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Yamaha appreciating thread

I rock a Yamaha SBV500 (the "Flying Samurai") or "Surf Bass". It's a reissue of their 60s model that they put out for a year or two and then yanked off the market (I think)...

A 200 dollar bass on Ebay (originally retailing for 650 or so).

It's easy to play and it sounds good (and versatile too). The neck is super fast, with matte satin finish and a ridiculously small circumfrence at the nut (like a guitar). I remember playing Hamer Explorer type basses in the store in the 80s, and it feels like that... a light bass with a fast neck.

I love the retro style basses, and this one has that, except with good modern pickups, wiring and craftsmanship. It's fun to play and the little NUB horn makes me laugh.

If a P Bass is a Cadillac or Lincoln Town Car, then the SBV is a Ford Mustang or Z28. Fast and fun.
 

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PilbaraBass said:
Don't forget the cheapest Yammy of them all the RBX-170 is STILL a decent axe in its own right.

I picked up a like-new RBX-170 on e-bay for $170 AU (they sell at the shops here for about $360+). Slapped on D'Addario XL's on her, set her up, and let her rip.

Great bass for the price, for sure.

I'm considering the following mods:
-Shield the control cavity (not currently shielded)
-Replace the pots and cap (they're noiseless, but the volume pots only work well on last 1/4 turn, and that is annoying)
-Change the knobs to chrome domes to match the tuners (I don't dig black plastic)
-New Pickups? (probably won't go there, these ones sound fine...besides, I'll only know AFTER I get me a decent outboard pre-amp...lookin' at a Sadowsky or an Aggie...sorry, can't afford a Demeter...so don't suggest it)

Wiring and knobs should only set me back about $30-50 australian...not bad, really.

Oh yeah...cosmetically I was toying with the Idea of a stick-on tort guard. My bass is red and a tort or black guard would look great (white would look cool too.)

Anyway...Yammies are GREAT...I'd love to own a TRB5II AND a BB414...(accepting donations)


I have the erb070, which is even cheaper than the rbx170(about 270$), its the same but with no j pickup. Anyways, its pretty good, it plays well and sounds ok I guess, Im gonna install Dimarzo Willpower Ps on it soon.
 
Does anyone know what a yamaha TRB 411 goes for, or what they went for new, I've had mine about 4yrs and got it from a music store that was going out of business. I think I paid about $750.00 for it new. Does this sound about right? They told me it was a high end bass. It certainely looks and feels like one. It has gold plated hardware and all.

Thanks

mlunsford
 
mlunsford said:
Does anyone know what a yamaha TRB 411 goes for, or what they went for new, I've had mine about 4yrs and got it from a music store that was going out of business. I think I paid about $750.00 for it new. Does this sound about right? They told me it was a high end bass. It certainely looks and feels like one. It has gold plated hardware and all.

Thanks

mlunsford


Thats is a very good price for a new TRBII 5 string. I think they went for around $900.00-$1000.00 new and even more list price.
 
syciprider said:
yammy640.jpg


Powerful tones out of this one. And doesn't say "mwah". It says "shrubbery".

That's beautiful.

I just picked up a fretless BB400S to go with the 3000S & 1100S, jeez, it weighs a ton! but it plays great. The pup seems a bit weak compared to the power and punch of the 3000S but it's fine. I'm addicted to these Yammys, I just need a 2000, a 1600 and a 5000MA and I'll be set ;) .
 
I've been pondering about getting a Yamaha for a while now - I had GAS for a RBX-774 or 775 a little while back, but since they are now discontinued, I've been considering getting a RBX-374 or RBX-375...

I don't have access to one in a shop to try it a the moment, so I've been looking around for information. I've seen mixed reviews, some really good, and some less - my biggest concern at this point is the finish, since I've seen cases where apparently the finish was very easy to chip/wear.

Do any of you own one of these basses? If so, I'd really love to see some comments!
 
So last month I got the GAS bug and sprung for a vintage Yamaha BB5000 on ebay. I've had my BB1600 for a few years now, but really wanted to get my hands on one of the neck-through BB3000s or 5000s.

My thoughts?

Well, the first thing I thought to myself when opening the case after it arrived was "blechh". My new BB5000 is the ivory white color, the same kind Nathan East was once seen playing, and that looked so good in those old SNL appearances. In my basement, I don't think it looks nearly as good. At first, I was a little discouraged.

Then, I plugged it in.

This thing sounds incredible! Each note I play sustains like an organ, but yet has a nice punch and growl to it. Unlike my BB1600, notes retain their full clarity and evenness all the way up the fretboard, and don't get "foggy" at the higher registers. Each of the three pickup positions (P, PJ, J) has a distinct, useful voice, and don't 'burp' when I misfret or softfinger a note. I shouldn't be needing a compressor with this bass.

So bottom line - unattractive bass (IMO), fantastic bass nonetheless.

Below is the new BB5000 sitting next to it's older brother the BB1600.
 
Kazuki said:
I've been pondering about getting a Yamaha for a while now - I had GAS for a RBX-774 or 775 a little while back, but since they are now discontinued, I've been considering getting a RBX-374 or RBX-375...

I don't have access to one in a shop to try it a the moment, so I've been looking around for information. I've seen mixed reviews, some really good, and some less - my biggest concern at this point is the finish, since I've seen cases where apparently the finish was very easy to chip/wear.

Do any of you own one of these basses? If so, I'd really love to see some comments!

I've got an RBX yammy.
It will chip and ding easily, as the finish is fairly soft - or were when i got it 10 years ago anyway. (clear woodgrain finish)
Mine has a fairly brutalised look about it now, i get comments on it regularly....... :rolleyes:
Its still got a dead straight neck, and good looking frets, even after a $***load of use and abuse.
I love my yammy enuf that;
when i upgrade soon (hopefully) I may convert it to a fretless. :cool: