"Best affordable" five-string p/j bass

[jacoby75]

It sounds like you're leaning toward the Yamaha side. A lot of love for them when I asked, too!

Ehhhhh, maybe. It's a toss up at this point. But I might be leaning a little more towards the Yamaha, because my curiosity is peaked. I hate trying to make these decisions without being able to actually handle the basses in person. Either way, this bass is not likely to replace my Lull P5 or my other jazz 5. But I also don't want a hunk of junk.

The P7 seems like it would be the "comfortable" and "safe" option. Its style and components are more familiar to me, as I've played passive, vintage styled instruments exclusively for a while now. But there is something very, very intriguing about the Yamaha. And like I said earlier, I think, I did own a Yamaha in the past that I felt was incredibly well built. I couldn't believe the quality for the price I paid back then. I ultimately traded it in when I wanted a purely passive, more "traditional" or "vintage" sounding instrument. But it sounds like the BB735 might kind of bridge that gap feature and tone-wise.

 

[LBS-bass]

Ehhhhh, maybe. It's a toss up at this point. But I might be leaning a little more towards the Yamaha, because my curiosity is peaked. I hate trying to make these decisions without being able to actually handle the basses in person. Either way, this bass is not likely to replace my Lull P5 or my other jazz 5. But I also don't want a hunk of junk.

The P7 seems like it would be the "comfortable" and "safe" option. Its style and components are more familiar to me, as I've played passive, vintage styled instruments exclusively for a while now. But there is something very, very intriguing about the Yamaha. And like I said earlier, I think, I did own a Yamaha in the past that I felt was incredibly well built. I couldn't believe the quality for the price I paid back then. I ultimately traded it in when I wanted a purely passive, more "traditional" or "vintage" sounding instrument. But it sounds like the BB735 might kind of bridge that gap feature and tone-wise.

Yamaha has never been known for making crap of any kind, so I suspect those instruments deserve the love they're getting here. Whichever way you go, it will be fun hearing how it all works out.

 

[jacoby75]

ESP/LTD RB1005. Just like Rocco plays!
View attachment 3450177

That jazz pickup so close to the bridge makes my head hurt. Or maybe it's an optical illusion. Maybe it's because the pickups are so far apart.

 

[jacoby75]

View attachment 3450173

The ESP LTD AP-5

I play Lulls and I still have 2 of these
They are running $849

Ebony Board
Babicz bridge
Real EMGs
Grover tuners

The fretwork is perfect on both of mine. One is 9lbs even the the other one 9lbs 4oz.

I did see that one as well. Only one video on Youtube of it, though. And in that it sounds a bit too dark for my tastes. Maybe it's the EMG's. I'm just used to and prefer the traditional open-pole alnico pickups.

 

[morrisonhendrix]

I just watched a video on Youtube comparing a HB to a Sandberg that looked almost identical. It's amazing how similar they sound, considering the Sandberg costs 5x as much! There is obviously a disparity in the build quality and electronics, but you wouldn't know it from just listening to them online. If there's a chance it's going to, "feel cheap," though, I'm not going to enjoy playing it. But it's hard to argue with the price.

It doesn't feel cheap at all to me. I was really shocked by that. It's a bit heavy I will say. Look at their pics on the website and once you click on a pic, you can zoom in as tight as you want. They're high resolution pics and that's exactly what you will get if you buy one. I'm not kidding when I say it plays as well or better than my Fender Jazz Elite V. Tone is too subjective to discuss though. I did want a Sandberg, but wasn't looking at this for a Sandberg clone, just that it looked and sounded (from a current review thread here on TB) like quite the deal for the money.

 

[jacoby75]

It doesn't feel cheap at all to me. I was really shocked by that. It's a bit heavy I will say. Look at their pics on the website and once you click on a pic, you can zoom in as tight as you want. They're high resolution pics and that's exactly what you will get if you buy one. I'm not kidding when I say it plays as well or better than my Fender Jazz Elite V. Tone is too subjective to discuss though. I did want a Sandberg, but wasn't looking at this for a Sandberg clone, just that it looked and sounded (from a current review thread here on TB) like quite the deal for the money.

I mean, I could get like 4 of them for the price of what I'm looking to spend. How is that even possible? There's gotta be, like, a huge catch. Lol.

 

[morrisonhendrix]

I mean, I could get like 4 of them for the price of what I'm looking to spend. How is that even possible? There's gotta be, like, a huge catch. Lol.

That's what I thought. I got a B-Stock one, and I couldn't tell that it had any signs of use from the previous buyer. I'm sure a lot of folks will want to replace the tuners, as do I, because it has neck dive. You might want to replace the pickups and preamp, but I actually like the tone.

 

[jacoby75]

That's what I thought. I got a B-Stock one, and I couldn't tell that it had any signs of use from the previous buyer. I'm sure a lot of folks will want to replace the tuners, as do I, because it has neck dive. You might want to replace the pickups and preamp, but I actually like the tone.

I know sometimes people buy cheaper basses like these or Squiers with the intention of replacing everything. I don't see the point of that. If you're going to buy a cheap bass just so you replace the hardware, pickups, electronics, etc., you might as well just buy a better bass. Maybe it's just me. I did that once with a Mexican Fender 5-string jazz bass. Put Nordstrand pickups and a preamps in it, but it still played like crap. The pickups sounded great, sure, but that's about it.

 

[Leo Thunder]

I mean, I could get like 4 of them for the price of what I'm looking to spend. How is that even possible? There's gotta be, like, a huge catch. Lol.

The catch is that there are people ready to think that hair splitting "improvements" are worth four times as much.
The other reason, of course, is that Harley Benton makes a limited amount of models in a limited amount of finishes and can sell masses of them with a lesser profit because their core business is being a music store, not a bass manufacturer. They make the big money selling Fender and Gibson stuff to the gullible, so their own brand does not have to be the main horse pulling the cart.

 

[jacoby75]

The catch is that there are people ready to think that hair splitting "improvements" are worth four times as much.
The other reason, of course, is that Harley Benton makes a limited amount of models in a limited amount of finishes and can sell masses of them with a lesser profit because their core business is being a music store, not a bass manufacturer. They make the big money selling Fender and Gibson stuff to the gullible, so their own brand does not have to be the main horse pulling the cart.

After reading a bunch of reviews, it seems to me the difference is in the quality of components. Particularly electrical ones and the output jack, maybe the tuners. But you could replace all of the wiring and slap some good tuners on there and come out with a heck of a bass for very little money. But in the cheap basses that I've played over the years, I do find that the quality of tone wood does matter. In the earlier example of slapping great pickups in my crappy fender, it still sounded crappy. There was no resonance or sustain to it. Maybe better wood is worth paying for? If that's a real factor. That's assuming, of course, that HB is not using super high-quality wood for their low price, which I have no grounds to comment on.

 

[morrisonhendrix]

I know sometimes people buy cheaper basses like these or Squiers with the intention of replacing everything. I don't see the point of that. If you're going to buy a cheap bass just so you replace the hardware, pickups, electronics, etc., you might as well just buy a better bass. Maybe it's just me. I did that once with a Mexican Fender 5-string jazz bass. Put Nordstrand pickups and a preamps in it, but it still played like crap. The pickups sounded great, sure, but that's about it.

I agree. I don't do that either. I will replace the tuners because the neck dive. Outside of that, it really plays like butter and I love the tone.

 

[Leo Thunder]

After reading a bunch of reviews, it seems to me the difference is in the quality of components. Particularly electrical ones and the output jack, maybe the tuners. But you could replace all of the wiring and slap some good tuners on there and come out with a heck of a bass for very little money.

Electronics and tuners barely cost anything. People have to get that stupidity out of their head that they "get what they pay for". They pay what the sellers demands and when the seller has made himself a good image, he can demand anything.

 

[TOflybass06]

On a side note, I found this today. Seems the differences are pretty subtle, but I do hear a difference between the two, with the advantage going to the 735. And I read a review somewhere earlier today where the person was talking about how though they sounded very similar, the 735 had a huge edge in build quality and feel. That's the kind of thing that matters to me too. If it feels cheap, I'm not going to want to play it (not saying that the 435 or 425 do feel cheap, as I've never played either).

That comes down to personal choice. For a working musician like myself, I would like my instrument to be reliable, sound good, and easily replaceable. The Yamaha BB checks all those boxes for me. Now, I could've gone for Fender (it is really another great example of a working musician's tool), but I had my heart set on the Yamaha as the neck and body profile works better for me.

