Yamaha Corporation is a company with widely known, widely used products throughout many markets. Even though they make many different products – and I mean MANY – they all seem to be very well-made, especially their instruments. The focus of this review is on their newest line in their popular TRBX series, the 600-level flamed maple series, which was first introduced at the 2018 Winter NAMM Show. Yamaha’s TRBX series has been one of their best-selling lines of instruments for the better part of the last decade, and this latest release will most likely bolster that position.
The 600 series comes in 4-string (TRBX604FM) and 5-string (TRBX605FM) flavors. Yamaha sent us one of their 5-string models in the Dark Red Burst finish for a full review.
This review was my first opportunity to delve into a bass in the TRBX line. My “first look” impression after taking it out of the package was that it was a cool-looking bass for the price point. My initial thought was that this is a great instrument for the intermediate player or a beginner ready to get out of the “starter pack” stage – or a touring musician on a budget who wouldn’t mind if this piece got some road wear [The TRBX605FM sells for $649.99 before tax throughout most music warehouses and other providers]. However, as I started to handle/play the bass, it started to feel like a much more expensive instrument, due in large part to the obvious craftsmanship.
Yamaha Bb Ne Nathan East Gloss Flamed Top 5 String Active Electric Bass Guitar
The playability of the neck is impressive. The stock .45-.130 gauge D’Adarrio strings did feel a bit close together, with the nut width being a bit slim at about 43 mm, or 1 and 11/16”. However, once I got the feel of the slightly narrow-set strings, it was actually really nice, and almost played like a 4-string. Personal preferences will obviously vary on this topic, depending on what musical style and string selection the player prefers. For example, in my heavy rock band, we play mainly in drop-
Tuning, for which I prefer the thicker-gauge .50-.135 Ernie Ball Power Slinky roundwound strings. I did not swap out the stock strings on the TRBX605FM, but I’m not sure that these thicker strings would have worked as well with the tighter string spacing.
Once I dove into it a bit further, I began to appreciate the simple, yet very effective, hallmark features in the TRBX model that remained constant in the 600 series. The first of these features is the active/passive toggle switch – a very popular feature with the 500-series which has made a return for this 600-series. The toggle switch adds not only tone-sculpting options, but also longevity. If you’re jamming on the active circuit and the 9V battery goes dead (no one is immune to this, unfortunately, and it’s a wonderful time when it happens mid-show…), you can simply switch to the passive mode and keep on going. An additional feature that can help avoid this situation altogether is the low battery indicator on the back panel. It is not exactly a ground-breaking idea, but it is an extremely helpful additional feature that can provide some peace of mind to the owner.
Yamaha Trbx504 Review
This is a very well-put together bass. The neck feels comfortable and playable (once you adjust to the string spacing). The 5-ply neck (with three pieces of maple and two mahogany stringers) not only stabilizes and enhances the overall tone, it also just looks cool with the “racing stripes” effect it gives. The Dark Red Burst finish looks good on this bass; sexy but not over-the-top flashy. It would look good in any light and in a band of any genre… I’m a fan. This model also comes in other finishes – Matte Amber, Natural Satin, and Translucent Black – but the Dark Red Burst takes the cake on this one, for me. The alder body with the flamed maple top includes some both aesthetic and ergonomic body contours that allows you to comfortably hold the bass up against your body while sitting, as well as hang comfortably while standing. The double cutaway design is always a good go-to for looks and practicality, with the bottom cutaway allowing more high-note access than any bassist should ever need. It is also relatively light, which is nice for high-energy gigs and travel. The layout of the knobs is such that they look orderly, and “out of the way” enough for any style of player.
This bass gives the user a wide range of tonal options. The overall tone to my ear, however, would be classified as a “brighter” tone. The low end does not get excessive, even with the bass fully boosted, and it seems they were going for a middle-of-the-road, but versatile, sound meant to cover a lot of bases. The twin Yamaha custom YGD H5 Alnico V Humbucker pickups come standard in the TRBX line, and they can definitely keep up with the flexibility of the active/passive preamp system. There are a lot of tone-sculpting measures included in this bass, courtesy of the 3-band active EQ, pickup blend knob, and the aforementioned active/passive circuit toggle. With a little tweaking, this bass can emulate the tone of a classic, traditional bridge-pickup-only sound, then transition into a full, rounded tone with both the bridge and neck pickups activated. When in passive mode, the treble boost/cut knob functions as a passive tone roll-off, adding yet another layer of versatility to this bass. The passive tone sounds a bit light and quiet, though I did not do any setup or pickup height alterations to dial this in. Being in a heavy rock band, I like it fast and loud, so I naturally gravitated toward the active mode.
