My question is, is there an improvement in sound with different pickups and preamp?
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It depends on what you mean by improvement. I don’t personally think there’s anything to improve on with the original 6P, it’s just a matter if you want a different sound all together. It’s got a very distinct sound and I think it’s pretty flexible within that single coil configuration and the ability to blend the piezo, but it’s never going to sound like a P bass or an aggressive Warwick. I say that because that’s why I’ve got those other basses in addition to the 6P. I somewhat understand the concern about active only for live use (another reason I have a P bass with just a vol and tone for certain gigs), but given that it’s got that separate battery cover, it’s so easy to check and swap before a gig that it almost negates it.
I had a 6P, which was my main bass throughout the 90’s. It became a “beta bass” which saw a lot of different pickups and preamps while I had it. The combination that I ended up liking the best was the stock pickups with a Demeter onboard preamp/eq circuit. I could go through the whole history, but I’ll spare you for now! As much as I loved that bass I unfortunately had to retire it because of truss rod problems. It was the earlier single truss rod version, which was not very stable with rapid changes climate and humidity, and dealing with that hung me out to dry more than once.
I’m actually acquiring another circa 1992 TRB-6P in a couple of weeks, which has sat in the case for 99.99% of its life.
I’m actually acquiring another circa 1992 TRB-6P in a couple of weeks, which has sat in the case for 99.99% of its life.
I absolutely love my Yamaha TrbJP2, sounds great & I wouldn’t ever want to change anything about it. It has a unique tonal quality & sits so well in a mix, & sounds wonderful solo. I’ve always loved the Yamaha pickups & preamp, great sounding basses.
It depends. Over the years they've become quieter, less noisy, with a bit more headroom and dynamic range. I personally prefer the more aggressive TRB 1000X(j) Indonesian basses because they settled on the last revision of the Japanese electronics. They have a lot of bite and are quite powerful.
I think they've done well to merge the lower-end TRB and RBX lines and brought the prices down to three-digits. I'm seeing more and more people taking up Yamaha basses again. It's good!
Generally, though, the updates have been well received - and the non-Piezo electronics are just as capable and provide a large range of tones.
But holding and playing a Japanese model, the craftsmanship and balance are wonderful.
Hi, guys. I've a TRB-1005 whose preamp I'm considering swapping out for an Aguilar. I've read that you need to install a buffer to use a third-party preamp, because of the phantom coils, but can't find any mention of which and how to install it.
Has anyone successfully installed a new preamp on their TRB? Or is it not worth the effort without also swapping out pickups?
Has anyone successfully installed a new preamp on their TRB? Or is it not worth the effort without also swapping out pickups?
I'm not sure if the pickups in my TRB JP2 are also phantom coil humbuckers as in the TRB-1005, but I installed an Aguilar OBP-3 preamp with the stock pickups, and it works fine without a buffer. The output is not extremely hot, but it is significantly hotter than the pickups are in passive mode.
Did you install the preamp yourself? As far as I know, the phantom coil pickups have four wires: a start, finish, ground and the phantom wire.
Best is to ask Aguilar. I think/guess that since TRBIIs you can use the phantom coils on any preamp because they aren't inverted anymore (as they are in TRBs 1st gen). But this is my interpretation of the electronics diagram and needs to be checked by the preamp provider.
I once had this MIJ TRB5. Sold it over ten years ago, but I'm glad to see these are getting some more action and would love to have another one.
Mine was heavy but it sounded very good.
Mine was heavy but it sounded very good.
They aren't. The JP2 has plain linear hum-buckers which don't require the special noise-cancelation "mixer" that the 1005 and early TRBs had.
If you do that, you'll be stuck using those pickups as single-coils. There is no third-party preamp which works with the hum-cancelling design of the TRB pickups. Although if you can find an Alembic Series II preamp, you may be able to shoehorn it in and wire the dummy coils up to it - because it expects a dummy coil and has the mixer required to balance the relative levels. That would cost almost as much as two more TRB basses.
A few weeks ago I was watching a concert video of jazz pianist Hiromi...
...and was reminded of how great the Yamaha TRB bass sounds. I've noticed that many jazz and blues players continue to use them (and then, of course, there is Mr. Patitucci).
It got me to thinking... I'm a 4-string guy, and I wondered if there were any 4-string TRBs around. I did some research, learned about the evolution of the instrument from the original Japanese-built TRB's and TRB II's, to the Korean and Indonesian-made models, etc. I concluded that I wanted to find an old TRB II because of the added midrange control in the EQ, the 35" scale and the build quality.
