• 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.

Double Bass Yamaha SLB300 New model

#81
DoubleMIDI said:
But they have a lower voltage, 1.2 volts, not 1.5 volts like alkaline batteries.
But worth a try. Often it works, but check for how long it does.
And better get the ready-to-use types that can hold at least 80% of the charge for a year. Best I know are Eneloop.
Click to expand...

long time Eneloop AA and AAA user, ever since they became available in EU, haven't bought any alkalines since. I ordered Eneloop Pro AA specifically to use with SLB300, and haven't experienced "the red light" during the gig/rehearsal yet. did not notice any difference in performance with alkalines that are delivered with a new SLB300.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wasnex
#85
johnny_bolt said:
25813923[/URL], member: 306068"]Has anyone tried to remove the large "YAMAHA" logo on the side? That's the only change with the 300 that I don't like: the big rent-free ad space for Yamaha. :)
Click to expand...
I agree. It’s unprofessional on a bass. All right on a piano, I suppose.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Fred Hammon and robert_stuart
#86
robert_stuart said:
Has anyone tried to remove the large "YAMAHA" logo on the side? That's the only change with the 300 that I don't like: the big rent-free ad space for Yamaha. :)
Click to expand...
No, I haven't. I also haven't tried to remove the Taylor or Martin names on the headstock of my guitars, or the LoPrinzi logo on the uke I own. I guess it just doesn't bother me. I've played probably 20 gigs since I bought mine last Spring. Only one person, another bass player, came up and asked about my Yamaha, so I don't think the advertising is particularly effective.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BobDeRosa
#88
Slim Pickins said:
Im following this thread and am very encouraged by sound clips that have been posted here and on the Yamaha website.
I typically play double bass seated and wonder if that's a viable option with the SLB300.
Click to expand...
It is for me. I sit on a 30” stool (give or take), and put the “shoulder” in my lap. Very comfortable left arm position, and my right hand falls just above the end of the finger board. I’m 5’10”. I don’t use a bow. There is plenty of adjustment in the end pin.
 
#92
Is there anyone have tried both 200ltd and 300?

300 is enough good but having ebony fingerboard and nice framed maple neck makes me so interested.
I actually have tried 200ltd and I thought it was amazing but it has been 10 years ago (when I just started out playing)and my memory should got glorified.
 
  • Like
Reactions: robert_stuart
#93
fenjazz said:
It takes less than 2 min to setup and breakdown.
Click to expand...
It takes me a little longer than 2 minutes - maybe 3 minutes. But, at 74, everything takes me longer than it used to.
Slim Pickins said:
Thanks Bob. Waiting for one to come on in the TB classifieds. At the very least it sounds like a great backup bass. How long does it take you to put it together and break down?
Click to expand...
I got mine from the TB classifieds.
For me, it has really made a difference in my ability to keep playing out. As I age, I'm having trouble walking. All the instability issues magnify when trying to manage a regular acoustic bass - not because of the weight, but because of the size.
As for the sound - it comes very close to either of my two basses when they are plugged in. More important, both of the groups I play in are pleased with the sound, and occasionally an audience member will comment on how good it sounds. I'm happy.
 
  • Like
Reactions: puff father, DuluthDank, El Thumpo and 3 others
#94
Here's an update on my experience using the SLB300: It is still working out great for me, playing two gigs per week, and sometimes one more.

BUT, I don't understand why Yamaha was so wildly wrong about the battery life. I've been getting about 15 - 18 hrs on one set of alkaline AA's. Doesn't seem to matter if they are Duracell or the less expensive version from Costco. And the claim that you can play up to four hours after the led starts flashing red is also wrong. Sometimes they die instantly.

I wonder if the testing Yamaha did to substantiate the claim was to simply turn it on and measure how long the batteries lasted, with no playing? Perhaps playing for three hours straight uses up much more battery life than simply plugged in for three hours?

Anyway, it's not a show stopper for me. I happily change out the batteries and keep playing. It just seems to be an unnecessary claim that is so easily disproved.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gscroggin, robert_stuart, pasmithy and 2 others
#96
El Thumpo said:
Thanks for that field report, BobKay. I finally took the plunge and ordered one. Hasn’t arrived yet, but this thread just made me invest in a charger and a set of Eneloop rechargeable batteries.
Click to expand...
You're welcome. I hope you like yours as much as I do mine. Right now I'm staying with disposable batteries. I bought 48 AA for $10 at Costco. I'll eventually check out the rechargeables.
 
  • Like
Reactions: El Thumpo
#97
BobKay said:
BUT, I don't understand why Yamaha was so wildly wrong about the battery life.
Click to expand...

Yeah, this was an unforced error on their part. They already had the electronics worked out for 9v. There was no reason to downgrade to a lower power source. E.g., this isn't some super-light application where every ounce counts.

Some commenters (or maybe a marketing video?) stated that 9v isn't "needed" anymore and the system can run on 3v. I think, "Who cares if it's needed or not? It would majorly extend the battery life."

It could have been a cost-saving decision: most electronics run at 3v. So 9v-3v conversion isn't needed with two AA's or AAA's.
 
Last edited:
#98
I wonder if there are lithium AA's that will last a lot longer. My tactical flashlight uses lithium batteries.

Ah hah:

POWER: A major advantage of lithium batteries vs. alkaline batteries is that lithium batteries last much longer.
Click to expand...

Looks like Energizer lithium AA's are "the longest lasting" AA's. Up to 4x longer according to this site. Someone try these out and let us know how they do!
 
#99
BobKay said:
I'm not able to discern any hiss in a live playing situation. Recording probably is a different issue, but that's not why I bought it. I'm keeping mine - the form factor and versatility meet my needs perfectly. If I'm asked to participate in a recording, in a studio, I would take my acoustic upright anyway. FWIW.
Click to expand...
Any electric instrument at this price point should not have this noticeable a noise floor. Period.
 
  • Like
Reactions: robert_stuart
#100
BobKay said:
Dutch - I listened more closely to my 300 today while practicing. There is a hum or hiss coming from my AI Coda. That said, I don't think it is any different than the sounds I hear when other instruments are plugged in. Disappears when playing, but I can image the problem it might pose for recording.

When recording, do you go right to the recording interface? You're not recording a live session, right?
Click to expand...
No it’s literally direct. Nothing else in the chain is causing it. It comes through my Phil Jones as well. Apply compression when recording (or live for that matter) and you’re screwed you might as well mic an old tape machine
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back