I was just writing a post to say that I also think that the green screw in this photo adjusts the piezo volume level. I was playing around in there this summer.
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I was just writing a post to say that I also think that the green screw in this photo adjusts the piezo volume level. I was playing around in there this summer.
Yes, that’s what I was referring to, that little green thing! Thanks guys. Yup, I’ll get in there and see what effect it has. Can’t believe that bass is 30 years old now.
I picked up the TRBJP2 a couple years ago. Great sounding axe but not quite as playable (for me) as my old TRB6P.
Glad to help! Out of curiosity - what makes the TRPJP2 feel less playable than the TRB6P for you? And how would you compare their tone?
The sheer weight and dimensions of the JP2 make for an instrument that for me is a little less user-friendly. The neck has two extra frets which, on one hand, makes the upper range of the instrument more accessible, while on the other hand making the lowest position just a little bit of a stretch. I also think the string spacing might be just a bit wider (maybe 1mm) than the TRB6P. Could be wrong but either way that’s the feel I get from it.
Tone-wise, I think the TRB6P is closer to the sound JP got with his old Ken Smith axe; a little rounder, not quite as glassy and lacking that distinct front edge to the note that the JP2 has.
The TRB6P I can pick up and start blowing pretty easily. With the TRBJP2, I need to warm up a bit and sort of ramp up to the point where I feel connected to the instrument.
Hey Adam, glad to hear you’re still working out on the JP-2. I hear what you’re saying about the physical challenges it presents. I remember seeing the TRB at your place. Yes, J Wilson is correct, it’s the piezo trim pot. I didn’t have to futz with mine, it was set correctly at the factory so the piezo was perfectly in balance with the magnetic pickups.
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Hey there! Yes, it’s a wonderful instrument that really shines as a solo “voice” if you spend some time with it. I had a tech guy put the Yamaha preamp back in, as I preferred its sound to that of the Aguilar.
Regarding the trim pot in the TRB6P, I went and opened her up earlier today and turned the knob back and forth while a note rang out. Interestingly enough, it affected the gain of the regular pickups, not the piezos. Makes sense because there’s a blend knob on the bass that allows you to blend in how much of the piezo you want in the mix (or not at all). In any event, I set it at just past halfway guessing that it would give the overall preamp signal a little boost without making it too hot for whatever amp or board it’s going into.
Here’s a brief clip of me hanging on for dear life on an impossibly fast Got A Match? with the JP2:
Wow - impressive playing!
Re: the trim pot - what I thought I remembered was that it would help balance the potential difference in level between full magnetic and full piezo. Before I adjusted it, the bass would get progressively quieter as I blended towards full piezo. I think the point of the trim is for you to be able to make there be less of a difference between full magnetic and full piezo. Does that match what you found?
Ahhh, now I understand! I’m sure that’s its function having it explained to me that way. The experience of messing around with it was actually quite fruitful in that, by introducing the piezos more prominently in the mix I achieved a more personal sound that got away from the baked-in Patitucci sound (which I dig of course) but which I couldn’t seem to get very far from.
I think the TRB6P is going to be getting a lot more airtime!
Thanks for correcting me. For some reason I thought it was baout TRB6II vs TRB6JP2 !
Yeah, man! You’re tearing it up. Dave Anderson sounds great there, as does everybody else. I look forward to hearing more.
the Aguilar pre was maybe a little more unforgiving than the Yamaha pre, so I get where you’re coming from on that.
Hi there. This may or may not be what you are looking for, but I recently bought the Vertigo bass case from Mono and it’s been a champ for either gigging around town or on tour (dealing with busses, airplanes, baggage handlers, etc.). Built like a tank but light and, as you’ll see, opens up in a vertical position, which I think is really cool.
https://monocreators.com/products/vertigo-bass-guitar-case-grey
Thanks Alan! About the Aguilar pre; something about the way the blend or pan knob was set up, it seemed like there wasn’t a lot of flexibility. It was either both pickups (center detent) or all bridge/all neck pickup. Couldn’t get it to shade in one direction or the other. That’s how it sounded to me anyway. It was super bright too, even with the treble knob way down.
Sure records great! I did a bunch of lockdown sessions last year (as I’m sure we all did) and I was particularly pleased with how it tracked. This is with the Aguilar before I replaced it with the Yamaha pre:
I used to own a Yamaha trb6-p bass ; the guy who bought it is asking me if the pickups are active or passive ?
Does anybody know ?
I know there’s a preamp (9 volt) inside the cavity but I’m just inquiring about the pickups ; do they have an internal preamp (like EmG) or are they normal passive pickups?
Thanks for helping me
Lalo García
Does anybody know ?
I know there’s a preamp (9 volt) inside the cavity but I’m just inquiring about the pickups ; do they have an internal preamp (like EmG) or are they normal passive pickups?
Thanks for helping me
Lalo García
I own one (1992) . They are passive pickups, and theres a preamp in the bass. Typical setup we see regularly. They also have a piezzo in the bridge.
I am thinking of selling mine, its got Gotoh tuners and bridge( bridge was too thick so its been grooved into the body by the 1st owner), a darkglass tone capsule and bartolini G6 pickups. Its in pretty good condition ans plays perfectly. How much do you guys think it is worth ?
Hello everyone!!
Long story short…. What do you see in the picture is my Yamaha trb6 1996, first owner, kept the bass until few years ago and I sold it (regretfully) because few changes in life.
I was looking for a bass during this days….and guess what?? I found it on sale from the same guy that bought it from me, of course I bought it back straight away.
You cannot immagine the smile on my face
Anyway now the bass doesn’t really sound good, and especially with my pedals sounds awful (while my other passive bass sounds really good through them).
I’m thinking to swap the original pickups with the Bartolini g6 candybar as they are a direct replacement, and wire the bass on passive mode like a fender jazz with v-v-t.
Did anyone do that? If yes how it sounds?
Thanks so much and have a nice Christmas!!!
Long story short…. What do you see in the picture is my Yamaha trb6 1996, first owner, kept the bass until few years ago and I sold it (regretfully) because few changes in life.
I was looking for a bass during this days….and guess what?? I found it on sale from the same guy that bought it from me, of course I bought it back straight away.
You cannot immagine the smile on my face
Anyway now the bass doesn’t really sound good, and especially with my pedals sounds awful (while my other passive bass sounds really good through them).
I’m thinking to swap the original pickups with the Bartolini g6 candybar as they are a direct replacement, and wire the bass on passive mode like a fender jazz with v-v-t.
Did anyone do that? If yes how it sounds?
Thanks so much and have a nice Christmas!!!