Lo and behold, I came across this beauty via Reverb: an immaculate 1999 Japanese-made TRB II. Picked it up for $550.00. This thing is built like a tank. I was worried that it might be overly heavy, but it's 9.4 lbs and very comfortable and well-balanced. The most important thing is the sound, which I can best describe as "authoritative"--just really full and rich and focused.
...and was reminded of how great the Yamaha TRB bass sounds. I've noticed that many jazz and blues players continue to use them (and then, of course, there is Mr. Patitucci).
It got me to thinking... I'm a 4-string guy, and I wondered if there were any 4-string TRBs around. I did some research, learned about the evolution of the instrument from the original Japanese-built TRB's and TRB II's, to the Korean and Indonesian-made models, etc. I concluded that I wanted to find an old TRB II because of the added midrange control in the EQ, the 35" scale and the build quality.
Lo and behold, I came across this beauty via Reverb: an immaculate 1999 Japanese-made TRB II. Picked it up for $550.00. This thing is built like a tank. I was worried that it might be overly heavy, but it's 9.4 lbs and very comfortable and well-balanced. The most important thing is the sound, which I can best describe as "authoritative"--just really full and rich and focused.
I'm a big fan ! Her trio with Anthony Jackson and Simon Philips is exceptional.
TRBIIs are great basses. In fact my TRB6II has gradually eclipsed my other basses...
Yeah,
I bought my 98’ TRB II 6, a year ago, just to get a 6string, but now is my main axe, I use it instead of my 74’ jazz, on every gig in the last year, even if I don’t need 5-6 string....
When I bought, it don’t have the original preamp, but I find one for sale and put back! The original PU and pre, belongs the original and very unique, character of the bass! Killer instrument!
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Joining this club after years of gassing for a TRB! A little harder to find in lefty. This one is a 99. Built like a tank, and heavy as one, but balances well and playability is great. The preamp is nothing to write home about but this does not affect me as I always run flat and use and external preamp/DI and with this the tone is exactly what I was after. Very happy overall.
I swapped out the black plastic knobs to fully embrace the gold hardware. The only other thing it could use is an upgraded bridge - I'd really prefer quick load slots as I change strings often - but I cannot find any info on a drop in replacement. Does anyone know if the hipshot B style might do the trick? 5 String B Style Bass Bridge
I swapped out the black plastic knobs to fully embrace the gold hardware. The only other thing it could use is an upgraded bridge - I'd really prefer quick load slots as I change strings often - but I cannot find any info on a drop in replacement. Does anyone know if the hipshot B style might do the trick? 5 String B Style Bass Bridge
Hi can I join the club please? I have just aquired a TRB6P neck thru. I had one in the 90's that was stolen and have wanted to replace it for a long time so am excited to finally have this bass.
I had forgotten how flat the neck radius is on these. Does anyone know what the radius is? It really almost appears to be flat like a classical guitar. And I love the angled pickups too.
Can anyone explain the controls as to mixing in the piezo in the bridge? been so long ago I am not sure. thanks
Update ok I figured out from some knob images that I found online how the controls on these are...Two tone knobs Low and Highs and the front one is the pickup blend. And the small one is the piezo/pickups blend.
and the switch is a high pass cut filter for the piezo. now it all makes sense.
I am excited about this bass as I have always loved Yamaha basses and have had several over the years.
I think I will be selling 3 other 6 strings here on TB soon. LOL
I had forgotten how flat the neck radius is on these. Does anyone know what the radius is? It really almost appears to be flat like a classical guitar. And I love the angled pickups too.
Can anyone explain the controls as to mixing in the piezo in the bridge? been so long ago I am not sure. thanks
Update ok I figured out from some knob images that I found online how the controls on these are...Two tone knobs Low and Highs and the front one is the pickup blend. And the small one is the piezo/pickups blend.
and the switch is a high pass cut filter for the piezo. now it all makes sense.
I am excited about this bass as I have always loved Yamaha basses and have had several over the years.
I think I will be selling 3 other 6 strings here on TB soon. LOL
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Hey folks,
I’m looking at a 1994 Yamaha TRB-4P for sale in my town. It’s all original with a P/J setup and piezo. Neck through. In good condition for its age and comes with a case. I haven’t played it yet since I’m out of town for work.
Can anyone offer some more details on this model? A good deal at $600?
I believe it’s Japanese-made. Thanks.
I’m looking at a 1994 Yamaha TRB-4P for sale in my town. It’s all original with a P/J setup and piezo. Neck through. In good condition for its age and comes with a case. I haven’t played it yet since I’m out of town for work.
Can anyone offer some more details on this model? A good deal at $600?
I believe it’s Japanese-made. Thanks.
that is a great deal I think the 4 strings are rare. Great basses. esp the japan made.
