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Looking to upgrade my Yamaha trbx305

T

TheRandomizer

Feb 20, 2025
19
11
#1
While I'm not exactly new to these forums, I am new to posting on them. I primarily a guitar player, but have been strengthening my bass playing abilities recently.

So I got a Yamaha trbx305 for Christmas (thanks Dad,) and it was a much-needed upgrade over my very old Ibanez GRSM20 miKro. I got that one when I was 10 years old and very short, and it is now quite a few years later and I have reached an adult size. I wanted to play a lot of songs that were impossible on a four string, and I am very, very happy with my current bass.

But I have one issue. I am not a big fan of the tone. Not too long ago I got a Spector performer 4 from the pawn shop, and it sounds absolutely lovely. I I'm in love with the sound, but I am not yet a touring musician, nor do I have the money to swap my Yamaha out for another Spector, and I would feel bad doing so especially since my dad got it for me for Christmas.

SO NOW TO THE ACTUAL QUESTION.
Any recommendations on how I could upgrade it to sound like a Spector? Preamp upgrades, pickups, if so, what would you recommend?
 
#2
could you measure (preferably with calipers) the pickups?

While it won’t get you 100% there, often swapping pickups and preamps on cheaper basses can make them sound a lot better. I’m not sure what size they are, so I’m unsure what to suggest.
 
#3
About 36.5x110 mm. (Somewhere between 110 and 115, but my calipers can't go any bigger)

I honestly know nothing about pickups for guitars, let alone bass pickups, but I figured they were going to be a weird size with the little finger rests they have molded into the housing

I know I'm not going to get 100% there, but I do want to at least be able to get that growl that I love so much.

Hope this helps ^^
 
#4
part of the growl is right strings, part is right EQ, part is right set-up (low action), you should be able to get there.

start with fresh stainless rounds, e.g rotosounds or super brights, set up the action low so they clank and from then play with the EQ. I'd start with 'finger' pre-set and boosting the bass.
 
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#5
Aloe said:
part of the growl is right strings, part is right EQ, part is right set-up (low action), you should be able to get there.

start with fresh stainless rounds, e.g rotosounds or super brights, set up the action low so they clank and from then play with the EQ. I'd start with 'finger' pre-set and boosting the bass.
Click to expand...
I do think a setup is needed and some new strings would definitely make a difference, but I have played with the EQ and toggle switch I don't know how many times and I'm just not happy with it. It just sounds really dark and.. "woody," of that makes any sense? My amp may have some to do with it because it's really old and not very good, but I will only know when I can afford a new one.

My usual settings are full treble, 50% bass, bridge pickup, finger preset
 
#6
Bartolini P2 size appears to fit, but with extra space.

If it were me, I’d email Nordstrand with this same question. They have pickups with similar reputations as Spector. And I’d wager they have exact measurements from previous customers asking the same.

You may get the best bang for your buck by rewiring that 5 way switch, and dropping in new preamp. Sometimes it’s not the pickups that suck…

But I should note, the Spector Performer 4 is $400 at Sweetwater (current price). Unless you’re careful, most upgrade paths you take will jump over that. Some preamps are expensive.

Cheapest thing to try first is jump over to TBRX club here on TB and ask which strings will get you closer. Strings are the cheapest thing to try first.
 
#7
TheRandomizer said:
it just sounds really dark and.. "woody," of that makes any sense?
Click to expand...

well, bright light strings will make a difference. it's a mahogany-bodied maple-necked bass with ceramic humbuckers and active electronics, it can sound both pretty bright and grindy.

TheRandomizer said:
My amp may have some to do with it because it's really old and not very good, but I will only know when I can afford a new one.
Click to expand...

this as well, I was just writing a PS to my previous post on it. what's it exactly? and what was the amp you played thru when you loved the Spector?
 
#8
Aloe said:
well, bright light strings will make a difference. it's a mahogany-bodied maple-necked bass with ceramic humbuckers and active electronics, it can sound both pretty bright and grindy.



this as well, I was just writing a PS to my previous post on it. what's it exactly? and what was the amp you played thru when you loved the Spector?
Click to expand...
I'm currently playing through a fender rumble 25. I'm just a home player, so I can't justify a $3,000 amp setup that would get the sound I want, but I'm just a home player. I'm looking at the Fender rumble studio 40, as it would give me a lot of bang for my buck under $500. But it doesn't really matter what I plug my Spector in to, it just sounds a lot better. It has a hotter, brother, but still well-rounded growly tone. But it doesn't really matter what I plug it into, it just sounds a lot better to me.
 
#9
mrperkolator said:
Bartolini P2 size appears to fit, but with extra space.

If it were me, I’d email Nordstrand with this same question. They have pickups with similar reputations as Spector. And I’d wager they have exact measurements from previous customers asking the same.

You may get the best bang for your buck by rewiring that 5 way switch, and dropping in new preamp. Sometimes it’s not the pickups that suck…

But I should note, the Spector Performer 4 is $400 at Sweetwater (current price). Unless you’re careful, most upgrade paths you take will jump over that. Some preamps are expensive.

