Yamaha RBX 170 Reviews  4 / 5 based on 8 reviews This RBX170 bass from Yamaha is a four string model. It has a solid agathis body, a bolt on maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, 24 frets, and a headstock that is not angled (better for durability). T... [read more on Audiofanzine] heads on fire rated this unit on 2012-03-04. The Yamaha RBX170 is one of the lower tier basses in their line, but it's still a force to be reckoned with if you're looking for a cheap yet easy to play and great sounding instrument. They're bui... [read more on Audiofanzine] King Loudness rated this unit on 2011-12-31. I bought this bass at Guitar Center in Seattle, and Kirkland, because I was looking for a starter bass for my son. I played several other inexpensive basses and found that the Yamaha felt the best and sounded the best overall. This bass was on sale for $165 and the salesman let me have it for $135. You just can't beat that price!
It has a lightweight body and a fairly small neck which is good for the beginner and I loved the clear openness of the sound acousically. (New strings help too) Someone in another review said the strings from the factory were crap. I don't know what that guy was smoking because the strings installed were very good. No deadness, bright and clear. I have played for 30 years and own Alembics, old Fenders (Jazz and Precision), Modulus's (Flea and a Genesis 5), Rickenbackers, and others. I liked this bass enough to go buy another one for myself! The finish is very nice (Metallic Red) and the neck/finish is very comfortable. Played through my Ampeg SVT it has a lot of balls and stands out nicely in a rock band. The pickups sound good and I find that adjustments to the pick-up volumes and tone controls gives me a good variety of sounds. As good or better than some of my other passive basses. The tuners feel good and are not sloppy, unlike another reviewer stated, and it stayed in tune well. The "E" string tuned down to "D" still had good focus and low-end from the pick-ups.
There's not much I don't like about this bass. For the price it's one of the best I've played, and better than some more expensive basses. The action can easily be set for a persons preference. It's OK for me but others may want to lower it a bit.
On a scale from 1 to 10 I give this bass a 9.5. Nothings perfect! (again judging it based on the price. A $2000 bass would be judged differently)
The construction seems very sound and I have spent the last two weeks playing it.
I would recommend this bass to any beginner and experienced person. Jeff rated this unit on 2003-12-27. Allans Music, Adelaide - ~$350 (Australian)
As a new bass player, I was looking for a first bass that would also last me a long time. I disregarded a Squier the second I played one, as I just disliked their sound.
The RBX 170 is a brilliant guitar for my personal playing style. The price is it's main selling point, but this bass has an inbuilt quality which I can't describe. Only after playing this bass for some time will you realise just how good it is for the price.
The sound (when in it's only good tonal setting: check below) is comparable to basses five times the price, and we shouldn't forget just how nice looking this guitar is.
As I mentioned briefly before, this bass might as well not have a P-style pickup: the jazz pickup sounds much, much better. This means there is basically no tonal range. If you can live with that (the tone is perfect for me anyway), you'll be right.
The action could be a touch lower, but it's not noticable while playing.
The sound could be a bit deeper in the lower ranges, but this doesn't bother me too much.
The 24 frets on the fretboard is a cool feature, but not neccesary.
On first inspection, the quality of this bass seems a tad cheap (considering it's a cheap guitar, that's okay). However, once you get used to the guitar's strengths, weaknesses and quirks, you can respect the build quality more. I particularly like the neck, it's very smooth to play.
The strings, however, are crap, and the tone knobs/tuning keys are a bit cheap, but this isn't too much of an issue.
For a cheap bass, this is a star. If you're into heavy rock and deep, pumping bass however, you should probably look elsewhere. Give it a shot in the music store, and if you like the sound and the way it plays, you won't be dissapointed. I don't believe I'll need another bass for a few years to come, and even then this will be my trusty backup. Jarrod M. rated this unit on 2003-11-29. Bought it at Sound Control in Glasgow, Scotland for £149.
Great tuners as it never comes out of tune.
P/J Pick Ups rock when playin at a higher pich than Standard. Great flexability in all styles of music especialy for the beginner! (Like Me!)
It was 6 weeks late and wrong colour (Black) but it is better than the right colour which i saw in another shop (Metalic Red) and is better than the right one i was to get. The bridge has a small rattle but sorts itself out after a few chords.
Built like a tank in a war. i droped it twice and nothing went wrong exept on the second where the output/lead connection came loose but i fixed it within 2 minuites.
Great for the beginner!
Good overall build quality!
Great for a range of diverse styles!
Great first buy!
Clear pick ups!
Ive run out of SUPERLITIVES!!!!!!!! Andrew rated this unit on 2003-10-27. Well it was coming up to christmas and for about 2 years i really wanted to play bass so i told some dude from college and he said well lets go down to Octave (local music shop) and have a look. So i did and i'm not a big fan of the old Scratchplates on basses i just find them unattractive then i saw the Yamaha RBX 170 in all it glory i picked it up for about £180 which is a little bit over priced but it was there!
The Paintjob is really slick i got the red one, the sound is pretty crisp and groovy when u tinker with the controls on the bass and alot of people like the look of it
The strings were a bit hard on my fingers at first but i guess that's just part of being a bassist
For an Entry level bass it's really good. the quality of the bass's construction is nice it isnt a Ibanez K5 but it's still slick for it's price
If you wanna start bass get this one you cant go wrong. I've had it for 3 months now i can play a few tunes and stuff and i've been asked to a band try-out! oh well you'll like it oh and if red isnt your colour the blue was nice too Kolin rated this unit on 2003-02-05. $169 GuitarCenter
Great sustain (thanks to Alder body) even with flatwound strings
Good Pickups - "P" - is smooth (especially with flatwound strings), and "J" is "jazzy"
Great sound
nice design
"J" style might pickup noise if close to computer or other high interference source. BUt its normal, so i dont think its a minus.
-Excelent workmanship!
-paintjob is flawless
-frets are perfect
-neck is straight
-biggest plus of them all - when i bought it, it didnt need any adjustments! (i just lowered 1st string - personal preference)
-beware Malaysian models - people said they have "bad" shipment.
-Indonesian or Japanese (rare) is the way to go
GREAT STARTER BASS! TRULY A NUMBER 1 CHOICE!!! Alexey rated this unit on 2002-12-19. I aquired this unit because it was recomended by Richard as a good starter bass and i liked the sound and feel of the bass. I aquired this this unit from sounds live in Newcastle upon tyne. I payed £135 for this unit.
What i like about this unit is the interesting shape, the texture and i emedeatly felt like i had had it fo a life time. I also like the colour, and playability of th rbx 170. The quality and the duribility for the price and amasing beauty is fantastic and brilliant vale for money. i have even heard that it is better than the gibson thunderbird nikki sixx.
i do not like the position of the jak plug or the limited selection of colours but oter than that is is one fanastic bass.
The quality is fantastic it has a solid angathis body and rosewood neck it is as good quality as say; a musicman stingray.
The bottom line is this is one of the best basses i've played. i strongly recomend this bass for any keen starter. it is deffinitly good enough for any pro. SAGE bassist rated this unit on 2002-11-29.
|
