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Does anyone have any information about the TRBS and TRB Custom models? Those were pretty early ones I think, they look a lot like TRB6P with subtle differences. I'm just curious, pictures can be found most easily using Japanese Google

[quote name='Kongo' timestamp='1351469067' post='1851621'] I still love my TRB6II. No matter what it's still my main bass for progressive styles. Built like a tank! But it's jack repair from previous owner has a flaw as it spins which, if left without being tightened (which requires the back plate to come off :-/) it pulls it's output or ground wire out...5th time now! So I'm gonna order a new jack and re-solder from scratch and make sure it doesn't move. Where these designed with any particular sound in mind? Mine is bloody aggressive as hell! Even through bland sounding amps it still pushes it's personal tone through. This is another reason it stuck with me. I thought it was 19mm not 18mm but either way, it's nice and broad. :-) I guess the only thing I get bored of is the Orange finish. It's not exactly a neutral colour. I wish to re-finish it someday but I can't bring myself to do it. Oh and the lacquer on the back of the neck was sanded off and finished with oil by previous owner. The raw wood feeling is so much better than sticky lacquer. I guess if I ever got another one of these (would make a great fretless) it'd feel off due to the minor mods this had to the neck etc. [/quote] The only thing I would like to have different in the TRBJP (and which has been done better in JP2) is that the barrel jack. It is not as reliable as a normal open jack and when I got my bass (second hand) it had to be replaced immediately. And I've had to do it with a couple of other my basses too with similar output jack.

I have used this serial number chart: http://www.yamaha.com/yamahaguitars/ElectricandBassGuitarSerialNumberSystems.pdf

This indeed is the most interesting thread...! Hopefully we get a lot posts! To my knowledge (which is purely acquired through numerous websites and forum discussions, I was a toddler when the series was created) is that the TRB line was created to be a modern six string bass, the first one was the TRB6P with piezos. I guess that was made in Japan. At the time there were also 4 and 5 string models too. all with piezos. I have seen pictures of Taiwanese TRB6P's too, so at least at some point they were made in Taiwan. Then John Patitucci had his signature series made, the TRBJP, and the TRB6, TRB5 and TRB4 were derived from that. They didn't have piezos. The piezo series was discontinued. I have the TRBJP and it is an amazingly well made bass, made in Japan. It has ultimate comfort to play for a six string, 19mm spacing and 34" scale. The TRB4/5/6 series was discontinued in 1998 and replaced with II-series (TRB6II etc). Those were made in Japan too. I have personally had a TRB6II, and the build quality was top notch, it was impeccably made, like the TRBJP. The scale had grown to 35" and string spacing reduced to 18mm from 19mm. Also the pickups were larger, humbuckers or singles with dummies, I am not sure, mine had EMG's. At some point, I think when the II-series was introduced, the piezo II -series was introduced too. They are still in production, made in Japan and they seem to get a lot of love in the net. I've never played one personally. Then, for some reason, the II-series was discontinued in 2003 or 2004 and replaced with the TRB100x line. It was originally made in Korea, but nowadays, I am not sure. Korea or Indonesia maybe? String spacing is 17mm, and the parts and the construction are in my opinion a bit lesser quality than the previous TRBII-series, let alone the original TRB series. The Patitucci model was discontinued in 2002 (?) and in 2003 the TRBJP2 was introduced. It is the only six string TRB with 19mm spacing today, but it has 35" scale too. Made in Japan, as the high end TRB5/6PII -series too. I've never played one but it is regarded as a very high quality bass in the internet. The older TRB's, the Japanese made ones, are very solid, high quality basses with great construction. Too bad the only ones made in Japan today are the 3000€ + models. The 17mm, 35" scale TRB100x don't make me very excited, they just seem to lack the quality and sound the older ones had. They are good basses, that is for sure, but not something that is celebrated 20 years after their introduction as are the older TRB's. I've tried to put the historical facts as correct as I can, but if there are some mistakes, I apologize. Comments about sound and comfort and quality are, naturally, subjective and my personal opinions

In my opinion, Yamahas are not underrated in all aspects. Their Japanese TRB-line is very highly appreciated among many players. I have a Yamaha TRB6II and it is solidly made, sounds good and is reliable. It doesn't have any fancy woods or high end details but it is a good instrument with quality parts and construction. I've never played an older TRB6 but I've never read a bad review about it. Newer Korean TRB1000 -series is a step down IMO, they're nowhere near the quality of the Japanese basses, which is sad. Still they cost around 1000 euros. Yamaha's problem is that it doesn't have good mid class instruments. I had a RBXJM2 which was quite nice but overpriced (but not overpriced for the young Dream Theater fan like me back then... ). I think the cheap Yamahas provide quite good value, but the 1000-ish euro price range is overpriced when compared to the builld quality of the older similarily (or a tad higher) priced Japanese basses. Then the present Japanese line is around 3000 euros (high class TRB's or BBNEII) which is way too much for the average player. And with that money one could have an incredible custom bass made already. Nonetheless, people who have played new Japanese TRB's (Patitucci, TRB6PII) have said that they are among the highest quality basses they have ever come across.