Yamaha TRBX174 RM 4-String Electric Bass Guitar Review: A Reliable and Versatile Instrument for Beginners and Intermediate Players

Yamaha TRBX174 RM 4-String Electric Bass Guitar Review

If you are looking for a reliable and versatile electric bass guitar that won’t break the bank, you might want to check out the Yamaha TRBX174 RM 4-String Electric Bass Guitar. This is a great instrument for beginners and intermediate players alike, offering a comfortable body shape, a fast-action neck, and a wide range of tonal options. In this article, we will review the features, benefits, and drawbacks of the Yamaha TRBX174 RM, as well as compare it with some similar products on the market. We will also provide some representative customer reviews and a purchase link for your convenience.

Features

The Yamaha TRBX174 RM is part of the TRBX series, which is Yamaha’s line of affordable and high-quality bass guitars. The TRBX174 RM has a solid mahogany body with a gloss polyurethane finish, giving it a warm and resonant tone. The body has a double cutaway design that allows easy access to the upper frets, as well as a pronounced upper bout that provides balance and stability. The body also features a vintage-style bridge with four adjustable saddles, which lets you fine-tune the intonation and string height of your instrument.

The neck of the Yamaha TRBX174 RM is made from maple, which adds brightness and clarity to the sound. The neck has a bolt-on construction, which is common for bass guitars in this price range and contributes to the overall affordability of the instrument. The neck has a satin polyurethane finish that feels smooth and comfortable in your hands. The fingerboard is made from either rosewood or sonokeling, depending on the specific model, and has 24 medium frets with dot inlays. The nut width is 1.57 inches (40 mm), which is suitable for most players.

The Yamaha TRBX174 RM features a passive pickup configuration, with a split-coil pickup in the middle position and a single-coil pickup at the bridge. These are ceramic pickups that deliver strong and punchy sound, with plenty of output and definition. The pickups are controlled by a master volume knob, a pickup balance knob, and a master tone knob. The pickup balance knob allows you to blend the sound of the two pickups, giving you an impressive variety of tones that can suit any musical genre or style. The master tone knob lets you adjust the brightness or darkness of your sound, from mellow to aggressive.

The Yamaha TRBX174 RM comes in several color options, including black, red metallic, blue metallic, dark blue metallic, old violin sunburst, tobacco brown sunburst, and translucent black. The headstock matches the color of the body, giving the instrument a sleek and modern look. The headstock also features a string retainer bar that pulls the strings down from the nut, ensuring stable tuning and consistent tension. The tuners are die-cast and provide smooth and accurate tuning.

Benefits

One of the main benefits of the Yamaha TRBX174 RM is its great build quality for the price. Yamaha is known for producing high-quality instruments that last for years, and the TRBX174 RM is no exception. The materials, hardware, and electronics are all well-made and durable, ensuring that your instrument will perform well and sound great for a long time.

Another benefit of the Yamaha TRBX174 RM is its incredible versatility in terms of sound. The PJ pickup configuration offers a wide range of tonal options that can cover any musical genre or style. Whether you want to play rock, pop, blues, jazz, funk, metal, or anything in between, you can find the perfect tone for your music with the Yamaha TRBX174 RM. You can also experiment with different sounds and styles by using the onboard controls to shape your sound.

A third benefit of the Yamaha TRBX174 RM is its suitability for pretty much any player level or preference. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, you will find the Yamaha TRBX174 RM easy to play and enjoyable to use. The body shape is comfortable and ergonomic, fitting well in your hands and on your lap. The neck is fast and smooth, allowing you to play with ease and accuracy. The fingerboard is spacious and well-fretted, offering plenty of room for your fingers to move around. The nut width is also ideal for most players, not too wide or too narrow.

Drawbacks

One of the possible drawbacks of the Yamaha TRBX174 RM is its out-of-the-box setup. Some customers have reported that their instrument arrived with high action, poor intonation, or buzzing frets. This means that you might need to adjust your instrument before playing it or take it to a professional for a proper setup. This can be an inconvenience or an extra cost for some players.

Another possible drawback of the Yamaha TRBX174 RM is its stock strings. Some customers have complained that the strings that come with the instrument are mediocre at best or dead at worst. This means that you might want to replace them with better quality strings as soon as possible. This can also be an inconvenience or an extra cost for some players.

A third possible drawback of the Yamaha TRBX174 RM is its big size. The Yamaha TRBX174 RM is a full-sized bass guitar, with a 34-inch scale length and a fairly large body. This means that it might not be suitable for smaller players or kids, who might find it too heavy or too bulky to play comfortably. If you are looking for a smaller or lighter bass guitar, you might want to consider other options.

Similar Products Comparison

To help you make an informed decision, we have compared the Yamaha TRBX174 RM with some similar products on the market. Here is a table that summarizes the main features and differences of these products:

As you can see from the table, the Yamaha TRBX174 RM has some advantages and disadvantages over its competitors. For example, it has more frets than the Squier Affinity Series Jazz Bass, which gives it more range and versatility. However, it has a wider nut width than the Squier Affinity Series Jazz Bass, which might make it harder to play for some players. It also has a passive pickup system, unlike the Ibanez GSR200BWNF and the Epiphone Toby Standard IV, which have switchable passive/active systems that offer more tonal options and output.

Ultimately, the best product for you will depend on your personal preferences, budget, and playing style. You should consider all the factors and features before making your final choice.

Customer Reviews

To give you a better idea of what other customers think of the Yamaha TRBX174 RM, we have selected some representative reviews from Amazon.com. Here are some excerpts from these reviews:

– “I love this bass! It sounds great and plays well right out of the box. The neck is smooth and fast, and the pickups are punchy and clear. The body is well-balanced and comfortable to hold. The finish is flawless and beautiful. I highly recommend this bass to anyone looking for a quality instrument at a reasonable price.”
– “This bass is amazing for the price. It has a solid construction, a nice tone, and a good feel. The only thing I didn’t like was the stock strings, which were dull and lifeless. I replaced them with D’Addario EXL170s and it made a huge difference. Now it sounds even better and plays like butter.”
– “This bass is decent for beginners or intermediate players, but not for professionals or advanced players. It has some issues with the setup, intonation, and fret buzz that need to be fixed before playing it properly. The pickups are also noisy and lack definition. The body is heavy and bulky, which can be tiring after a while. I would suggest saving up for a better bass if you are serious about playing.”
– “This bass is a great value for money. It has a nice look, a good sound, and a smooth playability. The pickups are versatile and can handle different genres and styles. The controls are simple and easy to use. The body is light and ergonomic, which makes it comfortable to play for long periods of time. I am very happy with this purchase.”

Conclusion

The Yamaha TRBX174 RM is a great electric bass guitar for beginners and intermediate players who want a reliable and versatile instrument that won’t break the bank. It has a solid mahogany body, a fast maple neck, and a PJ pickup configuration that offers a wide range of tonal options. It also has a comfortable and ergonomic body shape, a smooth and spacious fingerboard, and a sleek and modern look. It is suitable for any musical genre or style, from rock to jazz to metal.

However, the Yamaha TRBX174 RM also has some drawbacks that might affect your satisfaction. It might need some adjustments or professional setup before playing it properly, as some customers have reported issues with the action, intonation, or fret buzz. It also might need new strings, as some customers have complained that the stock strings are dull or dead. It also might not be ideal for smaller or younger players, as it is a full-sized and fairly heavy bass guitar.

Overall, the Yamaha TRBX174 RM is a great value for money and a good choice for anyone looking for an affordable and high-quality bass guitar. If you are interested in buying this product, you can click on the link below to get it from Amazon.com.

Link direct: