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From: BassGuitarMag
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  • yamaha's very fragile, right ed?

  • Hi. I'm actually thinking of buying this bass guitar from my local yamaha shop. But i just gotta ask. is it suited for playing metal music? more hard rock kind? Or should i look at the other ones in the RBX series by yamaha perhaps

  • @GradeXX - Sure it's fine for metal.

  • is it just me or is ed's moustache longer on the right side? (no offense)

  • Hey Ed!

    Can you do a review about a Yamaha BB615? really interested in such a bass, but dunno how it sounds. There isn't a local store around here that sells them.

    Kind gards,

    Thomas

  • in general,yamaha basses are expensives??

  • This bass has a beasty slap tone :)

  • i wish they made like a higher end version of this bass, like around $600 or so. so all the electronics are better and different like cool futuristic designs like this.

  • Yamahas super cool and light bass. The A2 series are so well built, the guitars too !!

  • heey ed if you read my message , thanks for all your videos , they are amazing , i´ve bought yoru walking bass lines and reggae books and theyre amazing , though i dont get to completely understand the walking bass book hahaha , but anyways , im being offered an exchange of this bass for my made in mexico jazz bass from 91, is it a good deal?, how much is this bass priced?

  • @ars9magna6opera - The Yamahas have been selling fairly cheap, I think they've been discontinued. I've seen them in the $300 range. I can't say if it's a good swap for your Jazz.... depends on which one you like better.

  • What's with the bad 80's set?

  • @timkick2 - That was a backdrop the former owner of my last house put up. She missed the beach. This was shot before I put up curtains.

  • @BassGuitarMag

    I'd keep the curtains. Keep up the great job Ed

  • This bass sounds METAL to me \m?

  • incredible sound!

  • Can you get dots on the side of the finger board?

  • @TenebraearumParvulus

    YES !! , all the A2 basses and guitars have the dots on the sine, not on the fretboard.

    Same goes for the beautiful, but heavy RGX-520FZ.

  • Hi Ed, great reviews--keep it coming! Something about this Yamaha catches me and am looking for one right now. Just bought my son a Fender Deluxe P Bass Special (with maple neck) am think this Yamaha will really work for him (Chrisitian rock/praise&worship). Thanks!

  • How much are they? They are out of stock at every store, I look up

  • I've played 5-string versions of this model many times. I gotta say they're real heavy for their price. They impress lots and i love their sound. The basses of this series are just plain awesome and if you haven't played one at least twice you can't seriously bitch their quality.

  • I saw a white five string version of this at best buy. I want it so bad it's tone was amazing. Now they just need a fretless version.

  • Ed, you're like the friend I've never met. I've been reading your stuff in magazines for many, many years. Good to see you on the "tube" and finally actually hear you play. You're a much funkier player than I imagined.

  • If I want a ply wood bass I'll buy something cheeper.

  • @fuji302 - first of all, it's not "plywood". But the fact that it uses layers of different woods does technically link it to the concept behind plywood. So that means a 7k Fodera with an ash/bubinga body, and maple top is also technically "plywood". If you don't like it, fine. No need to be all snarky about it.

  • @fuji302 Why so butthurt? Kinda late to ask you this (lol 9 months later) but wtf man?

  • pretty funky sounds...but I'd rather just make deep rhythmic sounds kind of like how roger waters did for pink floyd in run like hell and hey you :)

  • hello ive been play electric and acoustic guitar fo near 2 years and thinking of taking up bass what would be a good bass to get and i need a amp and dat stuff

  • to recommend more the ibanez sr400qmsc or this yamaha RBXA2?

    thanks sorry for my english i speak spanish

  • my rbx a2 is now 2 years old, and all I can say is - it is worth it. :)

  • i dont really like the yamaha sound but this looks well built and sounds pretty good

  • sounds very funky, but also rock 'n' roll :D

  • I was looking for a new bass for Christmas (currently with an epiphone thunderbird, nice, but not too great for slap bass in my oppinion, and is also a tad heavy)

    This one had me thinking about it when I first heard it.

    Then I saw the volume knobs light up, and I now Definatly want it :L

  • i want to by a five string !! thumbs up if i should get this one !!!

  • @themightygermanman - These are great basses, and these days are very reasonably priced. Thumbs up.

  • @BassGuitarMag I've been wanting one of these bad boys for a long time, this review tipped it for me for a good 4 string bass to learn Slap on. I currently own a Washburn xb500 which I made fretless. I've never looked back, If ever you get the chance to play one it's simply amazing. The heaviest thing you will ever hold though....It came with a bolted on strap...

  • @themightygermanman IF you want a reaaaaally goooooood bass find out about the yamaha rbxjm2....!!

    thumbs up if someone know about this bass!

  • @XaviOrtega1 yeah i have been looking at that one aswell its fucking awsome !

  • Hi Ed....

    I'm a drummer and now I'm learning to play bass. I'm looking for a bass for intermediate player with a good sound.

    For price I saw 3 options:

    Yamaha ERB 070 (new)

    Fernandes Gravity  (new) Hear it for metal music

    Ibanez SR400 (new)

    Fender Jazz Bass 92 - 93 from Japan (used)

    Please, I really appreciatte any idea for my choice !

    Thanks !

  • @orappaarg - I'd get the Fender

  • @BassGuitarMag

    THANK YOU very much for the suggestion.

    The Fender was sold an hour before me to be able to contact the seller. Finally I bought the Ibanez. I also was doubting of buying a secondhand instrument because I am a beginner player.

  • @orappaarg Ha...i just read this after posting the reply to your question, in my humble opinion you made the right choice for a beginner, nice Bass and will serve you well for many years, love the neck's on these.

  • @orappaarg Well.. Fender is the benchmark by which all others are judged, i have three myself. But! i really like the Ibanez Basses, nice slim neck's on the SDGR models, and i would get one with Active pup's. You must try them out yourself, see what fits your hands best, what feels best, go down to the store without any intention to buy on the day, leave you Cash or Card's at home so you don't make a rash decision, then sleep on it. Lots of great gear out there so fill your boots.

  • I've got the 5 string version of this (in white) and I really love it. I picked up one of the RGX-A2 guitars first and loved it. The bass, for me is the same thing. Nice vintage(ish) tone with a very modern look. And I LOVE the weight. 3-4 hour gigs don't kill me like my old J-Bass did. Stick a little compression on this thing and its awesome.

  • That is a lush Bass Guitar!

    I might get 1, nice bass playing at the start

  • this bass is horrible...

  • @mlgsolidsnake - Have you played one? I have two students that play them, and they love them. I think they sound great too.

  • @mlgsolidsnake No One Asked For You Crappy Opinion

  • Hi Ed.. it is a great review and your playing is really great.

    I have been trying to play the groove you demo but I can't make the 16th notes as fast and smooth as you do at 3:05.....

    How should I practice to get that speed? Should I relax my plucking hands or should I just try "faster"?

  • It's such a good bass. I want one SO BAD! There's that whole money thing, though...

  • How do you choose the picup sound? front, back both p.u´s?

  • @RageicaNiels - I typically default to both pickups, but if I want to get a little fatter, I roll to the front, if I want it a little tighter, I roll to the back.

  • @BassGuitarMag

    so by adjusting the eq´s?

  • @RageicaNiels - This bass is passive, so the only eq is the tone control. It basically just rolls off the high end, it's not boost/cut like on an active bass.

  • whats the street price on one of these babies?

  • @EpiphoneMaster1234 - I've seen them going for pretty cheap - around $400.

  • How would you rate the yamaha RBX374 Ed ??

  • @MegaNewBeginnings - I don't know that bass specifically but Yamaha makes consistently good instruments in all price ranges.

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  • i got the body to this and customised it to fit the nack of a rbx 375 sounds sweet.

  • wich bass is the best for slap that you have played you can say wich bass is best for slap please answer bye

  • I'm not trying to hurt or offend anyone, but when you say: "And I think this means that it's not trash" you sound ironic, Ed. =))

  • @ArtemiusVerrueckte - Maybe I sound MOronic....

  • @BassGuitarMag Well, that's not what I meant...

  • I just saw these basses being sold by a local distributor here and checked your channel if you had any reviews on it. For some reason I kinda felt bad because the review dated a couple of years back meaning the model isn't entirely new. But the review really helped a lot. Was also wondering if you'd be reviewing their RBX374 or 375 models as well as the Dingwall Afterburner and Combustion basses. Thanks!

