Yamaha RBX 375 Electric Guitar, Silver

Yamaha RBX 375 review

I upgraded from a 4-string Squier to this excellent 5-string, and it couldn't be better. For the price you get 24 easily accessible frets, quality craftsmanship and finish and active circuitry.The quality is what one would expect from the Rolls Royce of basses: no flaws, no sharp corners, no unfiled finger-slashing frets, no loose screws and not a single part that seems anything else than bullet proof. Great locking tuners and a bridge sturdy enough to withstand live gigging. The rosewood fretboard is the most beautiful I've ever seen.

Playability is superb, the smooth black finish on the back of the neck lets the hand slide smoothly. String height, truss rod and intonation adjustments are a piece of cake on this bass. It'll sit on your lap just fine, the body is quite compact and the neck long, but it feels balanced. The neck is quite broad, naturally, but it is plenty playable. Even the low B string plays fine, although it lacks the attack of the other strings. A great invention is the finger rests on the top of the two humbucks, which really lets you anchor your hand while playing the low strings. String spacing is so that anything else besides slapping is easy as anything. I've been playing Dream Theater with this and it is really almost designed for that kind of fast technical playing.

What can I say about the looks? It's just stunning in silver and wicked in black. Plastic headstock ornament looks cool but might not withstand live playing (or at least the groupies).

I would recommend this to anyone looking for their first bass, or someone advanced that's upgrading from 4 to 5 strings. This is a bass that you will not outgrow soon, and the hardware looks like it will last forever!