All user reviews for the Yamaha RBX765A

About four years ago I was in the market for a new stick. I went to guitar center because they had the largest selection in town. I spent hours in the bass section and test drove every bass guitar in the store using the same modest mid-range Ampeg Amp, price not a consideration. I ended up spending a lot less than I expected, about $500 for the red one. Considering I hadn't owned a bass that cost less than $1000 in over 10 years. I have since bought another RBX765A on e-bay (a blue one) because I couldn't find a new one in the stores. (Out of production I guess)

I play in a Hard Rock band and tour on occasion with some heavy hitters. Every sound engineer I have worked with has done nothing but Rave about the tone of these basses. The basses play incrediably well right out of the box, but after a tweek or two from the local guitar pro, they surpass custom basses costing thousands. It has more tone control than any one can ask for, check out the 5 knobs on the front, and the EMG active electronics... well, they speak for themselves.

Unfortunately there are a few "little" things about the basses that can be improved upon. The battery cover only clips on on the back of the bass, a screw securing it would be an improvement and the input jack placement (its a personal thing) kinda sucks.

The body is made of Alder with a two octave fret board, and did I mention the EMGs. The gold hardware has a flashy/classy touch and I think the bridge is the closest thing to a Bad Ass bridge I've seen, if it isn't a Bad Ass.

I've played bass for over 25 years and have played Ricks, Fenders, Gibson, Ibanez, Warlock, Musicman, ect., ect., ect. and I'd put this bass in a catagory all its own considering its versatility, playability, quality, sound, and cost. You can not beat this bass with any other comparably priced bass, period! They are only allowing a 5 as the best for rating, this one is a 5 1/2. P.S. anyone got a green one for sale, I'm lookin.


This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I purchased this bass in late 2002 at a Guitar Center in Houston for $450. I spent approximately three hours in the store playing a wide range of 5 string basses. I initially was unsure of the green color of this bass, but could not ignore the ease in which it played in my hands. I tried many others, including other Yamahas, but none of them played as well, nor felt as good as this one did. Oddly enough, I did try both the blue and red versions of the same make and model, but I found the green one just felt better.

First, I appreciate the feel of this bass. The ergonomic considerations that went into the design contribute to a very comfortable instrument. Although I am six feet tall with somewhat broad shoulders, I don't consider this bass to be very heavy. While my hands are just slightly larger than average, I have no trouble accessing and manipulating all of the portions of the strings. I play (on a regular basis) in a Christian praise and worship band in my church. The styles that we play tend to range from lite contemporary and traditional hymnals to some calypso and fast rock/mild metal.

I am also very pleased with the sound of this bass guitar. The active pickups in this instrument deliver a deep, aggressive, punchy sound. As opposed to some five and six string basses, this Yamaha's low B string emits a deep, clear tone, allowing it's lower range to be very effective in a variety of musical styles.

While trying to be truly objective, the only complaint I can really think of is that the gold hardware tends to accumulate dust and funk rather easily.

This five string bass has an alder/ash veneer body, a maple bolt-on neck, rose wood fretboard with 24 frets, 2 active humbucker pickups, gold hardware, and four volume/EQ controls.

It is available in three attractive translucent finishes - red, blue and green. As mentioned earlier, mine is green. The overall design makes for a very visually appealing bass guitar.

I have had a few Yamaha products in the past (4 string bass and 6 string guitar) and I have found them to be of a high quality when it comes to things like tone/sound, comfort, durability and action.

Keep in mind that the fact that this model bass utilizes active pickups means that it will only function if a nine volt battery is installed. I keep extra batteries with me in case the existing battery fails (which can be a bad thing during performance).

I love this bass guitar. It's design suits me and my playing style better than any I have ever used and it's appearance is both elegant and just plain cool. I have found that since I have begun playing this bass, I do not care for the feel of any other bass that I encounter, regardless of whether it is an old, beat up Ibanez or a new Warwick. This bass suits my every musical need, thus I have no use for any other bass guitar.

