Inside the Aristides S/B5: A One-Piece Bass Built with Arium and Designed for Clarity
This week, we’re checking out the S/B5 from Aristides Instruments, a five-string, multi-scale bass with a unique construction. Aristides builds their instruments with a one-piece body and neck design featuring an integrally layered exoskeleton and a core made from a proprietary material called Arium.
“Not only is Arium tonally balanced with rich sustain, it is incredibly stable – all of our guitars are built with an integrally-layered exoskeleton & resonant Arium core,” the company writes. “The end result is not only a sustainable instrument that will last a lifetime – but also a guitar built to the highest quality standards by a team of dedicated luthiers.” Check out the clear control cover on the back of the bass to get a better view of the construction.
While the body and neck are one piece, the fingerboard is made of Richlite. The S/B5’s scale runs from 33.6 inches to 36 inches. In addition to the body material, the extended length of the B string adds clarity and a tighter feel to the lowest register. Aristides fits the S/B5 with a variety of options, including Nordstrands as shown. Other features include Hipshot Ultralite tuners, Hipshot 5S100 Solo Bridge Saddles, Luminlay side dots, a choice of preamps, and a variety of finish options.
Check out bassist Siebe Sol Sijpkens playing through “Inner Beast” by Phantom Elite on the S/B5 prototype:
Aristides Instruments S/B5 Bass Specs:
| Construction: | One piece body & neck, integrally layered exoskeleton with Arium core |
| Scale: | 33.6-36″ |
| Neck Profile: | C-shape, 0.83′ (21mm) at nut to 0.91” (23mm) at 12th fret |
| Neck Width: | 1.79″ at Nut |
| Nut: | Graphtech / Aristides Custom TUSQ |
| Fretboard: | Richlite Black or Light |
| Fretboard Radius: | Compound 10″ (254mm) - 17″ (432mm) |
| Fretboard Inlay: | 12th fret S/B logo, 1st fret Aristides ‘A’ logo, center dots, offset dots, rings, & more available as mother of pearl or colored epoxy |
| Side Dots: | Luminlay blue or green |
| Frets: | 24 stainless steel Jescar FW43080 frets |
| Pickups: | Fishman, Nordstrand, and more options available |
| Electronics: | MEC, optional Darkglass preamp, with additional custom options available |
| Tuners: | Hipshot Ultralite |
| Bridge: | Hipshot 5S100 SOLO Saddles & EverTune (coming soon) |
| Hardware Color: | Black, chrome, or gold |
| Truss Rod: | Dual action with no-component-removal adjustment at headstock |
| Finish: | Raw, painted high gloss, painted satin, & painted custom available |
| Other: | Quantum Industries soft case, Aristides-branded wallet w/ COA card, Aristides-branded strap w/ locks, truss rod adjustment tool, & picks |
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
I have absolutely no idea what this bass can actually sound like from the demo shown, which is mostly noise.
It looks intriguing as described in the text.
Any idea regarding price?
Love everything about this bass. The shaping on the headstock is especially nice. Not too many people would have a clear window showing the wiring inside the guitar. With your modular approach it makes sense to show the wiring off. Nice way to tuck the quarter jack out of the way too.
Hard to determine exactly what this bass sounds like. The demo just seems like random noise to me.
Yep.