Yamaha TRB1006J CRB

This is my first 6-string bass and I am loving it. Playability and tone have blown me away. I am playing through a Peavey Max 110 and Boss CS-3 Compression Sustainer pedal. It's a great combination. The bass has a lovely breathy, full and clear tone with an edge of growl to it, especially around the lower and mid-range. The higher strings and higher frets are clear and buttery smooth, while the low B is is really clear and tight.

On board electronics give a nice range of tonal control. I am not using my parametric EQ pedal any more, just using the bass, mid and treble on the guitar and pick-up balance. It has a even volume across the fretboard and is very responsive to different playing techniques. It can be very delicate but when you pound it, it really snarls.

The neck is a great. Coming from a 4-string I was concerned that I would find the 6 hard work, but not at all. The 35 inch scale does make it a bit of a trek from the 1st to 5th fret, but easy rattle free fretting help you out a lot. You have to be a bit athletic though because of the long scale. The fretboard has an almost concave feel to it that helps strong finger position and fast runs.

String spacing is wider than that of Ibanez Soundgear, and slap and pop is quite easy, helped by the responsive electronics.

Overall quality is really good - with the things that matter to me like nice tuners, great solid feeling pots. My only very minor gripe is the colour (which is lovely and rich and more orangey-red than caramel) has gotten on the wood of the neck it a couple of spots. But you have look very closely!

I chose this after trying both a Soundgear the TRB1006, and am very glad I did. The rich tone won me over initially, but the more I play it the more I like the whole package. Electronics, string spacing, balance are all great.

I would caution that this is a large instrument, but the weight balance is great sitting and standing and once playing it magically shrinks around you.

This is by far the most expensive instrument I have bought but I feel the price is more than fair for the quality. Thomann were also great to deal with - no delays (it was shown as 'in stock'), robust packaging, and all documents included.

I guess most people don't buy a 6-string just to play 8th notes (not that there is anything wrong with that!). I am looking forward to the possibilities the TRB1006 opens up for me.