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Yamaha RBX170 Owners

#43
I have a 270J in "Yellow Natural Satin". I really enjoy it. It feels good. I can't comment on the sound too much as I am playing through a 15 watt guitar amp. ATM, it sounds really thin. It's okay for practicing in my apartment but when I get a better amp (Boxing day maybe) it better sound better... ;).

I've noticed that the tone knob doesn't really do anything except add background hiss. Is that normal for a tone knob?

Dave
 
#45
Well, my bass has all part stripped from it, the paint is going on soon. :)
I'm doing white as a base, then working with blue... its going to be a bit of an experiment...

So I'm going to have to decide on pickups soon, maybe some knobs, and a nice set of flatwounds.

To be updated...
 
#46
Past-Time said:
Well, my bass has all part stripped from it, the paint is going on soon. :)
I'm doing white as a base, then working with blue... its going to be a bit of an experiment...

So I'm going to have to decide on pickups soon, maybe some knobs, and a nice set of flatwounds.

To be updated...
Click to expand...

I'd be interested in seeing that! (and also the strings you pick)
 
#49
Bump for more RBX170 love :)

I put the original P-pup back in mine last Sunday...it's been repaired and I like it's sound a little better (splitting some hairs) than the Wilkinson I had in there (just a bit more agressive).

I really take care of this bass because I play it ALL the time...so far I've done basic setups on it (intonation, truss rod, and action), I've had to fix the too-deep nut slots (superglue, baking soda, & needle files), and that's about it...mods include hiphot chrome o-ring knobs and a push-pull pot on the middle knob to put the two pickups (J and P) into series...I haven't had to do a thing with the frets, yet...I probably have a good year or two before they could stand a touch up...I've also shielded the bass with a DIY aluminium foil/carpet tape application...

my string of choice for this bass is D'addario nickel round-wound XL-170's (0.1, 0.08, 0.65, 0.45)

Sunday night I played it in church (like I do 3 weeks a month) and it just plain flat out delivers! I play the bass through my Zoom B2.1u into the house...I received several compliments on the bass sound over the last couple of weeks (I certainly don't attribute it to my playing :D )...One particular tune "Rejoice In the Lord", calypso style praise song, was so good, we ended up playing it 4 times!
 
#51
Now in the new year, finally painted my RBX. :)

Check it out... airbrushed it. All the credit goes to my grandpa. :)

Its just sitting over at his house getting a bit more laquer on it... and the question still remains. Pickups and strings? I've got no clue.

Those seymour duncan p-pickups look nice, but what about the jazz one?

And I was considering flatwounds (though probably not the Steve Harris ones :p). My local store only really has D'Addario strings , what do people think of those?

And finally, I want to replace the plastic knobs too :p. Got them off easy, but what could I get/how would install them?
 

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#54
I just picked up what I think is an RBX170 for $80 with a Freedom HSC. I plan to flip it, because I have other basses to play. I think it's a 170, because its royal blue, it has a PJ pick-up style and is light as a feather. There are VVT plastic knobs, and a back route/4-screw cover plate for the simple pots. The tuners are closed-back and have side holes (the kind that require clipping the strings, rather than feeding the ends into the base of the machine). There is a lightly stamped serial number Q10203438 on the back of the headtock between the keywinds. "Made in Indonesia" and "CE N89" appear on the bottom of the back of the bass.

I know, I know...photos. But I haven't a camera handy.

Can anyone narrow it down based on that description? Are there any other RBXs with that combination other that the alder-body 270?
 
#55
I purchased a RBX-170 as my 1st bass to get back into playing after about 10 yrs off. I have to say this is a great bass. The Neck is fantastic. I think its every bit as good as far as build and sound as my Washburn Force 4 I had (and still do) back in the early 80s.
 
#56
I have it in black it's a real nice bass. Mine's only problem is the P pickup has gotten rather weak over the three years I've had it. So just watch out for that. But, as for quality it's the best bass in the beginner range of any and every brand I A/B'd it with.

It beat out the Ibanez's, Squires, Deans, and even a few MIM Fenders.
These basses are perfect for pick players too nice and light also but, they still pack a punch.
 
#58
ive got an rbx 170 in black, no mods, had it for years and recording with it to this day, your just not going to find anything better for the price and it can take alot of abuse, the only problem is ive chiped the nut, anyone know were i would find a replacement (i know i could have one made but i would prefer to buy a nut and just lock it into place myself). I have also have a rare westone fretless and while its difficult to compare them the rbx still holds a place in my heart.
 

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