NBD: Yamaha BB735a replacement bass

[jam.majors]

So my wife bought be a brand new BB434 for my birthday last year, got it set up and loved it. Went to try new strings and a different setup, but found that the truss rod wouldn't loosen! So contacted Yamaha and they said it would be September before they could send a replacement. But they said they'd send the next model up because of the wait. Well I didn't turn up my nose at that, so I sent it in and started waiting for my 734a.

Well the other day UPS pulls up my long driveway and jumps out with a big box that I wasn't expecting. Sure enough "YAMAHA" was on the side. I pulled that puppy out and it was a 735a! So not a 4, but a fiver. Again, I decided not to turn up my nose, but did let them know of the error (they said keep it).
Now I have my first five string. Been playing 25 years, and this is a super interesting twist! Sounds great and feels great: can't go wrong with that.

 

[seedokebass]

That's a pretty sweet replacement! Is it yours to keep or are you getting your 4 string back?

 

[Dr. Cheese]

So my wife bought be a brand new BB434 for my birthday last year, got it set up and loved it. Went to try new strings and a different setup, but found that the truss rod wouldn't loosen! So contacted Yamaha and they said it would be September before they could send a replacement. But they said they'd send the next model up because of the wait. Well I didn't turn up my nose at that, so I sent it in and started waiting for my 734a.

Well the other day UPS pulls up my long driveway and jumps out with a big box that I wasn't expecting. Sure enough "YAMAHA" was on the side. I pulled that puppy out and it was a 735a! So not a 4, but a fiver. Again, I decided not to turn up my nose, but did let them know of the error (they said keep it).
Now I have my first five string. Been playing 25 years, and this is a super interesting twist! Sounds great and feels great: can't go wrong with that.
View attachment 4309676

Sweet! I played one of those around Christmas and loved it. Someone else did too because it was sold the very next day.

 

[jam.majors]

That's a pretty sweet replacement! Is it yours to keep or are you getting your 4 string back?

I get to keep it! The neck on the 434 needed to be replaced, but stock is nuts right now. I wondered why they didn't just replace the neck, but decided not to worry about it when they said, "let's upgrade you".

 

[bigsnack]

The yamaha bb73Xa's are the best bass in their price range by far IMO. Enjoy!

 

[Supadope]

Wow, that is some excellent customer service. Good for you!

 

[Matty Koff]

So my wife bought be a brand new BB434 for my birthday last year, got it set up and loved it. Went to try new strings and a different setup, but found that the truss rod wouldn't loosen! So contacted Yamaha and they said it would be September before they could send a replacement. But they said they'd send the next model up because of the wait. Well I didn't turn up my nose at that, so I sent it in and started waiting for my 734a.

Well the other day UPS pulls up my long driveway and jumps out with a big box that I wasn't expecting. Sure enough "YAMAHA" was on the side. I pulled that puppy out and it was a 735a! So not a 4, but a fiver. Again, I decided not to turn up my nose, but did let them know of the error (they said keep it).
Now I have my first five string. Been playing 25 years, and this is a super interesting twist! Sounds great and feels great: can't go wrong with that.
View attachment 4309676

I was eyeballing the Matte Black version of the BB735a for like two years straight but never bit the bullet. Most of the reviews seem favorable. That's pretty cool of Yamaha to hook you up.

It's your first 5 string. Double down on that floating thumb technique. If you can afford to spend like 2-3 months playing only your 5 string that's about how long it took me to not have to think about muting the B string anymore playing fingerstyle on my first 5.

I think it's a nice bass and hope you enjoy it.

 

[getBAK]

That's some serious good luck (after bad luck). For the record, The A'Daddario Nylon Wrapped strings work amazing on my 435.

 

[P. Aaron]

Congrats. Enjoy sliding up to low E. The percussive thump you can get out of fretting low E at the 5th is useful too. After a few days, you’ll get used to it. Ditto on the floating thumb thing.

Sliding up to E example tune (122m hits):

 

[dkelley]

Damn, that's a pro level instrument imho! I'd gig on that for the rest of my life. And it's one of the few finishes on a yamaha bb bass that I actually find really attractive.... (I don't like the overall shape of bb basses, but some finishes really compliment them, and the basses themselves are absolutely outstanding). Yours is very very beautiful! And 5 strings are a hell of a lot of fun

 

[A9X]

Very good news for you, and excellent CS of Yamaha, but I'm not surprised. I've been using their amps for >35y in PA and some HT, and we've had keyboards and a baby grand. Very, very few issues ever, but once when there was an issue with an amp, I rang, told them I was an EE, was put on the phone with one of their engineers and we resolved it over the line. No O/S call centre with a script.

Now as someone else pointed out above, lock away your 4 for some time, like 6mo and play nothing but the 5 and get someone who knows to show you how to play across, rather than along the neck, as well as floating thumb.

Enjoy. God is obviously telling you that you should be a 5 string player.

 

[ThingsAbove]

Amazing customer service. You landed a great bass.

 

[quickfix]

Same as mine. It's a very good instrument.

 

[JRA]

you must be living right to get that kind of 'luck' working for you, OP! that's a beautiful ax --- glad you were pleasantly surprised --- congratulations on your new instrument!

 

[KeithPas]

How many times have we read stories like this where the company mishandled situations like this and the thread that follows is full of frustration and disappointment. Great customer service and a very wise decision on the part of Yamaha customer service

 

[Crash 56]

How many times have we read stories like this where the company mishandled situations like this and the thread that follows is full of frustration and disappointment. Great customer service and a very wise decision on the part of Yamaha customer service

Exactly! How many of us here will look favorably on a Yamaha purchase, when we might not of before reading this? I know they intrigue me.....

 

[Pdaddy1978]

Not surprised at your good fortune. Yamaha is such a class operation.
Sweet bass... congrats!

 

[jam.majors]

Thanks for all the well wishes and kind advice! I am definitely locking away the 4s for a while and honing in on this beauty: the floating thumb is gonna get some focus, for sure!
Man does this thing sound good. And between the PJ and the active preamp there are so many different tones available.

 

[roller]

LOVE that finish... beauty!

Have fun with that thing!

I get to keep it! The neck on the 434 needed to be replaced, but stock is nuts right now. I wondered why they didn't just replace the neck, but decided not to worry about it when they said, "let's upgrade you".

 

[jastraw]

The powers that be say you're now a modern Country player.

That's a beautiful instrument. This transition, for me, opened up other ways to be creative. Less energy spent and ultimately a better player. Enjoy the journey.