• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Getting back into bass, reccomendations?

E

Exophysical

Nov 19, 2009
102
34
#1
As an avid guitar player, coming off a lengthly bass hiatus, I feel compelled to trouble you all with the usual "which bass" question. I used to play an active LTD bass, but want to go with passives this time. Living in an remote area buying used would be a pain in the butt (driving hours to look at specific instruments that my or may not be up to snuff), so right now I'm leaning towards either the Squier Sonic P-bass, or the Yamaha BB234.

The Squier I can get localy, and I favor the P bass sound. Having owned Squier guitars I'm aware of the weak points, but it seems like picking a good one off the rack and changing out any dodgy componants would be the easyest and cheapest way to get a good playing bass. I also favor this idea over upgrading to a CV Squier, the electronics are still nothing special, the bodys are still poplar, and the resale is still not that great.

The Yamaha I would have to order, and it likely wont really do the P-bass tone. That said, every Yamaha I've ever owned has been top notch for the price, and I like that its built out of better woods.

Sooo... Take a chance on ordering the BB, or cherry pick a Sonic and upgrade it to as needed and/ or to taste?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dust2Dust and JRA
#2
I haven’t played that specific BB, but judging from my experience with Yamaha BBs that share pickups and most details with the BB234, I think you will like it. My BBs, with the P pickup only, do sound much like my P basses but have a punchier attack. They are snappier, is my impression.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JRA
#3
Exophysical said:
...picking a good one off the rack and changing out any dodgy componants would be the easyest and cheapest way to get a good playing bass.
Click to expand...

Exophysical said:
Sooo... Take a chance on ordering the BB, or cherry pick a Sonic and upgrade it to as needed and/ or to taste?
Click to expand...
if i didn't have an interest in putting together parts axes, i'd go for the instrument that had the best-for-me neck, and mod/'upgrade' from there, if needed. modifying EBs can be fun. YMMV

(yamaha has a great reputation for building solid instruments!)
 
  • Like
Reactions: C Stone
#4
At the end of the day, which bass are you going to be more excited to pick up and play? If a cheap P-bass motivates you to pick it up off the stand then that outweighs any hypothetical quality you would gain from another model.

On the other hand, if the idea of the P-bass is alluring but the quality and playability issues make it uncomfortable or less attractive to actually put in your hands, then that should factor into your decision.

Most quality debates are purely theoretical. For example, if your tuners are slipping and it's hard to tune then totally swap them out. But the idea of upgrading tuners just for the vague idea of "quality" doesn't make a lot of sense to me. The audience doesn't know whether your bass is made out of African Mahogany or plywood, they just know if the way you play it makes them feel good.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dabbler, MrSweatyPalms and Dust2Dust
#5
JonathanPDX said:
At the end of the day, which bass are you going to be more excited to pick up and play? If a cheap P-bass motivates you to pick it up off the stand then that outweighs any hypothetical quality you would gain from another model.

On the other hand, if the idea of the P-bass is alluring but the quality and playability issues make it uncomfortable or less attractive to actually put in your hands, then that should factor into your decision.

Most quality debates are purely theoretical. For example, if your tuners are slipping and it's hard to tune then totally swap them out. But the idea of upgrading tuners just for the vague idea of "quality" doesn't make a lot of sense to me. The audience doesn't know whether your bass is made out of African Mahogany or plywood, they just know if the way you play it makes them feel good.
Click to expand...

Thats sort of my point, the little mom and pop store in town has a couple of the Sonics. I find them quite playable and once I do a setup it should only get better. Too, I've got a couple kids that also play guitar, and the Sonic's J-Bass neck seems like it would make it a good axe for them to play around with as well. Wont likely need to change anything for a while, and if anything starts to get crackly EMG makes relatively cheap kits to swap out the electronics.

The BB is an unknown, I've never played one and likely wont be able to before I order. That said, I'm not terribly sensitive to neck carves and have met very few necks that I couldnt get along with. Also, any Yamaha instrument I've owned has been great, I just hate the idea of paying for an example that I've never layed hands on.

I agree with you on the upgrades, especially the tuners... for as often as I hear about people changing them I've met very few guitars that I cant get to hold tune acceptably well. I think lots of times they get changed on account of nut issues, or a general failure to understand gear backlash.
 
Last edited:
#8
Exophysical said:
As an avid guitar player, coming off a lengthly bass hiatus, I feel compelled to trouble you all with the usual "which bass" question. I used to play an active LTD bass, but want to go with passives this time. Living in an remote area buying used would be a pain in the butt (driving hours to look at specific instruments that my or may not be up to snuff), so right now I'm leaning towards either the Squier Sonic P-bass, or the Yamaha BB234.
Click to expand...

This summer I was going to pull the trigger on the BB234 until some ne'er do wells on Talkbass convinced me to get the BB434 and I was able to get one on sale. I have had zero complaints about the build or the sound, and Yamahas are known for high quality control at all price levels (and more consistent than low-end Fender models).

Exophysical said:
The Yamaha I would have to order, and it likely wont really do the P-bass tone.
Click to expand...

