Compare the pair (5 String)

[ChrisBee]

Need a fiver. Which one should I buy?
(Both are approx same price in my market - Australia)

Yamaha TRBX505 Yamaha TRBX505 Review

Or Schecter Omen 5 https://www.schecterguitars.com/Omen-5

Both actives with loads of preamp controls.

 

[Marko 1]

Note that the Schecter is 35" scale if it matters to you.

 

[ChrisBee]

Note that the Schecter is 35" scale if it matters to you.

Yes, that might be an issue. I’ll have to try it out. My main bass is 33 1/4” and a 34” feels more or less the same. Another 1” might be more noticeable.

I already have a TRBX304 which I like, but the advantage I see with the TRBX505 is the fact it’s both passive and active. The Schecter seems to be active only.

How does Schecter build quality stack up?

 

[Minimalist]

Have you played any of these? Specs on paper may not translate to how a bass feels and sounds in your hands. Even within the same model line, you will find very different feel and sound.

 

[RustyStringer]

I don't think you can go wrong with either.

Yamaha basses are great...all the way down to the BB234 which I owned. I did upgrade the hell out of it with tuners, bridge, and GZR PJ set, but it didn't NEED any of that.

I really like Schecter basses more than their guitars for sure. The quality is there, the sound and wide range of tones is there.

My problem with Schecter is that I have gone into local stores (at least 3 different ones) and had them pull a new one from the back (still boxed, never played) and from NEW IN BOX there are big chunks out of the finish and what I would call "major shipping damage." For this reason, I've shied away from ordering one because I don't want to mess with the hassle of doing returns just to get one that's not damaged.

 

[Geri O]

I’d say go with the Yamaha.

With the Yamaha, you can count on getting exactly what the designers intended to be and a quality instrument.

I’ve picked up two Schecters and both times, I felt like, what were the designers going after. And oddly enough, one of them is a friend who really likes his bass. Different strokes, ya know.

I wouldn’t normally buy either instrument, but I’m well-familiar with the quality of all Yamaha musical instruments.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

already have a TRBX304 which I like, but the advantage I see with the TRBX505 is the fact it’s both passive and active

I had a 604, same pickups as the 504. I found them underwhelming. With hindsight, having read up on the different pickups, I wondered if the 304 would have suited me better.

For what it's worth, I played almost entirely passive, so if you had both a 305 and a 505, you might find them agreeably different.

There are people who are very happy with their 504/505/604/605, but I'm not the only one who found theirs disappointingly short of character

 

[bassrique]

Thr Yamaha is very likely lighter. The Yamaha has an active / passive switch. The Yamaha looks better.

The Schecter might have a better B.

I'd go Yamaha.

 

[sikamikanico]

Sight unseen, I’d go with Yamaha. Those Schecters do look pretty good, but I never played one so that gives me pause. I trust Yamaha and generally have liked their basses. Also specs tend to agree with me slightly more with Yamaha.

 

[iiipopes]

None of the above. At least until you audition what Ibanez has to offer. I purchased an SRA305 (predecessor to the Gio series) in 2012 when I needed a 5-er. I upgraded to EMG actives, and it has been my party band gig bass ever since. The QC is remarkable. When my band went to Japan in 2013, the sponsors provided the backline. I requested an SR305, being less expensive and easier to provide, and no risk to the sponsor as a lesser expensive model. The QC was superlative. With the same neck specs, it felt identical to my bass, and the tour went well, indeed. The only differences in Ibanez basses are the appointments, mostly choice of electronics and woods. The QC is the same from the bottom of the range all the way to the top. Going forward, unless you want to take the plunge for the extra $$$ to purchase extra-long scale strings, I would look at a 34-inch scale bass so you can use conventional long scale strings until you decide you want something else.

 

[Hutch801]

Every schecter I have tried I liked, qc has never been a issue for me. They have a modern rock/metal sound to me.

 

[G On Bass]

Brand often does not matter. What matters is how it feels and plays to you. 5's have a lot of different specs and IME it's key to find what is comfortable. 35" is not a necessity nor is it to be avoided if you are comfortable with it. Some 35's feel longer than others and my 34s have great B strings. To me, it's about string spacing, neck profile and no neck dive. I know from buying and selling a bunch in my search for my final ones that I prefer 34"/18mm spacing, can play 19mm (and 35) but struggle with anything less 17mm or less. I also like my neck to not be chunky. Others prefer smaller and more narrow. Both those basses are from solid manufacturers, so it really about ignoring what other people like and finding a bass in your budget that is comfortable to you.

 

[mcnach]

I think both would be good. But which one you'd like best? Who knows. I love Schecters, but I've tried that Yamaha model and I thought it was really good... so I'd go for that, myself.

 

[Headless horse]

I would vote for Yamaha, but the best way for You would be to try to find them bouth and try out and feel the difference.

 

[mcnach]

Every schecter I have tried I liked, qc has never been a issue for me. They have a modern rock/metal sound to me.

I agree with the QC. Never tried a bad one.

I'm not so sure about the rock/metal sound. Yes, many do have a rock-oriented look (and reputation), but given the electronics/pickups etc they are as versatile as anything else. My Model T Session has covered lots of ska, reggae and funk and it did it extremely well.

 

[gg22]

I've had the Yamaha trbx505, exceptional quality insrument, very stable neck. My issues with it:
- matte finish - becomes polished at places when you touch it the most, and it looks terrible (to me)
- sound was OK but meh ...
- weak "B" string - probably due to 34' scale
- very narrow nut for a 5 string - just 43mm, combined with very slim front-to-back neck felt like holding a pencil.

 

[KB5]

At this price range the 35" scale Schecter is very likely going to have a better sounding and feeling B string.

 

[Killing Floor]

The one that feels most comfortable in your fretting hand.

 

[Avezzano]

Yes, that might be an issue. I’ll have to try it out. My main bass is 33 1/4” and a 34” feels more or less the same. Another 1” might be more noticeable.

Well... not a real issue and maybe a common misconception, in my own neglectable opinion, obviously. I am 165 cm but I have no problems with my 35" scale basses. If anything, it might just be limited to the first fret and maybe for two days only! Look at it like this: from the second fret on, you'll have actually a... 33" scale bass to manage!

While there is instead a substantial difference in feel and overall string touch and related response going from 30" to 34/35 or viceversa. But 34" to 35"? Actually unnoticeable (to me). Just try a 35" by yourself

 

[bobdabilder]

Ime the schecter will have better fretwork and action. The pups in the schecter are underwhelming. The string spacing will be tighter on the schecter I believe.