Newbie just bought Yamaha RBX375

[Ian Perge]

Originally Posted by TofuMouse

The factory strings had black wrappings on both ends (matching the color of the guitar) and gold balls.

It sounds as if Yamaha is outsourcing their strings on low-end instruments. Check out the pictures of the Nathan East Signature on Musician's Friend.com - you can clearly see red wrappings on both ends of the string. Whether or not they're still making them or are outsourcing them as well (I remember from a Bass Player article that Nashville studio guys used to love them in the early '90s, and would Special Order them in bulk) they're monsters of Stainless Steel strings if you like that tone. Absolutely killer.

[SGT. Pepper]

Originally Posted by TofuMouse

I just read through all the old "Gary Willis spacer" threads here at TalkBass. Most people seem to think it's snake oil However, Garry Willis' bass set-up tutorials that 'Gintaras' links to (above) are useful.


Wow! You installed a .145 gauge B-string? That's the thickest string I've heard of. You like it? Does it tighten things? Hard to play?

I had it on a Fender Jazz 5 I once owned. It has a very deep timbre and was a cable but on a 34 inch scale it was like playing a .130 on a 35 inch scale. It worked out fine.