Yamahas

[parker_muse]

When you think of great basses - its always the classics that come to mind. Fenders, Gibsons, G+L, Musicman etc etc. Yet Yamaha have been around for 30 years and always seem the 'geeky brother' of the bass world. I'd never really sat down and had a go on a yammy until a few weeks ago, and i've now played a BB424 and a TRB1004. Both basses were beautiful, sounded smooth (piano tone, so even compared to Fenders i've played) and moreover built like tanks. I've never sat down with something that felt that 'solid'.

Now i have major GAS for tom's TRB 1004 on here.

What do Yamaha have to do to break into the top tier of bassy conciousness?

[Len_derby]

[quote name='parker_muse' post='1194100' date='Apr 9 2011, 09:59 PM']What do Yamaha have to do to break into the top tier of bassy conciousness?[/quote]

They probably ask themselves that question a lot.

I'm with you on the quality. I've never picked up a Yammy bass or guitar that hasn't impressed me.

Could it possibly have something to do with cultural snobbism?
Compare basses with sports cars and (to a lesser extent) motorbikes. The Japanese make excellent versions of both sports cars and bikes. But for fashion/conciousness/desirability they almost always lose out to the flashy European makes.

[plumbob]

Shhhhhhhhh!

I'll tell you what lets just keep it our little secret aye !

Beats me !

I have few , and they are all great, and punch way above there weight , when compared to others , and if you can pick up something 2nd hand you can usually

end up with a bargin.

If you have the chance of getting the TRB1004 go for it you wont be disappointed !!

Its a wonderful thing bass snobbery , just leaves all the bargins to us realists !!!!

[icastle]

[quote name='parker_muse' post='1194100' date='Apr 9 2011, 09:59 PM']When you think of great basses - its always the classics that come to mind. Fenders, Gibsons, G+L, Musicman etc etc. Yet Yamaha have been around for 30 years and always seem the 'geeky brother' of the bass world. I'd never really sat down and had a go on a yammy until a few weeks ago, and i've now played a BB424 and a TRB1004. Both basses were beautiful, sounded smooth (piano tone, so even compared to Fenders i've played) and moreover built like tanks. I've never sat down with something that felt that 'solid'.

Now i have major GAS for tom's TRB 1004 on here.

What do Yamaha have to do to break into the top tier of bassy conciousness?[/quote]

Yamaha piano's have been world leaders for years, the Yamaha DX7 and DX9 were the mainstay of the keyboardist in the 80's.
Yamaha drums are considered by many drummers to be damn good and their brass\woodwind has done reasonably well for itself over the years.
Yamaha acoustic guitars are in amongst the top tier and Yamaha PA and studio gear has managed to hold it's own in a specialised market.

But, yes, you are totally right - it is odd that they haven't managed to get 'in there' alongside the other iconic brands when it comes to basses.

The only thing I can think of is that Yamaha basses have had 'budget ranges' throughout whilst the likes of Fender, Gibson etc. have always priced themseles in the top bracket (prior to MIM and Squire of course).

I have to say that I've always excluded Yamaha from my selections because I remember those budget models from the 80's.
I'll have to take a closer look the next time I'm in the market for another instrument...

Edited April 9, 2011 by icastle

[4 Strings]

Apart from snobbishness, I would add blandness. I've never played a bad one either (haven't played many I'll admit) and heard only good reports but ... what is there to attract? Seems rather characterless somehow.

[steve-soar]

Because they are copies after the fact.

Facsimilies, if you will.

[Kiwi]

I think Yammies are under rated, they've never really promoted themselves as a high status brand. Apart from the BBNEII which was hideously over priced outside Japan (1400 quid in Japan, 2300 quid in the UK and US), all the signature models I can think of have been promoted as very affordable work horses. Good on them!

[stingrayPete1977]

I would disagree that the Nathan east was over priced, It's probably the highest quality bass I have ever played including Roscoes, Dingwall, Sadowsky, Alleva etc etc. If you could get one for £1400 and sneak it into the UK you wouldn't find anything in the same league. The piano black finish on the one I had the pleasure of was the best finish I have ever seen strangely closely followed by another underrated Japanese small body P/J pup type of bass , Bass Collection SB320 in trans green I sold last year for £250, Criminal really.

[MythSte]

I played a load of the new Yamaha's at BassDay and really enjoyed them. I too under-rated them.

I think it might be something to do with their marketing weight being heavier on the cheap stuff.

[Kiwi]

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='1194214' date='Apr 10 2011, 12:59 AM']I would disagree that the Nathan east was over priced, It's probably the highest quality bass I have ever played including Roscoes, Dingwall, Sadowsky, Alleva etc etc. If you could get one for £1400 and sneak it into the UK you wouldn't find anything in the same league.[/quote]
*ahem*
Spectors.

[Bassassin]

[quote name='4 Strings' post='1194174' date='Apr 9 2011, 11:47 PM']Apart from snobbishness, I would add blandness. I've never played a bad one either (haven't played many I'll admit) and heard only good reports but ... what is there to attract? Seems rather characterless somehow.[/quote]

Blandness? [i]Characterless??[/i]



Actually - apart from the freakshow stuff, I do agree, about modern ones particularly. Very competent, consistently well-made, the budget ranges are excellent for the money - but they do lack something.

