Considering Yamaha Basses -- not sure what to do.

[FluffyDog66]

Looking at the Yamaha TRBX605FM 5-String Bass Guitar vs, the more expensive Yamaha BB735A.

No local dealers stock this brand in the higher end of the scale, so this will be a mail order purchase.

The BB735 is advertised by Yamaha as a "professional working-man's bass", while the TRBX605 is also appointed with quite a few nice accoutrements.

Anyone have an opinion on either model, or advice on if the $200 price differential is worth it? (I've never touched either, but I have a Yamaha TRBX304 4-string bass that impresses me daily.)

Thanks.

TBRX605 in natural

BB735A in Fired Red.

 

[ebozzz]

I own both and I like both. If I had to choose between the two my choice would be the BB. That's not a knock on the TRBX now. The BB is simply better for my needs.

 

[Yahboy]

Looking at the Yamaha TRBX605FM 5-String Bass Guitar vs, the more expensive Yamaha BB735A.

No local dealers stock this brand in the higher end of the scale, so this will be a mail order purchase.

The BB735 is advertised by Yamaha as a "professional working-man's bass", while the TRBX605 is also appointed with quite a few nice accoutrements.

Anyone have an opinion on either model, or advice on if the $200 price differential is worth it? (I've never touched either, but I have a Yamaha TRBX304 4-string bass that impresses me daily.)

Thanks.

TBRX605 in natural

View attachment 7432276

BB735A in Fired Red.
View attachment 7432278

I been own the trbx504 but not my sound along with duck queak G string.

Suggest Charvel Pro Mod PJ V ....
https://youtu.be/ZPsby614CyA?si=j2AFuUD90rWhLeJH

 

[Chris Chong]

PJ more versatile for covering pop rock and old school tunes. TRB more modern. Depends on your needs.

 

[Naviiin]

When I was in London I played them both at the Yamaha store. I went in thinking I'd prefer the BB, because I've played a 4 string P for a long time and it just seemed like a souped up version of a PJ. But I actually liked the way the TRBX played way more, it had a more playable neck for my liking. The BB also felt a bit unwieldy and heavy, like I didn't like the way it rested against my body. Note that I'm on the smaller side, so your mileage may vary. It did ultimately have the tones that I was looking for. I couldn't get close with the TRBX humbuckers. Which makes sense, I think they cater to different target audiences.

In the end I bought neither. If Yamaha did a TRBX with the pickups, miter neck joint and string through bridge of the BB735 that'd be a lifetime bass for me. So sorry for making it more difficult, but this really is a case of try before you buy for me.

 

[RBC64]

I have a 605 and absolutely love it, also have an older BB that is great but yeah the 605 will do a lot. Tones are many. But the obvious answer is to get both.

 

[Number179]

I've had the urge to get into Yammy for about a year now and haven't found the right one. I think I have different expectations and requirements than you - but, I'm looking for one to pop up from the 70s or 80s, PJ config. But wouldn't be opposed to a newer one if I got to test it out and it felt good. I've heard tons and tons of good feedback on most if not all yammys directly from their owners too. Keep us posted

 

[el jeffe bass]

I have a BB435 that I bought to see if a would actually like playing a five string. It sounds great and I'm very happy with the passive electronics but in light of how much I actually like playing a five string I wish that I would have gotten the BB735 instead.

 

[Brandon Shea]

I finally got to try the TRBX605 a couple months ago and loved it, really great instrument. Different tones than the BB series for sure. I found the TRBX to be significantly lighter and more comfortable, at least comparing the instruments I tried.

BB series wins slightly on looks… I think they're classy.

 

[chiphaleonbass]

Bb is the way to go!

 

[bigdaddybass12]

TRBX. Mainly i am a fan of double humbuckers. Much cleaner and versatile. The P pickup can be muddy, bridge jazz pickup just sounds thin. On previous jazz basses I never used the bridge pickup. Leave lead parts to the guitar player

 

[PrestoZoom]

I have both. I am selling the TRBX605 soon because it just doesn't get played since I bought my MTD. The BB735a will never be sold (unless I decide to buy a BBP5 at some point - but even then, I may keep the 735). They are both fine basses and I've used both on gigs without problems.

To me, the TRBX605 tone lacks identity. This can be good if you want a generic tone to fit into a lot of genres or you like sculpting tone with pedals. In my case, I have a lot of basses (6-8 in regular rotation for gigs) and the TRBX is too vanilla sounding to be used. My MTD ZX5 has completely replaced it for a modern 5-string tone but that is not surprising since it costs 4x more.

If it had standard size pickups, I might keep it because the Yamaha ergonomics are so good for me. However, the pickups are not standard sized so the lack of an easy upgrade path means it will be sold/traded soon.

 

[Muttleybass]

BB735a for the win, IMO.

 

[pb9717]

Ive owned MANY yamahas, I had a lower end TRBX and it was an epic fail. Dozens of sounds, none usable. Then I've owned several BB"s which weren't diverse but were all very usable. I think you'll find the BB a better all rounder. But as we all know, you won't get your answer till you try em both. If your vendor has a return policy, it may be worth the return shipping to try them both, and return the lesser. Thats what financing is for too. Good luck.

 

[Tommy Sparks]

Can't help you, never had a Yamaha bass. Had an acoustic six string back in the day and it was a pretty good.
But that red one looks killer.

 

[crazycloud]

TRBX.

 

[ghostdog93]

IMHO, P/J vs. dual humbuckers is the real question.

Which one of those fits your playing needs better?

 

[bobba66]

I've only owned cheap Yamaha basses but I would grab the red one first if my house was on fire.

 

[FluffyDog66]

I decided to purchase the Yamaha BB734a in Fired Red, and it recently arrived.

I played it for about two hours straight, and I couldn't be happier about owning it. I'm sure there is a honeymoon period to be experienced, but I was really impressed with the sound, adjustability, and comfort level the thing provides over other basses I have owned or tried.

It is a bit heavy though, but I have a G&L L-2000 that weighs more, and the strap I use on it handles that problem well. That strap is affordable at $24 and extends to 61 inches if needed, (I am a corpulent person) so another one of the straps is now on the way.