MusicRadar

The ultra-modern appearance hints at the unconventional construction of the RBX4

1 of 3 » View in gallery

• Review

Just as with guitars, the majority of today's bass models owe allegiance to one or more of the most popular and influential models from the past. But, occasionally, something refreshingly new appears such as this Yamaha RBX4 A2M.

The guitar version came first but in its bass form it's no less impressive in terms of its design and highly contemporary looks. It offers a whole new way of doing things in a more environmentally friendly and sustainable way.

Build

Here the traditional idea of using dense body material is replaced by AIR or, to give it the full term, Alternative Internal Resonance.

This is a construction method that uses a layer of resonant softwood embedded between harder tonewoods with a series of aluminium sound tubes passing through the core from the bridge to allow the string vibrations to achieve clear passage through the body mass.

The claimed result is a purer tone and accentuated natural sustain, along with a definite saving in terms of weight. Although wood is employed in the construction there is no visual evidence whatsoever.

With a pure white top, white pickups and a grey back and neck this bass projects a very stylistic and modern presentation.

A curved top and back to the body with an additional silver beading line on the top edge, plus an unusual split-level headstock, all helps to accentuate this sleek and relatively simplistic look.

What's more when you plug in your lead the two volume controls are illuminated (green for neck and blue for bridge position), and with that all white background they really stand out.

With a white overlay to help match the headstock with the body, the tuners appear almost buried within the overall headstock mass. Also, thanks to the through-body stringing design, this becomes one ultra minimalist design. Yet another Jazz bass it ain't!

As something of a contrast, the bridge is a quite chunky affair with an unusual wrap-over saddle design. But when viewed from the front it takes on the appearance of a solid satin chrome tailpiece block that echoes the finish of the tuners perfectly.

As with the A2 guitar models the hardware and pickups are custom designed by Yamaha Artist Services Hollywood (YASH), which makes use of the professional input from many of its bass endorsees.

And if it meets the requirements of Nathan East, Billy Sheehan and Michael Anthony, the chances are you're going to like it too.

The balance of the RBX4 A2M is simply superb and with the added benefit of a shorter scale the lightness in weight is immediately noticeable. Yet the bass still manages to retain the general feel associated with this well-established and popular Yamaha range.

So, expect comfortable neck proportions with smoothly rolled fingerboard edges and fret ends with plenty of access to those upper frets. String spacing is good and the two pickups provide excellent thumb rests when you play with your fingers.