TRBboy

Hey folks! I love playing around with my bass crybaby, but it's massive and heavy on my pedalboard. I did have a mini one before but stupidly sold it, and can't justify buying another for what is just a fun, occasional effect for me. So I got to looking at the Sonicake Vol/Wah pedal, which is dual function, compact, light, cheap, and seems to get rave reviews.... On guitar at least. I can't find much testimony from bass players out there, but the info states that it has a wider frequency sweep than a regular crybaby, so hopefully should be okay on bass? Just wondered if anyone here had used one, and if so what your thoughts are? Thanks, Oli

Actually I've found quite a bit online 🤣 I'd still be interested to hear your thoughts though

Well, some hope within my band situation; it turns out there are more musos looking for bands around here than I thought! We are having a rehearsal with a new drummer and guitarist next Thursday, so fingers crossed it goes well and we can start booking gigs again. It will be very weird after 13 years with our old pals though....

Hey folks! I was just browsing for (potentially) a new comp pedal, and came across the Joyo Scylla. Now I know the more recent Joyo pedals have received rave reviews, but I can't find much on this one. Just wondered if anyone here has tried it, and if so how did you get on? Thanks 😊👍

I wholeheartedly concur! 😅😬

Yeah I get that, although alder can often be had cheaper than mahogany I believe, like you say depends on regional availability and wholesale cost though. I just thought that Poplar/basswood or similar (any cheaper, lighter weight hardwood) might have made more sense. I'll bet these are quite weighty, but I do really like the look! I think the V3 range is also mahogany, so I assume there's some logic to their decision making, probably based on cost.

I wonder why they've used mahogany for the Z3 bodies? Wonder how heavy they are? 🤔 I would've thought something lighter and cheaper would've made more sense. I also wonder if they'll be bringing out a Z5 range with more 'classic' finishes, I'm sure those would be very popular! Does anyone know what the string spacing is? I'm assuming the same as a 'Ray due to pickup pole spacing.....

Sorry Dave, I was being silly. I absolutely get that, and the priorities there are definitely true. I, like many people here I guess, am fortunate to have a regular day job and play music for enjoyment. I guess those priorities are more challenging if you play for a living and it's your only source of income.

This gives me hope, maybe when I grow up I'll get regular gigs too! 😅

Thanks Andy. Yeah exactly the same bass just the N5 doesn't have the active preamp (I prefer passive these days anyway). My memory of those pickups is that they're really good.

It's a BBN5 III with the TRB style humbuckers. I know what I'm getting with the bass, I just can't decide whether it's worth the hassle of buying and selling for basically the humbuckers Vs the single coils in my current BBN5. Pic of my current one, and one the same as I've seen for sale with the humbuckers.

Hey folks! I don't know if anyone can share any wisdom with me? I love my BBN5 that I modified, and have had various other Yamaha basses over the years. I've always thought that I'd love one of the passive 90's BB's like my BBN5, but with the soapbars rather than the single coils. Well, one has come up for sale, but I'd need to sell my BBN5 to justify getting it. I'm trying decide if it's actually worth it though or not, or whether I'm chasing something for the sake of GAS. So, long story short; has anyone here owned both variants, or better still had chance to A/B the singles Vs soapbars side by side? I used to have a couple of TRB's with the same pickups, but that was a long time ago. I know I always thought they sounded good. Any wisdom/common sense/talking me down welcome. 😅

Cracking basses! Such great quality and playability for a fairly 'budget' instrument. I think yours was the first iteration though, I believe the 'II' had the soapbars instead of the J pickups? May be wrong though! I love my BBN5 😊👌

That's a stunner! 😍👌

I still have my first bass, around 30 years later. A Squier Standard P ('93 I think), which was Olympic white, but I took it upon myself to respray metallic purple when I was 16. I've pretty much kept it all these years out of sentimentality, and because it's not worth anything to sell really anyway. I am thinking about giving it a bit of TLC soon though, maybe change the pickup, and see if it's gig-worthy.

