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I’m not sure is worth to change the PUs and Electronics (Must change both in TRBs) , I also flirted on change before, I tired Bartolini equipped TRB II, it was very good, but very “standard” modern bass sound, like thousand of other models on the market.... TRB has it’s own unmistakeable sound character, I like it more and more every day, the high end spectrum like no other, very, clean, dominant, hi-fi like, but never harsh, not presence-full, but more “airy”....It’s a Classic, like MM, J bass, P bass, Rickenbacker etc...Sound engineers like it so much too...Just Listen Dani Alderson with his TRB 6 II with Yellow Jacket Band, it can it can produce a Patitucci like sound too, I think this Basses share a lot of features and character with his TRB model....
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Yeah, I was gung ho about changing mine until I started trying to find PU's that would fit my 1004. Plus I lived with it a few more weeks and found that I liked it the way it is even with the quirky electronics. The mid is really odd though that it effects the bass and treble.
...and witch one the best?
Dunlop SS Super Brights are really surprising (and pleasing) me on my two TRBs. Not sure how I would feel about them on their own, but the combo of my TRBs + Dunlop SS Super Brights + my Yamaha NE-1 is really getting me into the neighborhood of the sound in my head. Incidentally, the sound in my head and the sound on some of Nathan East's recordings are very similar...
Here's a video I recorded this morning going TRBs > Yamaha NE-1 > Focusrite Scarlett 2i2.
What specific noise issue are you running into with your TRB-5II? And what EQ issues are you running into? I’ve heard people talk about the preamp being noisy on the TRB-5 1st gen more than on the TRB-5II, and I’ve heard people mention the EQ thing more with the TRB 1005. I will say that I’m not in love with the mid control on the TRB-5II. But with blend in the center position my TRB-5II is quiet even on a notoriously noisy stage.
I tried the EMGs today and have mixed fellings about it: they have less hum( even there outside the body) and and stacked coil + real humbucker, on the other side im afraid the EMG preamp (has anyone tried it?) is less versatile.
I also read that some go back to the origibal yamaha PUs and also that EMG are not good in the band-context
I also read that some go back to the origibal yamaha PUs and also that EMG are not good in the band-context
My 1998 TRBII 6 is absolutely noise free dead quiet, you can tune the grounding inside the preamp....
The electronic produce lot of highs, so i turn all the way down the treble...
The bass control set to a very useful frequency, still defined when boost, and not too thin when must cut a little...
The mid control works strange for me too, I not use it, but never felt to change the mid response of the bass for my taste....
I put EMG's in my Yamaha BB404 and didn't like them in that. I know...totally different instrument but also Alder - I had liked them for years in other instruments (Spector, Gibson Thunderbird, BC Rich Innovator) both in the studio and on stage. Sound guys always raved about my sound and how easy it was to mix. I ended up with Aguilars in the BB and loved them. When considering my TRB I am leaning towards Bartolini or Aguilars. Smooth, a little warm without losing sparkle. Preamp, I am lost which is why I haven't done anything yet. Perhaps something that doesn't color it too much but maybe a little.
Huh - Just realized all the EMG's I have liked were PJ configs. My Gibson has humbuckers but inside they are PJ's. Didn't like the Jazz config. Hmm...Might be something to that!
Got this TRB 5pII last week. Finally owned a TRB.
I joined the club almost a week ago. I was able to grab this AMAZING TRBJP2 from @Brian Reihms last week! I got to use it during last Sunday's church service and it really just sat so well in the mix while also allowing me to punch through when I wanted. Such a cool bass and really cool upgrades!
The only thing I have "changed" is centering the ramp and applying some fresh double sided tape. I will probably get the ramp shortened to be the length of the pickups and also radiused in the future. It works well for now though so I am not really in a hurry haha.
(These pictures and comments are from are from Brian's For Sale post)
Pickups: altri bassi: TRB6® Modern Bucker
Note: No modifications were made to the pickup cavities because they are direct replacements for TRB6s. I purchased them directly from Mama.
Preamp: UNI-PRE 5 Knob
Note: Minor routing was completed by a luthier to make room in the cavity for the East preamp. Cavity was also shielded. I purchased the preamp directly from Mr. East.
The only thing I have "changed" is centering the ramp and applying some fresh double sided tape. I will probably get the ramp shortened to be the length of the pickups and also radiused in the future. It works well for now though so I am not really in a hurry haha.
(These pictures and comments are from are from Brian's For Sale post)
Pickups: altri bassi: TRB6® Modern Bucker
Note: No modifications were made to the pickup cavities because they are direct replacements for TRB6s. I purchased them directly from Mama.
Preamp: UNI-PRE 5 Knob
Note: Minor routing was completed by a luthier to make room in the cavity for the East preamp. Cavity was also shielded. I purchased the preamp directly from Mr. East.
Have any of you directly compared a TRB-5P and a TRB-6P (1st gen of both)? I’d be curious about your impression about their similarities and differences. I have a TRB-6P and I keep flirting with the idea of going down to the 5-string model. But I can’t get my hands on a TRB-5P to try.
@ranat - I’m pretty sure you’ve played both; would certainly love your thoughts!
@ranat - I’m pretty sure you’ve played both; would certainly love your thoughts!
I think I posted something on this topic further back in this thread, but my basic summary is this; you’re going to get a more versatile sound out of the 5P with its PJ style setup. Other than the pickup configuration, I found them very similar in all other aspects. I’d gig any day of the week with a 5P in a cover band. The 6P, not so much (not just because it’s 6 string string). That said I’ll never sell my 6P, I love it for how it sounds, plays, and looks. IIRC I saw a blue 5P on eBay within the last week or so.
I have owned a couple of early 90's TRB-6P's (and currently have one, see p.58 of this thread) and have extensively played TRB-5p's that belonged to a couple of friends. They share a similar character, and they sound very much the same the more you dial in the piezo. In short, the 5p sounds more like a P-bass due to the P/J pickup configuration. They are both great sounding axes.
Hey everyone !
So I have a RBX 765
Used to have a trb1005
I’m getting some custom Nordstrand big singles for it and I’m aware that the Yamaha bases can use an emg 45 size and I have done this in the past but I’m looking to get something that’s a perfect fit is anyone able to tell me the exact pick up dimensions for a five string
?
also
I have a pair of yamaha John myung six string soapbars sitting
So I have a RBX 765
Used to have a trb1005
I’m getting some custom Nordstrand big singles for it and I’m aware that the Yamaha bases can use an emg 45 size and I have done this in the past but I’m looking to get something that’s a perfect fit is anyone able to tell me the exact pick up dimensions for a five string
?
also
I have a pair of yamaha John myung six string soapbars sitting
Hey everyone !
So I have a RBX 765
Used to have a trb1005
I’m getting some custom Nordstrand big singles for it and I’m aware that the Yamaha bases can use an emg 45 size and I have done this in the past but I’m looking to get something that’s a perfect fit is anyone able to tell me the exact pick up dimensions for a five string
?
also
I have a pair of yamaha John myung six string soapbars sitting
Actually, if you insist on changing out the pickups (the TRB-YGD pickups are actually pretty good) the Nordstrand Fat Stacks are probably a better choice. You can switch between humbucker and single with them and get the best of both worlds.
