Double Bass Yamaha SLB300 New model

[BobKay]

I'm on my third set of strings. Started with whatever came on it. Then switched to Evah lights, because that was what I use on my hybrid. Much better than the OE strings. But I developed a wonky sounding open A - too electric. So I switched to Spirocore lights. They have been on for about eight months, and in general I like very much.

I've been using the supplied mute in the recommended position - below the bridge. I'm going to move it up and see if I can tame the sustain a little. It's too much for some of the styles I play.

 

[Oscarharboe]

I have both the Alter Ego Basso and the slb100 (im considering selling the slb though), and can testament to that Evah mittel sound great on them. I also have great experience with spiro both mittel and light, and can really recommend everyone getting the ninomute for occasional more thump.
Question about the SLB300, how are the fretboard, setup and living with the aaa batterys? How do the longevity seem after your experience? Is it worth it to get the pro? Thanks, best from Norway.

 

[Kentos]

I have both the Alter Ego Basso and the slb100 (im considering selling the slb though), and can testament to that Evah mittel sound great on them. I also have great experience with spiro both mittel and light, and can really recommend everyone getting the ninomute for occasional more thump.
Question about the SLB300, how are the fretboard, setup and living with the aaa batterys? How do the longevity seem after your experience? Is it worth it to get the pro? Thanks, best from Norway.

Fingerboard is not bad but it feels soft little bit as it is made of rosewood. I have tried 300pro too and I’m sure 300pro is better than 300. Better fingerboard. You can hear attack quicker.
Never had any problem with batteries because I was using rechargeable batteries all the time.
However, I’m not sure if it is worth to switch from Alter Ego basso.
I personally prefer Basso to SLB300 in terms of playability.

 

[Oscarharboe]

Fingerboard is not bad but it feels soft little bit as it is made of rosewood. I have tried 300pro too and I’m sure 300pro is better than 300. Better fingerboard. You can hear attack quicker.
Never had any problem with batteries because I was using rechargeable batteries all the time.
However, I’m not sure if it is worth to switch from Alter Ego basso.
I personally prefer Basso to SLB300 in terms of playability.

Yeah, Im pretty happy with the alter ego, and probably wont ever selling it because of its great sound and great playability (i still have the option to upgrade the mics). The slb300 is still tempting in addition because it more easily packs down, and they get more affordable now through ebay. The pro is never listed though, have anybody seen that at a better price than the listed?

 

[HateyMcAmp]

Yeah, Im pretty happy with the alter ego, and probably wont ever selling it because of its great sound and great playability (i still have the option to upgrade the mics). The slb300 is still tempting in addition because it more easily packs down, and they get more affordable now through ebay. The pro is never listed though, have anybody seen that at a better price than the listed?

If the pro models were available on eBay I might have sprung for the better fingerboard, but I couldn’t rationalize the jump from $2700-ish for the standard at the discount price vs $5k-ish for the pro from sweetwater.

 

[Oscarharboe]

If the pro models were available on eBay I might have sprung for the better fingerboard, but I couldn’t rationalize the jump from $2700-ish for the standard at the discount price vs $5k-ish for the pro from sweetwater.[/QUOTE

Exactly! Guess I will consider getting the standard and eventually upgrading the fingerboard. Or is it more to it than that, do the aged bridge bring something to the table? Its so ridiculous that they claim that ebony is a rare feature on an upright btw, must be a typo.

 

[El Thumpo]

Does anyone have a idea as to how to obtain replacement parts from Yamaha? Because I have the SLB-300, not the Pro, and if the cost is not too prohibitive I’d gladly swap out my rosewood fingerboard and unflamed neck for an ebony fingerboard and flamed neck. It’s all one piece and it attaches with a single screw, so a swap-out is very much possible.

Any ideas for how we might make this happen?

 

[Oscarharboe]

Does anyone have a idea as to how to obtain replacement parts from Yamaha? Because I have the SLB-300, not the Pro, and if the cost is not too prohibitive I’d gladly swap out my rosewood fingerboard and unflamed neck for an ebony fingerboard and flamed neck. It’s all one piece and it attaches with a single screw, so a swap-out is very much possible.

Any ideas for how we might make this happen?

I have bought several other spare parts from the local Yamaha distributor in Norway. Absolutely worth a try, and please let us all know how that works out. At least it should be possible to get the aged bridge if thats really is something benefitial.

 

[BobKay]

I was able to order the battery box directly from Yamaha. They have an online parts ordering service, but you need to know the part number. I called and talked to a CSR who was very helpful - she looked up the part number and wrote the order for me. Had it in one week.

You might check the manual to see if the neck/fingerboard are listed as separate from the body.

 

[Hasty]

I was able to order the battery box directly from Yamaha. They have an online parts ordering service, but you need to know the part number. I called and talked to a CSR who was very helpful - she looked up the part number and wrote the order for me. Had it in one week.

You might check the manual to see if the neck/fingerboard are listed as separate from the body.

I was going to say the same.

