. I needed a piece that was totally '80's to fill a void, so I got an all white one w/ black knobs. But it's got nothing on the 80's imprimatur of this bass here. Sick bass, man. Sick.
I just recently bought something similar to the Aria Pro II ZZB; the Kramer Focus 8000. Like the said Aria, it's from the 80s and it's from Japan. Sounds similar, definitely rocks a great tone!
Those are Ulyate pickups. As in Howard Ulyate. He is a friend of mine here in Nashville Tn. I have those in a Keisel bass and they kill! I also have several other of his pickup varieties in other bass's. Including a Low End bass. Low End bass's here in Nashville is both a builder and "high end" boutique bass shop. Howard makes nearly all of the pickups that Low End and the Low End/Wilkins model bass's use now. They are super high end bass's of the utmost build quality. You should get one to make a video on for your channel. I know you will be impressed.
Impressive set of pickups! As it so happens I’m currently in contact with Howard Ulyate to build me a Music Man-style humbucker. Thanks for yet another great review! Is that TBX control available as an aftermarket part? Really interesting!
Great bass, just picked one up last week. Have enough Fenders Js and Ps,vintage and newer, 69 Gibson EB3 and 66 EBO. Epiphones, Squiers and Ibanez. The Aria ll pro is a monster, it's all original. Unless a crazy deal comes along all I am buying are the Made in Japan basses, besides the Aria in the last 2 years I have bought a Westone Concord and a Westbury Track ll, the Westbury comes stock with a Dimarzio P style Pup and so does the Westone. They are very well made and have tone for days. They are starting to go up in price because people are finding about these quality instruments. Now I'm am looking for a 80's Ibanez Roadstar bass.
Recently picked up an '82 Vantage Avenger for $219...it absolutely slays, and it's totally stock, some of the best cash I've spent on a bass in quite a while
Just noticed recently that Dean Guitars do three VERY wallet-friendly Metal basses like this - an Explorer, a Flying V and a classic Dean shape bass (looks like the Dimebag Darrell Signature). All in black and all very cool!
When I say "Wallet-friendly", I mean under two hundred quid (£180) in Britain so probably $220.00 US. Edit: If Epiphone absolutely don't want any money at all by NOT making Explorer and Flying V shaped basses anymore then Dean Guitars have got you covered. I'm getting all three of their Metal basses coz' they're A) So inexpensive and B) Blooming cool looking!
Here's a cool looking one on ebay for 499 Aria Pro II ZZB Custom Explorer model bass Purple Burst & Gold Body Color: Purple Burst & Gold Series: Custom String Configuration: 4 String Type: Electric Bass Guitar Model: Explorer Brand: Aria Country/Region of Manufacture: Japan Set Includes: Gig Bag Model Year: 1980s Body Type: Solid
Japanese instruments are great. I have a CIJ Fender Jaguar bass. It has the best craftsmanship of any guitar or bass I have ever owned. Too bad the electronics on it are not great - I'll eventually switch them out.
I love the shirt. Aria Pro reminds me of being a kid. When I was 13 (1983) and learning to play guitar, I’d see the music shops were pushing this brand. My friend, who was learning as well, had one. I thought they had a weird feel to them...like they were made out of candy. I don’t know why, candy is the material I would think someone would make a guitars from? Maybe because I always thought Japan was magical and had the power to make everything out of candy...yeh I was always this stupid. It could have been the colors were kinda candy looking...I want some candy now!!!! Anyway it was the 80s and everything was awful and I just figured if these instruments reflect the music that’s being made at this time...I would stay clear. But now that they have held up brilliantly, I’m totally intrigued, and want to see what I was missing. I definitely don’t need to be surprised that I was wrong about something...I’m more surprised when I’m right. Anyway... Awesome video and great job on such a magical bass made of candy. Cheers
Thanks Tommy! Great comment as always! It's interesting how one's taste buds for bass... bass buds?... change over time. For me, I've definitely developed a bit of a wider palate of appreciation for various bass flavors where I used to be a picky meat and potatoes kid (also literally in food terms, I've gotten way better hahaha)
@@LowEndLobster its true, you can’t be afraid of trying new things. There are so many wonderful treasures out there, basses and foods. The key is “try them all” then pick your favorites. Btw I went and put a 1976 Gibson The Ripper on “lay away” today.
I've got one of these in an amazing cheesy tealburst with gold hardware and it's a great bass. Using Rautia pickups currently but may have to look into these Ulyates!
