This is an ex-demo TRBX204, from Yamaha's shop in London. I've had the stock PJ pickups and preamp replaced with just a Dimarzio Model P and passive vol+tone controls. It's strung with 50-65-85-110 Daddario Pro Steels.
All around, this Chinese 204 is more basic and purely functional than the Indonesian 604 I had a few years ago, which was twice the price. Nonetheless, the woodwork and the finishing are clean and without obvious blemishes: this is still a conscientiously-made instrument. The body is contoured on both sides.
The 304, 504 and 604 have Ibanez-SR-thin necks, but the 174 and 204 have neck specs similar to the current BBs: 1.57" nut, 0.830" at the 1st fret, 0.960" at the 12th. The neck feels quite raw for a satin finish, the fretboard was glad of a drink. The tuners didn't inspire confidence, but do the job fine. I'm not a fan of preamps so I can't judge it other than saying it did what I expected it to, and the pots felt nicely solid.
The backstory, should you care
I had a Yamaha BB424 and a heavily-modded Squier Matt Freeman, and loved them: both had strong characters and were really enjoyable to play. GHS Boomers on the PJ, Pro Steels on the P.
Unfortunately, I hurt my shoulder and it didn't mend properly. As my basses were now a couple of pounds too heavy for me, I replaced them with a pair of very light G&Ls: an SB-1 for nickels, an LB-100 for steels.
As often happens on TB, flats interfered with my plans: having started with Pro Steels + a Model P, the LB-100 now has Chromes + a Lindy Fralin, and is my main bass.
Which left the Dimarzio and several sets of Pro Steels unemployed. Having figured out the hard way that shopping with G&L is russian roulette with only one empty chamber, I chose a cheap, light and reliable home for them. For the simple music that I'll play on it, this modest bass will be quite enough.
I considered keeping a J pickup, adding the versatility of a pickup selector and VVT controls. But really, once I've settled on a combination of pickup and strings, all I want is a tone knob; anything more and aimless fidgeting creeps in.
Finally, why did I buy the Yamaha shop's demo model? Because they had weighed it: 6¼ lbs. Yeah. Please.
All around, this Chinese 204 is more basic and purely functional than the Indonesian 604 I had a few years ago, which was twice the price. Nonetheless, the woodwork and the finishing are clean and without obvious blemishes: this is still a conscientiously-made instrument. The body is contoured on both sides.
The 304, 504 and 604 have Ibanez-SR-thin necks, but the 174 and 204 have neck specs similar to the current BBs: 1.57" nut, 0.830" at the 1st fret, 0.960" at the 12th. The neck feels quite raw for a satin finish, the fretboard was glad of a drink. The tuners didn't inspire confidence, but do the job fine. I'm not a fan of preamps so I can't judge it other than saying it did what I expected it to, and the pots felt nicely solid.
The backstory, should you care
I had a Yamaha BB424 and a heavily-modded Squier Matt Freeman, and loved them: both had strong characters and were really enjoyable to play. GHS Boomers on the PJ, Pro Steels on the P.
Unfortunately, I hurt my shoulder and it didn't mend properly. As my basses were now a couple of pounds too heavy for me, I replaced them with a pair of very light G&Ls: an SB-1 for nickels, an LB-100 for steels.
As often happens on TB, flats interfered with my plans: having started with Pro Steels + a Model P, the LB-100 now has Chromes + a Lindy Fralin, and is my main bass.
Which left the Dimarzio and several sets of Pro Steels unemployed. Having figured out the hard way that shopping with G&L is russian roulette with only one empty chamber, I chose a cheap, light and reliable home for them. For the simple music that I'll play on it, this modest bass will be quite enough.
I considered keeping a J pickup, adding the versatility of a pickup selector and VVT controls. But really, once I've settled on a combination of pickup and strings, all I want is a tone knob; anything more and aimless fidgeting creeps in.
Finally, why did I buy the Yamaha shop's demo model? Because they had weighed it: 6¼ lbs. Yeah. Please.