I called customer service for my SLB-200 and she was kind enough to send me the full service manual for my bass. That way I can spend hours searching schematics and exploded diagrams to not find the part I need... however it does make it easier to get replacement parts since you can look at the same diagram they are when trying to order thing.

 

[cecoulter5]

I recently picked up a new SLB-300 and I love it. Has anyone found a hardshell case for it (other than having a custom made anvil flight case for it)?
Thanks!

 

[Hasty]

I recently picked up a new SLB-300 and I love it. Has anyone found a hardshell case for it (other than having a custom made anvil flight case for it)?
Thanks!

There’s a company in Europe (Denmark maybe?) that makes a Pelican type case. The cost is around $850, but shipping to the states was something like $400. It’s the same case used by Chris Minh Doky (if you’ve ever seen that). I can find their contact info if you want it. I’m sure it’s archived in a folder.

 

[Neon Scribe]

I bought a Pelican 1755 Air Long Case with the intention of using for my SLB300. The bass will definitely fit in this case, but there isn't room for Yamaha's soft case in the Pelican case. I decided to put the bass in checked baggage inside the soft case this time, after stuffing my clothes into all of the empty spaces. It seems pretty well protected, and it survived the trip just fine, but I know I'm courting danger. I'd like to have the soft case with me at the other end instead of having to use the Pelican all the time, but I didn't see a good way to bring the empty soft case. The Pelican case will also require custom foam fitting for the SLB300.

 

[Hasty]

I found the message and I'll post it here for posterity.

Here's a pic of the case:

I'm pretty sure that case is an SKB 6018-8. I do like the fact that it also holds the K&M stand in the case. If you're handy with a foam cutter you could fabricate something like this on your own. The company was Linde & Larsen Nordic Foam. I didn't buy one because shipping to me was more than I was willing to pay... but it's a nicely done case and probably pretty rock solid. If I was touring with one, sure I'd probably pony up the cash for it or find someone local that could do the same.

 

[cecoulter5]

I found the message and I'll post it here for posterity.

Here's a pic of the case:

View attachment 4950121

I'm pretty sure that case is an SKB 6018-8. I do like the fact that it also holds the K&M stand in the case. If you're handy with a foam cutter you could fabricate something like this on your own. The company was Linde & Larsen Nordic Foam. I didn't buy one because shipping to me was more than I was willing to pay... but it's a nicely done case and probably pretty rock solid. If I was touring with one, sure I'd probably pony up the cash for it or find someone local that could do the same.

That is a great option. Thanks so much for posting the pic! Looks like a perfect fit! Its too bad the gig bag wont fit in this case, but it is much lighter than an anvil type case…. Many thanks!

 

[cecoulter5]

I bought a Pelican 1755 Air Long Case with the intention of using for my SLB300. The bass will definitely fit in this case, but there isn't room for Yamaha's soft case in the Pelican case. I decided to put the bass in checked baggage inside the soft case this time, after stuffing my clothes into all of the empty spaces. It seems pretty well protected, and it survived the trip just fine, but I know I'm courting danger. I'd like to have the soft case with me at the other end instead of having to use the Pelican all the time, but I didn't see a good way to bring the empty soft case. The Pelican case will also require custom foam fitting for the SLB300.

Thank you! I am looking into that pelican case.

 

[Eric Swanson]

Would you mind how much this service costs you? Thanks!

PM sent.

 

[bradd]

Has anyone had battery issues? The knob was flashing red during my last set, so I quickly swapped them out for a new set that I had sitting out. The bass wouldn't fire up. I tried the original set again and nothing. Tried another known good set today and it would squelch out and die after about 30 seconds. Monkeyed with the batts and the box a few times and it eventually stopped dying and seems stable. I'm not sure if it's a certain type of battery it prefers or if the battery box is finicky.

The brand that it didn't respond to was Varta.

 

[funkmaster p]

Has anyone had battery issues? The knob was flashing red during my last set, so I quickly swapped them out for a new set that I had sitting out. The bass wouldn't fire up. I tried the original set again and nothing. Tried another known good set today and it would squelch out and die after about 30 seconds. Monkeyed with the batts and the box a few times and it eventually stopped dying and seems stable. I'm not sure if it's a certain type of battery it prefers or if the battery box is finicky.

The brand that it didn't respond to was Varta.

Are you using rechargeable or alkaline batteries?

 

[uprightbass.com]

The battery holder is very snug with no play at all with any batteries I've used so I can't see that being the issue. The latching mechanism on the box and holder is very solid as are the contacts. That is unlikely the issue but you never know.

I've used Eneloop Pro's and they have been super reliable and I always get more than 30 hours per charge. I bought a pack of 4 and they're always fully charged before gigs. A set in the bass and one in the bag, though I've never needed to grab the ones in the bag. Fully charged Eneloop Pro's give me peace of mind and that works for me. I've even set aside the Eneloops Pro's for gig use only and I use an adapter to go external power for practice, but I'm starting to really go off topic.