Recent content by Alphonso Lamp

I forgot to mention that Nigel rarely owned an amp; he used to hire his sound gear on tour in order to save on transport costs but would use what was available in the various rehearsal rooms where the Enz and Schnell Fenster would work on new music. Nigel used Fender amps & speakers during the...

Nigel joined Split Enz in April 1977, a few days before Neil Finn. His main bass at the time was a ‘64 Rickenbacker (seen in the clip for ‘I See Red’) which he recorded with for the album ‘Dizrhythmia’. The album ‘Frenzy’ was - I think - a balance of the Rickenbacker and a custom made Wal, both...

You're all dandy kind to put up with my vernacular; there are some elements of Australian English which remain in verbal currency despite being very 20th (or even 19th) century. That being said, it is just as well that the good folk at Yamaha never had the likes of me writing an early '90s...

That is pearler feedback; much appreciated, Squire Lowfreqgeek. There are several worldclass luthiers in town so will go shopping for price/service comparisons during the next few days. I usually play with the flatwounds so have no desperate need to retain both RBX250 as being fretted. Your...

Should anyone still be reading... ....I'm discovering that a fretless version of the RBX250 (or 200, 300, & 350) area as rare anywhere as feathers on a frog. Does anyone reading this have an argument for or againgst defretting one of my twin RBX250s? If so, would an epoxy finish on the...

These discussions have given me much food for thought for which I am very grateful as part of RBX knowledge was very thin. That 1992 Yamaha advertisement posted above brings back tall memories yet I don’t recall there being much of a push for these models in comparison to other names competing...

Much obliged to you. Interesting that the RBX170 and the RBX350 are quite different in several ways yet basswood was used for the 350 which is the same shape & specs (excepting the jazz pickup, input Jack placement, and control configuration) as the 250.

Ha; congrats….your better half of 30 years will be wanting her bass back if you continue serenading in such a style for all hours on end. I agree with the pickup placement on the RBX250s in particular; I’ve always enjoyed that it seems just a smidge closer to the neck than a conventional...

Before I forget... .....I find that the lower horn of the RBX bodies to be thoughtfully crafted because of the way it has been scalloped (correct verb?) for easier access for frets 19 to 22. It is rare that I need to play that high but the access at the highest end of the fretboard (especially...

All pearler at this end; many thanks for the variety of knowledge to everyone who has written - I remain very much a luddite when details beyond a passive 4 string come into play (lousy pun). I have tried active basses but could not wrap my head around 5 or 6 string basses. Methinks that...

I'm enjoying the replies and shared experiences, everyone; ta for taking the time to write. These Yamahas rarely seem to have any frowns sent their way; it looks as most people either enjoy them or miss having them once they've been let go. I too was wary about the headstock design when...

Cheers ever so for that. The 24 fret neck is an interesting thought; do you have any neck dive with the new change. The asking price of where you live floors me as it’s such a pearler instrument….I’m seeing them listed when they appear at anywhere from $350 to $600 (in good condition). Hope that...

Ah, thanks for the reply. I enjoyed the clip that was sent through; is that Yamaha an active bass? It sounded as smooth as a politician's promise in support of the magic vocal melody. I know little about the TRBs but have heard lovely reviews; the BBs however I do know...I once owned a BBvi, a...

P.S.: apologies for the wonky bass photo placements with my 1st post; I’m still working my way around 21st century technology at the best of times.

G’day from Brisbane, everyone - This is my debut post on the venerable TB site after many moons of reading and enjoying shared insights, thoughts, advice, and reciprocation. I began learning the double bass 40 years ago this month with the electric bass diving in soon after so I thought to...