 

[jacoby75]

Electronics and tuners barely cost anything. People have to get that stupidity out of their head that they "get what they pay for". They pay what the sellers demands and when the seller has made himself a good image, he can demand anything.

Right. Name recognition goes a long way. Fender has been the king of the hill for years, but I have played so many guitars and sooooo many basses that are better than Fenders, and typically cost less for comparable or even better quality. There IS something to be said for that old, vintage Fender vibe and tone, though, that you can't recreate new in a new model, but that's about it. Like basses from the 50's-70's that have aged well. Some custom shop options might get close. But I digress. We're getting off topic, lol.

 

[Leo Thunder]

I will replace the tuners because the neck dive.

I doubt that will help much. The weight difference can only be marginal. Well, at least you can try removing one tuner after the other and see how much weight difference is required.

 

[fritzk9]

That jazz pickup so close to the bridge makes my head hurt. Or maybe it's an optical illusion. Maybe it's because the pickups are so far apart.

I have this bass and playing the bridge pickup solo sounds pretty good. It does look weird, though.

 

[morrisonhendrix]

I doubt that will help much. The weight difference can only be marginal. Well, at least you can try removing one tuner after the other and see how much weight difference is required.

Well, you may be right, I may be crazy (thanks Billy Joel), but any help is better than none. BTW, another fella is doing that (replacing the tuners with Hipshot ultra lights). I asked him to report back in the review thread and let us know if it's a small or significant improvement. The real culprit is the larger headstock, but you can't do much about that. No, I'm not shaving it down. It's nicely painted too.

 

[Thundar]

Ibanez SR655 - Great pickups, very good pre-amp, light, balanced when sitting and strapped on, strong neck..... Totally gig and recording friendly.

And that about wraps it up! LOL
What a sweet a$$ bass! And its a reverse P, too...
Heaven!

 

[Nunovsky]

Good to know, thank you. There are several features about the 735 that I find really intriguing, and would be different from any bass I've ever played (which could be good or bad, I suppose).

- Alder/maple/alder multi-lam body
- 6-bolt miter neck joint
- Diagonal body-through stringing
- Convertible saddles (never even knew that was a thing)

How is the neck on the 735? Is it flat or thicker front to back compared to other basses you've played? Is it satin or gloss finish on the back of the neck? There was one video review I watched where the guy mentioned that some of the frets were a little sharp on the edges when he got it, but that's not a deal breaker. For the most part, I don't hover much past 5th position anyway, unless I'm feeling really crazy.

And on a side note, I have never (repeat . . . NEVER!) liked black basses. I find them incredibly boring. But there's something about that matte black 735 with the inlays and matching headstock that looks very sexy. Almost dangerous, lol.

You've pointed some of my favourite features on this BB735a:

• The diagonal body-through stringing is awesome. My BB1024x has that also. First, tradicional body-through makes strings enter in a 90 degree angle, which puts a lot of more stress in the string that can even result in strings breaking, which doesn't happen with this. Second, with this system the strings enters in the extremity of the body which makes the string resonate through the whole lenght of the body which gives it a lot of sustain.
• The 6 bolt system is very interesting. You have other companies that use 6 bolts to secure the neck to the body, but none uses it like Yamaha. Until now this was a feature that only existed in the Billy Shennan signature bass. The 2 bolts that enter at a 45 degree not only give the neck a tighter juncture but also pull the neck into the body giving the bass a response similar to a neckthrough, which adds sustain and resonance.
• As for the neck, I can't give you a great review about it because my hands are diferent than yours and it all depends on how you're used to play and what feels the best. I like the neck a lot. It's confortable and I don't feel tired by playing it for hours. My fret work is quite good. No problems with that. The neck is painted but has a satin finish, which feels nice.
• As for the colours, that's one of my few cons relating this basses. I love the coffee burst on mine and I've seen the dark matte finish in person and I think it's super sexy. But I feel that there could be more colour options in the 735 model, like you have with the 435 or even the 235.

 

[Leo Thunder]

Well, you may be right, I may be crazy (thanks Billy Joel), but any help is better than none.

Possibly not. I have a Squier Deluxe V with such a huge headstock, a broad neck (thanks to the string spacing) and a basswood body. The help is my picking forearm pushing down on the body to keep it all balanced. It has become an unconscious habit and I can let go of the neck any time. Neck dive has become a non-issue.