Aria Pro II RSB Deluxe 5

In 1976 this was the best you could find, unless you are the big fan of Fender Standard or Gibson bass. Made in Japan, this is one of the first five strings that actually have good sounding low B. Laminated rosewood fingerboard, main volume, 3 other bass-mid-treble knobs, two pickup switches. Everything you can emagine a bass to have. Active EMG pickups, ash body, and maple neck. Finish is Royal blue(nice!).Jazz bass, of course. Tuner and all hardware brass. Still OK. I bought tis bass with OHCase.

Sound is the best thing about this bass. Variety is huge, as well as sustain and quality. Fender Precision is the only one that(by far)has the sustain of it. Not noisy at all(for jazz), with the richest sound, with the lows that beat almost everything. Being massive(ash) makes it very warm, and all hats down on stage! For studio, I would go with my Acacia.

The action on this bass is great. That doesn't mean low!!! It's originaly been configured for gigs, so to avoid the buzz, it is adjusted to be moderate in action. The pickup job is really craftly executed, no leaks or anything. The fact this bass was custom made(for my brother) tells enough about the quality. I am the neck through fan, but this bolt-on stands up to all. Wood quality is gooood, finish is not so cool though.

It's a monster!!!Everything is still as it was 12 years ago when I started playing it...

I have to say that these guys are OK. I needed support on some specs(inlays) and it took them some time to figure out that this was a custom made(not the 1983 model). I had to wait three months for the answer, and I got it by the time I gave up on it...

I've been playing for over 15 years, and this wasn't my first bass, but my brother's. The playing experience is awesome, and I must say this is the best next to my Acacia. The sound variety is the best feature in overall. I would get it again, off course, anytime. I compared this one to numerous Fenders, G&L's, even Pedullas. It is right there...The only thing I wish it to be is neck through!!!

This is 1975 or 76 model, 5 string jazz bass made in Japan, with the laminated rosewood fretboard. Bunch of tone/volume selectors make your life easier, specially on stage. Active EMG's picks, beautiful ash body with the maple neck, all black, with brass hardware(Aria Pro). I believe this bass was special ordered, or so, because other Arias I played don't sound or look half as good.Having a toggle with 3 different tone options is another good thing. Original Hardcase was included.

This jazz baby is the second best bass I ever owned, next to 5 str. fretless Alembic(99). The reason must be the sound, because the moment I pick it up I have a very specific feel thet the BIG GROOVE is coming my way. Versatility is the key. One can get ten different sound sets in just a few seconds - from Jaco to Alain Caron, or Michel Donato. It seems that heavy ash gives the depth to the tone(very low when needed). Fine definition and clarity of sound is one step to being perfect. The only thing that bothers me at this point is that I really like the sound of fretless, and the fact I would probably have to spend a lot to bring my Aria there. The only thing to go further in discussion, this bass sounds much better on stage than in studio.

The set-up of the original wood configuration seems solid, and solid it is. Action, though, is not super-low. It woul probably be considered the midium one. The heavyness of the bas makes it fit well, but for some it could be to heavy. Players with differnet techniques agreed that this instrument is easy to play, even being a 5 string. Finish is still OK, not the best on earth though.

The best I ever played live. This model was used by rock bands in late seventies and early eighties, but is very hard to find now. That's why I decided to write about it at the first place. It's certainly more durable than any other I played (next to Rickenbacker 4003).

This bass came to me totaly unexpectedly. I bougt it from the bassist of a band that opened the show for The Yes band in London more than fifteen years ago. Therefore, I don't and never really needed to contact Aria after that.

I think I said quite enough about this bass. I've beeen playing for over 25 years, and I had no remorse after getting this Aria. Anyone who owns Pedulla jazz or Ken Smith should know what this bass sounds like. Many Fender Jazz and P players as well wanted to buy my Aria after had played it for just half an hour. But, as I said, for some reasons this one sounds two times better than any RSB made in 80's.