0:00 Literally looked at a bunch of Aria basses yesterday (I'd like to get a set neck CSB or was tempted on a couple of CSB Deluxes that have double split coil fat p's on em...I have a CS-400 treble guitar that I love the shit out of and I think the Cardinal basses are gonna have a similar bat-like neck and I don't have a lot of bat neck profile instruments and I find them quite fun to play) and I've always wanted a ZZ just because they're cool but then we have the Ibanez X series now and there's an old X destroyer that performs beastly in every video or demo I've seen - like a super p bass bottom bounce on em.... This is gonna be fun!
4:25 the original pickups on Aria/Ibby from the period will be heard on everything from Whiplash to The Boys are Back in Town - also if you don't mention it later, there's about 5 of these for sale online right now and oddly enough they all dropped in price yesterday if they weren't already 399 or 499, I forget which. it was one of those weird things where every one you look at that day is near literally the same price...synchronicity is getting tighter as the human web grows snugger around this little rock...
damn the finishes on those 80's JPN guitars were so SOFT feeling...I had a Roadstar 2 treble guitar, new...pickups were a bit weak but the finish even on my cheap ass 199 buck comet blue with flimsy trem model was smooth and buttery feeling, like those oak chairs where they carve a butt print into it and it feels great even though there is no padding.
It looks like they used the original pickup cover/pole pieces and rewound the pickups and used a different magnet? The string spacing on the bridge is also adjustable to a certain extent, because the same bridge and pickup design were used on a wide variety of Aria basses, the models from 1978-84 came from the factory with 19mm spacing and models from 84-onward had 18mm spacing. And a lot of notable players used Aria instruments: Marcus Miller, Yngwe Malmsteen, Cliff Burton, John Taylor, Neal Schon, Michael Schenker, Jack Bruce, Conrad Lant, Hanoi Rocks, etc. They're excellent instruments with often unique pickup design and control layout.
What a sleeper. Sounds so good! Question: You have done a lot of short scales. Have you tried the affordable Ibanez TMB 30 short scale yet? Thanks Lobster!
I have TMB30. Good for the price, nice mod platform. The neck is quite chunky. I would love to see a comparison between TMB30 and Sire U5, I wonder what would be better: TMB30 modification or upgrade to U5.
@@paulinadabrowska3918 Thanks Paulina. I have a Squier Jag that I have played the hell out of for 10 years and now it needs a refresh. Need a solid cheap bass in the mean time. I think it might be the mighty TMB30.
@@jeremygalvin110 for the price it's really well made, no issues with edges and overall look and feel, comfortable to play. But this bass is cheap. Keep in mind that hardware is the first thing you may want to change. Every tuner works differently and they're too heavy (neck dive isn't big, but noticable). There's also some noise from bridge pickup. With that being said, I'm still happy that I picked up this bass, even though earlier I had today's hero, Aria ZZB :) TMB30 has a character and its look make me want to play it :)
Hey, great video! I dig that bass. I have three questions: 1. What strings are those? Nylon ones? 2. How is the balance of that instrument? Can it sit on lap? 3. Do you have any video or photo on how it looked before your mod? I would love to see the whole modding process.
Thank you Eliakim! I have three answers :) 1. DR Black Beauties 2. It's balanced well, especially with the hipshots and the large rear 'spike' which counterbalances quite well 3. I do not. It just didn't have pickups or electronics installed and old tuners. I wish I did more video on the mod process of this one, but I do have more in depth mod videos of other projects coming :)
Say Lobster, if you want to see one of those in action, here's Dio live in 1984 with Bass player Jimmy Bain using a metallic blue ZZB, more interestingly, seeing as how it's a medium scale bass, he used his as his dropped D bass. ruclips.net/video/-08AvHeqn3Q/видео.html
Thanks Frederic! These are just DR Black Beauties that the owner of the bass included with all the parts. I do have a video coming up testing out some Nylon Tapewound strings though!
