Bloodaxe

Of course. It's [i]always[/i] the string cable - pop a new one in & it'll be fine.

Levy's M4 - 3.5" x v. long. Comfy & spreads the load, which is handy as my TSB-400 seems to be made of granitewood. Pete.

Can't vouch for George L plugs, never met 'em, but Van Damme is good stuff. I ran up a few patch leads using Van Damme cable & Neutrik right-angled plugs & they're fine although the Neutriks have their quirks in assembly. If you're starting from scratch then the OBBM route is a good choice - never heard a bad word said about his cables. Pete.

Greetings, Confirmed my chauffeur earlier so we'll be fetching up with the following... Dan Armstrong plexi thing (driver's brother's) Mine... 1982 Aria TSB-400 with whammy bar 1983 Aria RSB Deluxe-5 (tuned high C) 1980 Aria SB-900 Ashdown Superfly Epifani UL110 Jar of coffee. Pete.

[quote name='Alpha-Dave' post='16842' date='Jun 13 2007, 01:19 PM']My exact point: it's cheap and readily available (so can be used in such applications), but isn't used in basses because of the other costs (tooling etc.). As you say, stability may be an issue. I asked the question 'can I have Ebony as a 1 piece neck' on talkbass' Luthier's Corner (which I dare say is a way better resource than here for such questions) and the answer was the stability is a huge issue for Ebony so can't be used as a 1 piece neck reliably. However a 50% Ebony neck is possible, so even if Oak and Hickory were as unstable as Ebony, then they could at least be used as laminates.[/quote] Oak can have a georgeous figure, depending on how it's cut - [url="http://www.britishhardwoods.co.uk/flooring/install/quarter_sawn_oak.htm"][b]Quarter Sawn oak[/b][/url] is prized for this. The downsides are that it needs to be [i]very[/i] well seasoned otherwise it will move as it sees fit & it tends to be rather weighty. I've not found it too difficult to work (unless it's 100-110 years old, in which case it's like concrete), razor sharp blades are your friend here. Pete.

[quote name='paul, the' post='12770' date='Jun 5 2007, 11:45 PM']They're brilliant instruments that will probably always be priced below their worth. Although that pleases me because beginner and intermediate bassists will be able to afford something of quality - which is far more humbling than something like investment potential. It's just a shame they don't get the recognition they deserve. That's the [url="http://www.matsumoku.org/models/ariaproii/catalogs/78_pb1500_slick/78_pb1500_slick.jpg.html"]PB-1500[/url]. I saw one on Ebay that sold for £158.[/quote] Well... They're all over, The PB 1500 went for a tad over £160, which seems very reasonable The SB-R80 fetched up at £250 - probably not too sad considering that the EMGs should have a fair resale value (which I admit to overlooking previously) And the star prize.... No Bids for the £400 non-functioning SB-60. Now there's a surprise. In other news, your correspondent kept schtum about a relisted SB-900, and as a consequence I now owe a nice man in Brum some money - pics when it arrives. Pete.

[quote name='Brother Jones' post='12646' date='Jun 5 2007, 07:43 PM']I have this weird suspicion that the market in second hand or 'vintage' Matsumoko Arias is about to go bonkers... Jones[/quote] It's been creeping up if prices on the 'bay are anything to go by, but bargains are still there to be had... for the moment. Speaking of being had, I think these two are pushing the boundaries Exhibit A: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ARIA-PRO-SB-R80-BASS-GUITAR-PADUK-RED_W0QQitemZ140125138165QQihZ004QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]SBR-80[/url] Probably the most desirable colour, but I take issue with the phrase "EVEN FURTHER IMPROVED WITH THE CUSTOM ADDITION OF 2 EMG ACTIVE PICKUPS , GIVING THIS GUITAR AN AMAZING PUNCH" (apologies for the shoutyness - cut 'n' paste). From my experience, one thing these do not lack is punch. Aaron Armstrong will do replica Pro II soapbars at £75 a pop, which makes the total a very borderline £350 + p&p for a Matt with a huge hole in its originality. No mention of case or bag either. Exhibit B: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bass-Guitar-Vintage-Aria-Pro-SB-60_W0QQitemZ220118499170QQihZ012QQcategoryZ4713QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]SB-60[/url]. One slight problem... "The only fault with this guitar is that the pickup isn't functioning properly which is I understand is quite common there is also a control knob missing" - so 400 notes is probably being a lot optimistic. Pickup failure on the early SBs is not unheard of (my SB-1000 has suffered from this) and the early active circuitry is quite novel, issues anyone contemplating getting one of these beasties ought to be aware of. No bids on either yet - I'm not overly surprised. On the possible bargain front is [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ARIA-PRO-II-2-BASS-SUPERB-QUALITY-VINTAGE-AND-RARE_W0QQitemZ220118549443QQihZ012QQcategoryZ112668QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]this oddity[/url] - looks like a hybrid Aria/Vantage. Certainly in need of a bit of TLC, be interesting to see what it ends up at. Pete.

