RBX170 Review

Solid Agathis Body. Maple Neck. Rosewood Fingerboard. Chrome Tuners/Bridge. Dual P/J Style Pickups. Passive Tone Controls.

Features:	10
Sound:	8
Action:	8
Reliability:	10
Impression:	10
Overall rating:	9.2
Users rating:	8
Comments:	19

overall: 9.2

Reviewed by: unregistered, on april 21, 2004

Purchased from: Academy Of Sound

Features: This bass was made in Indonesia, has 24 frets and a solid top. Includes Master Volume, Master Tone and Pickup Fader for the P/J pickup config. The pickups aren't as good as the mexican fenders but they do the job well. This model doesn't include active electronics but the 270 which is only about £50 more does. The body is made from agathis which is mega light so this bass is great for long shows, the neck is maple with a rosewood fingerboard. On this bass there are only 3 finishes (metallic blue,metallic red and metallic black), I've got the metallic blue which I think is the best of the 3. The hardware is unbranded but from what I've seen it could withstand a nuclear war. The neck is FANTASTIC, it is 40mm at the nut so it's thicker than jazz but more slimline than P-Bass which is great!!! // 10

Sound: I'm in a band and we tend to play grungey sort of music, but I normally prefer to play punk style music so the 2 pickups help because I can get a great tonal range from them. I play through a Peavey Basic112 amp and even on full volume I can't get any hum from the pickups which is great! // 8

Action, Fit & Finish: The bass played straight out of the box, no factory flaws, and the action was perfect, my only complaint is the stock strings that came on the bass were abit dull, but that was easily sorted. At one point the nut holding in the jack plug came loose, but that was fixed in a matter of seconds. // 8

Reliability & Durability: This guitar does withstand live playing very well, as I have already gigged with it on several occasions. The strap buttons are pretty solid but I would recommend buying some form of strap locks just in case. I have and will continue to gig with this bass without a backup, because it is the most reliable bass that I have ever owned. // 10

Impression: The bass is fantastic, the only thing I wish it did include would be active electronics other than that all I can say is BUY THIS BASS. // 10

Comments

[Caustic]

It is not the 270 but the 370 and upwards in the RBX series that have active electronics.

[_futurerockstar]

rbx170 is an awesome bass, and sounds wicked on any amp you use, and live its amazing

[jonnodark2004]

i bought this onli a couple of weeks ago and i love the feel of it very nice fretboard i agree about the strings need to buy new ones before next gig

[chimes]

Just perfect. Nothing more...

[kirbyrocknroll]

I bought this bass yesterday after trying out a few. Easily better than the others I tried out. I also have the Metallic Blue one.

[JustOneJacob]

My first bass guitar, and it was a nice one. It served me well and still does. Very good Plan B bass, not something you whip out in front of an audience, but it will hold down the fort with ease until your other bass is repaired or replaced.

[crust_punk]

Great quality bass.

[metallicaddict]

This bass is pretty sweet for a beginner bass but i would recommend upgrading to a 370/5 or even a 770/5. I did just that (375) and the difference in sound quality is instantly noticeable and it looks a lot better (I personally dont like the fact that the headstock doesn't match the body. Ill definitely kepp this as a backup, though.

[guitar_amateur]

this bass is pretty good for beginners like me, i bought it at musicircle in montreal and when i brought it home its when i realized it's the same one i have at my school!anyway now im using it for my schools jazz band. its doing pretty well so far, its only got one dent in it from when my little brother dropped it

[stevo_epi_SG_wo]

sounds good, but what sort of amp would go well with it?

[kirbyrocknroll]

I used a Crate BT50 with it, but traded down to a BT15. Decent sound.

[Bignose]

I'm sitting on an RBX-170 right now, and have been for about 2 years.

A good learning bass indeed! If one of your mates is trying to start on bass, tell them to start here.

[englebert]

i agree its a good first bass to have but mine has screwed up quite abit, the jack-ins screwed and its pretty tempremental, but a good bass when working, but you do feel and hear the diffrence when you get a more expensive bass

[stingness]

beginners will feel satisfied but a better one will surely cause one to observe the difference

[kanarf]

yeah i had the problem with the jack-ins also.

[emerix]

Yeah same problem with the jack here after a while, but all you need do is take the back off behind it and tighten the nut holding the jack in place, then all is good again, pretty much forever

[krumpinjugger]

Caustic wrote:

It is not the 270 but the 370 and upwards in the RBX series that have active electronics.

the rbx 270 DOES have active electronics.look it up.

[AndrogynousMind]

Will this bass last a long time,cause thats exactly what im looking for

[musenath]

I have this bass, provides a great sound and great to play! lasts a long time aswell i've had it for nearly 2 years and i've dropped it a few time and everything works fine theres just a few tiny scratches. im clumsy