  • Bump for answer please? =]

  • That's one of the better body designs on that yamaha.

  • Hey Ed ,

    Have you reviewed the Yamaha BB series ?

    I am thinking of buying the BB , so I would want to see a good review of it before I buy it & we all know you do really good reviews ....

    Thanks

  • @john4short - I have a Yamaha BB2025 in right now that's going to get reviewed, so you'll see it online in a few months.

  • can you get it in a 5 string model????

  • @BennyFourStrings - Yes, they do make it in a 5.

  • best bass tester on youtube

  • Hey Ed, whenever you showed the shot of the bass neck from the head, is the neck perfectly straight?

  • @SDRockman - Ugh, I don't know... Not sure what you mean by perfectly straight... and I shot this a long time ago.

  • @BassGuitarMag Oh well. Maybe it was just the angle of the camera or something, but I did get to try out one those basses here in Japan and I really, really wanted to get it. But unfortunately, I did not have the money and planning on getting a TUNE N-TB 4 instead. Thanks for the info.

  • @SDRockman - I don;t know what they cost in Japan, but in the US these basses have been severely discounted. They can be found between $350-500 new.

  • ROTFLMAO...1:08..Heay it Reaaly Reaaly works!

    What a champion bloke..i Reaaly Reaaly luv his personality!

    Good video!!!

  • i absolutely love this bass, had it for just over a year now, gotta ive never played anything like it, the weight is perfect, the sound is perfect. i think it sounds best playing micheal jackson tunes, just an amazing guitar

  • Not everything in this world appears beautiful.

  • Sounds exactly like jazz bass, amazing...

    And I actually love all active bass guitars

  • @shahafsagi could be the amp you know? haha but the sound delivery from the pickup sounds pretty solid :)

  • I believe their tech of soft woods and a harder exterior works well as compared to Fender P bass for example. The Fender has a thin crisp tone as with this Yamaha tone is very fresh, punchy and full. Gotta love it.

  • yo i just ordered a new bass guitar like that/ and got it with my amp. i made a review on it. check it out! see if its an okay guitar or not plz

  • as you hear...if someone can play like this guy also a beginner bass sounds good

  • Thanks for the compliment, but it's not really what I'd call a beginner bass, even though they are now ridiculously cheap.

  • Are the pickups active? Or is the battery for the lights?

  • for the lights :)

  • No, they are passive. LED lights are mounted to illuminate controls.

  • Hi Ed.

    I have this bass, and it's a fine instrument.

    However, I'm having some issues with some weird buzz, which I've had since I got it.

    Basically I get a buzz whatever I do when I play.

    The length between the stings and the fretboard is about 0,5 cm from the 7th fret and further up. This also makes tapping very difficult.

    I've tried adjusting the screws on the bridge, but it haven't really succeeded.

    I'm not sure how to explain it really, but I was hoping you could help, as you've played it.

  • @ingentingvirke Sounds like your neck is bowed to me. Read up on adjusting your truss rod, or take it to a local store.

  • @JoeMomma2455 Well there is no local store where I live, and I don't have a case or anything so I can transport it somewhere else. And I'm a bit afraid of trying to adjust the truss rod myself.

    I'll look into it. Thanks.

  • I have that problem too, but the thing it's bothering me the most with is tapping. It sounds very weird.

  • damn this guy is fukin cr@zy !! bad ass skillz ! great review

  • ...and I think this means it's not thrash.

    Really funny!

  • yamaha sound is very cool,

    listen to this yamaha

    /watch?v=GtgaWMEkUNk

  • thanks man.

  • great sound..which country produce this bass?how about a price?

  • i dont know the country, but the price for a used white one, is around 300.

  • and it says indonesia.

  • lol dinzbassman asks which country makes this bass and ed says that its made in indonesia

  • i know haha. people dont watch the whole vids.

    i dont like people like that =P

  • I love his vids. really tell you about the bass.

    and i tried this bass out, i could not believe the sound i was getting from something that weighs like this.

    was deciding between this and sr750... i went for the 750 in the end haha the neck is simply too lovely for words.

  • I THINK IT MEANS IT'S NOT TRASH.

    hahahahahah!