The main voicing difference I've noticed is that when playing as a P (which is pretty much all I'm doing now) is that the sound is less nasal than typical Fender Precisions. But it does a P really well.

 
#13
If those were my choices, BB234 FTW.

Alder vs poplar, thinner body likely to weight less, rosewood fretboard will sound snappier than the Squier's laurel board, PJ configuration, pickups are well regarded, leaving you to upgrade just the pots and jack if you want something more robust in there.

Order from someone with a decent return policy in case you don't love it.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: SJan3 and edwinhurwitz
#14
Exophysical said:
As an avid guitar player, coming off a lengthly bass hiatus, I feel compelled to trouble you all with the usual "which bass" question. I used to play an active LTD bass, but want to go with passives this time. Living in an remote area buying used would be a pain in the butt (driving hours to look at specific instruments that my or may not be up to snuff), so right now I'm leaning towards either the Squier Sonic P-bass, or the Yamaha BB234.

The Squier I can get localy, and I favor the P bass sound. Having owned Squier guitars I'm aware of the weak points, but it seems like picking a good one off the rack and changing out any dodgy componants would be the easyest and cheapest way to get a good playing bass. I also favor this idea over upgrading to a CV Squier, the electronics are still nothing special, the bodys are still poplar, and the resale is still not that great.

The Yamaha I would have to order, and it likely wont really do the P-bass tone. That said, every Yamaha I've ever owned has been top notch for the price, and I like that its built out of better woods.

Sooo... Take a chance on ordering the BB, or cherry pick a Sonic and upgrade it to as needed and/ or to taste?
Click to expand...
I can totally relate to your question. I grew up playing a P bass and five years ago decided to go active and sold the P bass to buy a beautiful Ken Smith 4 string. It is truly an amazing instrument but am currently playing in a classic r&b band and missing the "Jamerson" sound which ain't happening with an active bass. After trying many P bass tribute basses out, I went with a MTD (Michael Tobias Design) and absolutely LOVE the sound and the feel... even more than the mid-seventies P ass that I sold to buy the Ken Smith. I especially love Ken's asymmetrical neck design (on all his basses) that is thinner on the G string side and lays in your hand SO nice. The model I got is the Kingston CB8 production model (imported) which Michael does not seem to be offering any more, but I see that the LK 1 is similar but with a PJ pickup configuration. There are used CR8's around as will. Seriously worth checking out... affordable too. Happy. hunting :)
 
#15
I can only add that I have a Yamaha TRBX505 and the build quality is excellent! I suspect the BB will be as good. My Yamaha stereo is 32 years old and still amazing. They simply make great things at a tremendous price point.
 
#16
Buying online sight unseen isn't as much as a gamble as it used to be, as long as your ordering from a dealer that sends instruments for a living.

The variable I've learnt to pay attention to is neck width at the nut. I know what I like there, and always check before I buy. If the yammy and squier you tried are similar in neck width, don't hold off on the yammy if it's likely you preferred.

However, I happily play entry level basses live and recording, and like supporting mom and pop stores. If you love it in your hands, grab it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dust2Dust
#17
Pocket Dave said:
If those were my choices, BB234 FTW.

Alder vs poplar, thinner body likely to weight less, rosewood fretboard will sound snappier than the Squier's laurel board, PJ configuration, pickups are well regarded, leaving you to upgrade just the pots and jack if you want something more robust in there.

Order from someone with a decent return policy in case you don't love it.
Click to expand...

Maple fretboard available on green , blue ..... and yellow sonic...

WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 1.29.21 PM.jpeg
 
  • Like
  • Wow
Reactions: Dust2Dust, lowplaces and Pocket Dave
#18
Exophysical said:
As an avid guitar player, coming off a lengthly bass hiatus, I feel compelled to trouble you all with the usual "which bass" question. I used to play an active LTD bass, but want to go with passives this time. Living in an remote area buying used would be a pain in the butt (driving hours to look at specific instruments that my or may not be up to snuff), so right now I'm leaning towards either the Squier Sonic P-bass, or the Yamaha BB234.

The Squier I can get localy, and I favor the P bass sound. Having owned Squier guitars I'm aware of the weak points, but it seems like picking a good one off the rack and changing out any dodgy componants would be the easyest and cheapest way to get a good playing bass. I also favor this idea over upgrading to a CV Squier, the electronics are still nothing special, the bodys are still poplar, and the resale is still not that great.

The Yamaha I would have to order, and it likely wont really do the P-bass tone. That said, every Yamaha I've ever owned has been top notch for the price, and I like that its built out of better woods.

Sooo... Take a chance on ordering the BB, or cherry pick a Sonic and upgrade it to as needed and/ or to taste?
Click to expand...

If you seriously wanna MOD bass guitar , suggest go with Affnity PJ or old VM PJ . Reverse the neck pickup possible make the blend pickup sound more balance , meanwhile you can mod it to 4 stinger B standard, the B string sound become tighter and solid ...... more fun than BB mod.....


IMG_20230913_084413.jpg
TTM_0157.jpg
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back