New Yamaha 5- and 6-String Basses

Yamaha Corporation of America will debut the TRB5PII 5-string and TRB6PII 6-string electric basses at Winter NAMM 2000. As additions to the upper-echelon line of TRB instruments they will begin shipping in March, 2000.

Touring professionals, serious hobbyists and intermediate pros will find the new units solidly-constructed, neck-through-body basses. With recent developments in circuit technology, Yamaha has added a refined piezo bridge system, preamp and pickups.

"Yamaha has made some significant enhancements to this respected product line that will carry it into the next century." states David Bergstrom, director of marketing, Combo Group, Pro Audio & Combo Division. "Whether bass players use the new models on the road or in the studio, they wont be disappointed."

The TRB5PII and TRB6PII feature a light ash body with exotic wood overlay, 5-ply Maple and Mahogany neck, Ebony fingerboard, gold hardware and 12-degree angled exotic wood headstock. A 35-in. scale length provides clear note definition. Active controls include master volume, balance, 3-band EQ, Piezo volume, and Yamahas "P-Mix." Quality circuitry and substantial component upgrades in the improved preamp produce one of the highest frequency responses of any existing commercial preamp.

A more efficient piezo bridge system isolates each string on an independent saddle away from the other strings, reducing harmonic crosstalk and hum. Additionally, the TRBP series now includes Alnico double-coil, noise-canceling humbucking pickups, which give the instruments more body and higher overall frequency response.

"The Yamaha TRB Series is the highest level of professional bass available for discriminating players," notes Ken Dapron, Guitar Development manager. "Recent technological advancements have made a great product line even better."