Bass Identification - Aria

johnboyno8

Hello all,

Got no serial number on this bass that I’d like to get fixed up or throw out if it’s not worth the effort. 

https://imgur.com/a/Cv49U5Z

johnboyno8

Images coming shortly!

johnboyno8

Image

johnboyno8

https://imgur.com/a/Cv49U5Z

prowla

Can you embed the images to avoid needing to click on them?

ICBM

Too modern for my knowledge of Aria models unfortunately.

Why would knowing the serial number help decide if it's worth fixing? Are all the parts there? Is the neck OK?

It's not an especially expensive bass, but almost everything in this price/quality range is a perfectly good instrument *unless* it has some sort of serious fault.

johnboyno8

prowla said:

Can you embed the images to avoid needing to click on them?

The embed option doesn’t seem to work on mobile. Will try from computer later on if I can.

johnboyno8

Was hoping a serial number would then assist in replacement parts if needed. Not sure of this wiring setup you see.

ICBM said:

Too modern for my knowledge of Aria models unfortunately.

Why would knowing the serial number help decide if it's worth fixing? Are all the parts there? Is the neck OK?

It's not an especially expensive bass, but almost everything in this price/quality range is a perfectly good instrument *unless* it has some sort of serious fault.

ICBM

johnboyno8 said:

Was hoping a serial number would then assist in replacement parts if needed. Not sure of this wiring setup you see.

It looks like a generic volume, pickup balance, bass, treble (probably - or the last two may be the other way round) setup, with traditional through-hole parts, so simple to repair if it's not working. Have you tried it through an amp? You don't need the strings to do that, just tap the tops of the pickups with a steel screwdriver or similar while turning the controls and you should be able to hear if anything isn't working.

Funkfingers

^

What he said.

Probably restorable to full playability but at some cost in time, effort and money. The stock pickups may be of non-standard dimensions. Thus, it may be difficult to find direct replacements.

johnboyno8

Thanks guys,
 Yeah low /no output so definitely needs some attention but the neck/frets etc are fine just needs a good setup

ICBM

Is there gaffer tape on the battery wiring, near where it passes through the body to the battery compartment? I can't see quite clearly enough in the photo to tell, but if there is it may indicate a bodged repair. Unfortunately it doesn't look like there's a quick and easy way of bypassing the preamp so you can tell if the pickups work or not - but the chances are they do, since it would be unlikely for both to fail at the same time* so if it isn't a preamp or wiring fault, one would work. I can't see any other obvious problems with the wiring, although that doesn't mean there aren't any.

(*Unlike the 80s Japanese Aria basses, where spontaneous pickup failure is now sadly common and it wouldn't be that surprising to find both dead on a two-pickup bass.)

johnboyno8

Good spot on the tape. Will start there for sure!