ikay Posted February 23, 2013 Share Posted February 23, 2013 This thread on TalkBass provides more info on the pickup wiring (see last post at bottom of page). - http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f38/yamaha-trb-original-pups-glock-3-band-pre-855014/ What do you mean when you say 'what does the boost on the original preamp do'? The original preamp has bass cut/boost, treble cut/boost and a three position switch which selects a mid boost (this can be preset within the control cavity), a slap countour (again adjustable within the cavity) and a flat setting. If you remove the control plate on the back of the bass there should be instructions printed inside indicating how to adjust these preset sounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fendurt Posted February 23, 2013 Share Posted February 23, 2013 Ok thanks. I have the drawing at the back, but I'm missing info. Which position is flat, slapcontour etc.? Most right towards the neck would be.... And which position is eq1 and eq2? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikay Posted February 23, 2013 Share Posted February 23, 2013 OK, the rotary switch positions are as follows: 1. fully counter-clockwise - flat 2. middle position - slap contour (EQ01). This has a fixed level of cut/scoop at the selected frequency. Use the adjustment wheel to select the frequency. 3. fully clockwise - mid boost/cut (EQ02). Use the adjustment wheel to select the frequency. Use the trim pot to adjust the required amount of boost (or cut). Default settings for the EQ01 and EQ02 frequencies are with the wheel marker in the middle. This gives a good sound to my ears but play around to find the settings that work best for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fendurt Posted February 24, 2013 Share Posted February 24, 2013 (edited) That make things very clear! Thanks! Edited February 24, 2013 by fendurt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ba55me15ter Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I have a TRB5 and TRB6, both Mk1 made in Japan. Great instruments.but slightly noisy preamps, though nothing to worry about in a live setting. Had a MkII TRB5 for a while but didn't get on with it, not sure if it was the 35" scale or just general tone/feel. The cutaway on the Mk1's that is supposedly there to help popping etc. I find a bit annoying, as the gap under the top strings is too big compared with my other basses. It's a fix for a problem that never existed imho. Yes, the jack sockets are notoriously unreliable - I think I've replaced them on all my 3 Yamahas at one point or another. I also wax-dipped the pick-ups on the TRB5 as I found them a bit on the microphonic side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mxyzptlk Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Not quite sure if this is the best place to post, but still... I have had Yamaha TRB-6P which I bought around 1996 second hand from the Bass Centre. At the time, the tube station near the shop was closed so I did some walking from Tower Hill to get there and caught a bus back carrying the bass in a Hiscox case and also a stand. It is (of course) through neck and has the 5 pots and a switch. As far as I can tell you get the Volume Control and a pan pot for the pickups. Below that are two tone controls. Are they Bass and Treble? The last pot is for panning between the Magnetic and Piezo pickups. The switch seems to cut the bass frequencies. I have never noticed any difference between using passive or active inputs on the amp I get to use. A Trace Elliot combo with a 15" speaker. What is the best input to use and is there anything else I have missed in the 17 or so years I have owned it! I presume this bass was made in Japan? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 My Dad has a natural TRB4 (original) with the cutaway on the lower horn and 2 single coils. I can't find any similar ones to try and work out a value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikay Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 (edited) [quote name='Mxyzptlk' timestamp='1389765693' post='2337616'] As far as I can tell you get the Volume Control and a pan pot for the pickups. Below that are two tone controls. Are they Bass and Treble? The last pot is for panning between the Magnetic and Piezo pickups. The switch seems to cut the bass frequencies. I presume this bass was made in Japan? [/quote] From this review - [url="http://www.bgra.net/2004/review.php?id=746&type=bass"]http://www.bgra.net/2004/review.php?id=746&type=bass[/url] - the controls are master volume, pan pot for P-J pickup blend, bass and treble boost/cut, a preamp on/off switch, and a pan pot for the P-J and piezo blend. [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Yes, made in Japan.[/font][/color] Edited January 15, 2014 by ikay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 [quote name='ikay' timestamp='1389810033' post='2338178'] From this review - [url="http://www.bgra.net/2004/review.php?id=746&type=bass"]http://www.bgra.net/...d=746&type=bass[/url] - the controls are master volume, pan pot for P-J pickup blend, bass and treble boost/cut, a preamp on/off switch, and a pan pot for the P-J and piezo blend. [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Yes, made in Japan.[/font][/color] [/quote] I think the switch actually changes the mids. There's no mid control on the bass, but the switch switches in a pre chosen cut or boost at a frequency already in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 The mid switch on a TRB4 is definitely either mid boost or scoop, 3rd position is flat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mxyzptlk Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 The switch cuts something certainly. When it is on the sound is very thin, and the smallest movement on the strings gets amplified. And my original query about Passive or Active, as there seems to be no difference in sound between the two. Is this normal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikay Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 [quote name='Mxyzptlk' timestamp='1389842167' post='2338619'] The switch cuts something certainly. When it is on the sound is very thin, and the smallest movement on the strings gets amplified. And my original query about Passive or Active, as there seems to be no difference in sound between the two. Is this normal? [/quote] Found this circuit diagram on TB - [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f38/circuit-help-me-please-385255/"]http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f38/circuit-help-me-please-385255/[/url]. This shows a low cut switch for the piezo (bottom left). I can't see an active/passive switch in the circuit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CH161 Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 Guys, I realise this thread is over a year old - I have just bought an early TRB-5P. It's a fabulous bass with an interesting history, but I can't for the life of me find the serial number!! Is it just me? It's not on the neck, headstock, end fret...Before I remove the electronics to search for it, where should it be? Any info appreciated. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oopsdabassist Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 On mine its stamped on the back of the headstock, between the tuners, its difficult to see as it looks like it was stamped, then stained/laquered afterward. I'll get a pic later, if ya want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amadeusex Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 Resurrecting the thread here ... Does anyone know what the trb stands for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealting Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 @amadeusex I’m curious too. The first one was a six string, designed to be able to match synth bass range, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it was Terrific Range Bass or something. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikay Posted September 1, 2020 Share Posted September 1, 2020 (edited) According to the Yamaha TRB Club thread on Talkbass, TRB = Totally Radical Bass. Although others say this is a joke (which seems likely!). If anyone can read japanese maybe the text (top left) of this ad for the original 1991 TRB custom gives a clue... Edited September 1, 2020 by ikay 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikay Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 Here's the literal translation (slightly odd wording in places): To express YAMAHA’s high dimensionality bass concept. Evolution of peripheral equipment contributes to sound-range expansion and for player’s desires such as new phrasing. Total quality cope (?) with a whole body. Compilation of technical style “TRB”. Maybe 'Totally Radical Bass' isn't so far off after all. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amadeusex Posted September 3, 2020 Share Posted September 3, 2020 Thanks for chiming in mates Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amadeusex Posted September 3, 2020 Share Posted September 3, 2020 Stumbled upon this: https://www.contrabaixobr.com/t19370-inicio-e-fim-dos-yamaha-trb5-i-e-ii Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebenezer Posted September 9, 2020 Share Posted September 9, 2020 I have a trb5, slapcut and absolutely love it!..... possibly the treble is a little noisy when fully boosted but rolled back slightly, it's fine!....l too, had the trb5 ii and didn't gel with it, also on the heavy side where my series 1 is 4.2 kg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Forrer Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 I have a TRB-II 4 amber burst built in 1998. I do not like the preamp much, so I removed it and converted it to standard Fender Jazz bass wiring, with 250K CTS pots and Sprague Orange Drop capacitor. Vast improvement (for my taste anyway). The Yamaha pickups are quite trebly so the passive tone roll-off works really well. The white wire from the dummy coils I ran to earth and the two empty holes in the body I put old dummy pots in. Works great, nice tone and no more battery. This may or may not be of use to anyone wanting to convert to passive. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Forrer Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 BTW: when I got it, it had the typical rotating, crackling barrel socket. I got a new barrel socket from a music shop and found a big star washer that fits over the barrel. The star washer keeps the nut from working loose and holds the barrel solid, even without a rubber ring under the flange. Perfect! This may help anyone that's still having problems. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tolis21r Posted April 8, 2021 Share Posted April 8, 2021 (edited) I would like to thank you all for the great information , new proud owner of a trb 5p !! I am just amazed of the construction of this instrument.. Edited April 8, 2021 by Tolis21r 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted April 8, 2021 Share Posted April 8, 2021 I’ve recently bought two TRBs and they are exceptional instruments 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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