welsholdman Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Yesterday I visited a local music shop to try a few bass guitars with a view to deciding on which to buy as my first bass. Of the various cheap basses I tried the Yamaha RBX170 seemed to me to be the best made and it played quite nicely. Basically I know just about nothing about bass guitars and so wonder if I am correct in thinking that the Yamaha would be a good first bass? Many thanks for any advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Jamin Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 I've never played a bad Yamaha, and the RBX170 is a great example of a starter bass - my friend's had one for a while - nice and simple but well put together. I'd go for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 +1, never played a bad yamaha! If you can stretch to it (or pick a used one up for about £100 - £120), the RBX270 is quite a bit better for not much more dosh: Solid Alder body, better pickups, better tuners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jellyfish Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 I owned a Yamaha RBX170 for two years and they are fantastic basses. Yamaha do make absoloutly fantastic basses, and TRBboy is right in saying that if you aim a bit higher and get an RBX270, or even 374, you'd be completely set! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mentalextra Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Very underrated guitars! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welsholdman Posted November 27, 2012 Author Share Posted November 27, 2012 Thanks chaps An [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]RBX270 it is then.............[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Many thanks for the advice.[/font][/color] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kongo Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 I started with a Yamaha RBX170, will be 10 years this December. Found it in my local keyboard shop...yeah I know, but he started stocking a couple of guitars / basses and a friend had work exp there. Price was within parents present buying range, so I played it for a bit and off it went to Santa. :-P Couldn't have asked for a better bass, it took me to wherever I wanted. 24 frets, P/J config...Took me from Maiden to Wooten, all through college, then I retired it after 4 years of heavy use...and I mean HEAVY use. I agree with the comment on the RBX270. I got one so I could have tribute to my 1st bass and modded it, sold it as I barely play 4-string unfortunately. They are quite a bit better; Alder instead of Agathis and a pan pot instead of dual volume. When it comes to Yamaha you just can't loose. They may not have Ibanez like specs, but to hell with that superficial nonsense...Have hands, will play! Welcome to the world of bass. With a Yamaha, the journey will be that much better. :-P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BASainty Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 I only ever play Yamaha basses now as they are perfect for what I want and need. Even though I play the TRB, BB and the more expensive RBX models of Yamaha I would have no problems picking up an RBX170 or 270 and using it in a band or gig setting, Infact I may get a 270 as a back up to my RBX374. You will never go wrong with a Yamaha, enjoy it and good luck on your bass adventure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomBass Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 Don't trust a word that Ben aka 4StringsFortress says, he knows nothing. Just kidding of course cos I now have his BB414, and its a corker. A wise choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BASainty Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 [quote name='RandomBass' timestamp='1354143695' post='1882819'] Don't trust a word that Ben aka 4StringsFortress says, he knows nothing. Just kidding of course cos I now have his BB414, and its a corker. A wise choice. [/quote] +1 Don't eat yellow snow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultima2876 Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 RBX170 is a fantastic beginner bass. I wasted my money on a Squier Affinity Bass... I regret it as much as I did when the knobs started falling off. Enjoy your fantastic bass, and give a BB series bass a shot if you ever want an upgrade! They're amazing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 My first bass was a RB270F fretless - still have it! For some reason Yamahas are rather underrated so sell for peanuts used, I've seen used RBX270s under £100 all the time on eBay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WonderHorse Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 I've got an RBX170 fretless and RBX270. I've had the 270 for eight years or so and it's really well built and plays wonderfully. The neck is nice and thin. Like most of the chaps above I've never played a bad Yamaha, they're all really high quality with a consistent finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truckstop Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 I'm really disappointed that I didn't have any money when that lovely 270 with DiMarzios was up for sale great looking bass and suitable for any occasion. The thing I love about certain basses is you just know they'll always sound great; RBX's, BB's, Ibanez SR's. Peavey Cirrus etc. All as cheap as you like and just guaranteed to be awesome as they are or perfect for modifying. I have some serious budget bass GAS right now Truckstop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 I have had a few Yamahas over the year... The BBNE2 is amongst one of the best basses I've ever played. I've currently got a RBX375 - it's a good bass for the money but I found the strings that shipped with it (d'addario?) just wouldn't stop in tune. For a budget bass, for me, they are amongst the best, if not the best. The only thing that they haven't got going for them is the name on the headstock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deefer_dog Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 My first bass was an RBX170 in blue. I traded it for a Tanglewood Bassmaster Funk Go for the Yamaha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truckstop Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 A Bassmaster Funk?! Any pictures? I've only ever seen one in my entire life and it was definitely on it's last legs! To avoid a thread derail, maybe start a new one? Cheers! Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt P Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 another vote of confidence from me, i had an rbx765 for ages and only sold it the other week, i paid the grand sum of 120 quid for it about 7 years ago from a mate, if you can find a 260/270 rather than a 160/170 then i'd say go for it, a friend has the 260 and it's an all round great bass and if the upgrade bug hits then they're easliy modified. Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deefer_dog Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 [quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1354277109' post='1884322'] A Bassmaster Funk?! Any pictures? I've only ever seen one in my entire life and it was definitely on it's last legs! To avoid a thread derail, maybe start a new one? Cheers! Alex [/quote] There's pics in the Gallery ( Gear Porn ) Thread. Needs a bit of TLC ( Wiring needs replacing ) but WHAT a bass Mine's different from any I have seen too. Recessed bridge, different neck extension, dark stain. Love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kongo Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 As someone said above; the great thing about Yahama's, although a double ended sword if you need to shift one, is that they depreciate like mad! Even the TRB series can be picked up for peanuts. That's a LOT of bass for your money! So, if you like Yamaha basses, your 2nd, 3rd purchase etc won't cost much if you don't mind 2nd hand. Which I don't. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HADGE Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 (edited) [i]Go for the yamaha in my opinion the best basses for your money i have a rbx270 and love it i use it to work out a new song i also have 2 warwicks 2 ibenez a aria a westone a fender precision usa a musicman a rickenbacker a voilin bass and a shxt load more and think the best bargain i have ever bought was my yamaha and will never part with it .I have never heard anyone say a bad word against them and there are some real clever bass players on this forum so listen to them and get that yamy.[/i] Edited November 30, 2012 by HADGE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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