@@LowEndLobster YES. please, get your string reps to send you a bunch - Since I've started liking flats so much I have this weird feeling I'm going to LOVE tapes. There will be some different kinds of dialing in to do, I am sure, but changing your string types is a huge shift and just like when you set up instruments to have different tunings the same goes for strings - an instrument set up with flats is going to clatter like hell with rounds, for instance. Since the nylon wraps aren't magnetically significant, the metal string CORE is the object of consideration and my current theory is that I can gain some upper subharmonics while keeping a my low end dynamics if I can get strings that aren't lighter gauge overall but lighter gauge at their CORE because the tapes modulate your finger tone giving you a lot of sonic palette to work with and the centers modulate your primary or carrier energy giving you improved sustain and harmonic richness as well as cleaner regeneration in the feedback paths. Someday I'll have a bench again and I'll be able to answer these questions straightaway with an spectrum analyzer and arbitrary waveform generator. *over the rainbow plays in background*
@@LowEndLobster Actually, I just risked getting another beating from the wife and ordered this set for my Peavey Unity 4 rebuild. ;-) It's a standard 4-inline 34" scale PJ, just neck through maple center/poplar wings. I saw a Koa one up on Etsy but it's 1500 USD all in plus it's in Japan, so it would be in transit for a while even if I wanted to spend that much on it (translation: had the $$ lol) La Bella 750G Gold White Nylon Tapewound Bass Strings - Light PRODUCT DESCRIPTION The Gold White Nylon Tape Wound bass strings are the latest addition to our popular tape wound lineup! Constructed with Golden Alloy (80/20 brass) underlays, these strings are brighter in tone compared to the Copper White Nylon Tape Wounds, and also have dramatically increased attack and sustain. White Nylon Tape Wound on Golden Alloy Underlay Brighter in tone compared to Copper White Nylon Tape strings Light Tension String Gauges: .050, .065, .085, .105 Made in the USA Packaged using MAP Technology (Modified Atmosphere Packaging) to prevent tarnishing and ensure freshness All standard bass sets are LONG scale length. The 1st (G), 2nd (D), 3rd (A) strings are 38” from ball-end to silk/taper. The 4th (E) string is 36 ¾” from ball-end to silk/taper. Only the silk portion of the string should be cut or else the string will break.
I can't praise the shape, it's not my thing. Objectively speaking, it screams 80s all around and it's a positive thing. On the other hand, the sound of this bass is really great and it looks very fun to play!
those come up on eBay for sale a couple times a year but i dont know... Explorer always looks amazing to me but playability was always a no go for me...for almost 15 years i owned a hondo Explorer bass from the early 80s and a very early ibanez Destroyer bass...ended up selling both about 3 years ago because i am getting more and more into precision basses and i almost never played those two...more wallhangers to me...
Hello- I just bought one, same color, from a Reverb vendor from Japan, and it’s on its way here to America. According to the vendor’s statement it’s still stock but your video has piqued my interest in trying out your pick up and tone control mod. I wonder if the stock capacitor would be compatible or if the Ulyate literature would suggest the proper farad rating?
Really like the ice pic look. Great mod too. I think with the scale though would mess me up on my fretting hand being used to 34”. How do you play different scale basses and not get messed up switching scales?
I have a 35” scale bass and some 34”. I go back and forth between those and my 24.75”, 25.5” and 26.5” guitars. You don’t really notice anything other than the instrument feels bigger somehow and get use to it in the first minutes of playing.
I have both a 34" and a 22.75" scale bass, and it feels reeeeeally different to swap between them. But as the other guy said, between 34" and 32.3", you will find the latter shorter, but you can get used to it in minutes.
@@MrEliakimRAS Going from a standard 34" scale to a 22.75" is quite a drastic change. I would be worried about muscle memory, but I guess you get used to it over time.
All the Aria Pro II Deluxe bass models of the period come with double split coils. Here's a cool looking one on ebay for 499 Aria Pro II ZZB Custom Explorer model bass Purple Burst & Gold Body Color: Purple Burst & Gold Series: Custom String Configuration: 4 String Type: Electric Bass Guitar Model: Explorer Brand: Aria Country/Region of Manufacture: Japan Set Includes: Gig Bag Model Year: 1980s Body Type: Solid Aria also did some crazy ass factory finishes - every one had GAS for the black/white split bass. The rising sun guitars with characters on them, wild patterns, insane blue and purple metallic bursts, half black/half white (I think there was a half red half black model too), splatter, crinkle, barbed wire...if you see something on a guitar today, chances are you're going to find something like it on an Aria from the 80's. Aria crinkle finishes from the era are the archetype for those that came after - there's not much that comes that's so wild with so much production volume since, I don't think.
@@russellzauner dang, i really dont need a new bass but those things look amazing, and I've always wanted to try a double split coil setup, might have to pick one up. Vintage Japanese made basses are def my weakness, got an ibanez blazer in natural and an Ibanez rs-924 in candy apple red (I don't think that's the offical name for the finish tho)
Great question! I don't leave my house enough to justify one. I already have a steam link that works great when I want to do some couch gaming. I think it's neat though!
I'd love to get one of those Explorer-shaped Arias and Fernandeses. They sound amazing and are quite affordable
Thanks oskarus!
I've got an 86 Aria Pro II "The Cat" that I bought on eBay earlier in the year as a project. I really need to working on it!
Aria Pro basses are fantastic! I have a 1980 Aria Pro II SB-1000 that is easily one of my best playing basses I own.
