• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Yamaha RBX170 Owners

#24
I don't make any bones about it...I LOVE my RBX170....it plays absolutely FANTASTIC...my action is 1.5mm on the 12th fret E-string and 2.0mm at the 24th...I've never played a bass with a better setup (of course, the setup is thanks to the bass AND me ;) )

problems? NONE...oh yeah...I had a nut slot wear a bit...but I fixed that up easility enough (I made a thread about it in the setup forum)...
Oh I had the p-pickup die on me...I replaced it with a decent sounding Wilkinson that I picked up on the 'bay...but a fellow TBer fixed up my stock pickup and I'm slapping it back in...
the pickups aren't high quality or anything (apparently potted with pink candle wax :eek:) ... but I like how they sound...

MODS?

Shielded the cavity...
Replaced plastic knobs with hipshot chrome O-ring knobs
installed a push-pull pot on the bridge volume to put the pickups in series (a DEFINITELY worthwhile mod to get a bit more low mid and "oomph" when needed)
THAT'S it...otherwise it is stock...

I love the feel of the neck...LOVE IT!

It sound pretty darn sweet, too...I can get a lot of variation out of it...

I play D'addario nickel wound XL-170's on it...my string-o-choice.

I own 4-basses and this one is my main player...best $150 I ever spent...
 
#31
The only difference is Rbx 270's body is alder while 170's body is agathis. There isn't much difference in sound. They are both great sounding instruments. I think the electronics are exactly the same (pups, pots)... And there are some cosmetic differences too (like colour options).
 
#32
birdie num nums said:
The only difference is Rbx 270's body is alder while 170's body is agathis. There isn't much difference in sound. They are both great sounding instruments. I think the electronics are exactly the same (pups, pots)... And there are some cosmetic differences too (like colour options).
Click to expand...

Given those differences, I'd say 270 owners are welcome here as well. :hyper:
 
#33
Speaking of mods, this weekend my 170 is getting painted up, then I shall follow by picking up some new strings, finding some new pups, and replacing those annoying plastic knobs.

I love the bass though, it has NEVER failed me after 2 years of playing.
 
#38
PilbaraBass said:
Ummmm...HEAVY! LOL

seriously, though...IMO, way too heavy for fingerstyle, but would probably be AWESOME with a pick.
Click to expand...

I am curious about flatwounds, I am having a setup done on my bass soon and thought I'd have them slap on some new strings.

I am still new to all of this. :)

PS - I assume by heavy you mean the gauge of the strings themselves right? (see, still VERY green here)
 
#39
I've got a 270F fretless.
the 270 also has diecast GB7-style machineheads, the 170 has pressed steel case machineheads (unless they've upgraded the models recently).

it's a great bass for the money, my only problem is there are deadspots from the C to the Eb on the Gstring (also the octave D on the D string dies a bit quickly for my liking), and it's a bit light on lows. but at the price I'm nitpicking.
 
#40
I just started playing the bass one month ago. After trying several basses at GC, the Yamaha felt "right".

So far, I'm loving it.

I'm still getting to know the instrument but for me, the action is a little too high so, that's a change that's coming up.

And, of course, the knobs are the first things that will be replaced. The hipshot chrome O-ring knobs mentioned by Pilbarabass look cool.

As for the stock strings, they sound pretty good to me although the G string is a little too "trebley" but I can control that with how I pluck it. So, for the time being, I'll keep using them.

J.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back