  • I love everything about this bass - except the ugly (to me) headstock. Its a bargain buy for sure!

  • imao "i think this means it is not trash"

  • best buy still has these online in white/aircraft grey (but it doesn't look as cool as the black here)

  • I'm getting this bass for sure. I've been playing it at a guitar shop around where i live for about a year now! They yell at me for not buying it! lol

    Ed, you're a great bass player! You really show all the sounds you can get out of a bass. Thanks!

  • Ed do you teach bass ? I really enjoy watching your bass reviews, but some online lessons, that would be awesome...

  • where can you get this cheap but original

  • Even though i play guitar i highly enjoy watching these reviews just cuz ur very funny and u give ur own opinion like about the lights or the pimped out-ness of the bass. Better then paul by a 100 %.

  • lol yall crack me the fuck up

  • Made in Indonesia

  • that is so cool!

  • ahh yeah..Indonesian made great quality...

    btw,it's a cool bass..

  • i have one too.. it was my first bass

  • I still don't understand... Is this bass active or passive?

  • It's passive, the lights are run by battery, but not the pickups. These are great sounding basses, and I believe they are discontinued. I saw a used 5 string version sell for $250! I say, grab one if you see it.

  • Do you know any specific store that sells these?

  • Nope, google.

  • Oh really? thank you for sharing that with us.

  • that bass looks like a hifi, but it have cool sound

  • Gah! i so want that Bass! or maybe the 5 stringed version :D

  • what kind of drumcomputer is playing? at the background?

    thanks !

  • A Boss DR770

  • Wow! Your improvisation sounds great! Could you please tell me what amp you use?

  • It's a Genz Benz GBE1200 head through a Genz NeoXt 212 cab.

  • Well, thank you!

  • i love your improvisation song.

  • i bought some months ago, great bass :D

  • I just ordered mine today! :-) I took the white one...my Apple Bass! I already own a RBX775, I love the RBX design, and the RBXA2 in white is like an special editon for me! And actually it sells for about 298€ or 420USD here in Austria/Germany! I wanted one since the RBXA2 got announced...but now for that price I had to get one! :-)

    Great review! Thank you!

  • I owned 2 RBX-775s (fretted and a custom fretless) that were my "main" basses for about 4 years until I lucked out and got some great deals on "dream basses" of mine (Spector ReBop EX/FM 4, 5 & 5 fretless, and Mike Lull Modern 4 & 5 Jazz Basses) but would have easily purchased an RBX-A2 4 and/or 5-string when they were being discontinued: great Yamaha quality, and much more of a classic Jazz tone than the soapbar pickups of the 775s.

  • i dont like this sound, i got a yamaha rbx460 its old, but sounds better

  • Indonesia instruments not trash?

  • I love the warm sound you get in this video, with low extra low mid punch. I know out rigs are worlds apart, but how are you EQing your amp?

  • Well, it's partly because I love what I do, and partly because I get PAID to do what I love. I review these basses for Guitar World magazine, this is actually a gig for me. GW sets up the product and the manufacturers send them to me for review.

  • I love the way you review basses Ed. You just seem to put more energy into it than most other people :D

    How do ya get all these basses anyway? Do you buy them all? Or do you get sent them cos you are so awesome?

  • one of the sweetest guitars ever made

    (the looks)

  • so it really sucks

  • The amplificator? Dude.

    Who knows what shape it was in at the store? It's probably been handled to death by idiots with greasy hands, and never set up by the staff at the shop. I thought it was a cool bass, and the fact that it sounds good is not just because of the "amplificator". It it sounded like shit, the amplificator would have just made it sound like shit, only louder.

  • Whats an amplificator? I want one

  • should i get this or a fender MIM standard jazz bass? can come of u pros here give me some opinion? :)

  • Hi, I have a fender, but this yamaha sounds great, more modern & cold sound, though. It depends on what you wanna play. If you want to have the sound of your favrites bands, most use fenders, P or Js. Also, they're a bit more expensive. And the look counts : a bass you don't like, you don't want to play it (for me). Try both, but a Jbass is almost universal. The yamaha does have its pros : lightweight, very good sound (but different tone), rather cheap.

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  • i love this bass, it sounds INCREDIBLE and it's less than $500, prooving that the cheaper it is, doesn't mean it sounds worse

  • nice suond and nice pass player

  • That riff at the beginning was just more than amazing! Keep up posting the good stuff :)

  • Just curious, are you sure that the tone controls are passive?.. the knobs light, so is the battery also used for an internal equalizer or crossover?

  • The idea of using multiple density composites seems to be a BS marketing tool in my honest opinion. More than one material with different mass and density materials just means multiple resonate frequencies; something that NEEDS active crossovers or equalization with notch filters to give it a linear sound. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for a lighter bass

  • Well, the concept is not new. Boutique bass builders have been combining different woods since the late 60s, and Music Man has been using a mahogany tone block in their high end stuff for several years. And in fact... it is totally possible to come up with a recipe that produces predictable and desirable results. This particular bass sounded great, and was very light. So... I think they succeeded, and it wasn't just BS marketing.

  • Yes, I'm sure the battery is only for the lights. It's a passive bass.

  • anyhow, this is the lightest bass i've ever hold

  • try the ibanez K5 ;P

  • Have you tried this one? I've held both and this is WAY lighter.

  • I've never tried a Yamaha instrument(besides their keyboards) but everyone who owns them seems to rave about em... I need to check em out. Thanks for the informative video!

  • what is better ,this or an ibanez atk?

  • which one is better depends on how you play it

  • Hi Ed, great review & chops as usual. You continue to inspire :-) I've just read a pdf review on your site for the Yamaha BB714BS. Did you ever do a video review of it? The 714's p/up combination intrigues me. I like the idea of the hi-cut old-school tone option. I was going to import an Eastwood Classic 4 (not available in Oz) based on your video preview, but a Melbourne guitar shop is offering the BB714 for almost 1/2 the price I could get an Eastwood for. Which would you recommend? Andy

  • I didn't have the time to do a video for the BB714BS. I liked it, it's essentially a P Bass sound with the option for massive woof. They blend well and the tone cut is cool. I wouldn't try to compare it to an Eastwood Classic 4, totally different beast. It's short scale, semi hollow - not anything like the Yamaha. However, I really like the Eastwood, I've been gigging with it alot and have used it in the studio with great results (with TI Flats on it).

  • Thanks Ed, I apreciate your time. Cheers!

  • I want that bass, but I've been told is being discontinued, you can't even find the 5 strings version anymore... it's kinda sad, Yamaha always does this u_u

  • all over ebay everyday

  • of course I meant I wanted it brand new, though ;D

  • Hi Ed,

    Have you published the scores you played in this video somewhere such as books etc? (in particular the finger style and slapping parts)

    The sound is really cool!!

    Thanks

  • Nope, I'm just winging it, playing whatever comes to mind. I've probably never played any of that stuff since the review. I suggest that you learn it by ear and write it out for yourself. It will be a valuable education!

  • That was one funky riff. I loved it.

  • this video made we wish I had new strings

  • this video made me wish i could play like Ed :<

  • Thanks for such a detailed and informative bass review. I must agree, as a working musician i carry nothing but Yamaha basses now. Reliable, consistent, comfortable and a great unique tone. I went through the bass label chasing phase in my early career, i found mostly basses that didn't live up to my expectations. My Yamaha's through 1980s Trace Elliot equipment does it all.

  • hey ed....can i make a suggestion?? this is a little bit out of topic....i really want to buy your book about soloing and improvisation, however, since i am from the philippines, i have to pay a really big shipping fee....what i suggest is can u have it in e-book format as well so that we can easily buy your book without being charge for the shipping?

  • Well, that is a decision for Hal Leonard my publisher. I have no control over how the book is marketed. Hopefully you can find someplace that can ship to you without a huge fee.

  • It's too bad you paid full price. I like the fact that it's light, but then I'm an old man that has to stand up and play 2 hour sets - so light basses feel good to me. I like the tone, but it's definitely a more modern, edgy sound than some basses. The amp is a Genz Benz GBE 1200 with a Genz NeoXt 212 cab. It's a pretty true sounding rig, it doesn't change the tone of the bass, just makes it louder. Your results could be for any number of reasons. Maybe you need a better amp too!

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  • Could you turn of the LEDs while you are playing, without turning down the controls? Do they run on any battery?