Yamaha TRBX 305 WH

This bass is fantastic value for money in terms of tone, build quality and what you get! I bought it as a first venture into 5-string basses and it certainly has not let me down. There are many reviews online, and here's another for the pile:

Features:
Active pickup. Although this means you actually have to pay for a new 9V battery every now and then to keep it running, this helps with the pre-amp circuitry of the bass, and allows a far greater tonal control. The battery compartment is easily accessible from the back of the bass.
4 knobs: volume, tone, bass and treble. As mentioned before, these have some serious impact when you use them. A really nice touch is that the tone, bass and treble knobs have a tactile click when you reach the centre (i.e. no cut or boost) so you know when to stop when resetting tones!
Tone preset selections: slap, pick, flat, finger, solo. These are another result of Yamaha's great thinking and active pickup - very handy as they can be used as is (with all other tonal control flat) or as a starting point to be modified by using the three knobs. I generally keep it on finger, or solo if I need a small volume boost.

Sound:
Yamaha once again do themselves proud on bass sound. The bass can be used in practically any genre; you'll find a working tone. The extremes of the tonal control knobs, combined together and potentially with an amp and/or effects units make it very desirable. Although I haven't used it in many genres whilst gigging, it's been fun - and a recommended learning point - to play with all settings and go to all extremes in my own practice time!

Quality:
Yamaha basses boast build quality. They are just great, and this is no exception. Sturdy and strong, yet not too heavy. Definitely something I can rely on to work when I need it to!

Les plus :
- Manche très agréable (dos satiné et non vernis pour faciliter les glissements).
- Instrument bien équilibré.
- Très belle finition vernie.
- Assez légère.
- Rapport qualité/prix imbattable.
- Assez polyvalente au niveau sonore, sans pouvoir reproduire des sons très typés comme la Jazzbass ou la Precision (Mais c'est ce que je cherchais).
- Les micros qui sont capables de "grogner", exactement ce que je cherchais.

Les moins :
- Les écrous et vis des mécaniques n'étaient pas serrés. Pas grand' chose, mais donne une mauvaise impression.
- Sélecteur 5 positions de presets d'équalisation un peu gadget à mon goût.
- Pas de possibilité de jouer en passif comme sur la TRBX-505.
- Pas d'indicateur de fin de vie de batterie comme sur la TRBX-505.
- Pas réglée à la livraison, mais bon, aucun instrument ne l'est de toutes façons...