They seem to be virtually impossible to find, might have to go for regular speed knobs or the knurled ones. Or something completely different? I got these cheap not long ago, but they're actually quite nice

@BigRedX I replied to you, and then went on FB and saw this for £350! 🤣👌

Completely get this, and that's why I said to lesser and greater degrees. I remember seeing photos and videos of you, and the aesthetic is clearly a big part of the 'package' 😎👌 Also completely agree that there's less choice of original designs at the lower end of the price scale, but I guess that's because if you want to mass produce budget instruments, they need to be kinda 'safe' and universally appealing. There are some quirky budget shapes around though, especially on the used market. Am I right in thinking you had a Gus at some point, or is my memory as bad as I suspect? 🤣

Yeah absolutely right. I've seen some incredible musicians on cheap instruments and some who aren't on very expensive ones. Could also just be that if you've got the money, why not get something more expensive? Horses for courses and all that. I still maintain that most inexpensive instruments will get the job done just fine though.

Whilst I've never been a gear 'Snob' (insofar that I've always believed there are great budget choices, and would certainly never belittle anyone's gear), I think in my younger days I was made to feel like if I didn't have a more expensive bass with some prestige, I wouldn't be taken seriously as a player. And whilst expensive gear can be great, so can cheap gear. I've played fantastic and terrible examples at opposing ends of the spectrum. In retrospect though, most of the cheaper instruments I didn't like was because of fit and finish, whereas at the higher end I guess it's more just preference and what fits my taste. I've hated/loved electronics at both ends though. Through the years, I've gotten to know what I like more, and gained more appreciation for inexpensive instruments, and I guess with age comes less inhibition about judgement from others. I'm really enjoying the Ibanez GAXB-150 medium scale I scored recently, and also love my Yamaha BBN5 I customised. For me, Yamaha and Ibanez consistently nail the budget bass thing, offering great QC, feel, playability, and usually pretty decent electronics for the money. I had planned to change the pickups on the BB, but you know what, there's nothing wrong with them. As Josh Scott says, 'if it sounds good, it IS good!' (Excuse the poor pictures, lighting is crappy in my cellar/music room) I've also just been helping a local player sort her bass out. She bought an EMG PJ set for her Ibanez GSR200, but was having some trouble with the installation. She's an absolutely killer player, always sounds great, and she's been rinsing this thing bog standard for years. It feels fantastic, and she's played it so much, it has a feel on par with true 'vintage' instruments just because of how played-in it is. Whilst this has been out of action, she's been borrowing a Yamaha TRBX174. I played that too the other week at a jam, and that absolutely blew me away for an entry level bass too. If it feels good in your hands, that's the main thing in my opinion. Pickups and electronics can always be changed if necessary, which are what creates the sound/tone on a solid body instrument (without wanting to get into the ol' tonewood debate 🫣). Pretty much anything else is just paying for aesthetics/brand name/prestige, which is fine if that's what you want. Obviously aesthetics matter to everyone, to lesser and greater degrees. But I genuinely think a lot of people would be just as happy and save money if they judged with their hands and ears first and foremost, rather than eyes/brand/price. That said, I love my Sandberg! 🤣

I'm a sucker for cream pickups on a black bass 😍

No idea to be honest, worth emailing EMG though probably. I need to double check later, but I think my issue is fixed! It's also pretty embarrassing if it's what I think it is.... 🫣

@EddieG I get that at this point you're probably willing to entertain the promise of a build from Jon out of sheer desperation/frustration, because you want something to show for all the years and heartache invested in this sh1t show, but I completely agree with what others have said; he likely again won't deliver on another build and it'll just turn into another lengthy saga, it likely will be poor quality for your money, and even if it is playable, it will always have a very negative period of your life attached to it. Personally, I would have a last shot at getting him to commit to some kind of payment plan (even if it's relatively little a month). If that didn't work, I think I'd just have to walk away and leave the whole thing behind me for my own sanity. Good luck to you whatever happens next.