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Bassic Instinct – My life with an Aria
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To begin, let me tell you that it was entirely by default (and sheer twist of glorious fate) that I became a bass-player, so the finer points of the instrument were lost on me for quite a few years. I started playing with a band when I was 14, with one nervous index finger sticking out of a tight fist on my right hand, and struggling tiny fingers on my left hand. I'd learnt to play G, C, and D on the acoustic guitar only, so the whole thing of one-note-stretch-your-fingers was quite daunting at first. I played the band manager's old guitar: a hollow, sunburst "Beatle" bass with a seriously constructed bridge, which probably weighed more than I did at the time. So eventually, this band earned me enough money that I could go out and buy myself my own bass. Specs? What are those? All I wanted was the cheapest five-string black guitar that the local music shop could find me. They had to get it from PE and about two weeks later, a beautiful black Aria Pro II was waiting for me at the music shop in East London. Guitar and solid case cost R1300,00. Clueless was my middle name. Not only did I place my right hand miles away from the pickups, but I also tuned the poor thing wrong for the first two years of its life (bright spark didn't realise that the advantages of five strings mean you get a low B, not a high B). Fortunately, my English/jazz band teacher knew more about my instrument than I did and guided me to the correct playing technique. It is very surprising that with this dubious history of bass ability, I ended up playing a 6-month contract on the cruise-ship, the Symphony, and gaining reputable gigs country-wide. But there you have it: sex sells. Let me be the first to agree that being a girl is a great contributing factor when it comes to staying in work (I like to think that I have SOME ability, though!). But back to the guitar: Hundreds told me that my cheap little axe was just no good and that I should save up and get something real. I was almost tempted to do that, especially since I'd just moved to Jhb and encountered professional musicians with professional gear. But then, one night at the Bassline in Melville, I had the great fortune to see Gito Baloi in action up on the stage. And lo and behold! He wielded in his talented hands...an Aria Pro II, identical to mine!!! This meant that the critics were wrong! Aria Pro is indeed a worthy tool! (okay, so there were customised bits to Gito's guitar, but the bass remained the same...) It's a few years later, and I've finally taken the plunge and fitted some MEC pickups to the Aria Pro. It booms proudly through a Marshall Dynamic Bass Combo amp of unknown wattage, and I am pleased to say that I firmly believe the Aria Pro is capable of holding its own through any gig. While the sound borders more on rock (which could have a lot to do with the dirty Marshall) it can also fit quite comfortably into a jazz gig. I battle a bit with the slapping sound, but I'm willing to bet that that might just be me and not the guitar... Cheap and nasty this baby may be, but still I say...Long Live Aria Pro!!! |
