The thing about Ibanez SR, which are an outstanding line of basses, from the affordable 250, up to the top, is that they all have the same Ibanez SR feel. It is the neck that is the stand out feature on the SR basses. it is so thin, and narrow, and it is just thin enough, and just narrow enough to be almost perfect.
I would almost bet that I could do a blind test of basses, and any SR you put in my hand, even if I only got to use my fretting hand and not hold the body, I could know it were an Ibanez.
I can not speak to the TRBX, I have never had the opportunity to play any bass in then TRBX line. I bought an RBX-170 from an add on offer up that was brand new and I got it for like $40. A guy was clearing out his son’s room after the kid went to college and the bass had never been played.
Anyway, I really liked the feel of it, it was not a 5pc neck, but it felt good. not as thin as the Ibanez, but relatively thin, about 1mm (.039) difference, maybe 1.5mm (.059). I was able to set the bass up pretty easily. I love the placement of the truss access. not as nice as the Stingray’s with the little fly wheel, but it is easier then the access up at the nut side. I got the action really low, like super low, less then 1.5mm, with very little fret buzz, just enough to be like I like it.
however, I really did not like the placement of the neck pick up, and the shape of the housing, like a slanted roof top, instead of the rounded off pickup covers on the lower end Ibanez SR’s. It was an adjustment I could not make. Had it been my only bass, or my first bass, it might have been different, but have having about 4 basses the time that I got this Yamaha RBX 170, I did not make the adjustment and did not keep it.
The RBX 250 (I think is the other model before the jump to TRBX) has the same pick up configuration, and the TRBX 174 and the one right above it also has that slant split pick up, so I never looked for any others to buy.
Because of Covid, and local GC’s not having higher model TRBX like the 304 or 504 or 604 I have never had a chance to play them, so I can’t say honestly, either way, whether I like them or not. I imagine that I would like them just fine, and possibly as much as Ibanez SR’s.
Thing is, that since I started playing and collecting, and flipping basses (I just flipped a Daisy Rock girls guitar today, bought it for $20, sold it for $120), I have become a die hard STINGRAY fanboy, and my attention had shifted in that direction. Only thing that I miss out on (sometimes) on the Stingray is not having a full 2 octave fretboard. But I mostly miss out when I am doing scale lessons and fretboard mapping exercises.
For this I use my back up bass, the ESP LTD B-4E
This bass is very impressive, and the solid feel of neck thru construction is something I enjoy very much. It looks awesome as well, I love them.
Tehy have a wood grain, but a dark color to them. Mine is 2017, so I like the look better then the 2020, but the 2020 is awesome as well. For the price of this bass, you get way more then what you paid for, cuz they are not that expensive, but they feel like you have a $2000 bass in your hands.
I would have to say, if my choice were an Ibanez SR804 or an LTD B4-3E, I would go with the B4-E ALL DAY LONG
These are the ones you can get new today. I love the look, I just slightly like the look of the 2013-2017 better. it is sown last.
I love a neck thru build. I played neck thru guitars 20 plus years ago, loved them then. I have a couple neck thru basses today, and I love them.
They feel so solid in your hands, and smooth and easy to play high up on the fretboard.
This is the 2013-2017 design below 
That is mine, it has the light sides, which I prefer, however I got mine for a deal, so I didn’t really have a choice.
I love this bass, it has a great neck, and very very very solid consgtruction.
it is not that it is heavy, it doesn’t feel any heavier then the Ibanez I have, but I feels so solid in your hands, it really is something.
For a price comparable to the SR604 an TRBX 504, or less then those even, this is my pick, but its just my opinion. I love the neck thru.
but all said and done, and even tho I love the neck thru best…
I am still gonna go with my Stingray first and foremost.
I prefer neck thru to bold on, but it doesn’t stop me from loving my stingrays most, so even if you decide to like neck thru best, you still may prefer a bolt on Yamaha or Ibanez to an ESP neck thru. it still comes down to personal preference, and who is holding the bass they decide to play, and there is no wrong or right.
Unless you play the bass you know you don’t like
