Double Bass Yamaha SLB300 New model

[El Thumpo]

Yeah, the rosewood used on these slb-s seen to be of the more dense rosewoods. While it had been even nicer to have the ebony one, I dont really miss it to be honest. My only complaint with the slb is the noisy preamp, but that can be worked around with noise gate.

You know, you’re right. It’s one of the better rosewood fingerboards I’ve encountered. And while I would gladly have pulled the trigger for the ebony “pro” model if I’d ever had the chance—they seem to have disappeared before I knew they existed—I’m not disappointed with what I have.

 

[scot oliver]

You know, you’re right. It’s one of the better rosewood fingerboards I’ve encountered. And while I would gladly have pulled the trigger for the ebony “pro” model if I’d ever had the chance—they seem to have disappeared before I knew they existed—I’m not disappointed with what I have.

Yes, my SLB300 has a good board, too. It would be nice to A/B it with a Pro, but to me it feels about the same as the ebony board on my DB.

IME ebony tends to damp vibration and rosewood enhances it. That may be a bonus here.

 

[RobertAuCoin]

The preamp on my SLB300 (non Pro) is dead quiet.

 

[BobKay]

The preamp on my SLB300 (non Pro) is dead quiet.

Mine too.

 

[pasmithy]

The preamp on my SLB300 (non Pro) is dead quiet.

Mine's not... It's dead quiet with just the piezo in to a Fishman preamp. But when the onboard preamp is engaged there's a noticeable "hiss"...

 

[Emoody]

Does anyone play the SLB300 sitting? There is a knee support for the SLB200 which fits. Does it work well?

 

[Michael F Clef]

Does anyone play the SLB300 sitting? There is a knee support for the SLB200 which fits. Does it work well?

Yes. I have that accessory for my SLB300. It works well, stabilizing the bass when playing seated. What I need is something to stabilize the bass when playing standing. I find I have to squeeze the neck. The BEF2 frame extension doesn't quite duplicate the body of a double bass.

 

[BobKay]

I play seated, pizz only, but without the support. Probably much more important if I played arco.

 

[suegmc]

Yes. I have that accessory for my SLB300. It works well, stabilizing the bass when playing seated. What I need is something to stabilize the bass when playing standing. I find I have to squeeze the neck. The BEF2 frame extension doesn't quite duplicate the body of a double bass.

I just got my Yamaha slb300 (used) and it came with the knee support. Every time I take it out of the case, the knee support falls off and I have to unscrew the screws to put it back on. Do you take it off to put it in the case, or what is the trick to getting it to stay on?

 

[Michael F Clef]

I just got my Yamaha slb300 (used) and it came with the knee support. Every time I take it out of the case, the knee support falls off and I have to unscrew the screws to put it back on. Do you take it off to put it in the case, or what is the trick to getting it to st

I've never had that problem. Are the three screws correctly lapped over the edge of the aluminum arm? Is the arm sitting firmly in the indentation of the knee support? Are the screws tightened? Are you handling the bass and case carefully and not banging it too hard? I don't know.

 

[suegmc]

Yes, I believe the screws are correctly lapped over the edge of the arm. I must be pushing against it when I put it in the case. I just got the slb a couple days ago, so very new to this. I also cannot find a comfortable way to carry the bag - not sure which straps are the best for carrying (I have lower back issues, which is why I want the knee pad so I can sit).

 

[mattgreven]

Does anyone play the SLB300 sitting? There is a knee support for the SLB200 which fits. Does it work well?

I play mine on the same stool I use for orchestra (K&M folding stool with the tractor seat). I found that if I put some 1/4" self-adhesive neoprene foam on the knee "pad," it's more comfortable, and doesn't slide around. Got the foam on Amazon.

 

[mattgreven]

I have recently bought an SLB 300 and this past weekend had a play on it for the first time. I had a hi frequency hiss through the amp when SRT is on. Hiss is not there when SRT is off. It is quite audible and increases in volume as you turn the volume up. Not good for any playing situation!!

