Yamaha SLB300?

[Paddy Morris]

Has anyone tried one of these? Or better still does anyone own one.  The sound, from Yamaha's own marketing video, is extraordinary.

 

But the price makes it difficult to justify taking a punt on one, and I can't find a dealer who will demo one for me.   I was wondering if anyone had any first hand experience of this new version?

[Beedster]

I’m keen to hear answers to the same question, although I’m 99% decided to buy one, Yamaha rarely get things wrong after all 👍

[fretless]

Now a couple of years into ownership

 

Will try and find time to post some comments asap

 

Yes, a lot to pay and if you are near Plymouth I would probably be ok for you to

come round and try mine out  - as long as your are not nuts ! (other protein sources are available) 

More likely to agree if you are long term Basschat contributor as I am not a music shop.

 

Please ask - just don't be offended if I decline 

 

[Paddy Morris]

Ha ha. I don't think I'm nuts.  Would love to hear your thoughts though 

[Beedster]

My interest in the 300 will be revised once they appear for sale again. Having checked when I sold my SLB-100, most of the retailers who suggested that they have the SLB-300 in stock are, to use a well worn phrase, actually 'awaiting delivery'.....

 

There also seem to be some serious issues around battery life, so I'm wondering whether there's some post-Covid component availability issues preventing more units coming off the production lines, it's odd for Yamaha to have gone to market with a unit with (alleged) performance issue and to then offer such poor availability, especially as it seems that not many players have taken the plunge and bought one yet? 

 

The shame is that I bet it's a cracking instrument and had there been one available a month or so ago it would be sitting in my studio now 👍

[petebassist]

D'ya think the SLB-200 with a good amp would be just as good, and without the battery problem. The 300 just has three different tone shapes built in based on different amps I think. Mind you, the 200s are pretty rare as well these days...

[fretless]

Some thoughts on SLB300

 

First

 

Why bother ?   Still the case a standard BD of reasonable quality produces THE tone we all aspire to BUT always subject to;

 

1. Players competence 

2. Sting type ( as we all know, a minefield of expense, frustration, and, occasionally, satisfaction ! )

3. Where you are playing (natural acoustic of playing space make so much difference)

4. What you are playing ( for me pizz. 99% of the time)

5. Who you are paying with

 

So my comments are broadly based on my playing situation which is usually;

 

1. Competence - keen amateur, coming from electric bass guitar  - fretless electric - double bass ( westone thunder / westone thunder 1A / fender early 70's jazz / squier bespoke fretless, bespoke Zoot fretless / Aria travel fretless / hatpeg Czech Republic(1918 to 1938) carved bass, SLB300 )

2. Using SLB300 with supplied strings ( D'Addario Helicore Hybrid Light) which are not too different to the Evah Perpetuals I have ended up with on the DB. I have not tried different strings on the SLB yet as I like the supplied strings tone and feel.

3. Practice - large front room, SLB provides enough acoustic volume  and tone to use without amp if solo practice. Playing to other music needs amp.

4. Most paid work is in small semi -pro swing band ranging from small festivals, pubs, small and medium sized halls, private functions (indoors and outside) - so never the same except repeat gigs and re-producing the lovely low volume tone the SLB gives at practice is still a struggle the same as for acoustic DB - BUT crucially less of an issue because we can now get Volume without feedback. The bass does not go through the pa for most of our small gigs but obviously does on festival gigs. ( thesultans.org - judge for yourself, don't be mean!)

5. The swing band is two saxes, guitar, singer, drums and moi. - drummer is of the quieter jazz variety but I struggled to get a consistent, tone full front of house sound with the hatpeg - into Ear Trumpet Nadine mic - into Acoustic image with enough volume. Secondary issue is transporting the DB or leaving it unattended anywhere - haven't come to grief yet but come very close many times.

 

How does SLB cope ?

 

For practice, no issues, feels like the acoustic version, plays like the acoustic version, and sounds like a (very quiet)acoustic. I chopped a little off the bridge feet to allow some height adjustment and the action is currently a little lower than my DB but the board will need some Martin Penning ( Frome based - DB luthier ) magic attention if I wanted to go really low (which I don't). I have gone a little lower for playing comfort over longer gigs. I suspect Martin would also thin out the supplied bridge as it is a little chunky - there is some comment on forums on this.

 

For live playing I usually use have "tone" maxed out in favour of one of the supplied tone shapes ( if you don't want these tone maps why buy the SLB300 in the first place ) as opposed to the undoctored piezo tone. I like the ability to boost the volume from the instrument rather than having to access the amp in the middle of a tune or between tunes. I usually have the bass and treble on middle and just use the volume control if a tune needs more upfront bass.

 

There is a noticeable difference between the supplied 3 basic tones but I think the differences get lost as the overall band volume increases. On a number like "Fever" the richer tone is welcome and can be heard given the sparse arrangement, most of the time I leave it on the second option ( quality dynamic mic ? ) which fits best with the wide variety of stuff we do. As the amp volume goes up I usually end up reducing the lower frequencies on the amp to restrict boom, but the SLB bass and treble contols stay close to middle.

 

In a difficult venue with difficult acoustics ( super low ceiling - boomy - etc ) I  content myself by having enough volume headroom even if I need to loose a lot of bottom end to get some clarity of note tone so the SLB is easier to use than the hatpeg. The band have started to hear me better due to all this - I usually use a an upshot extension speaker on the opposite side of the stage so all the band can enjoy the bass notes !

 

Transport and storage obviously less stress. Has accommodated assembly and dis-assembly without issues so far. About 3 minutes to assemble from case if you take your time.

 

SLB battery life - my advice, ALWAYS carry spares, the battery (like all batteries) chooses to start failing mid gig, a red light starts to flash and panic sets in - how many minutes left, will I make it to the end of this set ?. Acquaint yourself with exactly how the replacements must be fitted in the pop out holder, a dark stage, mid gig is not conducive to this . The output starts to fade as the power diminishes and you are unlikely to get by on the unpowered piezo.

 

The SLB produces more sustain than the hatpeg but I damp this automatically the same as for fretless bass guitar. Not sustain to the extent of a fretless guitar but it is definitely there.

 

I purchased the top bout extension ( ouch ) which gives a better playing position to match the hatpeg. SLB seems to stay in tune with itself consistently.

 

Recording - nothing done in a studio with this but I have put the SLB straight into a Yamaha digital recorder ( AWB 16 ) and the result is quite acceptable. On a Festival Stage, make sure the stage engineer gives you full fat foldback sound ( then reduce bass to taste) - if they treat the SLB as an electric guitar they will suck all the bass life out of it - a very nasty onstage experience if you are giving it your all on the first number and all you can hear is ultra tinny. One has to hope the front of house is not the same.

 

Is it worth it ?  I think so, the re-sale value is good and as long as I look after it properly its net cost to me will be acceptable and the ability to be heard clearly and with DB tone on our gigs gives me playing satisfaction and suits the stuff we are doing.

[Beedster]

Great review @fretless, many thanks. Are you finding that battery life isn't in fact a problem, or at least no more than with an active electric bass? 

[fretless]

No problem with batteries - just assume they will expire quicker than a 9v on an electric guitar and carry spares. The flashing red light tells you to change them.

 

Make sure to switch electrics off on SLB when not playing and mute amp, unplug lead from SLB -ie between sets and thus maximize battery life.

[Grahambythesea]

Can you post a photo? Your description makes it sound amazing!

[fretless]

Sorry, photo of what ?

[Mark 64]

second the "great review" comment @fretless, helped me make my decision (yes on this bass as an upgrade to a basic passive NS Wav EUB)

[snorkie635]

On 21/07/2022 at 10:39, Beedster said:

My interest in the 300 will be revised once they appear for sale again. Having checked when I sold my SLB-100, most of the retailers who suggested that they have the SLB-300 in stock are, to use a well worn phrase, actually 'awaiting delivery'.....

 

There also seem to be some serious issues around battery life, so I'm wondering whether there's some post-Covid component availability issues preventing more units coming off the production lines, it's odd for Yamaha to have gone to market with a unit with (alleged) performance issue and to then offer such poor availability, especially as it seems that not many players have taken the plunge and bought one yet? 

 

The shame is that I bet it's a cracking instrument and had there been one available a month or so ago it would be sitting in my studio now 👍

Interested in why you chose to sell your SLB 100 @Beedster? I thought they retailed for an even higher amount.

[ezbass]

Just watched this video comparing (at the beginning anyway) the SLB 300 to an acoustic bass, with Chris Mihn Doky, who is awesome IMO. I’m amazed by the sound, but at the cost of a 300, it needs to be really good.

 

 

 

I’ve been struggling with the idea of keeping my NS WAV4, as I don’t play it live and seem to be playing it less at home recently too. This video, however, may be the spur to get right back into it and buying the freestanding peg might be a good way forward. Can’t see me buying a 300 though, as much as I’d like to.

[Burns-bass]

22 minutes ago, ezbass said:

Just watched this video comparing (at the beginning anyway) the SLB 300 to an acoustic bass, with Chris Mihn Doky, who is awesome IMO. I’m amazed by the sound, but at the cost of a 300, it needs to be really good.

 

 

 

I’ve been struggling with the idea of keeping my NS WAV4, as I don’t play it live and seem to be playing it less at home recently too. This video, however, may be the spur to get right back into it and buying the freestanding peg might be a good way forward. Can’t see me buying a 300 though, as much as I’d like to.

I’ve had all the electric uprights out there (apart from the SL300 and Kolstein) and none is anywhere near a real DB.

 

I recently picked up a WAV4 and it’s a lovely made thing but I’ve not played it once since o picked it up.

[Beedster]

59 minutes ago, Burns-bass said:

I’ve had all the electric uprights out there (apart from the SL300 and Kolstein) and none is anywhere near a real DB.

