Yamaha RBX170

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). The hardware is decent quality Yamaha brand. Pickups are Yamaha brand also, a P style and J style. Electronics are passive, with volume, tone, and blend controls.

I'm usually pretty open about instruments - even though I've had a lot of esoteric, bizarre, vintage, and uber-boutique gear, I'm still not a snob about price. If an instrument is good, it is good, period. But I do tend to look down upon any solid-bodied instruments that have an agathis body. In my experience, every agathis guitar and bass I've played has just had an utterly dismal tone, even when pickups have been swapped - until now.

I just bought this bass from a local store. It was used, but still has the factory pickups in it. The bass actually sounds good! It is no MEC or Bartolini setup, but the pickups do a great job of showing what a decent P and J combo can do. The bass can play any style, honestly.

I was most attracted to this bass initially due to the playability! There is something about the string spacing and neck carve on Yamaha basses that just fits my hands perfectly. I picked this little jobber up just because it was extremely cheap, and I didn't want to put it down! I've been trying to up my bass technique, with the Victor Wooten style double thumb. This bass is perfect for my hand for trying to get this down.

Overall, the bass is a wonderful deal. The street price on a new one is under $200, and I honestly got mine for $50 used. I figured I couldn't go wrong at that price, and now I'm happier than a clam!

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 built in Taiwan and feature an agathis body, maple neck with rosewood fretboard and 24 frets, standard tuners and bridge, and a pair of pickups, one P Bass style in the front and a Jazz pickup in the back. This offers versatility that you won't find in the average Squier or other cheaper basses. It's available in a variety of colours, but the mist purple is great looking and stands out from the pack.

UTILIZATION

The design of this bass ergonomically blows away a similar Squier bass. The instrument is quite light and the shape is extremely player friendly. The fact that it has 24 frets is a huge plus as well. I particularly like the feel of the neck and how strong the upper fret access is (getting to the 24th fret is not a problem at all.) I'm a guitar player, so I like basses that are easy to play, and this one is probably one of the best cheap basses I've tried in that aspect. Getting a good sound is very easy. It offers both the thicker more strident P bass type tone as well as the punchier and clearer J bass tone, so you can have either one of those or even blend them for some fun.

SOUNDS

This bass sounds pretty good for being what it is. The stock pickups aren't to the quality of DiMarzio, Bartolini or Fender, but they do a good job here. The P bass pickup is great for thicker, more bass heavy tones that require a very big and full sound, whereas the J bass pickup is clear, bright and articulate, making it ideal for lead lines or a more trebly tone. This makes the bass ideal for a variety of styles, and combine that with the easy playbility and great design, and you've got just an excellent bass on your hands.

OVERALL OPINION

All in all I think the Yamaha RBX170 is a great bass for anyone looking for something that's not too expensive, but has the quality, feel and tone of basses that cost a fair bit more. They are about $200 new which is a killer deal considering the excellent design and quality that goes into this. It will blow away a Squier or other cheapo bass, so give one a whirl!

Made in China. For the rest, see more

Construction Bolt-on
Scale Length 34 "(863.6mm)
Rosewood Fingerboard
Radius 10 "(250mm)
Frets 24
Body Alder, Agathis or Nato
Maple Neck
Covered Tuners
Bridge Vintage Style
Pickups Split Coil x 1, Single Coil x 1
Pickup Switch N / A
Controls Front Volume, Rear Volume, Master Tone

UTILIZATION

The handle is quite nice and ergonomics ... It is light and everything is accessible. We quickly get the sound you want ...

SOUNDS

This bass is versatile and I think this is why it is done: an entry-level Yamaha made for the beginner who does not yet know to what they are going to turn. It can slam, it sounds very round too. Adjustments made, it sounds. With this bass, I played a Fender Rumble 25 Galien Krueger Backline then a 112. Since it serves as a decoration, I spent a few lines above I appreciate it for what it is: my first bass and therefore a good memory.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it now for 8 years (although I really do not play with for a while). I have not tried a lot of style, I followed the advice bassist store. It is nice at all levels, ideal for beginners. The value for money is very good if it is only with time, little things you notice: the entry for the jack does not contact well and is no longer as it should, it has a small fall and it is split ... Now, I do not think I was gentle with her. She suffered all my attacks beginner I recommend this bass to anyone who wants to start low ... It will motivate them to continue and to spend € 1,300 each day for a Fender