RBX4 A2 -- $229.99 Shipped

[Anchoret]

MSRP $859.99 or $999.99, depending on who you listen to. [shrug] Allegedly "super-light"..."THNX" coupon code entered on final checkout page knocks off another $20 from $249.99 sale price.

Wanted one of these just to see what "light" really was, but only now got a shot at a price I could justify purely for indulging my curiosity.

Buyers' reviews so far are pretty good.


Manufacturer's link.

[Old Cane]

Yeah, I don't need another bass but still was thinking of building one anyway. And then I saw they had these on sale. When I had my shop 20 years ago I used ALL of the models Yamaha made on jobs, from the $199 special up to the BB4000. Any one is worth playing. This is a steal.

[Anchoret]

Curiously, I've never owned a Yamaha instrument or even had one as stock in all the decades of playing/buying/selling/repairing. I've come close; I was wanting the guitar version of this instrument, but I never quite got the sort of deal I wanted before they evaporated.

Yamaha stuff is funny. People always give them high marks but nobody ever seems to really want one. I once started a discussion thread about that and a guy said that it was because Yamaha gear is "soulless." I does have that vibe. Nice, but unexciting, sort of alien...

I don't think any major US act I've seen uses Yamaha without a product-endorsement deal (like many other mainly-import brands). Just an observation.

What sold me on this was the "ultra-light" business. You don't have to say much else to get a geezer's attention.

What I also thought was a hoot was the on-board "color organ" (remember them?) these have. No, these aren't active instruments...that battery is there for no other purpose than to illuminate LEDs under the controls which glow brighter and softer with your playing intensity. That's so hilarious I *had* to have it!

CoO on this is Indonesia, which a few years ago would have given me pause (Yamaha had some downsourced Indonesian models that were vastly inferior to the earlier Korean production), but I have recently seen some incredibly well-built Indonesian gear. Buyers of these RBX* models have given them high marks for build, finish and detail. We'll see.

[lupowitz]

I played one on a fair and was very impressed. I don't need another bass to compliment my fretless mongrel, but if I would the RBX A2 would be my choice. It is really light, looks and plays and sounds very good.
I was not as impressed with its guitar sibling, mainly because of the pencil thin neck.

I think Yamaha makes the best quality guitars nowdays, but surely, they are not too popular. My personal favourites are the Yamaha AES 620HB, the SA503TVL, they both are fantastic instruments. Currently the only Yamaha I own is an FG310 acoustic stringed with 010 GHS Boomer electric strings, it never fails to impress and is a roadworthy instrument.

[Guitar_Ninja]

My first guitar was a PAC120SD. Very nice entry-level instrument. Since modified many times over:



If I was to pick up a Yamaha today it'd probably be the SG2000:



What's up with the multi-coloured knobs? Is it an active EQ?

[Anchoret]

Originally Posted by Guitar_Ninja

What's up with the multi-coloured knobs? Is it an active EQ?

Check my previous post.

[Tim Armstrong]

I look forward to hearing your review when it arrives!

I used to own a Yamaha Pacifica strat, one of the early, well-built ones. Super nice guitar, I'd still have it if it hadn't been stolen right out of my apartment. Thief had a choice between it and my Beloved '66 Telecaster, fortunately for me the Yamaha was in a nicer case!

Tim

[Zmatko]

Originally Posted by Tim Armstrong

I look forward to hearing your review when it arrives!

I used to own a Yamaha Pacifica strat, one of the early, well-built ones. Super nice guitar, I'd still have it if it hadn't been stolen right out of my apartment. Thief had a choice between it and my Beloved '66 Telecaster, fortunately for me the Yamaha was in a nicer case!

Tim

those darned crows.

[Zmatko]

but, still i feel bad for your loss of it.

[Anchoret]

For the serious bottom feeders, these are available as "scratch & dent" models for $199.99. Whether the additional discount e-coupon applies or not, I don't know.

[electricbody]

I've been looking at this bass too, even though I play guitar.

Here's a generally favorable review.

[Old Cane]

Well, I used to be a Yamaha dealer and I sold tons of them. I would choose a Yamaha bass, ANY Yamaha bass over almost anything else. Now, let's not get stupid wiht remarks. Of course I would take a $5000 custom somthing or other. But in reality I'd most likely sell it, get a Yamaha bass, a new Boogie and some tires. I've been playing an RBX for 20 years. I keep thinking I'll get something else one day. Now that i stopped playing for a living I can afford a real expensive bass. I just don't really want a different one.

And before anyone goes off on me there are tons of excellent basses out there. This is my opinion. Tastes vary. Yamahas taste good to me.