Double Bass Yamaha SLB300 New model

[Cdnbassnut]

Is the 300 ebony?

 

[BobKay]

I think only the newer "Pro" model is ebony. My 2+ year old 300 is not ebony; rosewood I believe.

One note about the ribs - I added the additional rib to the bass side and find I get a lot more support and less twisting when standing. Had to order from Japan, but the transaction went smoothly.

 

[ClusterFlux]

Hey all, I'm planning to do some studio recording with my 300 next month. Any recommendations? E.g. recommended signal chain, anything I should tell an engineer who probably hasn't worked with an SLB before?

Also, any updates on string recommendations? I see some people recommending Spirocore mediums earlier this year.

 

[HateyMcAmp]

I think only the newer "Pro" model is ebony. My 2+ year old 300 is not ebony; rosewood I believe.

One note about the ribs - I added the additional rib to the bass side and find I get a lot more support and less twisting when standing. Had to order from Japan, but the transaction went smoothly.

I’m very confused about what is actually included with the bass. Do I need to buy the rib extension separately? I saw this online, but it says it’s for the slb200, I guess I assumed it was included/redundant on the 300?

https://www.thomannmusic.com/yamaha_bef2_extension_frame.htm

 

[BobKay]

No, you don't. The bass ships with a bass-side rib/shoulder, and a treble-side shoulder. I was referring to an add-on rib, rib extension, to the bass-side rib. Here's a link to one on Ebay. Not sure if this is the one I ordered, but I did get it through Ebay. It doesn't match the one that ships with the bass - it is black - and the one that ships matches the body. It's a giant link - I hope it translates OK.
YAMAHA dedicated extension frame BEF2 For Yamaha Silent Bass SLB200 NEW 4957812300155 | eBay

 

[BobKay]

I should have mentioned that it screws on to the stock shoulder. It comes with machine screws that fit existing holes on the stock shoulder. I leave it on all the time. It fits in the case with it attached. The manual says you have to remove it to get it in the case, but you don't.

 

[HateyMcAmp]

I should have mentioned that it screws on to the stock shoulder. It comes with machine screws that fit existing holes on the stock shoulder. I leave it on all the time. It fits in the case with it attached. The manual says you have to remove it to get it in the case, but you don't.

I just ordered one from Japan, hopefully it arrives around the same time as my bass itself. A main selling point of this instrument to me is that it has the simulated upper bout to make it feel more like a DB to than the (several other) EUBs I’ve been touring with. I would think that the extra attachment would be very helpful to get closer. I will continue to use a krivo pickup / piezo blend, but I’m hoping the SLB’s modern electronics will perform better than the old realist on my eminence.

FYI, the yen is really weak against the dollar so if you’ve been looking at one of these they are significantly cheaper when buying from a Japanese retailer at the moment, even with shipping.

 

[Neon Scribe]

Hey all, I'm planning to do some studio recording with my 300 next month. Any recommendations? E.g. recommended signal chain, anything I should tell an engineer who probably hasn't worked with an SLB before?

Also, any updates on string recommendations? I see some people recommending Spirocore mediums earlier this year.

I might be the biggest SLB300 fan on this site, but even I would recommend against using one for a studio recording. A good, or even adequate, quality real acoustic instrument recorded with good quality microphones is just going to sound a whole lot better. An SLB300 is absolutely awesome for headphone practice. It's great for rehearsals when dragging your big bass is a nuisance. It's great for live performances when feedback and/or space on stage is a problem. Unless your bass is going to be completely buried in the mix, it seems like a poor choice for a studio recording.

That said, if you don't have a choice, you should explain to the engineer what parameters you can control. There are the three different SRT settings, and the sim vs. direct pickup balance. You'll probably want to leave the tone controls in their middle positions and let that adjustment happen in the mixer.

As far as strings go, use the ones that you like best! Some people swear that strings can make a big difference in sound quality, but I haven't heard it at all when the SRT is in the circuit.

Put a fresh set of AA batteries in before your session.

 

[Hasty]

I just ordered one from Japan, hopefully it arrives around the same time as my bass itself. A main selling point of this instrument to me is that it has the simulated upper bout to make it feel more like a DB to than the (several other) EUBs I’ve been touring with. I would think that the extra attachment would be very helpful to get closer. I will continue to use a krivo pickup / piezo blend, but I’m hoping the SLB’s modern electronics will perform better than the old realist on my eminence.

FYI, the yen is really weak against the dollar so if you’ve been looking at one of these they are significantly cheaper when buying from a Japanese retailer at the moment, even with shipping.

I've seen you mention the Krivo with this bass. What advantage would that give you? I have a Krivo and keep it in my bag for situations where feedback might be a problem when playing the acoustic upright. However I don't see a situation where it would benefit an SLB (unless you use tons of effects that don't work with a piezo setup). Granted I play an SLB200 with a Tonedexter, so it might not be exactly the same... but I feel tone wise I'm in the same ballpark. And feedback has never ever been an issue with the SLB200... that's the main reason I keep it. Well that and space or quick rehearsals where I don't feel like dragging the acoustic DB along.

