I don't have neck dive issues with my 5-string however when I play sitting down it still is on a strap. Mine weighs less than 8lbs.
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New Yamaha RBX5 A2
- Thread starter HariKari
- Start date
I don't have neck dive issues with my 5-string however when I play sitting down it still is on a strap. Mine weighs less than 8lbs.
I played around with mine today, neck dive is only slight with the strap on, but on my knee it still dives. Not a bid deal, still sounds better than a 300 dollar bass.
Those are very cool basses. Just a great sound and great value! I love the pinstrips and the control lights!
My 5 is great.. I usually play seated without a strap and have had no problem whatsoever with neck dive.
Something else I forgot to mention about the 5, is that it has a much flatter radius than the 4. But from what I remember when I tried one, they've used the same pickups as the 4, which are radiused (sp?) to match the 4 string neck. So string output may be a little un-even on the 5.
PS, talking of pickups, does anyone know of any aftermarket replacements that I could stick in? As the pickups, although quite adequate, are no match for the Dimarzio's in my attitude and the MEC's in my Thumb. I'd like something a little more 'ballsy', but the design is pretty much non-standard (single screw each end rather than 2 either side like a traditional jazz p/up)
PS, talking of pickups, does anyone know of any aftermarket replacements that I could stick in? As the pickups, although quite adequate, are no match for the Dimarzio's in my attitude and the MEC's in my Thumb. I'd like something a little more 'ballsy', but the design is pretty much non-standard (single screw each end rather than 2 either side like a traditional jazz p/up)
Just received my RBX5A2 today and it's a solid instrument. Does a great Jazz impression and weighs in right at 8lbs according to the shipping scale here at work. Took about 10 minutes of adjustment to get the string/pickup height close to where I like it (I'll fine-tune later). Neck is finished but my thumb still slid around without issue - the finish is very piano-like smoove IMHO. The medium-thin neck radius is exactly what I wanted and the body looks better in person than in photos. I didn't have the nut issues others listed previously in this thread - according both to my ear and a Korg tuner the open, first and second frets are all in-tune.
I put a nylon strap on it for a couple of minutes and was aware of a bit of neck dive, although it was nowhere near as bad as the Epi T-Bird I owned earlier in the year. I may add some stick-on weights if I still have dive with my comfort strap.
Overall, I'll call this bass a SCORE for <$300.
I put a nylon strap on it for a couple of minutes and was aware of a bit of neck dive, although it was nowhere near as bad as the Epi T-Bird I owned earlier in the year. I may add some stick-on weights if I still have dive with my comfort strap.
Overall, I'll call this bass a SCORE for <$300.
The pickups are not the same as on the 4. I mean, they are the same type/style, but made for the 5. When I sight down the neck toward the bridge, the "bar" on the pickups looks to match the curvature of the frets perfectly. I think Yamaha took care of any radius issues on the 5. String output seems even across all strings.
Pat
Got mine last week and so far love it to death. 7-3/4 lbs, well made and sounds great too. Here are some pics since there don't seem to be too many of this one on the web. Notice the fully shielded electronics!
Yamaha Aerodyne FTW
Yamaha Aerodyne FTW
Btw I just saw that MF has these for $249.00 with the 45 day warranty. If you want one, now would be the time to pick one up. Looks like they're going fast. 
When I bought mine I really wanted a white one. I called a bunch of places but they were all out of white. I think I could have ordered one at $599 (paid $299 for mine). The RBX4 A2 looks like the same situation fifty bucks cheaper.
I love love love love yamaha. I play a BBG5S and just purchased a duplicate from a TBer as backup, dirt cheap.
I played the RBX5 A2 at a local best buy. I love the feel, weight, and sound, and the white one, with the lights, looks like what I can only describe as an iBass. However, the lack of dot (or otherwise) inlays was a major turn-off for me. I'm completely self taught, so I recognize a lot of the notes I play by my hand position relative to the inlay. If I bought one, I would end up painting it on.
I played the RBX5 A2 at a local best buy. I love the feel, weight, and sound, and the white one, with the lights, looks like what I can only describe as an iBass. However, the lack of dot (or otherwise) inlays was a major turn-off for me. I'm completely self taught, so I recognize a lot of the notes I play by my hand position relative to the inlay. If I bought one, I would end up painting it on.
I just ordered two of 'em, a 4 and a 5. Became interested a few days ago when I heard Ed F. playing it on YT, reading some of your reviews, and seeing the good deals. Hopefully the nut and dive issue aren't there for me. I love Yamaha basses; good parts and build quality. My experience with them is that they are kind of like all season tires. They don't lead the class at any one thing, but do all things pretty well. My very first bass was a BBN5, that I gave to a family member. I still miss that bass.
i played on the RBX A2 and found the neck thickness (from front to back, not the width) to be too thick for my liking.
personally I prefer a wider neck (sideways) with a thinner/flatter (front to back) neck.
personally I prefer a wider neck (sideways) with a thinner/flatter (front to back) neck.
I think this is a really cool bass -- the light weight and the overall "funky-ness" of the thing really tickles my fancy. My problem is with the hollow-body aspect of the tone. In the sound clips, it sounds a little "boxy" to my ears. I would really need to hear one live through a rig.
It does look pretty cool, tho!
It does look pretty cool, tho!
When I played it at church I got to hear it through the PA and it sounded big and Jazz bass like. When played through a headphone amp, like my Tascam trainer, it does sound a bit boxy, however when played through a decent rig it sounds pretty good. I played it through a GK combo, my Peavey Max112 and my Yorkville XS400 and it sounds good through all of them. YMMV of course...
Also, I play most of my amps mostly flat with a small bump up on the lows and the mids with all controls on the bass on full. So that is what I hear and may contribute differently to my perception of the bass' sound.
Id rather have a white one myself. Ive always been interested in this bass but have never played one.
