Is there a Yamaha BB club? There is now!

[Riff Ranger]

BB peeps. Happy BBP34 story here, traded for a 2nd BBP since I loved rhe first so much, lucked out, got a neck with 1-2mm slimmer neck profile all around, feels absolutely perfect. About 39mm nut width, with my first at about 40. Also about a mm slimmer. I didnt think differences that small would make a difference, but they do. The first was perfect, the second, perfecter.

I seem to remember hearing in here that the most recent runs of the BBP34 and BB734a models had slimmer necks, but I hope someone in here can confirm or deny that conclusively. I’m only chiming in here to say that millimeters and (when considering setups) even fractions of millimeters can make huge differences when it comes to playability, especially when it comes to the differences between “good” and “great.”

 

[jmlee]

So I just got my first BB... the BB1025x.

View attachment 7318219


This one was built in December, 2018.

I just published a NBD thread if you are interested in more details.

I'm thrilled with it...played in public four times over the weekend. The warmth and clarity is terrific.

Thanks for all the useful input in this thread.

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Boy, what a great place to start! That series seems a real sweet spot to me, and the 1024/5 models were so close to the 2024/5 models that the quality and playability are both excellent. I agree completely with the "warmth and clarity" description. My 1025X is exactly that. The pickups on these basses are *so* much better than the pickups on the latest models, and I have a BBP35 for direct comparison. You've really done great with this first acquisition!

 

[emjazz]

I would say different, not better. The newer series is more traditional sounding for sure. The pickups in my BBP35 are outstanding…and I’m someone who always assumes I’ll be switching out pickups. Not this time

 

[joeLowB]

Boy, what a great place to start! That series seems a real sweet spot to me, and the 1024/5 models were so close to the 2024/5 models that the quality and playability are both excellent. I agree completely with the "warmth and clarity" description. My 1025X is exactly that. The pickups on these basses are *so* much better than the pickups on the latest models, and I have a BBP35 for direct comparison. You've really done great with this first acquisition!

Thanks so much! I'm really enjoying this bass and it truly keeps growing on me. The tone and definition of sound is exactly what I was searching for... the string/ pickup / bass combo of the 1025x sure works for me. Glad you've sensed the same thing.

.

 

[Joebone]

Thanks.
I think all along there's been variation in the necks on the
BBPs.
They're listed at 40mm but I've read about a spread of 39-41, so I feel lucky I got a 39.
I have no idea if the differences coincide with production years.

Curious to learn whether time-based wear on cutting parts affects CNC dimensional results...

 

[FretRiff]

Possibly. CNC machines typically have continuous tool wear monitoring sensors that alert to tolerance variations and are tied to maintenance scheduling. Maintenance might not be triggered if changes to dimensional cutting don't hit some threshhold.

Anyway, monitoring isn't there just to maintain consistent end products but also to prevent tool breakage (which reduces downtime).

 

[RestlessBoom]

Okay y’all. My 434 upgrades are almost complete and I gotta say it was totally worth it. Still have a couple things left to do (like a full setup and string change), but early returns are glorious. Will post before and after pics and explanation soon!

 

[RestlessBoom]

Top is the professional photo shoot Sweetwater did, apparently. Bottom is my amazing photography skills.
It was a stock 434 open box discount for $350. Totally would have been satisfied with it right out of the box if I weren’t an upgrade gremlin.
Replaced the tuners (Gotoh), string retainer (Hipshot 3-string), pickguard (black/cream/black .90), pickups (DiMarzio Relentless middle and Reverend JazzBomb bridge), and bridge (Gotoh). I had planned on replacing the harness, but I neglected to note that unless you want to do some body modification mini pots are required, so the stock harness stays in for now.
I think the pickup combination with the black pickguard helps tie it all together with the headstock, and the tonal upgrade is not insignificant.
Pretty damn stoked.

 

[Joebone]

View attachment 7330120View attachment 7330121
Top is the professional photo shoot Sweetwater did, apparently. Bottom is my amazing photography skills.
It was a stock 434 open box discount for $350. Totally would have been satisfied with it right out of the box if I weren’t an upgrade gremlin.
Replaced the tuners (Gotoh), string retainer (Hipshot 3-string), pickguard (black/cream/black .90), pickups (DiMarzio Relentless middle and Reverend JazzBomb bridge), and bridge (Gotoh). I had planned on replacing the harness, but I neglected to note that unless you want to do some body modification mini pots are required, so the stock harness stays in for now.
I think the pickup combination with the black pickguard helps tie it all together with the headstock, and the tonal upgrade is not insignificant.
Pretty damn stoked.

NIce! I'm big on black PG over candy-apple red, per this recent mod to my Fender Roscoe Beck V beastie...and curious about that bridge pickup...

 

[RestlessBoom]

...and curious about that bridge pickup...

It’s hot as all get-out, which is why I chose that one. I like to sink that pickup pretty deep so I don’t clack against it with my pick

 

[toastw]

... pickups (DiMarzio Relentless middle and Reverend JazzBomb bridge) ...

Curious about your mismatched pickups. Do they have different output levels? Do they blend well together or do they sound like two separately voiced pickups? I've been thinking about mismatching my neck and bridge for a unique sound, but I'm a little nervous that it will do more harm than good. Also, thanks for sharing! Bass is a beaut!

 

[RestlessBoom]

Curious about your mismatched pickups. Do they have different output levels? Do they blend well together or do they sound like two separately voiced pickups? I've been thinking about mismatching my neck and bridge for a unique sound, but I'm a little nervous that it will do more harm than good. Also, thanks for sharing! Bass is a beaut!

