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Double Bass Bit the bullet on a Yamaha SLB300

P

Pjotor

Nov 5, 2018
70
89
#1
Ordered today from Thomann in Germany and included the BEF-2 shoulder extension. Quite a bit of money and I am a bit nervous, but the itch became just too great. I spent hours reading up on other EUB models (most notably the MK models) but in the end I decided to go for the SLB300.

I'll try to find time to post updates with soundclips et cetera. Will probably put on a used set of either Spirocore Weich or Pirastro Perpetual early on.
 
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#3
My experience with it has been very satisfying. I currently have Evah weichs on it. Getting ready to try a set of Spiro solos. To my ear, strings don’t make a huge difference (compared to DB). Recently I’ve been experimenting with the blend setting. When I first got mine I used a “mic only” blend setting, assuming that would be closest to a DB. Now I’m setting it at 12 o’clock. Seems to work better in the groups I play in.

Hope your experience is satisfying.
 
#4
Arrived today. Unboxing it later this week I hope.
 

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#5
Unboxed, put together and played. Observations in bullet point form:
  • Great build quality. Everything feels solid and fits well together.
  • Coming from Spiro Stark (=pulling hard on pizz) I got more meowing than desired from the G string. Raising the bridge foot one or two turns on the treble side fixed this.
  • The bridge leaned slightly toward the pegbox on delivery. This was remedied with a slow but firm push. No other setup deemed necessary at this point.
  • There are actual differences between the 3 different mic types available. The knob for blending mic and pickup works well and there is a good variation in tone.
  • The BF-2 shoulder extension fits well and the "wings" on the bass still fits inside the provided case with the extension mounted. TBH I fitted the extension immediately so I cannot tell how the bass feels without it.
  • The case is well padded and comfortable to carry. There is a removable shoulder strap. There are no backpack straps but the shape would probably be awkward anyway.
  • Haven't tried playing arco and I don't plan to, at least not in the near future.
  • I originally planned to change to Pirastro Perpetual or Spirocore Weich upon delivery, but another TB:er wrote that the tone isn't affected much by string choice. The Helicore Hybrid Light set will stay on for now.
The only thing that I do miss sorely is a stand/tripod. The bass won't lay stable on the side when I place it on the floor. Yamaha sells a stand but at almost 400 USD it's the wrong kind of steal.

The endpin is just a 16mm diameter chrome steel pipe and DIYing a tripod or stand shouldn't be too difficult. Some thought will be needed since I'd like the contraption to fit in the softcase too; there's some room left but not much and I don't want to scratch things up when stored.
 
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#9
Pjotor said:
  • I originally planned to change to Pirastro Perpetual or Spirocore Weich upon delivery, but another TB:er wrote that the tone isn't affected much by string choice. The Helicore Hybrid Light set will stay on for now.
Click to expand...

I’ve had mine for over 2 years now. SLB300PRO however. My only wish is that they had this thing 20 years ago. Having this has increase my practice time ten fold. It’s so easy just walk up to it and play for ten minutes here and there throughout the day that I keep playing it and it adds up. Having a stand makes this possible. I made my own stand but the endpin stays on the ground. It’s so easy to just pull it towards me and get some playing time in here and there. Plus I can practice with headphones so the family doesn’t have to hear me practicing all of the time.

About the strings, I strongly disagree with the opinion that you read. Stings make a huge difference. I’ve gone through all of the usual suspects and they make huge difference. But I will say that the SLB allows someone to play it over amplified since it never feeds back. That is to say someone can do that to the point that they’re putting no meat into the strings and playing it like a BG. In that case yes all strings will sound the same. But played like a DB should be played, strings will make all the difference. I wouldn’t say that there is something better than the other It’s going to be the process of exploration just like with the DB where someone find what works for them and what they like.
 
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#11
Thread revival after trying on several brands of strings. Pizz only, bowing only used for intonation practice and etudes.

The first set I tried was the preinstalled Helicore Hybrid Lights. As a Spirocore Stark user these were a bit floppy for my taste, and the tone was somewhat boingy. Low tension makes for a bit higher action than I'm used to but I could work around it. These strings sound well and play easy. It's a decent preinstalled set that I think many owners will be happy to keep.

Next up was my trusty Pirastro Perpetual set with regular D and G. The tone was very similar to the Helicore Hybrids but less boingy. This set came off for pretty much the same reasons.

Third up: A much loved (=beat up) set of Spirocore Mittels. These felt much better and had better projection with almost no boing. But these were way too e-bassy, and no amount of fiddling with the blend and tone settings could mitigate this. Close but no cigar.

Fourth: A set of Innovation 140P Polychrome hybrid strings. These strings are darker in character and have a vintage vibe on the SLB300. Mid/high tension means I can bottom out the bridge screws for lower action, and it's an easy transition from the Spirocore Starks on my Chadwick hybrid.

The only drawback with this set is that the E sounds a bit, I dunno, sterile. I can live with it and it'll probably sit well in the bands I play in (jazz band and bluegrass), but when I have the time I'll try other low E strings. Maybe a Spirocore Mittel?
 
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#12
Pjotor said:
Thread revival after trying on several brands of strings. Pizz only, bowing only used for intonation practice and etudes.

The first set I tried was the preinstalled Helicore Hybrid Lights. As a Spirocore Stark user these were a bit floppy for my taste, and the tone was somewhat boingy. Low tension makes for a bit higher action than I'm used to but I could work around it. These strings sound well and play easy. It's a decent preinstalled set that I think many owners will be happy to keep.

Next up was my trusty Pirastro Perpetual set with regular D and G. The tone was very similar to the Helicore Hybrids but less boingy. This set came off for pretty much the same reasons.

Third up: A much loved (=beat up) set of Spirocore Mittels. These felt much better and had better projection with almost no boing. But these were way too e-bassy, and no amount of fiddling with the blend and tone settings could mitigate this. Close but no cigar.

Fourth: A set of Innovation 140P Polychrome hybrid strings. These strings are darker in character and have a vintage vibe on the SLB300. Mid/high tension means I can bottom out the bridge screws for lower action, and it's an easy transition from the Spirocore Starks on my Chadwick hybrid.

The only drawback with this set is that the E sounds a bit, I dunno, sterile. I can live with it and it'll probably sit well in the bands I play in (jazz band and bluegrass), but when I have the time I'll try other low E strings. Maybe a Spirocore Mittel?
Click to expand...
If the E is stiff, run the string slightly bent lengthwise over your thumb, and repeat this in all directions until the string gets more flexible.
I did this with an E and A of a prototype set that developed into the Polychromes and also with the Braided set.
Takes about an hour for each string and results in a sore thumb for a day, but worth doing it.
 
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#13
Pjotor said:
Ordered today from Thomann in Germany and included the BEF-2 shoulder extension. Quite a bit of money and I am a bit nervous, but the itch became just too great. I spent hours reading up on other EUB models (most notably the MK models) but in the end I decided to go for the SLB300.

I'll try to find time to post updates with soundclips et cetera. Will probably put on a used set of either Spirocore Weich or Pirastro Perpetual early on.
Click to expand...
I have also been looking at the MK models versus the Yamaha. Why did you decide the way you did?
 
#14
paulhenry said:
I have also been looking at the MK models versus the Yamaha. Why did you decide the way you did?
Click to expand...

I also looked very long and hard at the MK models. Compared reviews, clips, forum posts and a lot of other things. And it took a few months to reach a conclusion. Because the differences (that are important to me) are fairly minor, I concluded that I would be happy with any of the choices. This made the final decision a bit easier. Second or third best is often good enough.

The most important selling points for me were portability, convenience and being able to practise if my Chadwick is at the luthier's or rented out. The MK models and the SLB300 fulfill these points with ease. They sound great, they play great, feedback is a non-issue and all have great portability, the MK Fly models even more thanks to removable necks. The action on the MK models uses a proprietary system, while the SLB300 has regular bridge screws. The MK models are available in different variants and price ranges. And the MK Classic has an actual sound chamber while the SLB300 uses electronics. It was a tossup.

NB: I also looked at the Travel Bass (Travel Bass) but the waiting list seems to be never ending.

I play in two bands, one bluegrass band and one small jazz band with trumpet, trombone, alto sax, a pianist and a drummer. Sitting well in the mix is more important than having the best acoustic tone. Arco playing or playing in jazz trios/quartets would be a different matter.

It ultimately came down to the SLB300 finally being stocked again in European stores, and that Yamaha has a global presence and service network. The MK models are made to order instruments, coming from a single Italian manufacturer, meaning longer lead times compared to items in stock but also a more personal service experience. I chose convenience this time, and I can't see myself wanting to upgrade.
 
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#15
uprightbass.com said:
I’ve had mine for over 2 years now. SLB300PRO however. My only wish is that they had this thing 20 years ago. Having this has increase my practice time ten fold. It’s so easy just walk up to it and play for ten minutes here and there throughout the day that I keep playing it and it adds up. Having a stand makes this possible. I made my own stand but the endpin stays on the ground. It’s so easy to just pull it towards me and get some playing time in here and there. Plus I can practice with headphones so the family doesn’t have to hear me practicing all of the time.

About the strings, I strongly disagree with the opinion that you read. Stings make a huge difference. I’ve gone through all of the usual suspects and they make huge difference. But I will say that the SLB allows someone to play it over amplified since it never feeds back. That is to say someone can do that to the point that they’re putting no meat into the strings and playing it like a BG. In that case yes all strings will sound the same. But played like a DB should be played, strings will make all the difference. I wouldn’t say that there is something better than the other It’s going to be the process of exploration just like with the DB where someone find what works for them and what they like.
Click to expand...

I'm looking at getting this and an eminence. Have you gotten both?
 

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