Yamaha TRB-4 bass guitar Review by Michael 

Hey Mike, got one of those bad boys with me right now. 1994 TRB-4 custom order only owner. I'm trying to restore the audio jack so I came across your video. The audio jack has always been a problem for this guitar, but otherwise I have to say you are way off here. Its a punch, bass, bright and clear. Very punchy and aggressive and easy to play. Very versatile as well. I played this guitar a lot over the years. Did you know if you open the back you can adjust the amounts of treble and bass output from the active pickups? It should be on the back plate if it hasn't been destroyed or altered. Or maybe just get a manual and try it. Just pot trim adjustment screws. Your sound sounds way off and its either the trim or the pickups are altered or damaged. I hope you aren't in too much with it because it sounds like it needs work to sound like it's supposed to. Make sure you have a new 9v in there as well. It's always been a bass I've held on to in my collection because its so aggressive and versatile with clear highs and amazing lows. A gem. Thanks!

Shame your electronics have been screwed with - the active circuitry on the TRBs was great sounding and massively powerful (although the later TRB-II models with humbucking pickups sounded better IMO). The current version of this is the TRB1004J, but the late 90s II series models were superior to the current model. I paid £650 for one (new) in 1998 and it was my main bass for nearly 20 years.

Great review as always Michael 🤘