Cheapest thing to try first is jump over to TBRX club here on TB and ask which strings will get you closer. Strings are the cheapest thing to try first.
Click to expand...
Thank you for all the suggestions! I genuinely don't know where to find different groups on here, I'm very new to these forums
 
#11
Aloe said:
already tried some EQ on it? it's not flat at flat, see more.

with some basses it really can sound muddy, considering the baked-in low boost and mids cut.

p.s. but yes, right strings and set-up to start. don't spend money on pickups or preamps before that.
Click to expand...
I have played with the EQ a lot. It's only three bands, so I can't do a lot with it. I have bass and treble at 12:00 with a mid boost, and I know Spectors what kind of known for having louder mids, so that's why I have the mid boost. It really doesn't help. Overdrive is on, contour is on, all of that has been messed with as much as possible. I plan on getting one of my regular guitars in front of a local luthier, and if he's good, I will take my basses to him and see what he can help me with. He has really, really good reviews, so praying he can help me.
 
#13
Aloe said:
that scoops it even more, i.e. reduces the mids. disable contour and reduce the bass until it doesn't sound muddy.
Click to expand...
To be honest the only reason I had it on was because otherwise it sounds very harsh and arguably even worse. I've done it with both contour on and off, but I think getting a basic bass EQ pedal could prove to be a little helpful. But I will definitely try your suggestion
 
#15
TheRandomizer said:
It just sounds really dark and.. "woody," of that makes any sense?
Click to expand...
I gotta throw in with @Aloe. Some bright, zingy, new strings should be your first step. I can attest how they can seriously alter the sound you get out of a bass. And, while they may not get you all the way there, the cost is relatively low and the "what they're capable of" education could be very worthwhile.

TheRandomizer said:
I really wish I could post a videos do you be able to show you the sound I currently have and the sound I want to achieve
Click to expand...
You could post some YouTube content that lands close enough. If you can give us an idea of what you have, as opposed to what you're going for, it could give us a little more to go on.
 
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#16
Malak the Mad said:
I gotta throw in with @Aloe. Some bright, zingy, new strings should be your first step. I can attest how they can seriously alter the sound you get out of a bass. And, while they may not get you all the way there, the cost is relatively low and the "what they're capable of" education could be very worthwhile.


You could post some YouTube content that lands close enough. If you can give us an idea of what you have, as opposed to what you're going for, it could give us a little more to go on.
Click to expand...
The closest I can get to describing what my Yamaha sounds like is a really, really hot Hoffner violin bass with more harshness and less warmth. Whenever I can get to the guitar store next I will pick up some strings.

We unfortunately do not have rotosound strings here in the US, but I heard DR is pretty good if I want to get that tone
 
#17
TheRandomizer said:
We unfortunately do not have rotosound strings here in the US, but I heard DR is pretty good if I want to get that tone
Click to expand...

While you can get similar tones… you can get Rotosound in the US. You may have to order them by mail or Amazon. I don’t remember the last time I bought strings locally.

I tend to buy La Bella though, which is a US company. I could have sworn I saw Rotos when I walked through a GC the other day.

Also you have that switch on there that changes your tone a lot. Play with different settings.
 
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#18
TheRandomizer said:
We unfortunately do not have rotosound strings here in the US, but I heard DR is pretty good if I want to get that tone
Click to expand...
Wait, what?! I just posted to the 'Strings' thread about a possible technique to clean my Rotosounds, then looked online to see if I could find a set of those older sets!

Relatedly, I was about to offer you a set of D'Addario FlexSteels for nothing but shipping (assuming you're in the U.S., too), but then I remembered you have a fiver and all my extra sets are for four-bangers. Still, I'll stand behind the offer, should you want to hear what they'd do for your E to G strings.
 
#19
mrperkolator said:
While you can get similar tones… you can get Rotosound in the US. You may have to order them by mail or Amazon. I don’t remember the last time I bought strings locally.

I tend to buy La Bella though, which is a US company. I could have sworn I saw Rotos when I walked through a GC the other day.

Also you have that switch on there that changes your tone a lot. Play with different settings.
Click to expand...
And they might be in the us, just not at my local store. They are, I did not see them. I probably won't be able to get to the shop for a little while, but I will come back to this thread with some results when I can get some strings
 
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#20
Malak the Mad said:
Wait, what?! I just posted to the 'Strings' thread about a possible technique to clean my Rotosounds, then looked online to see if I could find a set of those older sets!

Relatedly, I was about to offer you a set of D'Addario FlexSteels for nothing but shipping (assuming you're in the U.S., too), but then I remembered you have a fiver and all my extra sets are for four-bangers. Still, I'll stand behind the offer, should you want to hear what they'd do for your E to G strings.
Click to expand...
He meant locally. Where I’m at I can have them delivered overnight via Amazon. I double checked cuz…. International trade these days. As of right now all good for US Roto fans.

Although… better ears correct me, but I thought stainless, while brighter is a bit mid scooped. Perhaps a nickel plated steel?
 
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