Yamaha TRBX304 in Black

Quick Product Summary

The Yamaha TRBX304 4-string electric bass combines comfortable modern playability with an unusually flexible active electronics package, making it a strong choice for developing bassists, gigging musicians and players who need several usable sounds without building a complicated setup.

Its sculpted mahogany body, fast five-piece maple/mahogany neck and slim 38mm nut create a comfortable instrument that feels purpose-built for modern bass playing. Two Yamaha-designed ceramic humbucking pickups provide a powerful foundation, while the active 2-band EQ lets you adjust bass and treble directly from the instrument.

The standout feature is Yamaha's five-position Performance EQ. Instead of forcing you to understand detailed EQ settings before finding a useful sound, it provides dedicated Slap, Pick, Flat, Finger and Solo voicings at the flick of a switch. You can then refine the result using the onboard bass and treble controls.

For players looking for a versatile active bass that can comfortably move between practice, recording, rehearsals and live performance, the TRBX304 offers a lot of usable functionality without becoming difficult to operate.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	Yamaha
Model	TRBX304
Type	4-string electric bass guitar
Body	Mahogany
Neck	5-piece maple/mahogany
Scale Length	34" / 863.6mm
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Frets	24 medium
Pickups	2 x Yamaha-designed ceramic double-coil pickups
Electronics	Active 2-band EQ
Performance EQ	Slap, Pick, Flat, Finger and Solo
Main Appeal	Comfortable modern bass with quick-access active tone shaping
Best For	Beginners, intermediate players, gigging bassists and versatile modern styles

What's Included?

• Yamaha TRBX304 4-string electric bass guitar
• ✘ No case supplied

Why Choose The Yamaha TRBX304?

Five Performance-Ready Sounds At Your Fingertips

The TRBX304's defining feature is its five-position Performance EQ switch. Yamaha provides dedicated settings for Slap, Pick, Flat, Finger and Solo playing, allowing you to quickly move towards the response required for a particular technique or musical role.

Powerful Active Tone Shaping

A 2-band active EQ gives you direct control over bass and treble, while the pickup balance control determines how much of each ceramic humbucker enters the sound. It provides meaningful tonal adjustment without covering the bass in unnecessary switches and controls.

Comfortable Modern Body Design

The sculpted mahogany body is shaped around player comfort and balance rather than simply following a traditional bass outline. This makes the TRBX304 a particularly appealing option for longer rehearsals, gigs and practice sessions.

Fast 38mm Nut Width

A relatively slim 38mm nut gives the neck an agile feel that suits players who want to move quickly across the fingerboard. It can also make the transition into bass easier for guitarists accustomed to narrower neck dimensions.

Full 24-Fret Range

With 24 medium frets, the TRBX304 gives you a full two-octave range per string. That extra upper-register access is useful for melodic bass lines, fills, solos and more technical contemporary playing.

Yamaha TRBX304 vs Popular Alternatives

Yamaha TRBX304 vs Yamaha TRBX204

The TRBX204 is the simpler option for players who want Yamaha playability and active bass/treble controls without the TRBX304's Performance EQ system and dual-humbucker layout. Choose the TRBX304 if broader tone shaping and quick changes between playing styles are important.

Yamaha TRBX304 vs Yamaha TRBX504

The TRBX504 is the logical step up within the TRBX family. It moves to Alnico V double-coil pickups, 3-band EQ and active/passive operation. The TRBX304 is the better-value choice when you want active versatility and Performance EQ, while the TRBX504 suits players who specifically want passive operation and more detailed manual EQ control.

Yamaha TRBX304 vs Yamaha TRBX305

The TRBX305 takes the same core TRBX300 concept into a five-string format. Choose the TRBX305 if you need the extended low range of a low B string; choose the TRBX304 if you prefer the familiar feel, reduced neck width and simplicity of a traditional four-string bass.

Yamaha TRBX304 vs Yamaha BB434

The Yamaha BB434 approaches bass tone from a more traditional direction, using passive electronics and a pickup configuration influenced by classic P/J-style bass design. The TRBX304 is better suited to players wanting active tone shaping and quick-access modern sounds, while the BB434 makes more sense for those prioritising traditional passive bass response.

Who Is The Yamaha TRBX304 For?

The TRBX304 is particularly well suited to beginner and intermediate bassists who want an instrument they can continue using as their playing develops. The Performance EQ makes useful sounds accessible without requiring extensive experience with tone shaping, while the manual EQ controls provide plenty of room to experiment later.

It is equally relevant to working players who need one bass to cover several musical situations. Moving from fingerstyle to pick playing, slap or a more prominent solo sound doesn't necessarily require changing instruments or completely reworking your amplifier settings.

Guitarists moving to bass should also appreciate the slim nut and comfortable neck profile, while players learning more technical styles benefit from 24 frets and straightforward upper-register access.

Suitable Genres And Playing Styles

The Yamaha TRBX304 is a versatile choice for rock, pop, funk, indie, metal, soul, contemporary worship, fusion and general covers work.

Its dual ceramic pickups can deliver the definition required for articulate pick playing and modern rock, while the active electronics provide the ability to add low-end weight or extra top-end attack when required.

Fingerstyle players can dial in a rounded everyday bass tone, slap players have a dedicated Performance EQ position, and musicians who need their bass to step forward for melodic passages can quickly select the Solo setting.

That versatility makes the TRBX304 particularly useful for players who don't want to be restricted to one genre or playing technique.

What Does Yamaha Performance EQ Do On The TRBX304?

The Yamaha Performance EQ system is designed to make useful bass sounds faster to access. Its five-position switch provides dedicated Slap, Pick, Flat, Finger and Solo EQ curves, each intended to complement a different playing approach.

This is especially useful if you're still learning how different frequencies affect bass tone. Instead of starting from scratch every time, you can select the closest Performance EQ setting and use the active bass and treble controls to fine-tune it for your amplifier, band or recording setup. More experienced players can use the same system as a fast way to change character between different sections of a set.

Looking for advice on choosing the right electric bass, bass amplifier or practice setup? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Story & Context

The Yamaha TRBX series arrived in 2013 as a new generation of active Yamaha bass guitars, developed around modern playability, ergonomic body design and flexible electronics.

Rather than simply reproducing the layout of established vintage bass designs, Yamaha approached the TRBX as a contemporary instrument. The sculpted body, laminated neck construction, carefully shaped neck joint and straight string path were all developed around stability, comfort and practical performance.

The TRBX304 became one of the distinctive models in the range because of its Performance EQ system. Instead of offering only conventional bass and treble controls, Yamaha added five playing-style-based EQ curves that allow the instrument's character to be changed quickly during a performance.

That remains a major part of the TRBX304's appeal: it combines established 34-inch-scale bass fundamentals with electronics designed for modern players who may move between several styles in a single session or gig.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Construction	Bolt-on
Scale Length	34" / 863.6mm
Body Material	Mahogany
Body Finish	Gloss polyurethane
Neck Material	5-piece maple/mahogany
Neck Finish	Satin polyurethane
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius	10" / 250mm
Frets	24 medium
Nut Material	Urea
Nut Width	38mm
Width At 12th Fret	56.4mm
Neck Thickness At 1st Fret	19.5mm
Neck Thickness At 12th Fret	21.5mm
Neck Pickup	Double-coil ceramic
Bridge Pickup	Double-coil ceramic
Master Control	Master Volume
Pickup Control	Pickup Balancer
Active EQ	Bass and Treble
Performance EQ	5-position lever switch
Performance EQ Modes	Slap, Pick, Flat, Finger, Solo
Bridge	Die-cast
String Spacing	19mm
Tuning Machines	Covered die-cast
Standard Strings	D'Addario EXL170
Standard String Gauges	.045–.100

Power Requirements

The active electronics require one 9V battery.

Battery power is required for the onboard active EQ and Performance EQ electronics. The TRBX304 does not include the active/passive switching system found on the higher-specification TRBX500 Series, so keeping a fresh 9V battery available is sensible for rehearsals and live performances.

Connect the bass to a suitable bass amplifier, DI box, effects processor or audio interface using a standard 1/4-inch instrument cable.

Compatibility & Recommended Pairings

Bass Amplifier

The TRBX304 works with conventional bass amplification, from compact practice amplifiers through to larger rehearsal and stage rigs.

Audio Interface

For recording, connect the bass to a suitable instrument or Hi-Z input on an audio interface. A dedicated bass DI or preamp can also be used if you want additional control before the signal reaches your recording software.