I realize that everyone is different and that this bass may not be as suitable for every bass player, but if you are a intermediate or advanced player* and seeking a new five string, I strongly recommend going to a Yamaha distributer and taking this model for a testdrive. In any event, take your time when looking for a new bass and try as many basses as possible - sooner or later you will find the one that brings you as much enjoyment as my Yamaha brings to me.

* I believe beginners should stay simple when looking for a new bass, at least until they develop their own style and technique.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought my Yammy 5 in Clovis Ca, and paid $800 in late 1997. I bought it to compliment my Jazz Bass. I play modern Worship for a couple of churches, and work with a couple of regional artists.

I like the versatile tone I get out of it - from a great Jbass/Jaco sound, to a decent Pbass sound. The B string sound is good, and resonates well. I have been using he J bass sounds exclusily as of late and love the tone. Recently I attended a bass clinic with several pro's who brough Modulus's & Alembic's, which my Yammy kept up with. The p-ups are great. I have left it stock because I am happy with the sound. The three tone controls make it easy to dial in a sound. I can get thin with a simple cut to the Bass/Treble boost. You can get big, deep with the opposite adjustments. You can get a bright tone without that annoying clicky sound. I have recorded with it a few times and engineers have been happy with it.

I have a hard time getting a good popping sound with it. I play through a Trace Elliot/Ampeg rig and cannot get a good popping sound. No trouble on my JAzz Bass - so I am forced to beleive tat Yamaha engineered the RBX to have a more "earthy sound". Living near the coast probibly hasn't helped with the Gold hardware. It is minor -But I'm finding I have to keep up with the maintenece more.


The translucent red color with the gold hardware looks nice. The controll cavity is clean and plenty of space for a pre-amp if needed. The standard of construction is high. Although my nut came loose and I had to glue it back on - the problem was it happened during a gig. Ouch.

I would recommend his bass to anyone who needs to add to their bass arsenal. I have been happy with it & get great comments from many engineers about the tone.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought this bass at Venue Music ( Parramatta, Sydney ) around about 1998. As I remember, I paid approximately $950.00 ( Australian ) for it including a hard case. I bought it to use as a back-up and alternative to my Yamaha Attitude five string bass.


The thing that impressed me the most about this bass was it's sound, even the low B string sounds tight. Although a lot of pro's would probably snub them as just a cheap Yammy, I honestly find them to have an excellent voice; especially considering that it is a sub-$1000.00 instrument.

Although the string spacing is nice and wide at the top end of the neck, ( good for slapping ) I have found it very hard to get a good slap sound. For fingerstyle playing though, ( which is what I do most of the time ) the sound is excellent.
I've often been complemented on my sound when playing with this instrument.
Although the bass has an attractive shape, I would prefer that they had made the body bigger. If you are physically a large-ish type of player, this bass will look rather small on you. ( Maybe thats why some of you guys take up double bass, eh?)

Very nice instrument to look at. Mine features a translucent red finished ash veneer over an alder body, and a 24 fret rosewood fretboard on a maple neck. It has gold plated tuning keys, bridge and knobs. Though I have had this bass four years, there is still no sign of blemishes or corrosion showing through. The electronics are active and very effective with the two humbucker pick-ups. Runs on a single 9 volt battery which last for quite a while; as long as you remember to unplug the bass when you are not using it. The workmanship and finish on this instrument is faultless. It is obvious to me that a lot of computer aided machinery has been used in it's construction. Having previously done cabinet-making, I'm aware that very expensive precision equipment is needed to get this level of fit and finish.

