Yamaha TRB5FII

Maple neck,
Rosewood fretboard
Sculpted ash body
Ergonomic cutaway and neck joint
Bottom-anchoring brass bridge
2 bass humbuckers
35" scale length
Active electronics with accurate three-band EQ
Real-Time Midrange Control
Full range and sweep of mid frequencies
Available finishes: Amber Burst, Translucent Blue Burst

UTILIZATION

This is a rockin' 5 string bass guitar. The TRB5II is fantastically easy to play, with the ability to play slap and pop, fingerstyle, pickstyle, tapping, and other techniques with ease. The bass is solid, a bit hefty, but it balances well. A 35 inch scale length makes the Low B string very tight, with great note definition, which can be a big problem on basses with shorted scale lengths. The styling is very modern, yet tasteful, and uniquely identifiable as a Yamaha.

SOUNDS

This might be the best-sounding bass I've ever heard. It certainly has the best electronics. The EQ is responsive almost to the point of studio mastering quality - it is extremely easy to dial in the sound in your head. From growly midrange, to clear and scooped, to bright slapping, this bass is a tonal chameleon. Soundwise, this is a jack of all trades, master of all trades! The pickups can get nasty and dirty if the strings are played hard, but pristine clean tones are just as easy to get. The pickups are quite quiet as well! No tone is left unturned by this incredible instrument.

OVERALL OPINION

The wide, nearly limitless variety of excellent tones available from this bass, combined with the great playability and looks, makes this a surefire winner. Yamaha makes products from drums to guitars to motorcycles and medical equipment, but don't let that fool you - the electric bass division certainly knows what they're doing. This is a well-engineered piece of musical machinery, and it comes highly recommended by yours truly.