Yamaha RBX-375

Chinese made, 2005. Specs and built just like everybody else has said before, escept for one thing: I use this bass mainly to play in a Kiss tribute band (my only black bass), and through sweat, blood act, and humidity, the bridge started wearing, showing slightly a brass color behind the paint, not really an issue after 3 years of loyal stage work;however, one of the headless screws that set the string height on the B string got so rusty that it wouldn??t adjust anymore. I wasn't able to change the action of the bass anymore, so I had to go to the repairshop. The paint at the back of the neck felt very sticky at first, and it took some time getting used to that feel. BTW, it wears fairly easily and is a fingerprint magnet.

I play it through a Line 6 Low Down Studio 110 amp, with a small 10" speaker that delivers 75 watts RMS (unbelievable, uh?) and I use an AKG wireless system. I mostly play rock, and some latin music from time to time, but mostly I use it to play music from Kiss. I found the sound hard to control at first, the two massive humbucker pickups give it a dark, beefy sound, and I found it hard to give it a bright sound without compromising low end. The tone of the B string is a little weak compared to the other strings. Now I use it with strings from E to C, and I don't use the B string anymore, and the sound is balanced for every string. Maybe the 34" scale is not enough to produce a well defined B string sound. With a Boss EQ I've learned to tweak the sound to my liking.

The action and setup were alright for me, not too low nor too high, but I don't use a vey low action. I got it tuned up from the music store, so there was no big deal for me. The bass had an impecable finish out of the box. No complaints on finish and details except for the unusual paint finish at the back of the neck.

All is alright, except for the problem with the B string saddle height screw that got rusty and therefore useless. It was expensive to repair. I have abused the finish with my Kiss costume and its metal spikes. After all the gigging it's gone through, I can say it'sa very dependable bass. I have gigged with it without a backup. Ocassionally, the strap has gotten loose, no big deal, solved with Dunlop strap locks.

I have never dealt with them.

I've been playing bass since 1992, and I have owned some basses. Currently, I have an old 1990s Yamaha RBX 350, a Yamaha BB 615, a Fender Precision Sting Signature bass. I like the Fender and the BB615 better than the RBX 375. If it got lost or stolen, I wouldn't replace it. I'd try another bass model (though I have enough Yamahas already). What I love from this bass is its looks, the powerful low end it has, and the ease to change strings.

Bass made in China in 2008, purchased new in 2009. 24 frets, 5 strings, volume, pan-pot, 2-band EQ, dual Yamaha humbuckers, active electronics. Alder body, Maple bolt-on neck, Rosewood fretboard. Comes with a cable, manual, and two hex keys for adjusting the truss rod and action.

I play original alternative music in the vein of Cocteau Twins, The Cure, David Bowie, etc. I record the bass direct into Sonar, adding VST effects after recording. There is no noise at all. I play with fingers and sometimes a pick, and the bass is quite capable of producing a wide variety of tones, very rich and full, but can also be dark and heavy, or much brighter if using a pick. This bass is perfectly suited for studio use, but I can imagine it would be very good in a live setting.

The action on the bass was set optimistically low, resulting in quite a bit of buzz and clack on the lower notes. I adjusted the action myself, though I'm not very skilled at it, and the buzzing and clacking are mostly gone. There is still some audible if not plugged in, but it does not come through in recording. The pickups were also not quite evenly adjusted, which I again fixed myself. Apart from those necessary adjustments, the bass is absolutely flawless.

Everything on this bass seems very sturdy and reliable. The hardware is very good, no play at all in the tuners, no noise in the pots. I tried other basses in the same price range and even higher, which seemed frail and cheap in comparison. This thing is rock solid. I do not gig, but I think it would be very reliable without need for a backup.

There is a limited lifetime warranty, which sounds good enough for me! But I do not think I will need it.

I am mainly a guitarist and have played for 25 years. I own quite a few guitars (Fender, Gretsch, Ibanez), and have had a few basses, but for the last 10 years I've only used an el cheapo bass for recording. I decided I wanted to play something nicer, with more character and fuller sound -- and while I was at it I thought I would get a 5-string just to have the option of going lower. Based on reviews here and elsewhere I decided to seek out this bass, and I am glad I found it. "For the price," this cannot be beat -- but saying that does this bass a disservice, because it really is a quality instrument. I'm very skeptical about buying Chinese-made instruments, but Yamaha has obviously done their work in terms of keeping the quality up to par. If you are looking for a bass guitar, I would definitely suggest trying this one before paying for anything else.

24-fret 5-string
basic RBX 375 configuration w/ 2 humbuckers and active circuitry
incl. accessories: battery, tools and cable

Haven't plugged it in yet!

Quality finish, frets didnt need filing, every screw was tight and so on. Everything seemed to have a quality touch and feel to it. Nothing is loose or fidgety, and the intonation and string height are good. Truss rod or neck didnt need any adjustments.

This bass should last live playing, excluding the plastic headstock ornament. Controls and bullet-proof bridge seem very durable, and the mics dont seem to be easily nudgable. Nothing about the durability of the paint can be said at this time yet.

Havent dealt with the company

Have been playing a 4-string Squier for ? year now, and needed something with better playability and action, and that 5th string for those Dream Theater songs. For this money the accessories were good, the quality is superb with no flaws, and features such as 24 frets and active circuitry give a run for your money. The neck is naturally quite broad, but plenty playable, over 10 years of playing guitar means there's no problems with my left hand technique. The black finish on the back of the neck is also nice, seems to let the hand glide more freely than a traditional lacquered neck. Its not too heavy and sits great on your lap. I'll dare you to find anything close with this little money! A great first bass also, which you won't outgrow soon. Highly recommended!

Very easy to use, 2 active pickups, 4 knobs: pickup balance, volume, bass and highs EQ.

Using it for direct recording, through a bypassed line6 POD, not noisy at all...Very powerful and versatile sound...knobs are very responsive...

Seems very solid and tank-built.

Never dealt with Yamaha.

Good for everything, from slap round sound to nosy Jaco sound...the best bang for the buck!

I bought this guitar in november of 2004. 24 frets and all that shizzle.

I play blues and metal it sounds great for both, it has 2 nice fat active humbucking pickups, it has a very versatile tone.

Whenever you get a new bass there are always going to be things your're not too keen on, action etc. i lowered the action when i got it. The input screwed up once but it was easily mended.
THe main drawback is that the body is easily chipped. The neck had a beautiful finish when i first bought it, very smooth, but the more i played the more it's worn away and now like the body chips easily. It a shame because its a great bass.

I've played lots of gigs with this bass. when i first bought it i found the battery drained very quickly and i ended up having to change it once a week, (i didn't leave the lead in at all.) so after a few months of confusion i emailed yamaha and it turned out there was a wiring error. The only times it has let me down was before it was repared and i'd use it without a backup. this is mainly because i can't afford a backup. other than that it is a very reliable bass.
Also the plastice cover at the top came off quite easily so that needed reparing.

When i emailed about the battery problem it took them about a week to email back, when i sent it back it took about 1 month to repair. (the only thing that needed doing was 2 wires in the input being switched over)

I've been playing for 3 years, i have a fretless fender precision an old fender acoustic and a fernandes native pro. I do like my bass alot, i would probably upgrade to the RBX-JM2 if it was stolen. I've played it so much that i've gotten very use to it, i'm glad i bought it. The only thing that let it down were the slight wiring error, plastic headstock cover and the neck finish. Other than that it a brilliant bass.

24 frets, 5 strings, 1 master volume, 2 tone, 1 blend.
2 Nice big fat loud active humbucker pickups.

I play a huge variety of styles and it suits all of them, the pickups provide a very versatil tone.
Sounds great both live and recorded.

When i first got it, the batteries died within 1 week, (and no i didn't keep the lead in.) This went on for a few frustrating months, i then emailed them and the replied saying that in the earlier models there was a wiring error. I wasn't too happy about that, but its all fine now. Action was very low, but wasn't too bad i just had to slightly alter it to my taste. The input has come loose a few times. I had to alter the bridge aswell as the saddles were in the wrong position.

It's withstood live playing very well. mine has quite a few scratches which i am unsure of how they got there. The finish on the neck was beautiful when i first got it. but after a few months of playing it wore off, and is now now as nice to play. (still great though) I don't need a back up for it, it's never failed me. (also i can't afford a backup :P I havn't had to adjsut the truss yet, i've had it about 1 year.

I was really annoyed about the wiring error, but they were able to fix it. it took a few weeks too long though, which was very frustrating.

I've been playing 3 years i also have a fender frettless, and two fender acoustic guitars.
I would probably upgrade to a 6 string if it was stolen.
Its a great bass, awesome to play, very versatile sound great for all styles of playing.
I dislike how weak the finish and how easily the neck wore down.
Overall, a really reliable bass.

Yamaha RBX 375
Made in 2005 I think
Made in China - I'm sure!
5 strings, 24 frets
Solid-top, black
4 controls : Master Volume, Pickups Balancer with detent, and 2 Band EQ controls : Bass & Treble, both with detent
2 huge pickups "High-Output Ceramic Humbucker Pickups", passive
Active Electronics - 2 Band EQ, one battery
Body - Alder, Neck - Maple (black finished), Fretboard - Rosewood, Black Finish
Yamaha RBX body style
Yamaha Die-Cast Bridge - cool - allows quick string changes, and prevents saddle-slipping, watch pic!
Yamaha Standard Black Tuners
Thick Neck, but very playable - 34" Scale, wish it had 35" for the low B
Included Accesorries : Battery, no manual, no tools, no case, no strap, no nothing, just a cheap battery
I give it a 9, because I miss a mid EQ and accessories

Made for Rock Music - defenetly! I play all from hardcore to funk ti drum and bass, and it suits all these styles very well, it also may suit jazz, when you play a bit with the electronics. I miss a mid EQ, but it's very OK for that price. I use no effects, and so far no amp, but I tried my bass on BIG amps, and it kinda kicks ass. Pickups not noisy, only the volume button a little bit. Deep bright sound, like a thunder, very much punch, clarity is OK, not the best, but for this price by far very good. Low B a little bit woobly, I'm gonna check it out with thicker gauge. Pretty versatile, let's say that it is a little bit limited to rock music, will not suit popular music, THIS BASS WILL BE HEARD. Very much presence! Not used it live, not in studio. Likes - thundering sound, nice presence, Dislikes - 34"Scale is not that good for low B, limited to rock music, miss the mid EQ knob.

CRAP! ACTUALLY NOT SET UP FROM FACTORY!!! VERY BAD! Neck was bowed on the other side than usual, was convex, pickups were not adjusted, bridge had an enorm height, two tuners were not tighten enough - I had to tighten them by myself. And here we come to the biggest flaw : The neck was not good inserted into the body, the angle was too big, so even with the bridge set to minimum, I had a very high action, 4mm on 12th fret at G string. First I wanted to file from the bridge saddle to reduce height, but then I took the bass to a shop for being repaired. The dude told me that he tightened the truss rod very much, to reduce the string height, and now the action is medium, still with bridge on minimum, but with neck straight, slightly convex. Thus I have a little fret buzz... I think I am gonna file the saddle for lower action. The frets needed to be also filed, to be alligned straight. A lot of minor flaws like one ding on the body - bass was bought new, so the ding is from the factory. The back of the neck is finished, I think they done that so that the people can't see the bad wood quality. The bass is quite heavy, but that is very good for sound, the thundering sound. Hardware was OK, not tightened, but OK. Controls OK. Dead-spots on G string, fret 4-5-6-7... Conclusion - MADE IN CHINA SUX!!! NEVER BUY MADE IN CHINA GUITARS!
I give it a 3, I'm sure that if it was made in Indonesia, or even Korea - better, it would be a very good bass. There is a quality scale for Yamahas depending on the country where it is made. The worst Yamaha you can buy is China made Yamahas (RBX 374/5) . Indonesia is much better (I had the RBX 270 - also reviewed on this site - and the action fit & finish was much better on it). Korea is the next step of quality, of course better then Indonesia, all Korea basses are very good build basses (TRB 1004/5/6 for ex.). Taiwan basses are one of the best basses Yamaha made (BB 2005, RBX 6 JM), followed by Japan basses, wich are made at the Yamaha head-quarter, that means that they are all top of the line basses (TRB for ex. ) Next time if you buy a Yamaha, try to get a Korea or a Japan one! They are excelent!

Yes, this bass will withstand live playing, BUT it is not very reliable... I had no problems so far, but the bass does not look very solid... The hardware started to rust after 6 months (the screws from the saddles, not the tuners or something...) The finish seems to be a little bit thin, no problems so far, but it does not look very thick. Strap bottons are solid and big, but I am gonna buy the classic Strap-Locks by Schaller. The truss-rod has been adjusted, but I have the neck-angle problem (see before). The neck doesn't look very stable... I would use it without a backup, because I have nothing else. But this bass will be good for backup!

I emailed Yamaha a few times, but they haven't answered me all the times. I got no warranty on this bass.

I play since over 2 years, this is my only bass, I had a Yamaha RBX 270, which was much better at action/fit/finish, but not at sound. I like this bass because of it's sound, and I hate it because of it's bad quality. If it were stolen I would defenetly buy it again, I would save up more for a high-end bass like Warwick, or Yamaha TRB, or other high-end bass. I think it's a very good bass for it's money, by far the best in it's price range, but you see at the quality why it is so cheap... My opinion, go to a shop, and see it, try it, and if you like it, get it. It's a good 5 string, with low quality.

Made in 2004, in China. 5-string fretted bass. The guitar has two "Yamaha" humbuckers with large pole magnets. Controls: 4 knobs (low, high, volume, tone). Humbuckers have cutout for thumb, it extremely convenient! The body is made out of alder, neck is solid hard maple and fretboard is rosewood (the color is a little bit strange, it?s brown). The weight is a problem ? it rather heavy and after several hours of playing it hurts! Neck is 34? long, I don?t like, since it makes the string to be less tight and makes the attack worse (but it seems that slap suffers from 35?). And it is really thin and has a black paint at the reverse side, that?s what I like! Bridge is a rather good monorail, very convenient (but could be heavier). Tuners are OK, of course not the perfect ones, at least the guitar stays in tune after several hours of playing. A cheap cable is included.

Sound is rather nice. Not a perfect one, but it?s clear and articulate, a little bit nasal (if you understand what I mean). The best thing is that electronics is SILENT. No, really! Perfect! Good hard rock or metal sound, it?s not an all-around guitar, definitely not for jazz!
Two other persons, who reviewed this RX-775 have written different things: that B-string sounded bad and good. My opinion is just in the middle: it?s not bad, but could be much better!
The equalizer was a little bit strange for me. I owned RBX-370 and it was different. By making more lows you may receive ?roaring and mumbling?, it?s awful. Highs work just as it should be?
Well, I like the sound, it?s much better, than ones of the basses of the similar price.

I really don?t know how it was set up at factory, since the salesman has adjusted it perfectly and I didn?t have to do it myself? The body-color a tiny flaw, but it?s seen only form 50cm distance. The wooden plate on neck?s head was poorly painted on sides, but again you can see it from 50cm. Everything else is as it should be.

I own this bass for two months and know how long it will last, but it seems that for a long period of time! But beware: my previous RBX-370A had serious problems with neck, when I sold it was like corkscrew! Strap buttons are weak place of the guitar, the strap falls off every 10 minutes! I had to replace them with locking ones, now everything is perfect?

I don?t know about Yamaha?s customer support, but local dealer (in Moscow, Russian Federation) is very helpful!

Well my opinion is: buy it! I play for two years, but I played hella lot of different guitars, but it?s one of the best. To tell the truth, I own also a ESP LTD B-405, it is worlds ahead, but the price is twice higher. I mean, Yamaha made a great instrument for its? price! I like it, but the neck could be 35?!

made 2004. It is made in China but I got over that after seeing its quality fit and finish. 24 frets 5 string. There is volume and pickup pan control as well as bass and treble tone controls. 2 humbucking (stingray style) pickups w/ active preamp. The body is alder and has a durable color finish. The body style is something unique to yamaha I think but its very comfortable and fairly light. The bridge functions well with good adjustment for string height and intonation. The neck is 34 inch scale.

This bass gives you a lot for the money. Even though the scale length is 34 inches, I find the bass' tone quite clear and bright with DR low-rider stainless steel strings (MH5-45). I like the feel, playability, and tone of 34 inch scales as long as the string balance is even and the tone is clear. The B string is actually very good on this bass and its volume balance with the other strings is very even. If yours is not, adjust the pickups a bit closer on the B string side and reconsider your frequency response of your cabinet! A lot of kids buying these inexpensive 5 strings don't have the cabinet to really handle a B string. (string choice can make a difference as well) I wasn't sure if I would like the 2 band onboard preamp but I ended up loving it. It doesn't choke off the midrange as some active circuits do and I think the midrange has a really open "passive pickup" air about it yet its output level is one of the hottest I've ever played. I have no trouble driving tube front ends and with a lot of my playing I find I am only needing to keep the volume on the bass at 50-70 percent of full and it pushes the tubes very nicely. The bass has a definate rock bite to it and it plays well. Stingray-ish tones can be had by panning slightly back to the bridge pickup and p-bass-ish tones are available as you slightly pan towards the neck pickup. Right in the middle you get that slightly mid scooped "out of phase" quack (at least thats how my ears hears it) tone. There is one trick I found with this bass and that is if you are dialing in most any tones with the onboard eq, you might try backing off the bass knob (on the bass) to help keep the tone clear. I usually have it backed off as much as a quarter turn before the middle indent. It just seems to work really well for me there and I only return it to center or past it for some bass "boosting" if I am dialing in a more bridge pickup stingray type tones or if I really need a bass heavy and thick more vintage tone.

basses are never set up from the factory like I like them,....I have a certain string height and neck relief that I like and only I know what that setting is,.... I had to adjust this. The neck surprisingly has remained where i set it and is very stable. The pickups were adjusted very well,...I tweaked their height just a bit. The bass did come with the output jack wired incorrectly and the onboard preamp would not cut off even with the guitar cord removed,....The battery only lasted a week this way and I went through a couple of batteries before I figured out what was wrong. Instead of going through the agony of sending it back and waiting, I bought a new "barrel style" switchcraft jack and installed and wired it correctly myself. The battery now lasts for months. I really am not going to deduct too much here because the flaw I had was probably a rare thing. Otherwise the quality of construction/fit and finish was easily similar to basses in the 500 - 600 dollar range

It has withstood live playing so far (I haven't had it that long to really know),.....every Saturday night I play out with it. The strap buttons are solid but I replaced them with dunlop dual design straplock. I really wish the neck had 5 or 6 screws holding it on but it has 4. The neck seems solidly attatched though and hasn't moved yet,...I did check their tightness when I first got the bass and they were tight.

never delt with them

I've been playing on an off for about 13 years but only the last 2 years have I been actually a "gigging" musician. The only thing I wished I had asked before getting this bass was my wife the question of whether I could get it or not ;) she was not real happy with my purchase but if I were to have asked her, then I would still be playing a p-bass and not loving it. I am quite happy playing this bass and quite impressed with this bass as I have had more expensive bass before (quite a bit more expensive) and have not been happy with them. This bass is very usable and I would buy another if this one walked off. I may buy another anyway for a backup. The only real comparison of this bass to another bass was with an Ibanez btb405qm that I had and sold. It was a nice looking bass but the aluminum looking hardware quickly tarnished?,..got nasty looking and the electronics were just flakey I thought,...the tone would die halfway through a set (get dull sounding and lose its punch) and the output was always extrememly weak (low in volume). My p-bass passive split coils had 2 times the output volume that the btb did. I also didn't like the "tight" way the 35" scale made me play, but anyway,...this yamaha bass solved all those problems for me,.....

This is the 5 string version of the RBX374. I bought this mainly because I read very good things about the RBX370, I wanted 5 strings and I'm a Yamaha bassguitar fan.
Model 2004, made in China I believe, 24 frets, 5 strings, two Yamaha Humbuckers with active 2 band equalizer, 1 volume and 1 tone. The Body is alder the fretboard rosewood I think. Progressive but comfortable body. The color is deep red metallic, nice! With matching, angled headstock. The bridge allows easy string changing, how often do you do that with a bass?, works well. Normal tuners, this thing stays in tune, it came out of the box in tune. 34 inch neck which is too short for a 5 string I believe. Nech has a black sating finish, looks nice plays great and the more you play, the shinier it gets. No accessories came with the bass except the normal few tools. It's a cheap bass!!

I think this bass is suitable for many styles of music. I use it mostly for rock and funk and sometimes reggae. It is a very quiet bass when you plug it in. No hum! The bass looks like it's made for rock/metal but is quite versatile. Lots of low if you want. Sound is very good exept the B string. This string sounds less good than the others. Don't all cheap 5 string basses have that?

The bass was pretty much in tune when it came out of the box, amazing. No adjustments needed. Action, intonation, pickup height and neck curve were almost perfect. It came with a dead battery and the connector doesn't work with some cables/plugs.

I use this bass for live playing mainly but I will use this bass for recording in the near future. Everything about this instrument seems very reliable en is made to last. I did adjust the neck once or twice after I experimented with different strings. I will use this bass on a gig without a backup. (I did)

I think warranty is 12 months but I'm not sure. Never needed to contact the company.