I have the aria pro II zzb deluxe in black with the red thunderbolt, original pickups, all my mates can say is it’s one mean bass. Current gig bass 10/10!
Looks like something John Entwistle would have loved! It's basically an Explorer. Popular in the 80's but originated as a guitar design in the 50's.
oh man... i love those bases and guitars, i wish they still made stuff like that
They don't make em like they used to!... Well they do in Japan but they don't make the pointy ones anymore hahaha
Reminds me of John Entwistle’s bass from the 70s. Sounds good too!
Aria one of Cliff Burton's trusted brands along with the Rickenbacker
Aria RSB Cliff Burton Sig is always floating around if you want one. But even the beat to hell ones are like 5k USD lol
Black and gold!
Indeed!
You look so happy playing this great bass!!! Nice!!!
I was! It amazes me that this bass could sit in pieces for so long and feel so good after being put back together
I was surprised to hear one of the best slap tones out of that. Wow! So cool.
Thanks Jiminy!
I've got a blue one, had it for 32 years. Years ago i used to gig it in a soul band in Cornwall UK....visually it didn't go too well with a grey suit jacket and shiny shoes, but it always played very well ...and had funk. I plan to upgrade the electrics, so this video has given me some useful ideas, thanks for posting it 👍
that beautiful beast sounds awesome
Thanks Johnny!
It really does
Crustacean worthy bass, very nice mods, it does sound fairly decent. Thanks Lobster 🦞
Thanks Sparks!
wow I'm impressed by those pickups. Not surprised at the Japanese craftmanship. Very impressed with the pickups!
Almost (almost) makes me miss the 80s Ibby Destroyer I used to bang on…but this sounds 1000% better, and looks much higher quality 🤣 So cool!
Such a great modifications.
I owned this model as well but in the stock condition.
Yours video gave me a very goooood guideline to mod this beast.
Thank Lobster!!
Great video Lobster, or perhaps I should say 'far out man.' Howard Ulyate is truly a "mad scientist" with his windings. I'd love to hear the TBX control turned all the way up, and the bass played with a pick for "Roundabout." Cheers!
Thanks Chris! He really is. I played some other basses from Moonshine with his pickups and they sounded killer
thanks for jacking up the price of that, really appreciate it
Lol sorry
XD
Great job Lobby,,it's so bright,,great choice of pups!
Thanks Floyd! I can't take the credit for the pickups, the owner of this bass send them with the bass. I put it all together for him though and I agree, it sounds great!
I’ve seen a few of those around and have been curious. Most seem to be out of Russia. Good job man. I find this body shape to be really comfortable especially if you play it in a classical position whilst seated.
We've got tons of different japanese guitars down here in Russia. They usually don't cost much: dirt cheap but great instruments for half a price of American-built ones. Usually even cheaper than MiM Fenders: just got myself Yamaha BB1200 (the vintage one, like McCartney's one) for nearly 600$ (more like 550), and Arias like the one in the video - 300-400$. =)
Thank you Dean!
Loved it. The tone control is great. I always feel I should have a wacky 80s bass in my armoury, even though I’m not really taken with the look!!
Thanks Rev! I've always wanted to check out one of those weird 80's G&Ls, the pointy ones
I though you were gonna throw a belt buckle attachment on it a do the ZZ Top guitar spinning thing to pay homage to Dusty Hill. Great sounding bass. Nice mods Lobster.
Thanks Billy! I should have upholstered it with that fluffy stuff hahaha
Great idea, Billy!
Lobster, you have to do a second video showing this move. You can call it "The Lobster Roll".
I love Metal shaped basses I usually play alot of Metal on my bass even though it's a Ibanez Roadstar II RB650 bass which a lot of punk rockers used in the mid to late 80's.
I have an Aria Pro ii too, but is the SB R-80 from 1981, very nice construction and tone, awesome vid!
That bass is really impressive. Thanks lobster.
Thanks Ross!
As usual a nice job.It sounds superb.I own a Carvin V440 that resembles it in a way.I put EMG P-Js in it almost 40 years ago and it sounds amazing.Also plays a dream.Played scores of gigs with it and I recorded it recently and I'm still blown away by the sound.Sometimes you do things and get a magic bass as I'm sure you've experienced.Just wish I had the formula.
This just intensifies my desire for an Explorer style bass.
Those hard angles get me so... uhh... yep time to march down to HR.
@@LowEndLobster time out lobster....I spend much time here
HR ?
@@shortarms100 Human resources ;P
@@LowEndLobster shh
Man, really great sound! Nice to see your Fun with this bass 😆
I bought one of these bran new in 1983 I wish I still had it
Awesome review, lobster 😎🤘🏻🎸 I’ve been a fan of explorer styled basses and this bass has such a killer tone and look.