Yamaha obviously have very high standards for the quality of their instruments. Although I have had this bass for a long time and play it regularly, I have never even had to adjust the neck. Which indicates to me, that properly seasoned timbers must have been used in it's construction; Nil shrinkage or warpage.
For the quality of construction, and the sound you get with this bass for the price, I would have to give it a five.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

-Buy the new 3600Fr 07/07/1997
Taiwan-Factory
-24 Frets, 2 Yamaha humbuckers, active electronic (volume, balance microphones, serious boost, boost high)
Channel Saddle Rosewood (head related)
-Alder body (I think ...) frne table (a for sure!)
Mine is green-up in the middle ground r do (with a bone nut but the original plastic)

UTILIZATION

Channel enjoyable super easy with a good rgler ACCS in acute
Pretty and well-lgre balance and personally I find it super pretty ...
Question-has its say anything always sounds and styles with just a slap on prdisposition tural (no bowl but I do not like a ring of hell) and tapping (especially Mount e in the r mid ground do)
With the grave-If the sound lacks a little but nothing serious DEFINITIONS

SOUNDS

I use it mostly to death metal but I used to make fusion (jazz-fusion) of rock and varitoche, the sound is always super good ...
-I often play in a live sound system with its fusion (serious mdiums flat bottom and a little shrill on the bridge pickup (even with 1 / 8 on the neck pickup)) for the death metal .. . And with a chorus and a semi open Wha in an amp and a line in a dry sound with occasionally a fuzz for the rock (I know your exact one may sound weird but overall a great sounding ).

OVERALL OPINION

-I for 7 years and I love him like the first day ...
Even when I report that all the Vallent RBX765A do not and mine is the best I've tried MODEL (about ten).
Report trs-quality good price (for me it is the best bass with the factory Yamaha TRB (Premire edition) and BB3000 and 5000.
-As for whether I would do the same choice, I will simply say it's the best thing I bought in my life (with my super nintendo ?!?!!), Besides, everyone wants to buy me ...

- In What Country was it made? (USA, Japan, Mexico, France...)
Taiwan.

- How many frets, Pickup Type and Configuration?
24 frets, 2 active humbucker pickups.

- What are the setting controls (volume, tone, pickup selector position)?
1 volume, 1 pickup balance, bass, treble.
All except the volume have a middle setting that you can actually feel very easily.

- What type of neck?...
It's a 5 string so the neck is quite wide, and i have little bass experience so it's hard to tell, but it seems nice enough to me!

UTILIZATION

- Does the neck have a nice feel?
Yep!

- Easy access to the top notes (last frets)?
Yes, in fact it is, but do you really want to do that??

- Is it's design ergonomic(in terms of the shape, weight...)?
It's a heavy beast and it's a bit unbalanced, which is not so nice when playing sitting down...it leans toward the head of the neck... :-/

- Can one easily get a nice sound?...
Yes!

SOUNDS

- Does it suit your style of music?
Yes. But beware that unless you EQ it this bass sounds very "slappy", metallic & 80's style. Say Billy Idol on White Wedding, but more slappy.
The EQ is powerful and both pickups sound very different so you can tune your sound to get something quite different, don't worry.

- With what amp(s) or effect(s) do you use it?
I don't have an amp anymore, i go direct via a tube preamp or preamp-compressor and it sounds great.

OVERALL OPINION

- For how long have you been using it?
About 8 years.

- What thing do you like most/least about it?
Least: I don't really like the shape or colour (mine is a weird translucent blue-green, yuck!), i'd much prefer a natural finish and a shape like the Rickenbacker 4001 or even a Hofner violin bass...i think this one looks rather vulgar to be honest.
Most: it has that slappy sound i love, and has that extra deep 5th bass string...nice!

- Did you try many other models before getting this one?
Tried an active 5 string Yamaha before, can't remember which, it was white though...didn't sound good at all. Then in the store i tried a few and this came out on top for me, cos it has that old 80's slappy sound right off.

- What is your opinion about the value for the price?
I think i paid around 3500 F (£350) (530€) for this, which is not bad for a new 5 string active bass...i think it's pretty good value, but don't go amiss: this is not a high quality instrument. If you want something real good try a MusicMan maybe...

- Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice?...
Yes, but i'd go second-hand. No point in buying new instruments if you can get a second-hand one that's in good nick.