Yamaha TRB JP2 (John Patitucci model) 6-string bass guitar review

[@jeandrehartman]

I'm getting mine on Thursday 27 Jan 2022. You've explained everything and answered all my questions. Good man! Funnily, I also own a 1991 Warwick 6 String Thumb Bass Nt. There aren't many of us...

[@jonathan_bass]

Wow! That is such a coincidence! Let me know once you've received it and settled into the instrument a bit.

[@jonathan_bass]

News Update! The string gauges mentioned are obsolete, as is Yamaha's web site with the recommended replacement string set for this instrument (as they are discontinued). The correct current strings to match are D'Addario NYXL32130SL, with gauges 32-130 per their web site.

[@ronnywatson2209]

I have the JP2 and the SLB300 for upright. Great demo as it was more informative than others I've seen. Thanks!

[@jonathan_bass]

Hi Ronny, So glad you got something out of this initial review video. Keep playing! Thanks!

[@bassiclogic]

Thank you for the best Yamaha TRB JP2 video online!

[@jonathan_bass]

Thanks Michael for watching and supporting!

[@pgmorrow]

Thanks for the interesting video. Back in 2015, I was saving up to buy my ultimate Dingwall when a chance meeting led me to buy a 10-year-old JP2 for an obscenely low price. Since then it's been one of my alternate basses that I rarely played due to its weight and wider string and fret spacing. Recently, I have been playing it more often and it is becoming more comfortable. It's stretching out my hand and making the Dingwall even easier to play. Like John Patitucci, I have one favoured setting for the JP2 and that is the "neutral" setting; both pickups up full and no boost or cut on the EQ. It sounds almost like a studio produced record in person. I'm currently using Ken Smith medium-light strings but the tension is still higher than I'm used to on my Dingwalls.

[@jonathan_bass]

Thanks for sharing your story. Patitucci also favoured the "neutral" setting on the JP2 and that's one of the big differences between JP1 of course, according to the Yamaha luthiers that worked with him. I agree, and use it mostly, sometimes mixing 20% in favour of the neck pickup in certain instances. Over time, your hands do strengthen and adjust to the increased scale and tension. I now find my Warwick 5 string (not so much the 6-string) with a 16.5mm spacing relatively cramped, and prefer the Yamaha's 19mm spacing.

[@pgmorrow]

@jonathan_bass I've never been comfortable with string spacing less than 18mm, which is what the Dingwalls have. I started on a Fender Precision bass, so the JP2 is a little more like home. But with six strings and a uniform 35-inch scale it's a bigger stretch than the Dingwalls, even though they have a 37-inch B string. (Its C-string is only 33.25 inches)

[@jonathan_bass]

@@pgmorrow Yes I agree that changeovers from Fender 4 to 6 string may be easier with Yamaha's 19mm spacing. It is funny that I never had a problem between my Fender and the Warwick 6 with a 16.5mm spacing, but the Warwick 5 feels unnecessarily small and cramped now I've moved up to the Yamaha's 19mm spacing.

[@joshbeer414]

Nice overview really in depth dude! Good info

[@jonathan_bass]

Thanks Josh

[@gdt76]

Very helpful information - thanks for being so thorough. Hope you are still enjoying it!

[@jonathan_bass]

Thanks! Yes. Practice it every day and I still enjoy the Warwick after 30 years so have similar expectations about this one!

[@asatyamonk7044]

I also played a Warwick Thumb 6 for many years and when one of my tuners sheared off I discovered they are Aluminum. My thumb (bolt on) had terrible neck dive and I had to extend the strap point just to make it bearable. Great sound but my jack died, two pots died, the nut malfunctioned and I had to go to the modern "just a nut" ...... I'm not unhappy I sold it

[@jonathan_bass]

Yours sounds like a different instrument. They were not making bolt-ons when I bought mine in 1991 and mine was incredibly stable and reliable, even when exposed to great changes in humidity and temperature!

[@asatyamonk7044]

@@jonathan_bass Hi Jonathan, Yes my Warwick was younger than yours, (1999 Graphite nut, bolt on) I just received my TRB JP-2 yesterday, and there is a learning curve as with any new instrument. So far I like the tone of the bass, but for some reason I am not getting much effect from the treble boost/cut circuit. The bass and mid seem very effective compared to the treble which barely seems to affect the tone?? I am wondering if I have a defective unit here. How much does your treble circuit affect the tone? Would you say all three boost/cut circuits on your bass have equal effect?? Thanks for any help you can give me on this. Cheers Lawrence

[@jonathan_bass]

@@asatyamonk7044 Presuming everything else in your system is working (cable, amplifier, speakers and crossover unit), then yes it sounds like your onboard electronics are not working. Plug into another bassist's system first. My treble control works fine to feature harmonics for example, probably a boost of 10dB I am guessing. JP2 has a continuously-sweepable mid-range control that ranges from the “slap” setting (1kHz attenuation) through to the “solo” setting, which is a remnant of Patitucci's favourite presets on the former JP1 model. This works fine for me as well as the bass and treble controls.

[@asatyamonk7044]

@@jonathan_bass Hi Jonathan, Thanks for the reply. I have other basses that play well through my amps so I know it's TRB JP 2 that is lacking the treble boost/cut. I tried changing strings today even though the bass came with new Daddario's but the lack of treble is still very noticeable. I'm not sure what to do, I bought it new from a store in Montreal through Reverb, I wonder if Yamaha will help me with this or I have to deal across the country. Anyway thanks again for your input. Cheers Lawrence

[@jonathan_bass]

@@asatyamonk7044 It is surprising - Yamaha's quality control is very stringent. But yes you should contact the store you purchased it from for a warranty response. Good luck!

[@jonathan_bass]

For a full performance of my first self-duet with this instrument watch kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKjSgmtopNVqeNE

[@pgmorrow]

Do you think you will make another video with your views on the JP2 after playing it for more than a year now?

[@jonathan_bass]

Yes in fact I did that! Not as in-depth, but here it is! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJWuea2pnbB7ndk

[@jonathan_bass]

And here's an example of my playing the instrument 1 year in... kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4nVgaGQYph1mqc

[@Victor101182]

Do this base sound like the old Yamaha without the Jp signature? Because I had the old Yamaha and that was a tremendous base but I sold it because it had a bad knobs and I didn’t find good technician to help me to fix it and Iam considering buying one of this bases but Iam sure yet

[@jonathan_bass]

The TRB series from the '80s is the lineage that this bass belongs to, but each signature bass of course has been crafted to the artist's specifications. The old TRB series was reliable and affordable with good craftsmanship in my opinion. Pity you couldn't get someone to replace worn pots.

[@stratrovarius]

Thank you for the review. My question is do Yamaha still make and export this bass brand new today or is that the one you own is in immaculate condition? I dreamed about owning this bass since it came out 2 decades ago, but could never afford it. Finally i got one this May for 2300 USD with hard case included. It has some battle scars on the body finish, but nothing serious. Cheers. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJXaqXWor7Sffac

[@jonathan_bass]

Hello Dionis, Yes! I ordered mine from Japan via a local dealer here in Australia. If you are in the USA you can find your dealer here. usa.yamaha.com But... you've already got a used on and it sounds fine! Thanks for sharing! Love the track!