Yamaha basses

when i first got here on talkbass i posted an identical thread. I to own a yamama, i have a bbn4III and its a great bass imo.

 

I have an RBX765 and I love it. I used it for the first time, in a band setting, today. Instead of my usual crappy combo amp I scammed a nice stack and a monitor. Jeez did it ever sound nice. That B string really shook the ground.

 

I've never had a bad Yamaha.

 

I feel the same way about Yamaha. They are so underrated. I have a BB5NII and this bass sounds so good, it's hard to believe it's only $400.00 new. People here talk about upgrading other brands with new pickups and bridges, etc. Buy a Yamaha! It's got everything you want right off the bat. And I'm talking about a lower mid priced bass. The RBX series are also great. I guess it's the name or something. This Company must have been founded by over achievers. Everyone: Next time you go to a music store, PLEASE check out a Yamaha.

Mike J.

 

I have a Yamaha TRB-5, which indeed is a nice instrument. I don't play it much though, mostly because the frets need a dressing, and they really need it! I'm too poor at the moment to pay for the treatment.
I'm also not too fond of the noisy pre-amp or the near-flat fretboard (I think I want a bit more curvature). But it's very well made, very comfortable body shape and a nice slim neck profile. It has a very modern and articulate tone which sustains practically forever, although I feel it's a bit too anonymous in a rock setting.

Not the ultimate bass for me, but very nice nevertheless.

 

i've just bought a TRB5 fretless and while i haven't recieved it yet, i know that the rbx series is nice, having played the 765A

i, like Oysterman think that its not the ultimate bass, that'll always be the overwater, but nether-the-less and worthly learning and gigging tool

stu

 

I've found the overall tone and playability to be excellent in Yamahas. They are a good deal for the price.

It's kind of weird. There's some folks on this board that seem pretty rational, but they never recommend anything but Fender when considering the entry to low middle level basses. I guess it's like the "Harley" syndrome among bikers.

Part of this may come from Yamaha dropping developement on it's high level lines for awhile. Years ago Yamaha seemed committed to maintaining a great mid to high level line in both their basses and guitars. Many of the top pros played them (the first time I saw the Yellowjackets, Jimmy Haslip was playing one).

Now, the "signature models" seem pretty stagnant, an example is the Michael Anthony bass. It's just a BB3000 with inlays, the same bass from 15 years ago and the "j" pickup still sucks. In general, these name basses sit by themselves, rather than being a flagship for further development and features in the rest of their line.

This may be changing. The new BB1500A is no signature model and is aimed squarely at the MIA Fender Jazz and it's custom clones. Rave reviews in Bassplayer, but no user reports online yet.

 

My first real bass was a yamaha BB. I would still own it if not for the fact that it was stolen in 1992.

Anyway, I just picked a BB350F for $200 with a nice case not too long ago. Not my no. 1 player, but a great sounded fretless for the cash. I will always stand by Yamaha as quality stuff.

Chas

 

Yamaha's gonna make a come back, you just watch.
I think alot of MIM devotees would go Yamaha if they A/B ed them.

Mike J.

 

i hate fender p/j-style with a passion

 

I´ve got an Yamaha RBX6JM. Playabillity is just amazing, exactly what I wanted. Fast neck, tight spacing.
Sound was okay when I bought it, but I wanted it to sound awesome, so I dropped in some SD Soapbars and a Bart Preamp and now it´s the absolute monster bass...

Only my new Warwick is cooler (maybe because its my NEW Warwick)...

David

 

Yeah, I have a Yamaha. Its not the greatest but Im content with it. (RBX260)

Laters.

 

I have a Yamaha rbx-260 and strongly dislike the thing. I recently acquired a really old washburn budget bass for like nothing and it beat the yamaha hands-down.

Here's the good part though: I played a $400 Yamaha bbg and loved it! If only I had spent 200 more on my first bass. The bbg sounded excelent.

 

I picked up a BB2000 a month ago and it's my favorite bass now.It's a mid eighties and has the same pickups and controls as the BB3000 signature bass.It's 15 years old and all it needs is a little fret work.I like it so much I just sold my Carvin 6string and kept my MIM Jazz Deluxe as a backup.This Yamaha is sweet.

 

Do you hear that World? We are Yamaha lovers, and we ain't gonna be quiet anymore!

Mike J.

 

Damn straight.

 

LOVE IT!!! And have also wondered and asked :"What about Yamaha??" here at TB.

 

JEEP is doing pants!

some pants that never gets dirt or water and also you dont have to iron them!

 

Could someone post a pic of a BB5000?