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New Yamaha RBX5 A2

#181
I think I should jump on (and somewhat resurrect) this thread.

I bought a 4-A2 on Friday and right away I changed the strings and put my favorites on (Medium D'addario Flats). I set up the action (it was a tad low for me). The intunation was still close to perfect and I did not bother adjusting the saddles.

One thing about the tune pot: it will not work well with the volume pots at "10". If you lower them to 80%, then the tone pot will work properly. No idea why it behaves like that on THIS bass.

I decided right away to sell my RBX-270. I love it but the A2 is just about the same type of bass and I know I would not play it in the long term.

Overall I love this bass. It took me a couple hours to get used to, but I love it, love it, love it.

It is a good complement to my 83 Foundation, which is a totally different animal.
 
#182
After much consideration, I rewired my RBX5 A2 pickups for series operation over the weekend and am pleased with the result. I'll probably put in a switch at some point but am very happy with the punch I'm getting from this bass now as well as the complete lack of noise in series mode.

On a fun note, I had a "lightweight" practice last night - I used the A2 (in a lightweight Gator case) as well as my Carvin BR510N and the Zoom B1 pedal I carry around for backup to my main multi-effect setup. It was silly fun to be able to bring everything into the drummer's place in one trip and with zero struggle.
 
#184
NickInMesa said:
Optikhog: can you post the wiring diagram for series operation?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Sure, here's how it would look with the switch as part of the setup:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

If you just want straight series wiring (as I did), you would disconnect the neck ground wire (black) and bridge lead wire (white) from their current positions and tie them together. Add a touch of solder to hold them together and wrap with electrical tape for a secure and noise-free connection.

I picked up a 3/4" DPDT switch from the Shack yesterday and will install it as per the diagram as I have time - the space for the switch inside the cavity is quite cramped so be sure to go with this type of tiny switch if you do the full install.
 
#185
Hi,

I revisited this topic. Just like the first poster, I was aware of these basses of Yamaha at the time they came out (thanks to an ad I found somewhere).
I looked it up, and also found prices of around $350.
I was immediately interested, but because we where in a move, I kind of forgot about it for a while.
I came to revisit this topic today (nearly 9months later), and I could not find the price I once found!

I have to say that for 300-350,this bass is a buy, but not for $+500!

Anyone knows a place they sell this for a good price?
MF don't sell them anymore.
 
#187
I got my RBX5-A2 in August 2009 at one of the Best Buy stores that have that music section built in. I got it for around $400. I love it! Can't believe they didn't sell these. I always get compliments on the look of it, too! (They didn't hear how awesome it sounded because I wasn't playing at the time.)
 
#188
jsr1693 said:
I got my RBX5-A2 in August 2009 at one of the Best Buy stores that have that music section built in. I got it for around $400. I love it! Can't believe they didn't sell these. I always get compliments on the look of it, too! (They didn't hear how awesome it sounded because I wasn't playing at the time.)
Click to expand...

Good for you if you like yours.

I had the 4-string version. It was punchy but lack bottom end and growl.

It was indeed very very light and the neck awesome as usual with Yammies.
 
#191
Cool. At least you found stuff you like! That's the most important part. I recently tried a Lakland J bass going through a Nemesis amp and my local store (The Bass Exchange), and it blew away the sound I was getting through my Yamaha with my Roland Micro Cube lol. I need to go back to the store to see if it was the amp (hopefully it is), or the bass (don't want to buy another at the moment!)
 
#192
Dunno if you saw my previous posts but like NickInMesa I did find the A2 a bit lacking in lows, especially compared to my G&L (duh). The simple addition of a $50 EMG BTC in place of the stock tone control (and a quarter turn of the bass dial) has fixed that problem completely and expanded the tonal options to the point where I've been playing this bass exclusively for the past 3 months.

/edit - I did pay $70 for the BTC I put in this bass but have seem them around lately for <$50. Yum.
 
#194
optikhog said:
Dunno if you saw my previous posts but like NickInMesa I did find the A2 a bit lacking in lows, especially compared to my G&L (duh). The simple addition of a $50 EMG BTC in place of the stock tone control (and a quarter turn of the bass dial) has fixed that problem completely and expanded the tonal options to the point where I've been playing this bass exclusively for the past 3 months.

/edit - I did pay $70 for the BTC I put in this bass but have seem them around lately for <$50. Yum.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I ended up selling my RBX to finance the Jazz.

I like to screw around with a soldering iron too, but time is of the essence between work, family, practice and gigs.
 
#195
I know it seems like it'd be complicated, given the wiring diagram I posted above and by looking at the horrible snaking of wires in my terrible cell phone pic but this was probably the simplest upgrade I've ever done - all you need is a pair of pliers, some electrical tape and about 10 minutes. Like you, Nick, I have very little time to go around making mods to stuff for the heck of it (3 kids, 1.5 jobs, gigs, practice) but this one's a no-brainer because Yamaha gives you everything you need in the stock bass. I'd be glad to do a quick video tutorial of how I made the change if you guys would be interested.

Whoops, just re-read and noticed Nick sold his RBX - so sad now.
 
#199
optikhog said:
Nope, you're actually looking for the single-pot version, which is the "BTC Control" - this is the link from EMG's web site:
Link Removed

Here's the link to Sweetwater's listing:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EMGBTC/
Click to expand...

I was thinking of modding my RBX5-A2, and the EMG's look like a good option. I won't be installing them, I'm too clumsy for that! I'll give it to local luthier, are they easy to install?

Also, I'd like to change the pups, any idea what would fit? They look a bit bigger than normal jazz pups, but that could just be the casing. In fact, if I could just remove the casings I'd be happy. It's the only part of the bass I don't like!
 

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