Yamaha RBX270 - any good?

[bassbiscuits]

Seen one of these for sale locally, (from about 2001-ish I think) and I've been on the lookout for a cheap back-up bass for the less salubrious gigs.

It looks pretty decent, and a fair bit online, tho mostly reviews from people who've had it as their first real bass etc, so a bit hard to judge how objective they are.

Anyone gigged one? Are they decent enough? I like the fact they look quite lightweight and comfy, if not exactly a gorgeous looker!

Thoughts?

[neepheid]

I can't speak personally about the RBX line but I've gigged a BB300 before (cheapest BB bass at time of manufacture I think) without issue or complaint. And my bass tutor from back in the day gigged with an RBX170 often - sounded great to me

[White Cloud]

If it has Yamaha on the headstock then it will definitely more than hold it's own within it's particular price bracket.

Very good products.

[stingrayPete1977]

Perfectly good for gigging in slightly dodgy venues imo, perfectly good for gigging in general really.

[ead]

I used to have an RBX270 fretless, pretty decent bass, kept it and gigged it for 5 years.

[Daz39]

I had an RBX 370? (something like that) and a 765A. Both super-nice to play, not too heavy, good sound and quality.

[LewisK1975]

No problem to gig with one of those where you don't want to take your more expensive gear.

Do be warned though - Getting your first Yammy can be a slippery slope! When you realise how good their lower end stuff is, you'll soon be tempted to try some of their more expensive stuff. Then you've had it.

[bassbiscuits]

[quote name='LewisK1975' timestamp='1481120202' post='3189856']
No problem to gig with one of those where you don't want to take your more expensive gear.

Do be warned though - Getting your first Yammy can be a slippery slope! When you realise how good their lower end stuff is, you'll soon be tempted to try some of their more expensive stuff. Then you've had it.
[/quote]

Ha ha! I need no encouragement to buy more basses trust me!

I did once have an old Japanese BB350F fretless, and a more recent BB414, which were both decent basses, but they were both many years ago.

I like the idea of having a cheap, reliable bass as an alternative to my more expensive stuff.

[Number6]

Yamaha's are very good quality and highly addictive.

[progben]

I own a Yamaha RBX800. Cost me the princely sum of £200 preowned and has beaten out my Warwick Dolphin Pro II for live use. It just sounds incredibly good and although I prefer the neck on the Dolphin, the tone of the Yammy can't be denied!

[40hz]

I've used a couple of different RBX270's on a few occassions. Great little basses. Good range of sounds, good build quality and really lightweight and easy to play. Impressive things for the money.

[Rich]

I love Yamaha basses. Near unbeatable VFM in my opinion.

[TheGreek]

A friend of mine has one - better than the £75 he paid for it.

[artisan]

I just bought a cheap TRBX305 & can't believe how good it is.
I'm now wanting a TRB1005
Ooohhhhhh & a Nathan East BB

Did someone say Yamaha basses are addictive

[Number6]

[quote name='artisan' timestamp='1481199844' post='3190417']
I just bought a cheap TRBX305 & can't believe how good it is.
I'm now wanting a TRB1005
Ooohhhhhh & a Nathan East BB

Did someone say Yamaha basses are addictive
[/quote]

Yes.....

[artisan]

[quote name='Number6' timestamp='1481215515' post='3190662']


Yes.....
[/quote]


Damn

[RickyV]

Yup, I had an RBX 270J. Great bass for the money and sort of regret selling it now. Perfectly giggable I would say.

[stingrayPete1977]

For a while the Yammy RBX and the Ibanez SR basses were the only budget basses worth buying new, took a decade for the big names to catch up.

[LITTLEWING]

Can't beat any RBX's for a cheap back up or a 'go-to' bass for the odd inspirational moment to grab off the wall or wherever. I've had a few in the past but they do tend to look like something off a Japanese cartoon. Lol!

[dannybuoy]

[quote name='ead' timestamp='1481116216' post='3189801']
I used to have an RBX270 fretless, pretty decent bass, kept it and gigged it for 5 years.
[/quote]

So did I, it was my first bass and it's a keeper!

[Telebass]

Briefly had an RBX250, which is a P-bass with an extra fret, basically. Wish I'd kept it.

[bassbiscuits]

I ended up getting a secondhand Yamaha BB604 instead - figured it was a few notches up in terms of range of sounds, hardware etc.

So far so good.

[cachao]

Had this bass for a number of years without realising its potential. In its stock form, it is unremarkable. However, it is cheap, and customisable. Tried many pickup changes, but it was still a little dull even with a) Wizard Thumper P - no longer available b) DiMarzio Ultra Jazz J c) TI flats What made the difference was a bridge change to something more substantial. I my case, I had an old style Warwick Rockbass bridge lying about. The change was huge and - THIS IS SIGNIFICANT - there is no infamous dead spot on the G string at all. Conclusion: it is a fundamentally good bass once the bridge has been replaced.

[bigsmokebass]

Make it your main bass haha 😉 there's a reason for the love of Yamaha's on here 

[bassbora]

My first proper bass was RBX1000 back in ‘93. Really good bass but looked a bit metal when I was doing my jazz studies and traded in for a fretless Stingray. I have only seen one of those again and it was here in the For Sale section couple of years back. I was tempted to get it to see if it was as good as I remembered.