Rayman

If anyone cares about such things, the history of Aria is really interesting, and every bit as embedded in Japanese instrument manufacturing history as any of the other revered builders. The Aria story is really fascinating. They really cared about making high quality guitars, but these days it’s more about affordable offerings mostly, which is a shame.

Yes me too. I think now they’re seen as one of the entry level companies rather than being recognised for the great quality guitars they made in the 80s and 90s.

Yeah right? This is the same…. I had to double check it wasn’t active! This thing could be the new backup for the Thunderbird for gigs. Definitely a rock machine.

I’ve always been a fan of Aria, and in particular the original 90s Integra and IGB basses. My IGB 68 is currently my only 5 string, great bass, very underrated. However I picked this IGB SPT up recently for not a lot of money…. not entirely sure what it is…. 90/91 I believe, made in Korea… similar to the Billy Gould bass…. It was in a sorry state, but a full strip, clean, set-up and strings and it’s a fine thing indeed. Very light, really killer tone and lovely fretboard…. this things ace, but that’s all I know Any more info?

I bloody love Level 42, however my one and only live experience, many years ago, wasn’t a good one. Probably down to the terrible Blackburn King Georges Hall more than anything, but also the band didn’t seem to be firing on all cylinders either. I’m embarrassed to say that I left halfway through and went home. I’d love to give them another go…. but missed out this time

I’m a Warwick fan, but I agree. The price of them is just ridiculous, however, I think the price of literally everything is ridiculous. If we all just stopped buying these ridiculously priced instruments and stuck with what we already have, most of these companies would be f****** 1K + for budget instruments is absolutely taking the pi55

Having done removals/van deliveries on and off for years, I’ve often wondered if it would be possible to have a van/courier business, purely for musical instruments. I’ve ummed and ahhhd about it for years. I think it would be extremely difficult to pull off though, for one guy and a van. Picking up and dropping off the length and breadth of the UK, assuming that you could get enough work to make it pay. The company I used to work for were piano specialists, but obviously I would have to avoid those. I’m thinking basically guitars, amps, keys and drums only. I don’t know if it’s do able or not.

Massively overpriced budget instrument with some fancy tech shoved into it. Sterling by MM basses seem pretty decent for what they are, like Squier CV etc etc….. but prices like this are outrageous. I hope absolutely nobody buys one.

I didn’t know they made these in wood? Interesting. Never owned one either.

Yeah, he didn’t even need dancers, he didn’t need anything…. just karaoke machine.

Yep, I jacked it in for nearly ten years..... once the realisation that the band was done, and I didn't care about any of it anymore, and the thousands of pounds I wasted on buying, modding, trading, swapping, upgrading...... blah blah blah...... a massive waste of time and money, all of it. Started again a couple of years ago..... and I'm enjoying it again, but without all the nonsense mentioned above.

Here are mine….. ripped out of a Warwick Fortress and replaced by a lovely Aguilar pre. Sorry not a fan of the stacked thing.

There's a live version on YT (from an american chat show I think) of him doing Chocolate Jesus..... it's fabulous. And he was of course fabulous as Renfield in the Dracula film......

Awesome......... I'm seeing them at the Manc Apollo tomorrow night

I had been on a stag night the night before…. I was running between the front room and bathroom all day….. I remember Bono….. then going to throw up

No…. but long term yes….

Well….. Mrs Rayman wants a double bass! ……. So……. 😆

1: Nordstrand pickup into an OLP Tony Levin, along with a brass nut, new EQ, and tuners….. 2: EMG pickup and new EQ into a Fleabass “water bass”…….. 3: Quarter Pounders, EQ and Hipshot tuners onto a Squier Affinity P bass…. 🤦🏻‍♂️ Thankfully this was all years ago… I’ve learnt my lesson. At the end of the day, a budget bass is still a budget bass, regardless of the money you spend on it …. you can’t make a silk purse out of a sows ear.

Nice

By the way…. having had (and sadly miss) an amazing Yamaha TRB1005, I expect a 2005 with an OBP-2 in it will be absolutely immense.

Well the previous owner had removed the factory MEC 2 band eq, and for some reason, stuck in a cheap replacement. So the bass sounded decent but not amazing, a bit flat. Now, it sounds clear and focused with plenty of bass or treble to suit. Personally I have both rolled right back (OBP-1 is boost only) with a little bass rolled back on again. It’s quite a bright sounding bass, but with flats on it, and the EQ set as I like it, it sounds absolutely fantastic.

I don't know about modding basses I love...... I've spent an obscene amount "upgrading" many..... many basses over the years, that I still didn't love and sold on anyway. I've lost a lot of money there I can tell you. I'm over the moon with the Aguilar OBP-1 just fitted to my Warwick Fortress, so that's a success story I guess (until I decide to sell it, like I do with literally everything I own).

Grayson Perry, Salford, last night. On the front row, great seats, very comfy, non of this standing up for two hours malarky, very enjoyable night. And for those who are thinking..... "That's not music related" .....WRONG! He sang two numbers 😉

Getting widely noticed amongst the vast oceans of creative people, whether it’s as an artist, musician, writer or film maker… or whatever it is you create, is incredibly difficult. There are tricks in the presentation which can get you on the map, but getting your product to really reach a wider audience is mostly luck, a lot of hard work and a lot of talent. Even then, the chances are mighty slim, no matter how good you are.