1981 Aria Pro II Cardinal Series CSB 450 'Black n Gold' medium scale £350 £350 Benfleet, Essex

[Paul S]

Next for the chop a 1981 Aria Pro II Cardinal Series CSB 450 'Black n Gold'.  This was a top end of the range model with some lovely features but has been tinkered with over time.  The original was a carved body glossy piano black with dark fingerboard, set neck, inset bridge and brass highlights on the bridge saddles, nut, tuners and other hardware.  This still has the original bridge and nut, tuners have been swapped fro Wilkinson ones to give an off harlequin effect.  I don't care.  Knobs should be Gibson speed knob style but have been changed.  Rear strap button has been changed and is no longer brass.  Other than that this is as it should be.  3.5kg - an unusually lightweight example as these ore more usually over 4kg.  As a result there is very slight neck dive that is cured by a wide grippy strap.  Medium scale length.  A few dings and scratches, most of which I am sure would polish out - certainly not bad for a bass over 40.  This model is all about quality and tone - the pickup is one of Matsumoku's finest and is a really aggressive middy rock machine that chimes out and cuts through.  I have tamed it with black tapes which also look as cool as, but it still is a monster.  42mm at the nut, 16mm spacing at the bridge.  No case.

 

£350 collected from Benfleet in Essex, 20 mins east of the Dartford crossing along the A13.  No couriers, offers or trade, ta.

Edited 8 hours ago by Paul S
Forgot to mention scale length

[Cosmo Valdemar]

I played this very bass a couple of weeks ago - a dream to play and a killer aggressive tone, even with the sexy black nylons 😆

 

Absolute bargain, this.

[Paul S]

Thanks Ben!