Double Bass YAMAHA EUB Megathread

Dear all,
I love my Yamaha SLB 300. For travel purposes I recently had a custom flight case made for it by a master builder/ guitar tech here in Los Angeles. If anyone else is interested in one, please send me a message and I will give you all the info.

-Chris
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1740.png
    IMG_1740.png
    14.1 MB · Views: 73
  • IMG_1739.jpeg
    IMG_1739.jpeg
    449.9 KB · Views: 63
  • IMG_1738.png
    IMG_1738.png
    12.2 MB · Views: 70
  • IMG_1737.png
    IMG_1737.png
    11.2 MB · Views: 67
Hi jmmcc, I bought german bass and modern bass IRs. German had lots of bass, the SLB sounds bass heavy already to me. Modern bass was more mid emphasis. I am now tweaking a combo of the two (done with Reaper DAW) in a NUX nss4 Pulse IR loader. With the latest firmware, this is compatible with the NUX IR loader software, which let's you apply HPF up to 300Hz and LPF down to 5K to IRs in the pedal. Plus you can apply multiple times to get steeper roll-off. Still looking for my ideal sound... lots of experimenting and recording results. Lots of ear training on EQ frequencies in the process.
Steve
 
I just bought a used SLB200 here on TB, and it should be here in a couple of days. I'm very excited, but I also just found a 5 string Clevinger for sale locally for a very good price. Now I'm very curious how the two compare. I don't think I could justify owning two EUBs (in addition to two DBs at the moment), buuuut.... I suspect the ergonomics of the Yamaha are much closer to a real DB than the Clevinger is. Is that right?

P.S.--There's an Ampeg baby bass for sale a couple of hours away, too, for under $1k!
 
I'm trying to decide between Spiro Weich and Mittel for my SLB200. I like weichs on my laminate bass and generally find them better for arco. The Yamaha has a bit shorter string length and lower action, though, so I feel like it could go either way.

Probably not relevant, but I really like Kolstein Heritage strings on my carved flatback.
 
I'm trying to decide between Spiro Weich and Mittel for my SLB200. I like weichs on my laminate bass and generally find them better for arco. The Yamaha has a bit shorter string length and lower action, though, so I feel like it could go either way.

Probably not relevant, but I really like Kolstein Heritage strings on my carved flatback.
I've got weich's on my SLB200 and I've been pretty satisfied with them. Arco sounds good, but I'm not a huge fan of arco on the SLB200 because it just feels awkward on that narrowed body shape... but that's just a personal thing. My action is fairly low as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bassically_eli
I'm trying to decide between Spiro Weich and Mittel for my SLB200. I like weichs on my laminate bass and generally find them better for arco. The Yamaha has a bit shorter string length and lower action, though, so I feel like it could go either way.

Probably not relevant, but I really like Kolstein Heritage strings on my carved flatback.
On my Yamaha I prefer a string with less tension because the sound of the pickup seems to compress a little too early for my taste. I like to have a higher dynamic range and that’s why I currently am trying out Gut-A-Likes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bassically_eli
Earlier in the thread maxito mentioned using Heritage strings on his slb200.
My slb200 is so growly with a lot of sustain. I’m considering a string with less sustain than the med. Helicore hybrids.
 
I just took the plunge. After stressing and researching way too much, my new slb300 is on its way from Japan. I tried one and loved the way it played and sounded. EXCEPT - The action was too high and it was as low as it could go. I'm hoping my local luthier can remedy that. ALSO- the stock strings were way too high tension and stiff for my taste. I use LaBella tapewounds on my acoustic upright and love the sound and feel. Anyone try those on the Yamaha? It looks like the "Gut a Likes" might be a solution also.
Thoughts?
 
Really strange to hear that you go one where the action was way too high these days. I haven't heard a complaint about high action since it was first released and back when had one around 2020, which I also experienced myself.

I purchased one in 2022 from a U.S. from a authorized dealer. It is a SLB300PRO though. The bridge and fingerboard on mine was as perfect as it can get. No luthier needed.
 
Really strange to hear that you go one where the action was way too high these days. I haven't heard a complaint about high action since it was first released and back when had one around 2020, which I also experienced myself.

I purchased one in 2022 from a U.S. from a authorized dealer. It is a SLB300PRO though. The bridge and fingerboard on mine was as perfect as it can get. No luthier needed.

Thanks! The one I tried was a few years old. Maybe the new one that gets shipped to me will be different. Since its coming from a big Yamaha dealer in Japan, it will be a couple of weeks before I get it, but I'm so looking forward to it!
 
I just took the plunge. After stressing and researching way too much, my new slb300 is on its way from Japan. I tried one and loved the way it played and sounded. EXCEPT - The action was too high and it was as low as it could go. I'm hoping my local luthier can remedy that. ALSO- the stock strings were way too high tension and stiff for my taste. I use LaBella tapewounds on my acoustic upright and love the sound and feel. Anyone try those on the Yamaha? It looks like the "Gut a Likes" might be a solution also.
Thoughts?
Thinking about ordering the SLB300 from Japan also. I've looked stateside for one with no luck. Even Sweatwater has them on back order. Please post about your purchase experience and if there are any problems in ordering from Japan such as customs, duties or additional excessive fees. I'm going to buy one it's only a question of where.

Craig B
 
Last edited: