Author Topic: Alembic and 80's Aria SB series (Read 251 times)

trekster · « **on:** September 11, 2004, 05:41:19 AM »

Greetings!

I recently acquired an 1982 Aria SB-900 (the two pickup version of the SB-1000 most are familiar with). After checking it over, I realized that the bass does not have it's original electronics. No non-specs holes or routings have been added, so this bass has the following:
2 humbuckers (measuring 4 1/4 x 2 1/2)
2 concentric V/T pots
2 swithces (orignally for series/parallel, non-functioning with current p/u's but switches still in place)
3-position rotary switch for p/u selection w/ chicken head knob

I've got three options: I can use what is there (and plan to--it still sounds great!), try to restore to factory specs (chances of which are slim, but not impossible), or hot-rod the booger!

Which brings me to my question--in this months Bass Guitar magazine, there is a blurb at the end regarding Rudy Sarzo's career. It mentions that during his time in Whitesnake, he used two basses -- his signature Peavey, and his Aria Pro (which was also a SB-900) *with Alembic pickups*. I was wondering what information I would need to give Alembic to see if I could Sarzo-ize this bass. Although I'm capable, I'd prefer not to have to cut any wood to do this, but at the same time I'd love to stuff this bass with as much as I could electronic-feature-wise (Q-swtiches, ect..). Anyone have any experience with this sort of setup?

bigredbass · « **Reply #1 on:** September 12, 2004, 10:55:35 PM »

I know where you're going with this, as the pickup sizes suggest AXY/Fatboys, and the holes for the pots REALLY suggest an ALEMBIC style layout.

It's just amazing to me that while in the 80s the Japanese made zillions of Fenderish clones, their hearts and minds were REALLY struck by ALEMBIC.

The ARIA SBs, the BB Yamahas, the Musician Ibanez basses, the Daion XX, the Westburys, all are heavily influenced by the ALEMBIC design.

I've always thought of the SBs, BBs, and to a lesser degree the Musicians, are really overlooked gems in the vintage market. Like most Japanese basses, they are only let down by their pickups/circuits. They went for an open sound, but missed the meat that ALEMBIC pickups added to that open sound. (Just listen to a new Nathan East or John Pattitucci Yamaha: Where's the beef?)

I don't know if a vintage SB is worth spending the money for a complete electronic retrofit, as I always buy a bass low enough up front where I can always easily get my money back out of it on the day I find something else I can't live without. But if it suits your heart, GO for it!

Incidentally, Bartollini used to offer
replacement pickups for SBs, but then it would just sound like Bartollinis . . .

J o e y

alembic83 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 13, 2004, 01:57:06 AM »

Hi, on the subject of Aria SBs with replacement Bartolinis, I used to have an SB black 'n' gold II model with Barts in it. I was NOT impressed. I ended up selling it because I just couldn't get the tones I wanted (definitely not on the low end) and I eventually got my Spoiler. I would have loved to have played that SB bass with some Alembic guts in it...what could have been!
Anyway, I was pretty new to gear at that time but I had heard the Bartolini name a lot so I thought they would be great. That has been my only experience with Bartolini's, so I don't know if I just got unlucky with them or if a lot of other people dislike them, too.
Jason

jet_powers · « **Reply #3 on:** September 13, 2004, 05:57:03 AM »

I had a mid '70s Fender Jazz I outfitted with Barts and I loved the sound I got from them at the time. Not enough to keep me from trading it for my first Alembic though. An 83 Persuader that still sounds much better than that souped up Jazz ever did....

JP

trekster · « **Reply #4 on:** September 19, 2004, 12:37:34 PM »

Update:

I contacted AriaUSA about the possibility of getting new pickups or NOS stuff. NOS is out since they really have nothing to do with the old Aria. However, AriaJP has started making the SB1000 John Taylor model and AriaUSA has begun to import them. The pickups are the same..I just don't know what price I'm looking at yet because the tech I talked to said the pickups were 4x1.5, and I mistakenly said mine were 4x2.5 ... I remeasured when I got home and did a really good Homer impersonation! I'll be calling them monday with the true measurements and get pricing.

ox_junior · « **Reply #5 on:** September 20, 2004, 03:57:26 PM »

I had an Aria SB900 in the 80's. Great looking but terrible sounding. If I would have known then that I could have Alembiczied that puppy...

Well, I'm an idiot.

MB

alembic83 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 20, 2004, 06:28:36 PM »

Has anyone tried the NEW Aria SB1000 John Taylor, the basic Re-issue, or the Cliff Burton model yet? I have seen them on the ariaguitars.com/jp website but I don't think they are available in the US yet. I am just wondering how they compare to the original Matsumoko (if that's where they were made) versions. Anybody here from Japan tried these?

BTW, there seems to be some Aria Pro II SB madness on eBay these days. Just saw one go for $720(!) and, oddly enough, the same eBayer bought another SB just a month ago for about $520... If anybody is looking for a used SB you can usually get them cheaper than that - that is unless that SB hog from eBay doesn't buy it first!
Jason

ox_junior · « **Reply #7 on:** September 21, 2004, 10:13:25 AM »

That's why I say I'm an idiot. I should have held onto that bass. Traded it for a Fender fretless that I rarely used and just got rid of anyway. Blah.

I haven't seen the new SB1000s, other than JT playing them. They appear to have all black hardware, otherwise, they appear exactly as they did in the early 80's.

MB