They seem to blend well, but definitely have different characteristics. I run it with the neck on full and the bridge on like 80%, which gives me the P tone I like with some added punch and clarity from the bridge. There’s also nothing wrong with trying something out even if it doesn’t work- you can always go back to the stock version

 

[JimmyM]

View attachment 7330120View attachment 7330121
Top is the professional photo shoot Sweetwater did, apparently. Bottom is my amazing photography skills.
It was a stock 434 open box discount for $350. Totally would have been satisfied with it right out of the box if I weren’t an upgrade gremlin.
Replaced the tuners (Gotoh), string retainer (Hipshot 3-string), pickguard (black/cream/black .90), pickups (DiMarzio Relentless middle and Reverend JazzBomb bridge), and bridge (Gotoh). I had planned on replacing the harness, but I neglected to note that unless you want to do some body modification mini pots are required, so the stock harness stays in for now.
I think the pickup combination with the black pickguard helps tie it all together with the headstock, and the tonal upgrade is not insignificant.
Pretty damn stoked.

My buddy Mark from The Pretty Reckless has been using the Relentless P lately and loves it.

 

[RestlessBoom]

My buddy Mark from The Pretty Reckless has been using the Relentless P lately and loves it.

It’s got a great, aggressive tone that pairs with my setup really nicely

 

[konaaayukeeenee]

I'm kind of in the market for an inexpensive second 5-string so I can have with one rounds and another with flats. Anyone have thoughts on a used BB235 for $400 vs a new BB435 for $650. Prices are in AUD and there seems to be only very minor cosmetic issues with the BB235.

Also I'm a little curious - why are the 200-700 series BBs relatively 'expensive' in the US? Typically after conversion, we're paying roughly the same prices in Australia (or more) but in this case, it's about 1.5x as much there.

 

[FretRiff]

I'm kind of in the market for an inexpensive second 5-string so I can have with one rounds and another with flats. Anyone have thoughts on a used BB235 for $400 vs a new BB435 for $650.

I can't speak to 5-string but earlier this year I was deciding between the BB234 and BB434 and went for the 434, largely because I figured there was less of a liklihood to need to upgrade parts. The price difference new between the BB234 and BB434 was ~ AUD 229, but ultimately I decided it was worth it for me.

The 434/435 has a 5-piece neck (not on the 234/235) with a 6-bolt neck joint (compared to 4-bolt), an upgraded Graphtech nut, D'Addario strings (compared to generic Chinese strings on the 234/235), Alnico V pickups (compared to ceramic), upgraded bridge, and string-through ability (missing on the cheaper model).

My biggest disappointment was the inability to get the BB434 in white. I got the Tobacco burst which is... fine, but I would have preferred white and then I'd change the pickguard to white or mint.

 

[pluki7]

My biggest disappointment was the inability to get the BB434 in white. I got the Tobacco burst which is... fine, but I would have preferred white and then I'd change the pickguard to white or mint.

I wonder if having less color variety contributes to keeping their price down…

 

[FretRiff]

I wonder if having less color variety contributes to keeping their price down…

No, because different lines have mostly different colors or shades, with the lower end usually having more purposefully basic, simple colors.

I suspect Yamaha's music division has different priorities than industry standard profit margins for its guitars: that they're not currently interested in investing in r&d, sales and marketing to expand the guitar business but as a preeminent music company they don't want to exit it either so they are keeping production unchanged to keep their feet in the game. Even if some products don't pay out profits. And Yamaha have bigger fish to fry: their 3/30 year end financials showed a 1% profit margin and only ~ $40m net income worldwide, which is essentially a rounding error for such a big company, and their stock price is worse than it was a decade ago.

 

[Naviiin]

No, because different lines have mostly different colors or shades, with the lower end usually having more purposefully basic, simple colors.

I suspect Yamaha's music division has different priorities than industry standard profit margins for its guitars: that they're not currently interested in investing in r&d, sales and marketing to expand the guitar business but as a preeminent music company they don't want to exit it either so they are keeping production unchanged to keep their feet in the game. Even if some products don't pay out profits. And Yamaha have bigger fish to fry: their 3/30 year end financials showed a 1% profit margin and only ~ $40m net income worldwide, which is essentially a rounding error for such a big company, and their stock price is worse than it was a decade ago.

View attachment 7331874

What I noticed over the last couple of years is that they're really promoting their Custom Shop on socials, with multiple posts on their custom builds for Vincen Garcia, Chris Buck and the like. Am I correct in assuming that they're doing that because that's the level they make the most profit at?

It has kinda soured me on Yamaha, also because those models still haven't gotten regular factory line versions. The Chris Buck Revstar for example has a lot of fans, but they're priced out.

What I also didn't like is that it was only the Revstar that got a big refresh recently, with custom chambering and other innovations that had to have a lot of R&D and marketing research put into it. But nothing like that for the BB side of things.

 

[Verne Andru]

FWIK Yamaha is an international conglomerate of independent companies. They are all Yamaha branded, but there are differences between various countries, those becoming apparent when needing parts and manuals. Yamaha US has long had their own custom shop offering unique builds - it's nice to hear they are starting to promote that. Meanwhile Yamaha Japan, the central hub, continues to make a variety of instruments from grand pianos to harmonicas. They moved into their TRB line pretty aggressively now that it's down to entry/mid level, and sorted out the confusion between the TRB and BB body shapes - mine and the NE are called BBs but they have the TRB body and BB headstock making them odd-ball-ish. What I'm saying is that Yamaha corporate is still active with basses but the innovation is showing in custom shop and the TRB line while BB stabilizes into its own thing.

At the NAMM shows Yamaha was never in the main convention center - they always had the ballroom of an adjacent hotel to themselves. Guitars were a very small section of their display with basses being a small part of that. The reps were nice, but they were usually there for the piano and big band business.