Description:

Offered here is a charismatic and historically significant vintage Aria violin-style hollowbody electric bass guitar, an evocative artifact of the celebrated Japanese Matsumoku production era and a striking example of the golden age of export electric instruments.

Manufactured in Japan during the late 1960s to early 1970s, this instrument embodies the elegant violin-bass silhouette that helped define an entire generation of electric bass design. Aria instruments of this period were produced primarily in the renowned Matsumoku factory and became internationally respected for their craftsmanship, musical character, and exceptional value relative to contemporary American and European counterparts.

The instrument features the instantly recognizable violin hollowbody construction with gracefully carved f-holes and a luminous three-tone sunburst finish that transitions from a warm amber center to deep crimson and ebony edges. The maple body and neck are paired with a rosewood fingerboard accented by classic dot inlays, while a trapeze tailpiece and floating bridge complete the vintage aesthetic.

Dual chrome pickups deliver the warm, woody tonal character associated with violin-style basses, producing a sound ideal for classic rock, jazz, and vintage pop recordings. The hollowbody resonance offers rich low-frequency response and articulate mids that have made this style of bass enduringly desirable among collectors and musicians alike.

The neck plate confirms “Steel Reinforced Neck - Made in Japan,” an important indicator of authentic Japanese export production from the period. The instrument’s short-scale layout contributes to exceptional playability and fast response, hallmarks of violin-style bass design.

Notably, this bass has been professionally configured for left-handed performance, making it a particularly appealing and uncommon find for left-handed musicians and collectors.

Adding a compelling personal dimension, the instrument bears engraved personalization plates reading “Jackson” and “Harry Jackson,” indicating ownership by a previous musician who took pride in this instrument. While a modification from factory originality, this personalization contributes a layer of individual provenance and vintage character rarely encountered.

This instrument presents as a well-preserved vintage example showing honest age and performance wear consistent with decades of musical use. Visible characteristics include:
Finish wear, minor scratches, and patina consistent with vintage use
Light oxidation on hardware
Natural play wear on the neck
Original-style tuners and electronics present
Structural integrity of body and neck appears intact

Included is a vintage hard shell case displaying period travel stickers including Nashville imagery, enhancing the instrument’s aesthetic and historic touring appeal.

Vintage Aria violin basses from the Matsumoku era occupy an important place in the history of Japanese electric instrument manufacturing. Produced in comparatively smaller numbers than later Aria models and increasingly sought after by collectors of vintage Japanese guitars, these instruments represent a fascinating intersection of classic European-inspired design and Japanese craftsmanship.

The additional left-handed configuration further enhances rarity, as relatively few hollowbody violin basses were produced or converted for left-handed use.

For collectors of vintage Japanese instruments, Beatles-era violin bass designs, or historically interesting electric bass guitars, this Aria example offers remarkable visual appeal, historical significance, and authentic vintage character.

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April 4, 2026 11:00 AM EDT
Stouffville, ON, CA

Oakwood Auctions

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $5
$100 $299 $10
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $9,999 $250
$10,000 $49,999 $500
$50,000 $99,999 $1,000
$100,000 $999,999 $5,000
$1,000,000 + $10,000