Aria Pro II XRB-2A

This is an Oriental made 4 string active/passive bass. The Aria website lists the XRB models as being made 1987 to 1989 so I would guess that it's probably Korean made rather than Japanese. There's a small gold and black label on the back of the bolt on neck at its base displaying "XRB-2A/CA". I can't say if this is still Matsumoku manufactured as were earlier Arias but it's a well-made instrument. It has 21 frets on a 34 inch scale with small MOP markers, a double cutaway body that P bass shaped except a bit longer through the middle, a top-loading bridge like a P or a J, and imitation Schaller tuners 4 in line on a pointy headstock. The body appears to be plywood and both the body and neck are finished in a red metallic poly and there's no pickguard. It's got 1 split P type P/U and 1 J type P/U with 3 pots for control: 1 volume, 1 tone, and 1 blend pot with a center detent. Additionally, it has a 3 position Les Paul type switch to select the P/Us individually or together and it has an on/off toggle to enable or disable the active feature. There is no multi-band EQ on this bass so the highs and lows can't be adjusted in the way that a MM or Ibanez active bass might be. The 9V battery is accessed by removing 2 cover screws on the back. It came in a cheap and worn gigbag but, with a used bass like this, something was better than nothing.

I collect old and/or odd instruments sort of as a hobby, especially when they require some repairs to get them functional again. I mostly play old '50 - '70s type stuff at home; I played about 10 years in various bands from the late '60 to the late '70s and I gauge the sounds of any bass against the old Fender Teles I still have. I mostly use this through a little practice amp but I have an Acoustic 370 that I use at times for a bit more sound and to disturb the neighbors. This bass has a full sound that can be bassy and warm or have that trebly active sound for slap or pop techniques. On the downside, it doesn't have selective EQ adjustment and it has a buzz if either P/U is selected individually and it gets louder if it's switched active. This might be addressed by shielding the body cavity and P/Us but this isn't a high priority project for me at the moment. In short, it's very versatile though limited in the range of sounds but the buzz is obnoxious.

This is pretty subjective on a used instrument, especially a pawnshop special. As found, it was filthy and grimy, the cord jack was semi-functional, and the pickups were adjusted all the way down in the body. The bridge had some surface rust and the bass required a disassembly, cleaning, reassembly, and adjustment (this is primarily why I bought it, as a repair project). After some hours of cleaning, neck removal, reassembly, jack replacement, and adjustment, it's functional and sounds really good,if the buzzy electrics are ignored. Any perceived flaws have been fixed, except for several paint chips on the body, and I'll rate it as it stands after repairs.

It seems like a reliable bass as any previous owners treated it with little care and it's back in playing form again. The finish has some chips but no major gouges or dings and poly is quite durable as for wear. The strap buttons are solid as is the bridge and the electrics and the neck has't required any adjustment since it was reassembled almost a year ago. It's gig and roadworthy but the wise musician always carries a backup as sometimes the unlikeliest things can occur.

There was no warranty on a used, 15 year old bass. Aria has a website but there has been no reason to contact them so customer support from them is an unknown quantity.

I've been playing music since 1963 when I was drafted into my HS orchestra. Later, I bought my first bass and played semi-pro from about '68 through '79 when I quit music entirely. Got back into fiddling with my old Fender basses a few years ago and have acquired several more basses and more than a few guitars and amps, too. I have several active basses: an Ibanez ATK 305, a Peavey Sarzo, and a Washburn MB-5 in addition to this one. Compared to the others, this one is not quite as good (the Ibanez and the Sarzo have 3 band EQs while this just has a tone pot) but it's no slouch and sounds better in passive mode than a lot of the passive basses I own, notably 2 MIM Fenders. I bought it as a fix-up project and I had fun with it; the fact that it sounds decent is just a plus and I like the active sound but dislike the noisy electrics. If stolen, I'd be disappointed but I wouldn't really need to replace it. In all, it's something that's a good student or beginner instrument, solid and reliable if just a bit noisy.