Double Bass YAMAHA EUB Megathread

[El Thumpo]

Does anyone have experience with the BEF2 Extension Frame to give the Silent Bass a little bit more of an AUB feel? I love my SLB200 but can't help to wonder if this will make it easier to use my arm weight/squeeze less w/ my left hand.

I also know I can have a "gotta catch'em all" mentality where I need every bell and whistle avialble and this is essentially a $100 piece of plastic.

I'm sure this has been asked before but I don't know how to used the thread search on the new format and the general search didn't yield any results.

I bought it, and it hasn’t come off the bass since. In my opinion, it brings the ergonomics that much closer to a “real” bass.

Creates a tiny lump in the carrying case, but worth it.

 

[Michael F Clef]

Does anyone have experience with the BEF2 Extension Frame to give the Silent Bass a little bit more of an AUB feel? I love my SLB200 but can't help to wonder if this will make it easier to use my arm weight/squeeze less w/ my left hand.

I also know I can have a "gotta catch'em all" mentality where I need every bell and whistle avialble and this is essentially a $100 piece of plastic.

I'm sure this has been asked before but I don't know how to used the thread search on the new format and the general search didn't yield any results.

I added it to my SLB 300. I'm glad I did. It feels and plays more like my double bass.

 

[Hasty]

I added it to my SLB 300. I'm glad I did. It feels and plays more like my double bass.

If you don't mind my asking... what's the thickness of that extension? The Yamaha website doesn't really say, but it looks like it adds about 1 1/2" of depth to the rib. Does that seem about right?

I've got some nice 4/4 mahogany board and every so often I try to convince myself that I just need to make my own extension. If I had an actual number, then I might do it for real this time.

 

[Michael F Clef]

If you don't mind my asking... what's the thickness of that extension?

I'm traveling and will be away from the instrument till mid November. I'm traveling with my NS NXT so all is good in the world.
From the top of my head I'd say the BEF2 adds a good 2-1/4" or so. It's wooden. and feels nice. I'm a professional woodworker but I have enough projects. For me it was worth paying the 85 bucks and get back to playing bass.

 

[Hasty]

I'm traveling and will be away from the instrument till mid November. I'm traveling with my NS NXT so all is good in the world.
From the top of my head I'd say the BEF2 adds a good 2-1/4" or so. It's wooden. and feels nice. I'm a professional woodworker but I have enough projects. For me it was worth paying the 85 bucks and get back to playing bass.

2 1/4 is a good enough estimate for me. That mahogany has been sitting around for a few years now just looking for a project. If that wasn't the case then I'd probably not even consider it. However, cooler weather has moved in, it's always nice to have a project, and it would force me to clean up the shop... so it's a win/win right now.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Michael F Clef]

2 1/4 is a good enough estimate for me. That mahogany has been sitting around for a few years now just looking for a project. If that wasn't the case then I'd probably not even consider it. However, cooler weather has moved in, it's always nice to have a project, and it would force me to clean up the shop... so it's a win/win right now.

Thanks for the info!

OK . I just got back home. 45 years in the carpentry profession must be ingrained in my brain. The BEF2 is 2-1/4" , making the total width of the shoulder 5-3/4"

 

[Hasty]

OK . I just got back home. 45 years in the carpentry profession must be ingrained in my brain. The BEF2 is 2-1/4" , making the total width of the shoulder 5-3/4"

I appreciate that follow up!

I'm still trying to decide exactly how I want to do this. I think I might make a single shoulder that encompasses the entire depth. I think that mahogany would match the overall asthetic of the bass a little better since it's a better match than the original laquered black. Heck, I'll probably make a matching knee support as well if I can find some good images to fabricate the attachment mechanism. It looks like its just a cutout held to the aluminum frame with screws clamipng it down on the edges.

Now I've gotta decide if I want to try and steam bend or just cut laminations and glue them up. Steam bending can be a pain, but it looks so nice. Laminations is probably simpler (once I get the templates made) and more accurate, but the process is more wasteful.

 

[bassically_eli]

What about the knee pad (the BKS2)? Does anyone here use it? I sometimes like to practice while sitting, which I cannot do with the Yamaha.

 

[Michael F Clef]

What about the knee pad (the BKS2)? Does anyone here use it? I sometimes like to practice while sitting, which I cannot do with the Yamaha.

I use it. It does the job. I wish I could sit lower though. The end pin post doesn't adjust as low as I would like. I may buy another one, so I can cut one shorter for sitting, keep one long for standing.

 

[Michael F Clef]

I appreciate that follow up!

I'm still trying to decide exactly how I want to do this. I think I might make a single shoulder that encompasses the entire depth. I think that mahogany would match the overall asthetic of the bass a little better since it's a better match than the original laquered black. Heck, I'll probably make a matching knee support as well if I can find some good images to fabricate the attachment mechanism. It looks like its just a cutout held to the aluminum frame with screws clamipng it down on the edges.

Now I've gotta decide if I want to try and steam bend or just cut laminations and glue them up. Steam bending can be a pain, but it looks so nice. Laminations is probably simpler (once I get the templates made) and more accurate, but the process is more wasteful.

Off the top of my head I think I probably would approach the project by taking my dressed 4/4 and stack gluing a block 2-1/4"thick x 4"wide x 12" length, then band saw the piece out of that. idk...

 

[KentClarkOnBass]

SLBers, has anyone found a white rubber cap that fits the SLB endpin? The black cap on mine marks up carpeted surfaces something fierce. I measured, looks like the pin is 5/8" (a.k.a. 15.9 mm) on an SLB-200.

I've had great luck on another bass with these caps from Gollihur (Economy Rubber Endpin Point Covers (Caps) for Upright Bass). They don't mark surfaces and the metal ring inside helps them last. But the largest they have is 1/2" (a.k.a. 12.7 mm). Anyone found something similar that will fit the beefy SLB endpin?

 

[gregoryisrael]

Hey Friends, new to the thread.

I'm in the consideration phase of getting a Yamaha Silent Bass, probably in 2025. I'm coming from an electric bass guitar background, and the intention is to have a portable + practical upright for amplified gigging and practice. I'm at a point in my career as a musician where it's more sensible to invest in a better instrument for better professional results, rather than settle for the "good enough for now" option; My impression is that the Yamaha basses offer the closest thing to feeling like an authentic traditional upright, while delivering tone that rivals the sound of an amplified acoustic.

Ideally I will be looking out for a used SLB300, as most user testimonials favor the sound (with the mic modeling). I do see used SLB200 going for pretty friendly prices, and my understanding is that the 200 and 300 are physically nearly identical instruments. Can anyone with firsthand experience say that the electronic advancements of the 300 make it truly worth the expected price increase over the 200? I am quite patient, and I'm willing to budget more for better quality, so I don't foresee myself getting a 200 simply because it's cheaper and more readily available. However, if the electronic changes of the 300 seem to be falling short and make it not worth the price increase, I might consider doing the 200 instead.

Thanks!