Yamaha TRB5II

I was looking for a fivestring lefthand bass for around 700 euros, but all I found was cheap crap that sounded hopeless, played like a broomstick, or very expensive high-end basses. Finally I found three basses of my liking, a Cort B5, an Ibanez SR885 and this Yamaha. The Ibanez dropped off the list because of its lacquered neck, which felt sticky and was way to thin. The Cort proved to be of non-consistent quality, as I found some of the same model that were quite different. Non-straight necks, necks that weren't smooth, necks in way too wide pockets, bridges mounted in very strange angles... Non of this was evident on the Yamaha. Great, fat yet comfortable, smooth neck, and none the least a GREAT sound! I bought it at Rock Palace, The Hague, the Netherlands, for 1100 euro's.

Most of all I fell for the neck. The feel of it is just superb! It has normal string spacing, while most other fivestrings have narrower necks which I find very uncomfortable on a bass (even though I'm a guitarist). It just feels nice and fat, without being too fat. And thanks to the 35" scale, the overall sound is nice and tight, yet still very warm, deep and rich. You get lots of sustain, which I find very important too. It's also very quiet. The electronics give no noise at all, only if you turn up the treble all the way.

Have found nothing I don't like about it yet. But maybe I will in the future. I have heard the strap buttons may come loose after some time when used intensively, and the gold hardware wears. But we'll see what the future will bring.

Solid two-piece light ash body, ergonomically shaped and comfortably curved on top and back. Three-piece maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, connected to the body with six bolts. Solid brass bridge and tuners, nickelsilver frets, Yamaha dual humbuckers, active three-band EQ, pickup balancer and volume, nice ash veneer on top of the headstock in the colour of the body. Looks very sturdy built, and feels very sturdy too. This bass looks like it can take some abuse and gigging.

I LOVE THIS BASS! It just plays fantastic, sounds great, and gives you incredible value for the money it costs you. I'm incredibly happy with it and wouldn't trade it for anything.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Dual active pickups
no idea of ​​the violin or electronics, but a good c
the wood is solid, broad, flat handle,
it's solid, large

UTILIZATION

The handle is wide enough in my case, I was used to 4 strings, I just drooled
access to the microphones is very easy
not too heavy, well distributed
the sound is very easy to get with a knob that gives us direct access to three settings
there may be a sound medium, or very round, as dug or type tune

SOUNDS

For me it is a low rock to funk it is not too much, or else be put to him in the ass as it takes preamp and amp, although he arrived there abraham
I play live sound, it can be also why
against by the roundness of the bass and sustain exceptional natural is surprising to see
we get a fat more readily than crystalline, that it's heavy bass
I like the sounds of jazz bass active, it is true that one is far enough, but it sounds nothing to say
listen Laboriel on Jonasz (album or the source) or live Jonasz with Steve Gadd, bass sound is still huge and it's my bass!
So you have to like the big fat well you are down a lot and I used guaranteed

OVERALL OPINION

I have 2 years
what I like most is the bass, the bass and the accuracy of such strings and mi (for 5-string)
often lack precision 5 string in strings and it is not the case, but then not really
yes I have tried many models before in this price range (then 800 euros used)
and there was no comparison
is a very good bass, I do not regret this purchase and separates me against a heart but I have to invest in bigger, much bigger not the same price
yes I do it again this choice, because for the price, I do not see what is better than most 5 string musicman competition and it is even more impressive in the bass