Bass battle: Yamaha BB735a vs Schecter Studio 5 (Diamond series)

I just had both a Yamaha RBX 775a and a Stiletto Extreme 5 this summer. I think both companies offer superb QC. Between the two, the Schecter was miles ahead of the Yamaha. Better pre-amp, better sound, better play-ability, better build quality. The RBX 775a is an older model, and not at all like the one you're looking at. However, it had a similar pickup configuration as the Schecter.

I will say that the string spacing on the Schecter was tight for my large hands. Overall, I would love to get another one, so long as it's not the black cherry finish. I didn't care for the color.

 

The Extreme is a bolt-on, has a poly gloss finish, and has a 2-band EQ. I believe the Studio's are neck-through, satin finish, and have a 3-band EMG EQ and pickups. Body materials are completely different, too. Given all that, I still think that Schecter punches way above it's weight, and are a good value for your dollar, especially if you're buying used.

 

One important difference to consider is that the Stiletto is 35" scale and the BB735a is 34".
This thread caught my eye cuz I have a Stiletto Studio 5 and was interested in the Yamaha BB735a specifically... which admittedly I've never even been in the same room with one. But I love the build quality and playability of the Schecter. Years later I did swap out the pickups and preamp but not because the stock electronics were junk, and I'd probably do that to the Yamaha too. Never felt the need to change the bridge or tuners.j

 

I wouldn’t worry about quality or bang from the buck from either brand; both consistently deliver in those regards. I think those instruments are entirely different animals, though. Between @Ellery with the Schecter and me with my Yamaha, you can probably get a good idea of which might suit you better. We’re both metal players, though, so bear that in mind

The BB735A is essentially a highly evolved Fender bass. The neck profile falls between a Jazz and Precision, but closer to a P. The stock pickups in passive mode do medium-output, vintage-y sounds well, with the zingier-pingier-scoopedier P/J thing ready to go if you blend pickups around 50/50. Engaging the preamp cuts the honk while retaining most of the body and lifts the blanket off the highs without drastically affecting output; the knobs can make more drastic changes but it’s hard to get a truly obnoxious sound out of the thing. It’s one of few 34” scale 5-strings where you don’t hear many complaints about the 5th string. The treble control doubling as a passive tone control and the low battery warning LED are really nice touches. As you’ve likely guessed by now, I love mine.

The Schecter has the dual humbucker thing going on, and will sound quite different, though I can’t say how; dual humbuckers in those positions never worked for me personally. I recall the neck being both narrow and shallow, which doesn’t do it for me, but I know many other players love skinny necks.

 

Never owned a Schecter but will never sell my BB735A, incredible bass!

 

It should be noted that the RBX line is Yamaha's budget line, and in my experience significantly different than the BB line. As for the BB line, I am fairly certain that if blindfolded I would be unable to distinguish the 400 and 700 models from my made-in-Japan BBP. The only giveaway might be the feel of the control knobs, but in any case you can be sure that a BB 700 is going to have top-notch components and QC, and should easily match the Schecter along that dimension. It should come down to what kind of bass you want. I think RiffRanger describes what the BB does very well.

 

Yes, the TRB and RBX models differ from the BB models as much as the Schecter does. And again, you don’t have to worry about quality for the price with any of them.