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NBD! First 5er

D

Dci4me

Apr 12, 2020
16
94
Dallas
#1
So, my wife and I have been working from home for the last month or so due to all of the craziness going on. We have adapted to completely online shopping for everything. It is not unusual for us to receive several packages per day from UPS, FedEx, USPS etc., for everything from toothpaste and deodorant, to food and clothing. Today, just like any other day, deliveries. One box of four that UPS unloaded looked a little suspect, but my wife said it was a shadow box to go above the headboard. I thought, sure looks like a box that a bass would come in. Weight seemed about right too. Had me fooled... About an hour later her and our daughter walked out with a Yamaha box and a Gator hard case. "Happy Early Father's Day!" They said they had been snooping around my browsing history and my Sweetwater wishlist.

Now, my Sweetwater wishlist had tons of gas! However, I am glad they got what they did. I probably would never have purchased a 5-string on my own however, I have always wanted one.

After tuning and playing for a bit tonight, I am really stoked!

I am excited to throw some new strings on and set her up.
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#5
Dci4me said:
Any recommendations for strings?
Click to expand...

YES!

I have that exact same bass and have been experimenting with strings for a little over 2 years. This bass is *very* sensitive to strings. I'll share my string journey, then give you my recommendations...

The first set I tried when it was new were the DR Pure Blues. In fact, I almost returned the bass because I wasn't in love with the stock strings. The Pure Blues would be one of my recommendations.

The second set that I liked were the D'Addario NYXL's. They're different than the Pure Blues, but I liked them as well.

My GO-TO strings on this bass are the Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats. They have a unique an distinct and clear sound. A lot for forward mids, good punch and snap. No matter what else you try, you have to try these on the TRBX605. But FYI, before putting them on they need to be wiped down with alcohol to reduce the "stiction" that they have when new. Also, it takes a few days to settle, but they stay in that settled state a long time. They also do very well if you remove them and reinstall them.

Another player, @michael_t has a TRBX505 and likes GHS strings. I suppose it all depends on the type of music you play.

One more thing about that bass... It's controls don't function like other active basses. My other active basses start with all the knobs in the detent position, then "season for taste". You may find that you might "dime out" the bass and/or totally cut the highs to find your best sound. Also, I found that dialing in more bridge pickup, particularly in passive mode changes the tone more significantly than other basses I own. According to Dave at Audere Audio, Yamaha does something different with their preamps. You'll want to experiment to get the most out of it. It took me some time to get past adjustling like other basses. Once I forgot what I thought I knew and just tried everything did I absolutely fall in love with this bass.

Again, congratulations and good luck.
 
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#6
Dci4me said:
So, my wife and I have been working from home for the last month or so due to all of the craziness going on. We have adapted to completely online shopping for everything. It is not unusual for us to receive several packages per day from UPS, FedEx, USPS etc., for everything from toothpaste and deodorant, to food and clothing. Today, just like any other day, deliveries. One box of four that UPS unloaded looked a little suspect, but my wife said it was a shadow box to go above the headboard. I thought, sure looks like a box that a bass would come in. Weight seemed about right too. Had me fooled... About an hour later her and our daughter walked out with a Yamaha box and a Gator hard case. "Happy Early Father's Day!" They said they had been snooping around my browsing history and my Sweetwater wishlist.

Now, my Sweetwater wishlist had tons of gas! However, I am glad they got what they did. I probably would never have purchased a 5-string on my own however, I have always wanted one.

After tuning and playing for a bit tonight, I am really stoked!

I am excited to throw some new strings on and set her up.View attachment 3808257 View attachment 3808260 View attachment 3808261 View attachment 3808262
Click to expand...
Nice!

Real nice!

Does your wife have a sister that is single?
 
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#8
vindibona1 said:
YES!

I have that exact same bass and have been experimenting with strings for a little over 2 years. This bass is *very* sensitive to strings. I'll share my string journey, then give you my recommendations...

The first set I tried when it was new were the DR Pure Blues. In fact, I almost returned the bass because I wasn't in love with the stock strings. The Pure Blues would be one of my recommendations.

The second set that I liked were the D'Addario NYXL's. They're different than the Pure Blues, but I liked them as well.

My GO-TO strings on this bass are the Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats. They have a unique an distinct and clear sound. A lot for forward mids, good punch and snap. No matter what else you try, you have to try these on the TRBX605. But FYI, before putting them on they need to be wiped down with alcohol to reduce the "stiction" that they have when new. Also, it takes a few days to settle, but they stay in that settled state a long time. They also do very well if you remove them and reinstall them.

Another player, @michael_t has a TRBX505 and likes GHS strings. I suppose it all depends on the type of music you play.

One more thing about that bass... It's controls don't function like other active basses. My other active basses start with all the knobs in the detent position, then "season for taste". You may find that you might "dime out" the bass and/or totally cut the highs to find your best sound. Also, I found that dialing in more bridge pickup, particularly in passive mode changes the tone more significantly than other basses I own. According to Dave at Audere Audio, Yamaha does something different with their preamps. You'll want to experiment to get the most out of it. It took me some time to get past adjustling like other basses. Once I forgot what I thought I knew and just tried everything did I absolutely fall in love with this bass.

Again, congratulations and good luck.
Click to expand...

Thank you! The D'Addario NYXL's are one of the options I was looking at. I'll have to pick up a set of the EB Cobalt Flats. You make them sound too good.
 
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#12
That's a great bass as a first five. Usually when I get a new bass, my go-to strings are usually either D'Ad XL's or Boomers. I find they're a great middle ground, and then I can get a sense if I need to brighter or something a little tamer.
 
#13
Dci4me said:
Thank you! The D'Addario NYXL's are one of the options I was looking at. I'll have to pick up a set of the EB Cobalt Flats. You make them sound too good.
Click to expand...

I use the NYXL's on my Ibanez BTB675. The EBCF's are just a thing unto themselves. When you get the ECBF's just give yourself some time to figure out the sound.
 
#20
That is, without a doubt, the best looking incarnation of the entire TRBX series. Congrats on the new acquisition.

Crazy surprise! I mean, I've gotten my Father's Day gift early before, but never before Mother's Day.... You do understand that you are now on the hook for something truly spectacular come May 10th, right?
 

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