 

That's the truth, and my sense is that the 300 has moved even further way than the previous versions, despite the tech

[Burns-bass]

50 minutes ago, Beedster said:

 

That's the truth, and my sense is that the 300 has moved even further way than the previous versions, despite the tech

I’m sure it has a market but I’m not sure who. I owned one and assumed I’d play it when the kids went to bed. Never happened as I preferred my DB.

 

I turned up to practice with it once and I got some odd looks and a few laughs.

[simonlittle]

I’ve had an SLB300 for about a year and a half now and it’s been amazing.  
I’ve had a couple of other EUB’s in the past (Van Zalinge and Warwick Triumph) and the Yamaha was the only one that immediately felt like playing my regular upright bass. And it’s the only one that bows really well too. 
It’s a very well built instrument and incredibly intuitive to play; it balances beautifully. And it sounds great for both pizz and arco playing. I had played a few gigs on its predecessors (Boisdales in Canary Wharf had an SLB200 and more recently an SLB100 as their house bass) and the 300 is by far the best sounding and feeling instrument of the three. 
The only annoying foible, as has been mentioned here earlier, is the battery life. Why they decided on putting AA batteries in it I don’t know, but what I do know is that I need to change the batteries every four or five gigs to avoid the flashing red light of doom. And that’s with me unplugging it and switching it off religiously between sets. I always carry a big box of AA’s in the gig bag so I never get caught short. Having said that, I also know that even  if the red light starts flashing right at the beginning of a set, I can get to the end of that set (~45mins) no problem. 
It’s a bit of a pain but frankly it’s such a lovely instrument I’m happy to live with it. I’m many ways I prefer playing it to my acoustic bass. 



 

[Burns-bass]

18 minutes ago, simonlittle said:

I’ve had an SLB300 for about a year and a half now and it’s been amazing.  
I’ve had a couple of other EUB’s in the past (Van Zalinge and Warwick Triumph) and the Yamaha was the only one that immediately felt like playing my regular upright bass. And it’s the only one that bows really well too. 
It’s a very well built instrument and incredibly intuitive to play; it balances beautifully. And it sounds great for both pizz and arco playing. I had played a few gigs on its predecessors (Boisdales in Canary Wharf had an SLB200 and more recently an SLB100 as their house bass) and the 300 is by far the best sounding and feeling instrument of the three. 
The only annoying foible, as has been mentioned here earlier, is the battery life. Why they decided on putting AA batteries in it I don’t know, but what I do know is that I need to change the batteries every four or five gigs to avoid the flashing red light of doom. And that’s with me unplugging it and switching it off religiously between sets. I always carry a big box of AA’s in the gig bag so I never get caught short. Having said that, I also know that even  if the red light starts flashing right at the beginning of a set, I can get to the end of that set (~45mins) no problem. 
It’s a bit of a pain but frankly it’s such a lovely instrument I’m happy to live with it. I’m many ways I prefer playing it to my acoustic bass. 



 

I must admit when I have the SLBs (100 and 200) I never tried to bow them. That’s because I didn’t have the confidence or technique. I’m currently getting lessons and perhaps the SLBs were designed more for this than pizz.

 

Very interesting, and it’s lovely to hear you’ve got a premium instrument you love to play.

[simonlittle]

@Burns-bass I use mine almost exclusively for jazz so I rarely do actually bow it. But it’s good to know a good clear arco sound is available if I need it.
I have the regular SLB300, not the Pro version CMD plays. The Pro has a slightly nicer neck and an ebony fingerboard; can’t remember what mine is but it feels great. They share the same preamp etc. I don’t think there’d be much in it between the two models. 
I’d agree with everything CMD says in the video about the feel and sound of the bass. In a live situation it sounds and behaves way better than my acoustic bass and sits very nicely in a a live mix. 

[ezbass]

Bit the bullet and bought an endpin arrangement.

 

[bassace]

Does the 300 have an adjustable bridge as the Pro does?

 

You see, having sold the Bryant I’m getting itchy for something user friendly for an old person. Yes, 84th birthday today.

[simonlittle]

15 minutes ago, bassace said:

Does the 300 have an adjustable bridge as the Pro does?

It does indeed 👍

[bassace]

5 minutes ago, simonlittle said:

It does indeed 👍

Then I fail to see the justification for the big mark- up to the Pro. Granted, the ebony fingerboard and superior woody bits would be nice to have but I’m sure a gigging bass player could do without.

[simonlittle]

3 minutes ago, bassace said:

Granted, the ebony fingerboard and superior woody bits would be nice to have but I’m sure a gigging bass player could do without.

The neck and fingerboard on my regular SLB300 both feel excellent. I’ve never played a Pro version (not even sure there are that many around) but I certainly don’t feel like I’m missing out. 
Plus I’m really not a fan of the gold hardware the Pro sports 😬

Having played both the 100 and 200 in the past, 300 is the biggest step up in both feel and sound. I always liked the SLB200 and was about to pull the trigger on one when the 300 was announced. Was very glad I waited.