Yamaha BX-1 4 String Headless Reviews 
5 / 5 based on 1 reviewsGuitar Center, Albany NY, USA
$200, no case, and needing a lot of
adjusting, tightening, cleaning, etc.
I bought it because I like headless
basses that don't need double ball
berger strings, and of course because
it sounded good.
It's got that nice mellow twin-humbucker tone, is very light and compact, and can
use standard 34" strings even though it's headless like a Steinberger.
Also, the jack is on the front, PUs are
passive, and I prefer the rear tuning
knobs over the usual headstock location
[of "normal" basses].
It has a top horn so it balances and
positions nicely compared to "minibody"
headless such as the Hohners.
Standard string headless basses are a
bit of a pain to string because you have
to use the clamping screws on the "head"
to secure the strings.
I prefer a PU balance knob but this has
the more common seperate gain knobs. I
prefer a bolt-on neck but this is neck through or set neck.
Opaque finish over mystery wood, rosewood
fretboard [24 frets]. Neck-through or
set neck [can't see for sure] and a sort
of "alt-steinberger" bridge made out of
mystery metal. Intonation and saddle height easy to set using screwdriver and
allen key. Neck rod access is at the
body joint, using an allen key.
Mystery soapbars seem to be humbuckers
but are not the usual type as they lack
elevator frames. Seem to be sitting on
pads, not springs.
Everything seems well done for a factory
bass and it's marked "made in Japan". I
don't see any obviouse cost cutting but
neither is it a hi-tek marvel nor museum
grade custom furniture. I bought it used
and it has a lot of scuffing and visible
fretwear, but everything is intact and
working well. I was able to easily set
the action lower than standard with no
buzz or rattle.
This is a players' ax and the only two
dislikes I listed are really very minor.
It comfortable to wear and easy to play.
It's light and compact to carry. What
more could you ask?
As a factory product [not hand made], it
is close to flawless, and has stood up well to alot of use, so it rates a 5 on
that basis.
Golem rated this unit
on
2004-05-04.
