Has anybody had any experiences with this bass? John Patitucci played ken smith basses before he signed on with Yamaha, do you guys think the TRBJP2 has any resemble in sound to a KS. I am thinkin in getting a yamaha bass, but I wanted to know any feedback. so far I love the way it looks thanks
Sorry, haven't had the chance to try a Smith so far, but I have to say the TRBJP2 is one of the best sounding basses I've ever had my hands on. A friend of mine has one and I borrowed it several times when I was still working as a musician in Asia. It has very articulate highs, and convinced me that ebony is my favorite fingerboard wood. The slap sound is amazing, the fingerstyle grainy withou being unbearable. It was also difficult to cut through in the three bars we played in, but the bass did, and did it in style. I was this close to getting one, but I'm just too much of a sucker for the old school look, and don't like the amber color, much less the quilted maple (although it is well done, just not my thing). This bass just sounds so good, though, that I might make it an exception someday.
thanks man, I appreciate your input. It seems all reviews are very positive. the reason I asked if there was any comparison to the KS basses, it's because I am looking for a bass that cuts through very well and defined.Unfotunatelly, most KS models are only 18 mm and I am more comfortable with wider necks. I know KS cut very well in any mix.
As nice as the Yamaha sounds, it doesn't have the "punchy growl" that the Ken Smith has-at least to my ears! For this reason, I prefer John's Ken Smith days. A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!
Yes, I like the looks and comfort (wide spacing)of the TRBJP2, but I guess it won't compare to the KS.....decisions
The bass that is more appealing to your ears and hands is all that matters!! I have not had the opportunity to play either a TRBJP2 or a smith BSR, so I don't know how they feel. However, I have heard both basses enough to know which one sounds best to me. As an aside, my Peavey Cirrus 5 Bubinga/Walnut is the best bass that I have ever played and one of the best basses that I have ever heard. Being blessed to have an Alembic Spoiler and a Warwick Thumb 5 BO, I consider my assessment of the Cirrus to carry a lot of weight. Other basses that I have heard, but not played that have my attention are Dingwall Afterburners and the Sadowsky Modern M5-24. The bottom line is the "best" bass for you is up to you!!! A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!