bassbiscuits Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 Seen one of these for sale locally, (from about 2001-ish I think) and I've been on the lookout for a cheap back-up bass for the less salubrious gigs. It looks pretty decent, and a fair bit online, tho mostly reviews from people who've had it as their first real bass etc, so a bit hard to judge how objective they are. Anyone gigged one? Are they decent enough? I like the fact they look quite lightweight and comfy, if not exactly a gorgeous looker! Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 I can't speak personally about the RBX line but I've gigged a BB300 before (cheapest BB bass at time of manufacture I think) without issue or complaint. And my bass tutor from back in the day gigged with an RBX170 often - sounded great to me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 If it has Yamaha on the headstock then it will definitely more than hold it's own within it's particular price bracket. Very good products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 Perfectly good for gigging in slightly dodgy venues imo, perfectly good for gigging in general really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 I used to have an RBX270 fretless, pretty decent bass, kept it and gigged it for 5 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz39 Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 I had an RBX 370? (something like that) and a 765A. Both super-nice to play, not too heavy, good sound and quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewisK1975 Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 No problem to gig with one of those where you don't want to take your more expensive gear. Do be warned though - Getting your first Yammy can be a slippery slope! When you realise how good their lower end stuff is, you'll soon be tempted to try some of their more expensive stuff. Then you've had it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbiscuits Posted December 7, 2016 Author Share Posted December 7, 2016 [quote name='LewisK1975' timestamp='1481120202' post='3189856'] No problem to gig with one of those where you don't want to take your more expensive gear. Do be warned though - Getting your first Yammy can be a slippery slope! When you realise how good their lower end stuff is, you'll soon be tempted to try some of their more expensive stuff. Then you've had it. [/quote] Ha ha! I need no encouragement to buy more basses trust me! I did once have an old Japanese BB350F fretless, and a more recent BB414, which were both decent basses, but they were both many years ago. I like the idea of having a cheap, reliable bass as an alternative to my more expensive stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number6 Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Yamaha's are very good quality and highly addictive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
progben Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 I own a Yamaha RBX800. Cost me the princely sum of £200 preowned and has beaten out my Warwick Dolphin Pro II for live use. It just sounds incredibly good and although I prefer the neck on the Dolphin, the tone of the Yammy can't be denied! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40hz Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 I've used a couple of different RBX270's on a few occassions. Great little basses. Good range of sounds, good build quality and really lightweight and easy to play. Impressive things for the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 I love Yamaha basses. Near unbeatable VFM in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 A friend of mine has one - better than the £75 he paid for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artisan Posted December 8, 2016 Share Posted December 8, 2016 I just bought a cheap TRBX305 & can't believe how good it is. I'm now wanting a TRB1005 Ooohhhhhh & a Nathan East BB Did someone say Yamaha basses are addictive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number6 Posted December 8, 2016 Share Posted December 8, 2016 [quote name='artisan' timestamp='1481199844' post='3190417'] I just bought a cheap TRBX305 & can't believe how good it is. I'm now wanting a TRB1005 Ooohhhhhh & a Nathan East BB Did someone say Yamaha basses are addictive [/quote] Yes..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artisan Posted December 8, 2016 Share Posted December 8, 2016 [quote name='Number6' timestamp='1481215515' post='3190662'] Yes..... [/quote] Damn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickyV Posted December 8, 2016 Share Posted December 8, 2016 Yup, I had an RBX 270J. Great bass for the money and sort of regret selling it now. Perfectly giggable I would say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted December 8, 2016 Share Posted December 8, 2016 For a while the Yammy RBX and the Ibanez SR basses were the only budget basses worth buying new, took a decade for the big names to catch up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LITTLEWING Posted December 8, 2016 Share Posted December 8, 2016 Can't beat any RBX's for a cheap back up or a 'go-to' bass for the odd inspirational moment to grab off the wall or wherever. I've had a few in the past but they do tend to look like something off a Japanese cartoon. Lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted December 8, 2016 Share Posted December 8, 2016 [quote name='ead' timestamp='1481116216' post='3189801'] I used to have an RBX270 fretless, pretty decent bass, kept it and gigged it for 5 years. [/quote] So did I, it was my first bass and it's a keeper! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telebass Posted December 11, 2016 Share Posted December 11, 2016 Briefly had an RBX250, which is a P-bass with an extra fret, basically. Wish I'd kept it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbiscuits Posted December 11, 2016 Author Share Posted December 11, 2016 I ended up getting a secondhand Yamaha BB604 instead - figured it was a few notches up in terms of range of sounds, hardware etc. So far so good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cachao Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 Had this bass for a number of years without realising its potential. In its stock form, it is unremarkable. However, it is cheap, and customisable. Tried many pickup changes, but it was still a little dull even with a) Wizard Thumper P - no longer available b) DiMarzio Ultra Jazz J c) TI flats What made the difference was a bridge change to something more substantial. I my case, I had an old style Warwick Rockbass bridge lying about. The change was huge and - THIS IS SIGNIFICANT - there is no infamous dead spot on the G string at all. Conclusion: it is a fundamentally good bass once the bridge has been replaced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigsmokebass Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 Make it your main bass haha 😉 there's a reason for the love of Yamaha's on here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbora Posted March 30, 2019 Share Posted March 30, 2019 My first proper bass was RBX1000 back in ‘93. Really good bass but looked a bit metal when I was doing my jazz studies and traded in for a fretless Stingray. I have only seen one of those again and it was here in the For Sale section couple of years back. I was tempted to get it to see if it was as good as I remembered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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