Absolutely love my SBV, though.

Jon.

[neepheid]

[quote name='Bassassin' post='1194221' date='Apr 10 2011, 01:14 AM']Blandness? [i]Characterless??[/i]



Actually - apart from the freakshow stuff, I do agree, about modern ones particularly. Very competent, consistently well-made, the budget ranges are excellent for the money - but they do lack something.

Absolutely love my SBV, though.

Jon.[/quote]

Huh, nothing but a bunch of copies, facsimiles if you will.

[niceguyhomer]

I've had quite a few exotic basses in my time, US Laklands, Spectors, Bongos, Shukers old Stingrays etc etc, my main squeeze at the moment is a TRB6 JPII. It's up there with all of them in terms of quality etc but the sound is something else.

My back up bass is a BB615 which is a cracking little bass but it's days are numbered cos I recently tried a new BB425 which is passive and has through body stringing and loved it.

[megallica]

I think maybe the RBX range is what most people think of when they think of Yamaha's.

I mean lots of pros have played Yamahas over the years so it's not as if they haven't tried to market the upper level instruments with signature models etc.

[Doctor J]

[quote name='Len_derby' post='1194105' date='Apr 9 2011, 10:13 PM']Could it possibly have something to do with cultural snobbism?
Compare basses with sports cars and (to a lesser extent) motorbikes. The Japanese make excellent versions of both sports cars and bikes. But for fashion/conciousness/desirability they almost always lose out to the flashy European makes.[/quote]
This. It's not just Yamaha.

[Blademan_98]

[quote name='megallica' post='1194279' date='Apr 10 2011, 08:09 AM']I think maybe the RBX range is what most people think of when they think of Yamaha's.

I mean lots of pros have played Yamahas over the years so it's not as if they haven't tried to market the upper level instruments with signature models etc.[/quote]

I bought a cheap Yamaha 5 string off Megallica and it plays really well.

I have re strung it as it had a high C on it.

BUT after much ribbing from muso friends, I have removed the Yamaha logo and put a Fender one on it

Snobbish not me..................

[niceguyhomer]

Oh dear...well, I wouldn't trade my Yammy for ANY Fender

[Blademan_98]

[quote name='niceguyhomer' post='1194288' date='Apr 10 2011, 08:32 AM']Oh dear...well, I wouldn't trade my Yammy for ANY Fender[/quote]

I don't actually own a Fender either

I have an Epiphone Viola and a Rouge fretless (real budget bass)

The Yamaha is really solid it's just the name.....

[benebass]

[quote name='megallica' post='1194279' date='Apr 10 2011, 08:09 AM']I think maybe the RBX range is what most people think of when they think of Yamaha's.

I mean lots of pros have played Yamahas over the years so it's not as if they haven't tried to market the upper level instruments with signature models etc.[/quote]

I've always thought that the fact that Yamaha haven't diversified with branding has stopped them from being accepted as a pro instrument by some. Fender have Squier, Gibson have Epiphone etc., but a Yamaha's always a Yamaha whether it's a RBX or a TRB. I think this does put some people off taking the higher end stuff seriously.

Personally, I think they make consistently decent instruments at every price level, but can see how they are perceived as being a bit safe by some. Funnily enough, I had a SBV for a while & although it looked a bit mad, I thought it sounded more like a traditional Jazz than a lot of modern Fenders...

Cheers,

B.

[Vibrating G String]

[quote name='parker_muse' post='1194100' date='Apr 9 2011, 01:59 PM']What do Yamaha have to do to break into the top tier of bassy conciousness?[/quote]Become fashionable and cool. They need a Flea or a Geddy, Nathan East aint cutting it.

[Vibrating G String]

[quote name='Len_derby' post='1194105' date='Apr 9 2011, 02:13 PM']Could it possibly have something to do with cultural snobbism?[/quote]In the US buying Japanese is considered un patriotic. Though it's more China these days but they Japanese stigma is still very strong.

[stevie]

[quote name='Vibrating G String' post='1194337' date='Apr 10 2011, 10:05 AM']Become fashionable and cool. They need a Flea or a Geddy, Nathan East aint cutting it.[/quote]
I agree with this. It's all about image and who uses your product. It's critical. Let's face it, who wants to go on stage with a Benson or a Lindo?

[jhk]

For some reason they are not viewed as sexy or seductive as other makes,yet generally outclass a vast amount of competitors.......................
I love `em!!

[Vibrating G String]

[quote name='benebass' post='1194311' date='Apr 10 2011, 01:13 AM']Funnily enough, I had a SBV for a while & although it looked a bit mad, I thought it sounded more like a traditional Jazz than a lot of modern Fenders...[/quote]
I have a Fernandes that sounds more like a Fender Jazz than my Fender Jazz does. And while I recognize that doesn't make sense it's still true

[icastle]

[quote name='stevie' post='1194346' date='Apr 10 2011, 10:15 AM']I agree with this. It's all about image and who uses your product. It's critical. Let's face it, who wants to go on stage with a Benson or a Lindo?[/quote]

Nah.

I use Ibanez, Fender and ESP but they still manage to sell them anyway...