Yamaha Now Shipping TRBX Basses
Yamaha was showing off their new TRBX series of basses at this year’s Winter NAMM show. Combining elements of their former TRB and RBX lines, the new basses come in 300 and 500 levels with differing controls and pickups. All of the instruments sport a mahogany body and a five-piece maple/mahogany neck.
The 500-level basses include the TRBX504 and TRBX505, which are 4- and 5-string versions respectively. They’re fitted with Yamaha’s new H5 dual coil pickups and a 3-band active EQ. The preamp also has an active/passive switch that’s been designed to keep the gain level the same between both modes. Another interesting feature is a Battery Alert LED on the back of the bass that signals when your bass’s battery is running low.
The 300-level basses are fitted M5 humbuckers that have thumb rests built into the side of the pickup. Besides a 2-band active EQ, the basses have a Performance EQ Switch that is tuned for five different styles: Slap, Pick, Flat, Finger, and Solo. The five-way switch’s overall curve can then be augmented with the bass and treble controls.
The Yamaha TRBX304, TRBX305, TRBX504 and TRBX505 are shipping now.
Yamaha TRBX Basses Demo:
Yamaha TRBX304 Specs:
Scale Length: | 34″ (863.6mm) |
Neck: | Maple and Mahogany 5pc |
Fingerboard: | Rosewood |
Radius: | 10″ (250mm) |
Nut Width: | 38mm |
Body: | Solid Mahogany |
Tuners: | Die-cast |
Bridge: | Die-cast 19mm |
Pickups: | MHB3n (Ceramic),MHB3b (Ceramic) |
Controls: | Master Volume, Pickup Balancer, Bass, Treble and Performance EQ switch |
Hardware Color: | Black Nickel |
MSRP: | $550 |
Yamaha TRBX305 Specs:
Scale Length: | 34″ (863.6mm) |
Neck: | Maple and Mahogany 5pc |
Fingerboard: | Rosewood |
Radius: | 23-5/8″ (600mm) |
Nut Width: | 43mm |
Body: | Solid Mahogany |
Tuners: | Die-cast |
Bridge: | Die-cast 18mm |
Pickups: | MHB3n (Ceramic),MHB3b (Ceramic) |
Controls: | Master Volume, Pickup Balancer, Bass, Treble and Performance EQ switch |
Hardware Color: | Black Nickel |
MSRP: | $620 |
Yamaha TRBX504 Specs:
Scale Length: | 34″ (863.6mm) |
Neck: | Maple and Mahogany 5pc |
Fingerboard: | Rosewood |
Radius: | 10″ (250mm) |
Nut Width: | 38mm |
Body: | Solid Mahogany |
Tuners: | Die-cast |
Bridge: | Die-cast 19mm |
Pickups: | HHB5n (Alnico V), HHB5b (Alnico V) |
Controls: | Master Volume, Pickup Balancer, Bass, Middle, Treble and Active-Passive switch (Battery Alert LED on back) |
Hardware Color: | Black Nickel |
MSRP: | $790 |
Yamaha TRBX505 Specs:
Scale Length: | 34″ (863.6mm) |
Neck: | Maple and Mahogany 5pc |
Fingerboard: | Rosewood |
Radius: | 23-5/8″ (600mm) |
Nut Width: | 43mm |
Body: | Solid Mahogany |
Tuners: | Die-cast |
Bridge: | Die-cast 18mm |
Pickups: | HHB5n (Alnico V), HHB5b (Alnico V) |
Controls: | Master Volume, Pickup Balancer, Bass, Middle, Treble and Active-Passive switch (Battery Alert LED on back) |
Hardware Color: | Black Nickel |
MSRP: | $860 |
For more information:
Yamaha
These basses may not seem like much, but I’ve played one in person and it sounds true to the demos – thunderous lows, articulate mids, and musical highs. Great foundation tone and great feel of the neck. Plus they’re not too heavy.
I’m more “old school” oriented.. so I really like Yamaha BB series… but that black TRBX is awesome!
Available fretless?
I purchased a TRBX 305 a few weeks ago, and I have to say I’m pretty impressed with every aspect of the bass, from build quality to playability and sound. It0s a tone monster, very versatile and the EQ switch really delivers. Pretty pleased with my bass.
Bought the TRBX 304 (in black, Alex ;) and I really love it. When I first played it, I thought it was would be in the $900 – $1000 range. It feels great. Really enjoying it. Can’t believe how cheap (price-wise) it is.