The TRBX605FM’s looks, quality, and versatility overshoot its asking price. Compared to a couple other basses I used that were around the same setup and just about the same price range, this one looks, feels, and sounds much more “expensive” and can do a lot more, tonally. When tracking multiple basses on a DAW, the Yamaha was much more prevalent and clear in the recording than the other basses I used. This is a great instrument, and not “just for the price.” I would recommend this to any serious player or collector who looks for quality and versatility in an instrument. It’s just an added bonus that Yamaha decided to make this extremely versatile bass very affordable, as well. They hit a home run with this one.
Yamaha Trb1006j 6 String Electric Bass
Extremely value-packed, versatile, good-looking bass from a company known for high-quality products. Would work for a wide range of music styles, and hits well above its price class.
David has been playing stringed instruments for now more than half his life. After falling in love with the low end after seeing a Rush concert as a teenager, electric bass has been his main instrument since. He is bassist for the heavy rock band Silent Hearts and through his education, he is the manager for his band and others. He also helps coordinate the annual Midwest Rhythm Summit, sponsored by Bass Gear Magazine and Terra State Community College.I have a feeling that a lot of experienced bassists pass up the Yamaha TRBX204 based on it’s looks, but who says you have to be fancy to get the job done?
Don’t get me wrong, the bass does look great, but honestly it does ‘look’ like it may be geared to someone just starting to play bass to someone who hasn’t played that long. I’m not sure what the target audience is for this bass from Yamaha, but when I first plugged it in and fired it up, I was blown away at the rich tone and low end that came from this bass.
Buy Yamaha Bbp35 Pro Series Bass 5 String
The TRBX204 is comfortable to play in live situations, and believe it or not, will also work great in studio applications. I know I am guilty of this a lot, but sometimes we think the more we invest into an instrument, the better it sounds. Now, that aside, I do have some basses that are worth every penny and the Yamaha TRBX204 is worth every penny and more as it stands. So what exactly is the Yamaha TRBX204 4-string bass?
The TRBX204 is a well crated bolt on 34” scale 24-fret bass with a basswood or alder body, which looks to be based on color and completed with a gloss polyester finish. The neck is maple with a satin finish and topped off with a rosewood fingerboard.
The electronics consist of a 2 wayactive EQ, bass and treble, powered by a 9-volt battery. The pickup configuration is P/J and single coil/ceramic. The controls are volume, balance, bass boost/cut, and treble boost/cut. The bridge is a vintage style and the tuners are covered.
Upgrade Day! Anyone Else Upgrading?
This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram Check Out Who Made This Week’s Top 10 Basses on IG This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
Not long ago, I did a review
Extremely value-packed, versatile, good-looking bass from a company known for high-quality products. Would work for a wide range of music styles, and hits well above its price class.
David has been playing stringed instruments for now more than half his life. After falling in love with the low end after seeing a Rush concert as a teenager, electric bass has been his main instrument since. He is bassist for the heavy rock band Silent Hearts and through his education, he is the manager for his band and others. He also helps coordinate the annual Midwest Rhythm Summit, sponsored by Bass Gear Magazine and Terra State Community College.I have a feeling that a lot of experienced bassists pass up the Yamaha TRBX204 based on it’s looks, but who says you have to be fancy to get the job done?
Don’t get me wrong, the bass does look great, but honestly it does ‘look’ like it may be geared to someone just starting to play bass to someone who hasn’t played that long. I’m not sure what the target audience is for this bass from Yamaha, but when I first plugged it in and fired it up, I was blown away at the rich tone and low end that came from this bass.
Buy Yamaha Bbp35 Pro Series Bass 5 String
The TRBX204 is comfortable to play in live situations, and believe it or not, will also work great in studio applications. I know I am guilty of this a lot, but sometimes we think the more we invest into an instrument, the better it sounds. Now, that aside, I do have some basses that are worth every penny and the Yamaha TRBX204 is worth every penny and more as it stands. So what exactly is the Yamaha TRBX204 4-string bass?
The TRBX204 is a well crated bolt on 34” scale 24-fret bass with a basswood or alder body, which looks to be based on color and completed with a gloss polyester finish. The neck is maple with a satin finish and topped off with a rosewood fingerboard.
The electronics consist of a 2 wayactive EQ, bass and treble, powered by a 9-volt battery. The pickup configuration is P/J and single coil/ceramic. The controls are volume, balance, bass boost/cut, and treble boost/cut. The bridge is a vintage style and the tuners are covered.
Upgrade Day! Anyone Else Upgrading?
This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram Check Out Who Made This Week’s Top 10 Basses on IG This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
Not long ago, I did a review
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