I have a Genzler bass acoustic array amp which has a column of tweeters on the front. These accentuate the high frequencies to provide clarity for acoustic double bass. With the SLB 300 the only way to reduce most of the hiss was to turn the treble dial all the way off (cut all treble). I will try it with a speaker that does not have a tweeter. That may make a difference. Still should not have to do this for a bass at this quality and price point!!

Anyone else experience similar?

I've had my SLB for about 6 months, and yes, LOTS of hiss when the SRT is on (always, in my case--which is why I bought it). I'm very disappointed for the price, and considering Yamaha makes tons of really high-end, pro audio, you'd think the preamp wouldn't be this noisy. I'm going to see if the dealer can do anything, as others here have said theirs are quiet. On another note, I've been looking at the bass array speakers. I play mainly with big bands. Do you have the 10 or the 12? Is it loud enough?

 

[mattgreven]

It’s luck of the draw. I bought one from Japan before I ultimately ended up buying the pro from a U.S. dealer.

Seller listed it as new and even had a picture of a sealed box. What was shipped was very different. It wasn’t even shipping in the original packaging pictures. As I have learned later, the seller was just that middleman who listed it online on eBay. I only learned through the whole process that all of those listings in Japan are trying to sell the same bass available. This is a common thing for a lot of Japanese sellers to do for a myriad of different items. Might be some demo or floor model or refurbished item or some other source. You might end up with an instrument indistinguishable from new or maybe something else. The photos were snatched from the web. If they have a buyer, then they go and buy it from that same source. Maybe you end up with a great deal or maybe you end up with a headache.

What arrived had chips and knicks. I was not happy and the seller would not respond. Policy said that I was responsible for return shipping. I ended up disputing the whole charge with my CC company at which time the seller finally reached out. I told him to setup a return label at his expense. The seller didn’t know how to setup a return label. I had to walk him through the process and when he got the instrument back he finally refunded the money, then he left a negative feedback and left lots of messages complaining how he was stuck with an instrument because his source won’t let him return it. Dealing with customs to not pay duties because I returned the item was a difficult.

The ones in Japan might be a great deal because of the highly favorable exchange rate, but it’s not worth the hassle unless I’m actually buying it from the store/person who owns it. A store won’t sell a new one risking losing their distributor agreement so you're getting something through a middleman by unknown means. Even then I’d scrutinize the transaction. This is just based on my own poor experience.

Yes it cost me more but buying one legit from Sweetwater for me was worth the added cost.

I bought one direct from Japan as well. It arrived factory-sealed, looked perfect...just didn't work. Dead pre-amp. So I also got to learn how to become and exporter to return it...bought from SW as well. Is your preamp noisy too?

 

[suegmc]

I play mine on the same stool I use for orchestra (K&M folding stool with the tractor seat). I found that if I put some 1/4" self-adhesive neoprene foam on the knee "pad," it's more comfortable, and doesn't slide around. Got the foam on Amazon.

I have been using a guitar stool and a separate guitar footrest (more comfortable for me than putting my left foot on a rung of the stool). The knee "pad" really helps in my opinion, but I have only been playing a few weeks, so my opinion is not based on much

 

[suegmc]

I bought one direct from Japan as well. It arrived factory-sealed, looked perfect...just didn't work. Dead pre-amp. So I also got to learn how to become and exporter to return it...bought from SW as well. Is your preamp noisy too?

I got lucky and found a used one in the US (CA, I am in AZ). It was in excellent condition and the previous owner had already purchased the stand, the knee pad and the body extension. I looked at the ones coming from Japan, but didn't want to risk it, even though they were less expensive.

 

[mattgreven]

The preamp on my SLB300 (non Pro) is dead quiet.

dead quiet with the SRT active?

 

[mattgreven]

You know, you’re right. It’s one of the better rosewood fingerboards I’ve encountered. And while I would gladly have pulled the trigger for the ebony “pro” model if I’d ever had the chance—they seem to have disappeared before I knew they existed—I’m not disappointed with what I have.

I'd bet a good luthier could fit an ebony board on there.

 

[RobertAuCoin]

dead quiet with the SRT active

Dead quiet in all settings, except when the batteries are dying

 

[mattgreven]

Dead quiet in all settings, except when the batteries are dying

Interesting. Mine has a very noticeable hiss.