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Acquired a Yamaha BB734a. Now, what about a fender?

Birddogcof

Birddogcof

Jun 1, 2017
108
173
Utica, MI
#1
So I just acquired a Yamaha BB734a for a really good deal off of reverb. The bass is near mint. Just very small surface scratches from playing. Anyways, I have been also looking at the Fender American Pro II Precision Bass in dark night color. I also have a BBP35 on preorder but since getting the 734a, I thought about cancelling that and going with the P Bass.

Sometimes GASing for new basses is so time and energy consuming. I think my Sweetwater Rep is gonna be upset with me if I change again. LOLL
 
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#3
Dark Night is a mighty pretty burst, but tonally I don't think you'll see a lot of difference from the 734a. I'd recommend something further afield before going for that. (You didn't say, but assuming the AmPro is a 4?) A 5 like the BBP35 or the Schecter @Lowend65 mentions, maybe? A Jazz or a Stingray? If you're liking Yamahas, TRBX60(4/5)?
 
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#5
I initially bought a 434 hoping I would get the P Bass sound I was looking for, but it just didn't do it for me. I know there is a difference between the 434 and 734a. I turned around and got a Am Pro II 5 string and I'm very satisfied with my purchase. Best 5 string neck I've ever played and the tone is exactly what I was looking for.
 
#8
Birddogcof said:
So I just acquired a Yamaha BB734a for a really good deal off of reverb. The bass is near mint. Just very small surface scratches from playing. Anyways, I have been also looking at the Fender American Pro II Precision Bass in dark night color. I also have a BBP35 on preorder but since getting the 734a, I thought about cancelling that and going with the P Bass.

Sometimes GASing for new basses is so time and energy consuming. I think my Sweetwater Rep is gonna be upset with me if I change again. LOLL
Click to expand...

What do you hope to get out of the Fender that the Yamaha doesn't do? Just for the sake of having another bass (Perfectly valid reason) or is there a feature you like?
 
#12
I find Yamaha pickups voiced differently, a little more modern and don't really scratch that fender-y itch for me. My 2 basses are actually a Yamaha and a Fender… both great, but different animals.

that said, I like to get to know a new bass. Why not play the new Yamaha for a while and think about another new bass later?
 
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#13
For what it's worth, I've just acquired my first 5 string P bass. It's a Sire P5 in mild green, and it is absolutely fantastic and a dream to play!
PXL_20230803_210600250~2.jpg
20230909_170817~2.jpg
 
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#14
Excuse me for making too much sense, but as a rabid Yamaha fan, I encourage you to give that 734 a chance to shine before spending even a dime on anything else. Live with it for a month, using only the P pickup with that awesome active EQ. Then ask yourself if any other basses will ever be necessary. You might be surprised at the answer. For GAS, take TUMS. You can thank me later for saving you a ton of money.
 
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#15
BobDeRosa said:
Excuse me for making too much sense, but as a rabid Yamaha fan, I encourage you to give that 734 a chance to shine before spending even a dime on anything else. Live with it for a month, using only the P pickup with that awesome active EQ. Then ask yourself if any other basses will ever be necessary. You might be surprised at the answer. For GAS, take TUMS. You can thank me later for saving you a ton of money.
Click to expand...

^^^^^^^
Mmmmmmm hmmmmm!

I love my 734a. It is a Motown monster...and pretty much any other genre I need it to cover. You is you, but if it were me and I had to get GASsed, I'd put the $ towards a Ray or a Ric for some tonal variation. Either way though, good luck with all the bassy goodness!
 
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#16
I was hoping you'd expand a bit on what you liked about the Yamaha, and then what you felt you were lacking.

I have a Dark Night Pro II V and the tone makes my guitar player jizz. Not that I want that to happen, but it happens. You should know that before you buy one.

I love that particular Yamaha too, and I think you should sit with it a bit. There is no shortage of things to spend money on, but if you feel out of control just sitting there not practicing, an Am Pro II P5 isn't a bad way to go broke, considering heroin and meth as alternatives. They'll sound very different, and for sure your audience will notice - especially if your audience is you and your GAS-afflicted guitar player.
 
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#19
Birddogcof said:
So I just acquired a Yamaha BB734a for a really good deal off of reverb. The bass is near mint. Just very small surface scratches from playing. Anyways, I have been also looking at the Fender American Pro II Precision Bass in dark night color. I also have a BBP35 on preorder but since getting the 734a, I thought about cancelling that and going with the P Bass.

Sometimes GASing for new basses is so time and energy consuming. I think my Sweetwater Rep is gonna be upset with me if I change again. LOLL
Click to expand...
Yamaha BBP35 over a Fender AMPRO Precision for me. YMMV
 
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