[url="http://www.basscentre.com/cat/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=91&products_id=1036"]http://www.basscentre.com/cat/product_info...roducts_id=1036[/url]

[quote name='3V17C' post='8861' date='May 29 2007, 10:21 PM']and also alot of the bass playing on Kat Bush's albums over the years - particularly the red shoes album. peace c[/quote] Could well be John Giblin, also played for Brand X alongside Percy Jones. Pete.

Hmmmm.... It looks a bit grey/brown in the photo, which makes me suspect it [i]might[/i] be elm.

[quote name='beerdragon' post='7130' date='May 26 2007, 02:29 PM']I always liked the sound Greg lake had, (ELP. King crimson etc.) no mean player either.[/quote] Jazz with a pick, later went on to a Gibson Grabber or Ripper at which point his sound went completely to pants IMO - somewehere around the Works stuff. 21st Century Schizoid Man is one helluva challenge - cracking stuff!. Pete.

Possibly able to drop in, will have to see if I can blag a lift off a mate in Didcot. If it works out, I'll bring the TSB-400 with whammy bar & he'll probably drag down his Dan Armstrong Plexi monstrosity. Pete.

What's the future like? Any good?

Programming it isn't that hard if you're used to wee clicky MIDI button things. I haven't quite got my head around the PC Editor app that they give away for it, but it does seem to work. My main gripe is that the programs are not organised into banks of 10, just one long list from 1-99. With my present floor controller (8-way Rolls MP80) this makes life difficult. That all said, how much practical use 100-amps-in-a-box are on stage is another question, I've a strong suspicion I'll settle on 1-3 variations & leave it at that. Tonally it's hard to judge at the moment until I can wind it right up - should know more in a month or so. Pete.

This'll be mine, then... 3' 6" of carpety goodness. Haven't had a chance to try it at full tilt yet as I'm afflicted by neighbours, but initial trials seem very encouraging. Pete.

And he could sing.

Used to swear by Ernie Ball Hybrids, but took a punt before Christmas on a three-pack of Hartke nickle plated 45-105's off the 'bay & have never looked back. Various sellers, but there's usually someone flogging them for about £18 inc postage - 6 quid a set? Yes Please. Pete.

Definitely Other... 1981 Aria TSB-400, 1984 RSB Deluxe-5

Whilst we're on the topic of Thunders, The Bass Gallery in Camden has a 1A in the window at the moment. I asked on Saturday how much & was told Er... dunno, it's not on the system... probably about £100. Their number... 020 7267 5458 They also had a mint Aria SB-1000 in Dark Oak for the princely sum of £850 - ouch!

Pre-gig bumpage... Doors open at 7:30. £13.50 advance, £15 on the door. If anyone's up for it I'll be in the Pillars of Hercules in Greek Street until about 8:00 - 8:30 Pete.

They've got a reputation as good solid workmanlike basses. Personally I'd think £150 is pretty close to its value as it is. Alternatively.... [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=011&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=320112800763&rd=1&rd=1"]Aria SB-700[/url]. This is the passive version of the SB-1000. One to watch. Pete

Excellent stuff, the translations are pure gems! I was intrigued by "Stealth Plug - There Is A Stock", but it won't seem to load. Duly bookmarked.

Those were the days... [i]Everywhere[/i] seemed t have a second-hand shop piled high with manky old tut - Selmers, Wems, Sound S*ittys, Copicats (some of which actually worked) etc. etc. for peanuts. Oh for a time machine & a grand.

The SB-1000 reissue is a tad pricey though, £1200 at Denmark Street prices. On the 'bay at the moment is this [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rare-1980s-Aria-SB-900-Electric-Bass-Guitar-JAPAN-SB_W0QQitemZ120119511131QQihZ002QQcategoryZ4713QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]SB-900[/url] with a BIN of £450. Same as an SB-1000 but with two pickups. Pete.

All Sorted! Just when I'd got used to the brownness of BT, someone's turned the lights on. Massive Kudos to all who've been bothered to do all this. Pete.