TJ Spicer

I just feel like maybe I'm taking a risk when I'm playing 150+ gigs a year moving away from something I've always been well served by 😬

I've never ventured to rechargeables - Are they sufficiently long-lasting? I can run my 9v in most basses for a year + - would that outweigh going rechargeable?

I wished I had a passive option on the BBNE2 too, especially after finding out the way in which these pres let you know they're running out of battery! 😅

Definitely, certainly not J style sound like the normally designated TRBs. Aguilar dual coil type of sound like Janek Gwizdala’s is what I’ve always thought one would be great for.

They weren’t, I just went in there one evening pre-gig. It’s their policy at all times that they’ll offer the best prices (or so I was told). However I imagine there’s way more movement on the signatures (have you seen some of those prices?!) than on the mass produced basses. Worth getting in touch with them first!

The natural TRBX has always piqued my interest. I sometimes pick up a gig at The Parrot in the Waldorf Hotel which is home to a Yamaha Music London Stage. They have a house TRBX505 available to play, but so far I've stuck with my 735A, simply because I want to be comfortable. Maybe I need to take the risk and see what one can do on a gig... 😏

I was always disappointed that my TRB6Pii didn't have the punch that humbuckers would have given it, so sadly I only know through research after that experience. Very nearly changed them for Aguilar DCBs but ended up selling instead. TRBX are obviously entirely different, and probably more of the sound I want from a TRB-style instrument.

They're all just single-coil pickups (with phantom coils to prevent hum) in larger housings.

All of the TRB ranges are jazz bass pickups in unusual housings. So I guess that caters to that area for now, if you're Yamaha. Still, no passive option and I've never liked the TRB preamps.

Their prices are no where near what they say they are. Speaking to them in store I’ve had Been offered the Attitude III for around £1.7k less than list price. And that’s just their offer without any harder negotiations. The sales guy said they won’t be beaten on price and will offer the lowest prices on Yamaha if you ask... Strange strategy to me, but makes making a deal with a real human the best option for once!

I find solo J on these new BBs kills! In fact I did a recording session recently and inadvertently turned the pickup knob not the volume 🤦‍♂️ Tbh no one on the session noticed - including me. Still plenty of bottom with these new voiced pickups, something I rarely experience on a solo’d J.

I don’t fiddle much either. I run 735 passive most of the time and then drop the EQ in for the odd slap bass part for some extra booty. The fact that’s it’s bypass-able with passive tone is what makes the active the best choice for me.

There's some mighty low end from almost all of these on my Yamaha MSP7 Monitors in my studio! Worryingly liked the BBNE2 again 🤦‍♂️ I would have thought the Sadowsky PJ would win me over no question 😬

Ah amazing! Great little stand. I don't go anywhere without it. Thank you for watching! Do report back if you go for the all switched option!

I've just switched the saddle back around on my 735A on the B and it's made a massive difference to its punch and clarity. Crazy! I'm debating switching them all over, but that might end up being a bit too much of a clank machine for my liking on the higher strings. How are people currently running the setup on their bridges? What are your thoughts on the reverse saddles? T

The way this thing just sits and supports a mix is incredible. Still super happy with my BB735A and it's heading off to Italy for a festival with me this week!

Bass in an SKB bass safe. Chuck it in the hold. Take your laptop/phone/iPad and an iRig style headphone to 1/4 jack converter or a small audio interface in your hand luggage and you’re sorted for listening to what ever you need and hearing your bass back. I take my bass wherever I can if I’m away, even staying at friends. 10 mins maintenance a day keeps me fighting fit and ready. If I don’t play 1 day I feel it the next. If I don’t play for a week I have a lot of catching up to do! T

My favourite Kiss bassline! The MTV unplugged version always sounded killer! Nice job and BB5000 too!

I think your setup is very playable! I’m gonna adjust the D &G when I get home - they are a tad buzzy in places... Thats not true - your BBNE2 is currently topping the BB735 by quite some way so a “famous” (pains me to say that about my own content haha) bass you certainly possess!

Yes - I’ve worked out quickly that I’m wrong about that 😂😂😂 Just checked and realised how you do that - that’s why I thought it was different from the P35. I’ll pop a comment down below on the video... The problem with creating a video - no chance to change it once it’s up! 🤦‍♂️ Why did you reverse it out of interest? Did you think it benefited tonally? The P35 in Nashville I tried only had the B reversed - I actually thought it was only the B you could reverse from that occasion. Have you tried certain strings reversed but not all?

Around 8 mins has some basic demo of the preamp, and variation between the pickups, which will hopefully be useful for @crabman and others! I will do a full-fat talk-free tone demo once I’m back in the UK!

This is one of the things that made me move on my BB5000. I’m a blend man 100%. Set it to the centre detent and nudge it slightly forward to get 5% more P than J. Ah, I’m a fussy chap. 😅

You’re far too kind! It had its first flight, trouble free with me to the Mediterranean this week...! T

The active circuit is REALLY well voiced. In fact I’ve never heard an active EQ that so accurately boosts the frequencies that are giving that bass it’s sonic characteristics. With the exception of the mid cut, it pretty much just gives you the same sound but mightier, depending on how much you want to crank the knobs. I have a YT demo of my 735a coming soon so I’ll pop it up here to show you what I mean - I just need an hour more of editing and it’ll be good to go!

I would suggest the TH700 to truly qualify as having plenty of power for festival cabs etc. Currently using the Eich T900 for the same reason, but I wouldn't suggest it as it's not your tonal goal by the sounds of it - Aguilar is. It is tiny and most likely uses the same power amp as the TH700 (one of a whole load of class Ds that came out as a new power amp module was launched). I had an LMT500 and found it incredibly boring, but wholly reliable. The kind of amp that I wouldn't be upset to be made to use, but wouldn't be my choice for my own on-stage sonic preference. Some argue the 800 is lacking some grunt as they used a class A/B power amp in the 500. Aguilar by the sounds of things - and 700w!