 

[Wasnex]

I've seen you mention the Krivo with this bass. What advantage would that give you? I have a Krivo and keep it in my bag for situations where feedback might be a problem when playing the acoustic upright. However I don't see a situation where it would benefit an SLB (unless you use tons of effects that don't work with a piezo setup). Granted I play an SLB200 with a Tonedexter, so it might not be exactly the same... but I feel tone wise I'm in the same ballpark. And feedback has never ever been an issue with the SLB200... that's the main reason I keep it. Well that and space or quick rehearsals where I don't feel like dragging the acoustic DB along.

Potential advantages of the Krivo...it produces more of an electric sound (providing this is a goal). It's more feedback resistant so you can run your amp louder.

 

[Hasty]

Potential advantages of the Krivo...it produces more of an electric sound (providing this is a goal). It's more feedback resistant so you can run your amp louder.

I’ve done some pretty loud and sketchy things with my SLB and never gotten feedback. I don’t think I’ve ever considered the possibility that it even could feed back. Maybe this weekend I can test that theory out.

 

[Wasnex]

I’ve done some pretty loud and sketchy things with my SLB and never gotten feedback. I don’t think I’ve ever considered the possibility that it even could feed back. Maybe this weekend I can test that theory out.

I wouldn't expect an SLB300 to feedback either. Please consider my comment on feedback in the context of an acoustic upright bass.

 

[Hasty]

I wouldn't expect an SLB300 to feedback either. Please consider my comment on feedback in the context of an acoustic upright bass.

Understood. I have a Krivo and keep it in reserve for potential feedback situations with my acoustic upright.
I was merely curious how it factored into the SLB300 equation.

 

[HateyMcAmp]

I use the Krivo on my EUBs for feedback resistance in really extreme situations (think a venue with 8 subwoofers under the stage), for a little electric flavor mixed in with the sound, and for better tracking with my analog octave pedal. I definitely don’t think the SLB would need a magnetic pickup for generally loud performance situations.

 

[Hasty]

I use the Krivo on my EUBs for feedback resistance in really extreme situations (think a venue with 8 subwoofers under the stage), for a little electric flavor mixed in with the sound, and for better tracking with my analog octave pedal. I definitely don’t think the SLB would need a magnetic pickup for generally loud performance situations.

Analog octave… say no
more.

 

[HateyMcAmp]

Analog octave… say no
more.

What’s crazy is the analog octave sounds GREAT with my enimence’s stock realist, but has a few notes that simply will not track (my Bb and C track great on the G string, but the B in that range barely makes a sound.) Maybe the Yamaha will be an improvement?

 

[TimothyGroovy]

Need to play some EUB for coming IEM only gigs, take the SLB300 out again, didn't deal with the noise problem when I first got it months ago, wanna track with it and see.

Is the noise floor normal to anyone of you? (SLB300 plug direct to Avalon U5, first with the Yamaha Pre and half without, noticable background hiss when the preamp enaged), while part of the reasons I purchased the SLB300 is the preaamp.
Seriously, I don't think I can play this thing (if the background hiss considered as normal) at any professional situations.

or the preamp is a faulty one?

Here is the short recording
Dropbox - Yamaha SLB300 Noise Floor (With and Without Pre).wav - Simplify your life

Thanks guys!

 

[Hasty]

Need to play some EUB for coming IEM only gigs, take the SLB300 out again, didn't deal with the noise problem when I first got it months ago, wanna track with it and see.

Is the noise floor normal to anyone of you? (SLB300 plug direct to Avalon U5, first with the Yamaha Pre and half without, noticable background hiss when the preamp enaged), while part of the reasons I purchased the SLB300 is the preaamp.
Seriously, I don't think I can play this thing (if the background hiss considered as normal) at any professional situations.

or the preamp is a faulty one?

Here is the short recording
Dropbox - Yamaha SLB300 Noise Floor (With and Without Pre).wav - Simplify your life

Thanks guys!

What does the gain structure look like? Are your settings all out at max? I know I frequently have a habit of putting things at 100% or 0%. Wondering if this is a similar situation. I have some effects that will introduce that type of floor noise when maxed. Not excusing the behavior of the Yamaha preamp, just curious if different settings would make a difference. Since you’re running though an Avalon I imagine you could easily make up any volume discrepancy there.

 

[TimothyGroovy]

What does the gain structure look like? Are your settings all out at max? I know I frequently have a habit of putting things at 100% or 0%. Wondering if this is a similar situation. I have some effects that will introduce that type of floor noise when maxed. Not excusing the behavior of the Yamaha preamp, just curious if different settings would make a difference. Since you’re running though an Avalon I imagine you could easily make up any volume discrepancy there.

For DI level without extra gain, SLB300 basically got no enough output for my application.
Also noise introduce whenever the preamp is engaged.

 

[Francois Blais]

If you crank up the Avalon to get the same level as heard on the first part of the clip, do you have some hiss/noise?