Dude no one can rock that like you nobody
Another great video!! That bass looks so fun to play. And by the presentation in the video it was a blast to play!! Thanks lobster for sharing. Have a great day.
Great vid as usual. They do come in 2 different scale lengths, 34 scale is available. The guitars also came in 2 scale lengths. I have one of each 👍🏻The neck thrus from this era are also top quality. Thanks again
Thank you for the info and compliment! Glad you liked the video
Thumbs up for those Japanese basses! 😊 From a true believer!
Thanks Kenneth!
Hah I just got a 1986 Aria Pro II MII w/ 32' scale. For my small JV collection of basses. I used to only play Japanese basses, until the 2 Harley Bentons on which your other videos sold me. I needed a piece that was totally '80's to fill a void, so I got an all white one w/ black knobs. But it's got nothing on the 80's imprimatur of this bass here. Sick bass, man. Sick.
I just recently bought something similar to the Aria Pro II ZZB; the Kramer Focus 8000. Like the said Aria, it's from the 80s and it's from Japan. Sounds similar, definitely rocks a great tone!
That bass sounds great! Nice work...
Amazing job again Lobster. Great sound very surprised how good it is.
Great job. It has nice bite and growl. You had way too much fun playing it. Great sound. I bet it records well.
Sounds good! I dig older instruments because of that mojo that have. Quirky is cool!
Those are Ulyate pickups. As in Howard Ulyate. He is a friend of mine here in Nashville Tn. I have those in a Keisel bass and they kill! I also have several other of his pickup varieties in other bass's. Including a Low End bass. Low End bass's here in Nashville is both a builder and "high end" boutique bass shop. Howard makes nearly all of the pickups that Low End and the Low End/Wilkins model bass's use now. They are super high end bass's of the utmost build quality. You should get one to make a video on for your channel. I know you will be impressed.
that bass sounds amazing ... i would strip it to natural wood for the entwistle look
Thanks Fernando!
Those mods are excellent ! 😁👍🏽🎸
Sounds awesome 👍
Thanks Phil!
I had one, in blue :) There's 'Pro' in the name for a reason! For me the original pickups' sound was darker and more punchy. Even with flats, haha!
Great job ! I can’t put it down
Enjoy it! You got a winner!
Impressive set of pickups! As it so happens I’m currently in contact with Howard Ulyate to build me a Music Man-style humbucker.
Thanks for yet another great review!
Is that TBX control available as an aftermarket part? Really interesting!
It is! You can use experiment with different value caps and stuff with it too. I forget the value I used on this but it wasn't stock
Great sounding bass I really like the of this bass.
That bass likes you!
XD Thanks John
the explorer body shape needs to be brought back, it's a really comfortable one just like the T bird shape, with much less headstock weight
Great bass, just picked one up last week. Have enough Fenders Js and Ps,vintage and newer, 69 Gibson EB3 and 66 EBO. Epiphones, Squiers and Ibanez. The Aria ll pro is a monster, it's all original. Unless a crazy deal comes along all I am buying are the Made in Japan basses, besides the Aria in the last 2 years I have bought a Westone Concord and a Westbury Track ll, the Westbury comes stock with a Dimarzio P style Pup and so does the Westone. They are very well made and have tone for days. They are starting to go up in price because people are finding about these quality instruments. Now I'm am looking for a 80's Ibanez Roadstar bass.
Recently picked up an '82 Vantage Avenger for $219...it absolutely slays, and it's totally stock, some of the best cash I've spent on a bass in quite a while
Just noticed recently that Dean Guitars do three VERY wallet-friendly Metal basses like this - an Explorer, a Flying V and a classic Dean shape bass (looks like the Dimebag Darrell Signature). All in black and all very cool!
Thanks! I saw those, they definitely look interesting. I'll do my best to check one out (probably the flying V!) at some point
When I say "Wallet-friendly", I mean under two hundred quid (£180) in Britain so probably $220.00 US.
Edit: If Epiphone absolutely don't want any money at all by NOT making Explorer and Flying V shaped basses anymore then Dean Guitars have got you covered. I'm getting all three of their Metal basses coz' they're A) So inexpensive and B) Blooming cool looking!
@@LowEndLobster Looking forward to it!
Oh my god...I want one!
