BB435 or 735? Help me choose

[Shindig73]

I've owned both.

Go with the 735. Not only for the active electronics (which you can shut off), but because it has better appointments and just feels more upscale.

A previous poster mentioned the bridge, but I believe the tuners and other hardware are upgraded as well. The fit and finish is just all around better, including the paint.

Not sure of your age, but as you get older, you realize the importance of quality and paying more for something that will last or provide more value/enjoyment. Just my 2 cents.

 

[skyline_01]

I'm with the majority here. If you can swing the extra $ there are several reasons to go for the 735 aside from the preamp. And even if you disliked the pre (but liked the flexibility of a pre) you could switch it out with something different down the road.

 

[jam.majors]

Go for the 735. I had a 434 and it was very good, but had to return for a neck issue. Ended up with a 735 and it is a good deal better in quality. (Though the 434 wasn’t bad!)
Everything is just as choice as can be, and nearly all of the features are also found on the BBP version. It is an amazing deal.

 

[filwitheneff]

I need to get my first 5 string. I’m waffling about which Yamaha bass to order on line. I can afford the 735, but it seems like the main upgrade is the active electronics. I’ve only really played passive before, so I figure I’m liable to just use it in passive mode. I know the “buy the best bass you can afford” idea, but I’m not sure if the extra features on the 735 make it better than the 425.

How likely is it that I’ll end up using the active electronics, when I mostly play rock?

Are there other good reasons for a (hobbyist) player to pay for the 735 over the 435?

First, see post #17 for the specs comparing the two.

Then, go to Yamaha's website and compare the specs of the 735 to the BBP35 (the Japanese-made model). The only difference between the BBP35 and the BB735a is the active preamp in the 735 and the artificially aged wood of the BBP35. Everything else is the same! Same pickups, same hardware, same sandwich body, same awesomeness.

For what it's worth, I recently sold my only 5-string, and I'm considering the BB735a because of the specs...and the fact that the Yamaha 5-string necks are pretty comfortable (for a 5-string...).

 

[jam.majors]

First, see post #17 for the specs comparing the two.

Then, go to Yamaha's website and compare the specs of the 735 to the BBP35 (the Japanese-made model). The only difference between the BBP35 and the BB735a is the active preamp in the 735 and the artificially aged wood of the BBP35. Everything else is the same! Same pickups, same hardware, same sandwich body, same awesomeness.

For what it's worth, I recently sold my only 5-string, and I'm considering the BB735a because of the specs...and the fact that the Yamaha 5-string necks are pretty comfortable (for a 5-string...).

This poster said something very similar to what I said. They are obviously correct and (I suspect) extremely attractive.
so both OP AND @filwitheneff should buy a 735 and make their attractive selves even more attractive by doing so.

 

[brocco]

I bought my 735A locally then had it repainted great bass, the neck so comfortable and sounds great active or passive. Such a bargain.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I bought my 735A locally then had it repainted great bass, the neck so comfortable and sounds great active or passive. Such a bargain.

That’s a nice red!!

 

[nnnnnn]

I've never owned either model, but I've played them in the shop a few times. I thought the 7 series felt nicer.

Can anyone explain the 435's offset B string saddle? The website mentions the bass has it but doesn't say why.

 

[Isaac_James]

I've never owned either model, but I've played them in the shop a few times. I thought the 7 series felt nicer.

Can anyone explain the 435's offset B string saddle? The website mentions the bass has it but doesn't say why.

The bridge on the 435 has a bit of extended range so that you can bring the B saddle back a little further when setting intonation.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

5 string needs to be active. You need the big lows and a little punch on top. Otherwise it is just a low mess or no big lows.

 

[bigthemat]

Mathematically speaking... the 735 is 300 better than the 435.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I bought my 735A locally then had it repainted great bass, the neck so comfortable and sounds great active or passive. Such a bargain.

That is a great color!

 

[Riff Ranger]

I bought my 735A locally then had it repainted great bass, the neck so comfortable and sounds great active or passive. Such a bargain.

That red looks

 

[Isaac_James]

Mathematically speaking... the 735 is 300 better than the 435.

Math checks out.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

5 string needs to be active. You need the big lows and a little punch on top. Otherwise it is just a low mess or no big lows.

I would pick the 735, but there are really nice passive fives out there. Probably my favorites are Laklands, both Skyline and American.

My gone, but not forgotten, DJ5 is exhibit A:

 

[micguy]

Mathematically speaking... the 735 is 300 better than the 435.

An amplifier that goes to 11 is only 1 louder, here you get 300 better. Whatever it costs, it's gotta be a bargain.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

An amplifier that goes to 11 is only 1 louder, here you get 300 better. Whatever it costs, it's gotta be a bargain.

 

[J_Bass]

An amplifier that goes to 11 is only 1 louder, here you get 300 better. Whatever it costs, it's gotta be a bargain.

Don't forget the A. The other one doesn't even have a letter. Not even a B or a C.

 

[J_Bass]

Having a BBPH as a main bass, and playing (until now) only passive basses, I would go with the 735.

I never thought I would use the pre-amp, but I like it very much. I almost never use it in passive mode.

As for the battery, it's a non issue. You can play it in passive mode without a battery, and on the back of the bass, there is a led that turns on when the battery has low power.

But it's there if you want it.

 

[bigthemat]

An amplifier that goes to 11 is only 1 louder, here you get 300 better. Whatever it costs, it's gotta be a bargain.

This guy here does ADVANCED math!