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Fender for Yamaha?

B

Barnabas

May 17, 2009
156
1
Atlanta
#1
I've got an offer for my 1996 Fender MIA Jazz bass
IMG_2330.jpg

For a translucent blue MIJ Yamaha TRB-5 II (early model, don't know exact year)
The Yamaha is sweet looking, but is it worth the trade?
Both are in comparable condition
I haven't played the Yamaha yet, but I've never been blown away by the Fender...
 
#5
MIJ TRB prices have been going up lately. In terms of value, you will not be losing money if you take the trade. I am a huge fan of Yamahas, but I love MIA Fenders too. If that is a trade you want to make, go for it. The older TRB basses are boutique quality.;)
 
#8
Make sure you play them both through the same amp setup. You could get a false impression otherwise. Also, they will setup differently on whichever amp you use to get the sound you are looking for. You gotta wonder why he wants the Fender after having the Yamaha. If you dont feel as strongly the other way I would think twice. On the other hand, I am a Fender bigot but am serious about getting a true comparison before jumping. Good luck.:cool:
 
#9
BigOldHarry said:
But that fender will *always* be welcome in a studio and *will* increase in value over time. The Yamaha may be increasing now, but maybe not in a few years.

Keep the fender.
Click to expand...

I have to agree that a Fender is a very safe bet to keep increasing in value if you keep it long enough. It seems that the magic number is twenty-five years. Once Fenders are twenty-five years old, they become "vintage," and collectors will pay silly money for them, as will players who hated them ten years earlier.:hiding:
 
#10
I have 2 yamahas (trb6II, trb5f, recently sold 2 freted trb5s, all from the mid/late '90s - MIJ) and 7 MIA fenders (5 4str.Js 1 4str. P and 1 6str. J). Well the mij trb's are exellent basses for the money, no doubt but....I would say keep your fender and buy the 5 string yammy or try to find an old trb5p (neckthrough with piezos), it's the best trb model /by my opinion/ I owned a 1991 yamaha trb6p and that bass was amazing. one more time, you should keep the fender. good luck.
 

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