Yamaha RBX-170

I have been playing bass for nearly 20 years, I flatter myself that I have experience of the very best and worst instruments out there. My neighbours son is just getting started and has been looking at the usual far eastern copies of the big names, you know the kind of things which look great but aren't. Then he bought a Yamaha RBX-170 for very sensible money. He asked me to tune it for him and quite frankly this thing is excellent, It plays well from the box, its finish is excellent and it handles well. Its never going to be a stage instrument but neither is it meant to be. For a learner this is the sort of thing that makes you want to pick it up and try a bit harder. I would say along with the GSR 180 and 200 from Ibanez this is a superb starter instrument and far far better than the ones which look like the big American names but cant hold a candle to this thing. Excellent instrument, worth twice the price easy.

If you are a beginner and you are serious about learning to play, then you need a good quality, no-frills instrument. The Yamaha RBX-170 fits the bill perfectly. Even though this instument is cheap to buy, no comprimises have been made with the construction and finish of it (the Old Violin Sunburst finish is particularly attractive). When my instrument arrived, the action was quite high, but it is a very quick and simple job to lower it. I cannot put this bass down, it is just so playable! Overall a superb bass for the money.

It's hard to find a cheap bass that is worth buying nowadays. Most are just imitations, with bad strings and poor sound. And an awful look as well.

This Yamaha RBX-170 instead, is different. Available in different colors, black, blue, red, it's able to catch everyone's attentions: first for its price, then for its brand and, finally, for its sound. Deep, groovy, almost perfect.

I'd recommend this bass to anyone, especially to beginners: don't "waste" your money in more expensive basses such as Fenders, Musicmans, etc.; buy this one instead, and exercise exercise exercise. You'll find that you still will want to use it even after becoming a pro.

its awsome im finding it great as a beginner great value and sounds great usesing you finngers

Yamaha RBX-170 was my first bass and is pretty good to start with. looks good sounds good and never had any huge probems with it.

there were some issuse with the knobs on it comming loose and some vry minor cases of wear and tear but had withstood me bashing it for 2 years now and still plays well so can't complain

I think the Yamaha RBX-170 is priced really well, I love the sound and think it is generally a great bass.

Great price. Of all the cheaper basses on the market this is the best value and quality. P+J pick ups great sound and choice. Easy to play, nice action. The supplied strings are not great, sounds much better with decent strings, a must! Beautiful looking bass, great price, great sound!

The Yamaha RBX-170 is an extremely good bass, brilliant for beginners and bass players of any form. Overall a shockingly good bass and great value for money!

Better magnets should make this bass perfect! Only magnets, but that's changeable. Easy to play, like the sound.

Considering the price, you are getting a bargain. This bass is really easy to pick up and play all night, which is what I find myself doing. It's just so playable, much better set up than my old guitar ever was. If I ever needed to upgrade, I would definitely consider putting some proper decent pickups in this bass rather than buy another. Sustain could be better on occasions I suppose, but I can't call it bad by any stretch of the imagination.

There are no dead spots on the fretboard and the action is nice and low. You can get a pretty good mix of tones out of this bass if you play about for a bit. You get a full 2-octave fretboard (24 frets!), which are all easy to get to. Seems to stay in tune for ages!

As a bass beginner and as someone defecting from guitar it's everything I could ask for, and the quality is excellent for the price. On the whole, I love this bass.