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Double Bass Yamaha SLB300 Pro - New Model

B

BobKay

Supporting Member
Nov 5, 2012
1,362
1,339
Estero, Florida; USA
#1
I looked at the specs for the Pro version - a few nice upgrades, especially an ebony finger board, but nothing I probably can't live without. Then I noticed this statement:

"An SRT Powered System designed specifically for the SLB300PRO [SLB300PRO]
An SRT Powered System that has been specially optimized for the SLB300PRO delivers even more natural acoustic bass sound. This dedicated SRT Powered System achieves the highest level of acoustic bass reality thus far achieved in the SILENT Bass™ series."

I'll try and get an answer from Yamaha, but was wondering if anyone has any specific info?
 
#2
I love my SLB300. The sound is spectacularly good for an electric upright bass. I find it difficult to imagine an incremental ($1400!) upgrade that could possibly be justified. It sounds like a lot of the changes are purely visual, but it still looks like a crossbow even with curly maple and ebony, so who is going to notice and care about the finishes? I look forward to a side-by-side review from someone other than Yamaha.
 
#3
Hi! I've looked at the two models on the Yamaha website using the comparison function. It seems to have better woods overall like Curly Maple for the neck and Ebony for the fingerboard but no other differences. Looking at this comparison it just seems like a more luxurious version.

SLB300/SLB300PRO - Panoramica - Yamaha - Italia

upload_2022-2-21_21-9-3.png
 
#6
ClusterFlux said:
What the OP is pointing out is that the Pro also has a different, and allegedly improved, SRT (i.e. proprietary impulse response) system than the standard SLB300. Yamaha doesn't seem to have provided any details on the difference.
Click to expand...
Yes, that is my question.
I recognize all of the other differences, including a different bridge, and agree none are critical to me. I'd simply like to know if there is a difference in SRT.

Thanks for all of the responses.
 
#8
Luigir said:
By the way, I find the SLB to be too expensive for what it is. For less than half the price you could get an MK Studio. I've never had neither of those but I'd really be interested in a comparison.

Click to expand...

mate, you never laid hands on either, but find one too expensive in comparison with the other? there are even cheaper options, you could get an EUB for one third that MK costs... is it the same? no.

almost bought the MK, ordered it and paid the deposit. was unhappy with the woodwork, asked and received the deposit back. have the SLB300, just the SRT makes it another universe in comparison with other EUBs.

looking at the PRO above, the bridge is the same, with black height adjustment rings instead of plain metal, and golden hardware instead of metal, plus fancier woods and more marketing mumbojumbo to make up for higher price (which also includes pandemic tax, inflation and just-because-we-can margin).

buy SLB300 second hand, install strings of your choice and enjoy. oh, and you absolutely must get the shoulder extension, it positions the instrument correctly.
 
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#9
vedi said:
mate, you never laid hands on either, but find one too expensive in comparison with the other? there are even cheaper options, you could get an EUB for one third that MK costs... is it the same? no.

almost bought the MK, ordered it and paid the deposit. was unhappy with the woodwork, asked and received the deposit back. have the SLB300, just the SRT makes it another universe in comparison with other EUBs.

looking at the PRO above, the bridge is the same, with black height adjustment rings instead of plain metal, and golden hardware instead of metal, plus fancier woods and more marketing mumbojumbo to make up for higher price (which also includes pandemic tax, inflation and just-because-we-can margin).

buy SLB300 second hand, install strings of your choice and enjoy. oh, and you absolutely must get the shoulder extension, it positions the instrument correctly.
Click to expand...

Could you please me give me more details on the SRT? Isn't something tat you can do easily with an external IR loader?
 
#10
Luigir said:
Could you please me give me more details on the SRT? Isn't something tat you can do easily with an external IR loader?
Click to expand...
define "easily".

it's basically what ToneDexter does, except it was "trained" with the same piezo pickup found in SLB, but installed on a real DB, in studio surrounding and three different microphones (two of which are not really out of reach price-wise, but not something everyone owns or would bring to a gig). so, while ToneDexter gives very good results with your own instrument (that you still have to train and have the means to do it), this comes ready to use and sounds great. plus, less to haul around and no feedback.

would it work if you put SRT between a Realist/Underwood (insert favourite piezo pickup) and an amp? yes. how good? hard to tell.

for me, just the fact that I don't have to take the kids' car seats out in order to move my instrument somewhere is already mind-numbingly awesome. mind you, tried the SLB200 before and was not convinced one bit.
 
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#12
larry said:
So ready to pull the trigger on the SLB300, but looks like it’s too big to fly with without paying oversize charges. Anyone have any info on that?
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packed softcase (i.e. bass, frame with shoulder extension, cables + tablet + bow in outer pockets) comes in at 140x30x20 cm. one could bag some little stuff in a bag, and put it in the frame compartment (tuner, colophon)...

I would not let this fly without a hardcase.
 
#15
I got the PRO and the only non cosmetic difference is really only the ebony fingerboard. For me that was worth getting the PRO. In other words if the standard one had the ebony fingerboard I would have gotten that instead.
 
#17
It was worth it for me.

The older discussions and options of Rosewood Kay’s vs Ebony still holds true in this context. I think that the conclusions there is the same here.

Personally. I recall how back in grade school that out of the Englehardts, how the rosewood ones were the last pick of the litter that was left for the newest/youngest player. We all could feel and hear the difference even then. In hindsight, if they had serviced the fingerboards more often it would have been less of a difference? Possibly. Did it stop anyone from joining or continuing? No.

Sure there are benefits and it’s nice to have but I wouldn’t discourage someone from getting a SLB300 but I would say the SLB300PRO is certainly worth the extra money for those who can pay more.
 
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#20
It may be cheaper and if you have an excellent luthier who will do it at a cost where it makes sense, then I'd say go for it. Perhaps on a used SLB or a gray market new one that has no warranty on it anyhow, it makes sense. But seeing how much it costs around here to have a good luthier replace a fingerboard; it would cost more to replace the fingerboard with ebony on brand new regular SLB from a authorized dealer. This is especially true if you feel strongly that the ebony fingerboard is sourced from sustainable and ethical sources which is why PRO's are are so hard to find and so much more expensive.

I find the convenience, lack of uncertainty of the outcome, and add those little extra nice to haves on the PRO make it worth just getting the PRO over a used or gray market one and having the fingerboard replaced by a luthier.
 
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