DiMarzio Relentless middle and Reverend JazzBomb bridge
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My 434 has been my most played bass by far over the last few months. The neck is incredible.
I had a BB435 and it was nothing but problems with electronics, dead pickups, getting replacements with matching outputs or locating something that would fit the 5 string P pickups, time delays getting parts from USA and availability as well as cost and uncertainty of end product..
Eventually sold it as parts. Absolute pig of a thing.
I strongly suggest avoiding the BB435, especially here in AUS.
Wow, that's a beauty! Glad you found it. I'll bet it plays marvelously. Congratulations!
Thanks for the kind words. After the mandatory string change and some cleaning, i told my wife I want to bury this bass with me. Still can't belive it i got a 2024.. I fallen in love with it when they first introduce it. At time I was a broke uni student, life happened, etc...and after 1 or 2 decades, i have one. A dream came true.
Oof, sounds like a massive hassle. What did you end up replacing it with, or what would you have gotten instead?
Hi, all.
5-string flatwound sets for these basses. I have no doubt this has been discussed repeatedly, but I'm having minimal success with the search function. Most of what I've found is "_______ is mostly a good set, but the B string is useless." So do we just not have a good option? Stick with rounds, or deal with bad low notes? Or am I just searching ineffectively?
Got a BB735, and I love rounds, I'm just hoping to experience whatever the flatwound magic is that people talk about.
5-string flatwound sets for these basses. I have no doubt this has been discussed repeatedly, but I'm having minimal success with the search function. Most of what I've found is "_______ is mostly a good set, but the B string is useless." So do we just not have a good option? Stick with rounds, or deal with bad low notes? Or am I just searching ineffectively?
Got a BB735, and I love rounds, I'm just hoping to experience whatever the flatwound magic is that people talk about.
I've been using Ernie Ball Slinky Flatwounds (formerly called Chrome Flats) and I've been enjoying them. I also use them on my Stingray5. I tried Labella Low Tension Flats and they didn't last very long.
I've recently learned of Labella Super Polished Flats and my curiosity is piqued.
I've been reunited with the BB415, but I actually ended up getting two of them a few weeks apart. A 2005 and a 2004, both Made in Taiwan.
These are probably my favorite Yamahas. That wine red/black cherry burst color is so nice, and there's a
@jam.majors - funny enough, the left one has the La Bella Super Polished strings. I got those last week. They sound pretty good on it.
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Reunited and it feels so good!
That's a cool duo and very nice it evokes great memories.
I'm curious...can you hear differences between the two?
Congrats!
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Thanks! I've set them up about the same, so I don't hear much difference at all... yet. However, my big Boss Katana is at my office, so I'm only using the little baby Boss at home. A cool portable battery amp, but not the best for judging tonal differences between twins.
Flats can work... don't give up!
I have Labella LTF flats on my 1025x. Super pleased with them, including the B.
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D'Addario Chromes have always, consistently, unwaveringly had good B strings, and I have used them on my BBs for years. I have a spare set that will go on the 2004 BB415 I posted above. Because they're focused and can be moderately bright, they're a flatwound for those who need a good all-purpose string. I will always have them on at least one bass.
Saw this on Yamahas instagram. Jack Bates (Smashing Pumpkins and son of Peter Hook) custom 734a made for his latest Japan tour with the pumpkins. I wish they’d release this! Custom paint job only, apparently the guts of the bass are stock.
The colours on basses are always more conservative. Where are the cool colours of the Revstars or even the Pacificas?
I dunno, and the top of the line colors have always been super conservative. It's actually kinda pissed me off that Yamaha has never offered a MIJ passive 5er in red.
Agreed with both the EB Flats (*not* cobalt) and D’Addario Chromes for Yamaha BB 5ers. These are very similar string sets, both with firm, ringing B strings—the best I’ve found in flats. In fact, when I’ve put Labella DTFs on a 5, I’ve always subbed in a Chromes B. Both the EBs and the Chromes start out over-bright but settle into very long-lived warm tone with a hint of high-mid brightness which keeps them from ever sounding muddy. Great choices, both of them.
Ordered a 734a in Fired Red from Zzounds. I haven't owned a BB in probably 15-20 years but I've come close many times.
This one checks a lot of boxes for me, hopefully a quality P/J for under $1k.
I haven't had a chance to demo one in person but I have messed around with the 234 and 434 at Guitar Center. I wasn't impressed with the 234 but I know it's the entry level model. 434 felt much nicer.
This one checks a lot of boxes for me, hopefully a quality P/J for under $1k.
I haven't had a chance to demo one in person but I have messed around with the 234 and 434 at Guitar Center. I wasn't impressed with the 234 but I know it's the entry level model. 434 felt much nicer.