Bass Effects

Its active output works well with common bass effects including compressors, overdrive, distortion, chorus and multi-effects processors. A compressor is an especially useful pairing for players exploring slap technique or aiming for a more consistent live signal.

Gig Bag Or Hard Case

If the bass will regularly travel to lessons, rehearsals or gigs, a properly fitting long-scale electric bass gig bag or hard case is a worthwhile addition.

Strap And Instrument Cable

A comfortable strap and good-quality instrument cable complete a practical rehearsal or gigging setup.

Fair Deal Music Verdict 🎵

★★★★★ 5/5

The Yamaha TRBX304 stands out because its versatility is genuinely easy to use. Plenty of active basses offer extensive EQ control, but Yamaha's Performance EQ makes the TRBX304 particularly approachable by linking five useful sounds directly to common playing techniques.

Best suited for: Beginners progressing beyond their first instrument, intermediate players, multi-style bassists and gigging musicians who want easy tonal versatility.

Customers usually upgrade from: Entry-level passive basses and basic starter instruments with limited tonal control.

Most commonly paired with: A bass amplifier, quality instrument cable, strap, protective gig bag and tuner or multi-effects unit.

Our tip: Start with the Flat Performance EQ position and learn how the pickup balance, bass and treble controls affect your sound. Then compare it with the Finger, Pick, Slap and Solo presets. It's a useful way to understand bass tone rather than simply cycling through presets.

Showroom feedback: When comparing basses in this category, pay particular attention to the TRBX304's 38mm nut and sculpted body. Those two features have as much impact on day-to-day enjoyment as the electronics, especially if you're moving from guitar or prefer a faster modern neck feel.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Our Birmingham showroom gives you access to a knowledgeable musician-led team who understand guitars, basses, amplification and the equipment that brings a complete setup together.

Whether you're buying your first proper bass, upgrading an existing instrument or putting together a reliable gigging rig, we're here to help you choose equipment that genuinely suits the way you play.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians
• Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment
• Competitive prices on leading music brands
• Secure UK-wide delivery
• Friendly support before and after your purchase
• A trusted independent UK music retailer with decades of experience
• A large Birmingham showroom
• Experienced advice on basses, amplifiers, effects and complete setups

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your bass, guitar, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha TRBX304 a good first bass guitar?

Yes. It is particularly strong for a developing player because the slim neck and comfortable body make it approachable, while the electronics offer considerably more tonal flexibility than many basic starter basses. It is an instrument you can continue using as you move into rehearsals, recording and live performance.

Is the Yamaha TRBX304 active or passive?

The TRBX304 uses active electronics. Unlike the TRBX504, it does not provide an active/passive selector, so battery power is required for normal electronic operation.

Can the Yamaha TRBX304 be used for slap bass?

Yes. The 34-inch scale, 19mm string spacing and dedicated Slap Performance EQ setting make the TRBX304 well suited to learning and performing slap techniques. You can then fine-tune the response with the onboard bass and treble controls.

Is the TRBX304 suitable for recording directly into a computer?

Yes. Connect it to an audio interface with an appropriate instrument/Hi-Z input and you can record directly into a DAW. You can also use a DI box, bass preamp or modelling processor between the bass and interface if you want additional tone shaping.

Can I use the TRBX304 for drop tunings?

Yes, although the setup and string gauge need to suit the tuning. Lower tunings reduce string tension, so players using substantial drop tuning may benefit from heavier strings and an appropriate setup to retain definition and playing feel.

Does the TRBX304 work well for both fingerstyle and pick playing?

Yes. This is one of the model's strongest features. Separate Finger and Pick Performance EQ settings let you quickly adjust the basic response to complement each technique rather than rebuilding your EQ every time your playing style changes.

What should I look for when choosing a bass amplifier for the TRBX304?

Consider where you will use it. A compact practice amp is sufficient for home playing, while rehearsals with acoustic drums normally require considerably more output. For gigging, think about amplifier power, speaker configuration, portability and whether the amp provides a DI output for connection to a PA.

How can I get the most from the TRBX304's two pickups?

The pickup balance control is worth exploring rather than leaving it permanently in one position. Moving towards the neck pickup generally emphasises fullness and warmth, while the bridge pickup can provide greater definition and focus. Blending the two lets you find the response that works best with your technique and Performance EQ setting.