Here's a cool looking one on ebay for 499
Aria Pro II ZZB Custom Explorer model bass Purple Burst & Gold
Body Color: Purple Burst & Gold Series: Custom
String Configuration: 4 String Type: Electric Bass Guitar
Model: Explorer Brand: Aria
Country/Region of Manufacture: Japan Set Includes: Gig Bag
Model Year: 1980s Body Type: Solid
the way you summon Lucifer playing that bass makes me wish for you to enter my Coven
Japanese instruments are great. I have a CIJ Fender Jaguar bass. It has the best craftsmanship of any guitar or bass I have ever owned. Too bad the electronics on it are not great - I'll eventually switch them out.
They really are! Sounds like a fun mod project
I love the shirt. Aria Pro reminds me of being a kid. When I was 13 (1983) and learning to play guitar, I’d see the music shops were pushing this brand. My friend, who was learning as well, had one. I thought they had a weird feel to them...like they were made out of candy. I don’t know why, candy is the material I would think someone would make a guitars from? Maybe because I always thought Japan was magical and had the power to make everything out of candy...yeh I was always this stupid. It could have been the colors were kinda candy looking...I want some candy now!!!! Anyway it was the 80s and everything was awful and I just figured if these instruments reflect the music that’s being made at this time...I would stay clear. But now that they have held up brilliantly, I’m totally intrigued, and want to see what I was missing. I definitely don’t need to be surprised that I was wrong about something...I’m more surprised when I’m right. Anyway...
Awesome video and great job on such a magical bass made of candy. Cheers
Thanks Tommy! Great comment as always! It's interesting how one's taste buds for bass... bass buds?... change over time. For me, I've definitely developed a bit of a wider palate of appreciation for various bass flavors where I used to be a picky meat and potatoes kid (also literally in food terms, I've gotten way better hahaha)
@@LowEndLobster its true, you can’t be afraid of trying new things. There are so many wonderful treasures out there, basses and foods. The key is “try them all” then pick your favorites.
Btw I went and put a 1976 Gibson The Ripper on “lay away” today.
I have had 3 aria pro basses and all were great. I ended up selling them to players looking to upgrade their first basses.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing, Chris!
Used to have this one. Very sorry I sold it somewhere in the eighties. Still got my Aria Pro II CSB 360 though. Also a GREAT bass.
I've got one of these in an amazing cheesy tealburst with gold hardware and it's a great bass. Using Rautia pickups currently but may have to look into these Ulyates!
They are amazing . This is my bass & I can’t put it down
@@shortarms100 It looks like they aren't listed on their site at all. Were these a special order from them?
@@JakeKlaus I did correspond with him so it’s possible
0:00 Literally looked at a bunch of Aria basses yesterday (I'd like to get a set neck CSB or was tempted on a couple of CSB Deluxes that have double split coil fat p's on em...I have a CS-400 treble guitar that I love the shit out of and I think the Cardinal basses are gonna have a similar bat-like neck and I don't have a lot of bat neck profile instruments and I find them quite fun to play) and I've always wanted a ZZ just because they're cool but then we have the Ibanez X series now and there's an old X destroyer that performs beastly in every video or demo I've seen - like a super p bass bottom bounce on em....
This is gonna be fun!
1:25 Matsumoku build, 100%
4:25 the original pickups on Aria/Ibby from the period will be heard on everything from Whiplash to The Boys are Back in Town - also if you don't mention it later, there's about 5 of these for sale online right now and oddly enough they all dropped in price yesterday if they weren't already 399 or 499, I forget which. it was one of those weird things where every one you look at that day is near literally the same price...synchronicity is getting tighter as the human web grows snugger around this little rock...
damn the finishes on those 80's JPN guitars were so SOFT feeling...I had a Roadstar 2 treble guitar, new...pickups were a bit weak but the finish even on my cheap ass 199 buck comet blue with flimsy trem model was smooth and buttery feeling, like those oak chairs where they carve a butt print into it and it feels great even though there is no padding.
sounds awesome dude. I'm sure I'm in the minority but I've always liked pointy basses.
Thanks Jason! I dig em too, just don't like shipping em or storing the cases hahaha
It looks like they used the original pickup cover/pole pieces and rewound the pickups and used a different magnet? The string spacing on the bridge is also adjustable to a certain extent, because the same bridge and pickup design were used on a wide variety of Aria basses, the models from 1978-84 came from the factory with 19mm spacing and models from 84-onward had 18mm spacing. And a lot of notable players used Aria instruments: Marcus Miller, Yngwe Malmsteen, Cliff Burton, John Taylor, Neal Schon, Michael Schenker, Jack Bruce, Conrad Lant, Hanoi Rocks, etc. They're excellent instruments with often unique pickup design and control layout.
What a sleeper. Sounds so good! Question: You have done a lot of short scales. Have you tried the affordable Ibanez TMB 30 short scale yet? Thanks Lobster!
Thanks Jeremy! Great question. I am looking forward to checking out the TMB30 (or 35) and the Mezzo, but I haven't played them yet
I have TMB30. Good for the price, nice mod platform. The neck is quite chunky. I would love to see a comparison between TMB30 and Sire U5, I wonder what would be better: TMB30 modification or upgrade to U5.
@@LowEndLobster Thanks Lobster!
@@paulinadabrowska3918 Thanks Paulina. I have a Squier Jag that I have played the hell out of for 10 years and now it needs a refresh. Need a solid cheap bass in the mean time. I think it might be the mighty TMB30.
@@jeremygalvin110 for the price it's really well made, no issues with edges and overall look and feel, comfortable to play. But this bass is cheap. Keep in mind that hardware is the first thing you may want to change. Every tuner works differently and they're too heavy (neck dive isn't big, but noticable). There's also some noise from bridge pickup. With that being said, I'm still happy that I picked up this bass, even though earlier I had today's hero, Aria ZZB :) TMB30 has a character and its look make me want to play it :)
THE LOBSTER IS COOKING !
Hey, great video! I dig that bass. I have three questions:
1. What strings are those? Nylon ones?
2. How is the balance of that instrument? Can it sit on lap?
3. Do you have any video or photo on how it looked before your mod? I would love to see the whole modding process.
Thank you Eliakim! I have three answers :)
1. DR Black Beauties
2. It's balanced well, especially with the hipshots and the large rear 'spike' which counterbalances quite well
3. I do not. It just didn't have pickups or electronics installed and old tuners. I wish I did more video on the mod process of this one, but I do have more in depth mod videos of other projects coming :)
Thanks for the quick answer Lobster! You rock!
The nsss looked almost the same but the tuners & bridge were gold Aria branded
Could you do a review of the Epiphone explorer bass please!
John entwistle would love that
Why the heck is the Fujigen Mighty Power bass not hanging on the wall anymore?🤣.
Long story! I still have it but there was an incident that made me get it refinished and that was a whole process hahaha
Say Lobster, if you want to see one of those in action, here's Dio live in 1984 with Bass player Jimmy Bain using a metallic blue ZZB, more interestingly, seeing as how it's a medium scale bass, he used his as his dropped D bass.
ruclips.net/video/-08AvHeqn3Q/видео.html
I had an 82’ Aria Pro in Blue but that medium scale was a huge deal breaker for me when it came to limited string options 😬
Hi Lobster, nice review, nice bass, nice playing, nice beard.... I see some nylon taped strings, what type are they ?
Thanks Frederic! These are just DR Black Beauties that the owner of the bass included with all the parts. I do have a video coming up testing out some Nylon Tapewound strings though!
@@LowEndLobster YES. please, get your string reps to send you a bunch - Since I've started liking flats so much I have this weird feeling I'm going to LOVE tapes. There will be some different kinds of dialing in to do, I am sure, but changing your string types is a huge shift and just like when you set up instruments to have different tunings the same goes for strings - an instrument set up with flats is going to clatter like hell with rounds, for instance.
Since the nylon wraps aren't magnetically significant, the metal string CORE is the object of consideration and my current theory is that I can gain some upper subharmonics while keeping a my low end dynamics if I can get strings that aren't lighter gauge overall but lighter gauge at their CORE because the tapes modulate your finger tone giving you a lot of sonic palette to work with and the centers modulate your primary or carrier energy giving you improved sustain and harmonic richness as well as cleaner regeneration in the feedback paths.
Someday I'll have a bench again and I'll be able to answer these questions straightaway with an spectrum analyzer and arbitrary waveform generator.
*over the rainbow plays in background*
@@LowEndLobster Actually, I just risked getting another beating from the wife and ordered this set for my Peavey Unity 4 rebuild. ;-) It's a standard 4-inline 34" scale PJ, just neck through maple center/poplar wings. I saw a Koa one up on Etsy but it's 1500 USD all in plus it's in Japan, so it would be in transit for a while even if I wanted to spend that much on it (translation: had the $$ lol)
La Bella 750G Gold White Nylon Tapewound Bass Strings - Light
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The Gold White Nylon Tape Wound bass strings are the latest addition to our popular tape wound lineup! Constructed with Golden Alloy (80/20 brass) underlays, these strings are brighter in tone compared to the Copper White Nylon Tape Wounds, and also have dramatically increased attack and sustain.
White Nylon Tape Wound on Golden Alloy Underlay
Brighter in tone compared to Copper White Nylon Tape strings
Light Tension
String Gauges: .050, .065, .085, .105
Made in the USA
Packaged using MAP Technology (Modified Atmosphere Packaging) to prevent tarnishing and ensure freshness
All standard bass sets are LONG scale length. The 1st (G), 2nd (D), 3rd (A) strings are 38” from ball-end to silk/taper. The 4th (E) string is 36 ¾” from ball-end to silk/taper. Only the silk portion of the string should be cut or else the string will break.
I can't praise the shape, it's not my thing. Objectively speaking, it screams 80s all around and it's a positive thing.
On the other hand, the sound of this bass is really great and it looks very fun to play!
It’s ok . I love these designs - along with the traditional ones
Thanks B@ssiCS! It really was surprisingly a blast! My first experience with the brand and this weird scale length
Hahaha cool bass. Them pickups are sweet
Thanks Chris!
My god........james hetfield made a bass for his birthday......
Haha :DD
James Hetfield Gets a 8 string
It’s my bass lol
those come up on eBay for sale a couple times a year but i dont know... Explorer always looks amazing to me but playability was always a no go for me...for almost 15 years i owned a hondo Explorer bass from the early 80s and a very early ibanez Destroyer bass...ended up selling both about 3 years ago because i am getting more and more into precision basses and i almost never played those two...more wallhangers to me...
there's like 5 online right now for under half a kbuck
Hello- I just bought one, same color, from a Reverb vendor from Japan, and it’s on its way here to America. According to the vendor’s statement it’s still stock but your video has piqued my interest in trying out your pick up and tone control mod. I wonder if the stock capacitor would be compatible or if the Ulyate literature would suggest the proper farad rating?
Really like the ice pic look. Great mod too. I think with the scale though would mess me up on my fretting hand being used to 34”. How do you play different scale basses and not get messed up switching scales?
I have a 35” scale bass and some 34”. I go back and forth between those and my 24.75”, 25.5” and 26.5” guitars. You don’t really notice anything other than the instrument feels bigger somehow and get use to it in the first minutes of playing.
I have both a 34" and a 22.75" scale bass, and it feels reeeeeally different to swap between them. But as the other guy said, between 34" and 32.3", you will find the latter shorter, but you can get used to it in minutes.
@@Shalloworldmx What about muscle memory? I could understand a 34" to 35" wouldn't be a big deal, but what about going from 35" to 24.75"?
@@MrEliakimRAS Going from a standard 34" scale to a 22.75" is quite a drastic change. I would be worried about muscle memory, but I guess you get used to it over time.
@@jakp8777 I believe the 24.75"-26.5" guitars he talked about are regular guitars, not bass guitars.
thought it came stock with double p pickups amd i got spme real GAS for a moment
All the Aria Pro II Deluxe bass models of the period come with double split coils.
Here's a cool looking one on ebay for 499
Aria Pro II ZZB Custom Explorer model bass Purple Burst & Gold
Body Color: Purple Burst & Gold Series: Custom
String Configuration: 4 String Type: Electric Bass Guitar
Model: Explorer Brand: Aria
Country/Region of Manufacture: Japan Set Includes: Gig Bag
Model Year: 1980s Body Type: Solid
Aria also did some crazy ass factory finishes - every one had GAS for the black/white split bass.
The rising sun guitars with characters on them, wild patterns, insane blue and purple metallic bursts, half black/half white (I think there was a half red half black model too), splatter, crinkle, barbed wire...if you see something on a guitar today, chances are you're going to find something like it on an Aria from the 80's.
Aria crinkle finishes from the era are the archetype for those that came after - there's not much that comes that's so wild with so much production volume since, I don't think.
@@russellzauner dang, i really dont need a new bass but those things look amazing, and I've always wanted to try a double split coil setup, might have to pick one up.
Vintage Japanese made basses are def my weakness, got an ibanez blazer in natural and an Ibanez rs-924 in candy apple red (I don't think that's the offical name for the finish tho)
A bit left-field this question, but since I don't have Discord - will you be getting the Steam Deck, Lobster? What are your thoughts?
Great question! I don't leave my house enough to justify one. I already have a steam link that works great when I want to do some couch gaming. I think it's neat though!
Strange looking amazing sound search for oby 1 kanoby or flesh gordon they will come may the force be with you👽🚀🛸
Thank you Ram! This is the way :)
Well, whaddaya know?
I have one of these in bass boat blue sparkle burst...
Nice!
Is he wearing his pyjamas??
I'm into Jordan Peterson too!
Lol I am not
Fugggggggggggly!
Well we know who's getting impaled by the headstock first! ;P
A POX ON THEE !
you can both rock and murder people with this instrument