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Need urgent help choosing new bass!

D

dum

Dec 3, 2024
9
3
#1
Hey everyone,

I believe I’ve reached a point where my current bass (a cheap Jackson P-bass) is starting to hold me back, and I’m looking to upgrade.

I play a wide range of musical styles, so I need a bass that can cover as much ground as possible at a solid level. That said, I gravitate most toward SVT-style rock tones, funk grooves, and slap bass. I'm looking for something that can be a long-term investment, potentially lasting a lifetime or at least several decades.

Right now, I’ve narrowed my choices down to these: Yamaha BB435/735 and TRBX505/605. My main dilemma is choosing between the two and deciding whether it's worth stretching my budget for the BB735 or TRBX605 instead of settling for the BB435 or TRBX505.

Above all, I prioritize playability and reliability. I’d love to hear from you all—do you think the 735 and 605 are worth the extra cost? And if so, which one would better suit my needs?

Thanks in advance!
 
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#2
Never tried a Yamaha bass until recently, never saw one at Guitar Center, Sam Ash, etc, until last month.
Saw this one hanging up at a Guitar Center in another state and decided to try it out because I was looking at a Peavey Max amp.
Somewhat surprised to find out that it was one of the better PJs I'd ever played...not a fan of Fender PJs.
The Jazz pickup was definitely better than the one in the Fender, which many call weak.
The neck was very comfortable, hardware seemed very good, and the fit and finish was on par with a more expensive bass...looks great in Ice Blue.
Not sure about the more expensive Yamaha models, but I'm betting this one would really get the job done.
889cda587aakjaUk4keWNJQgfMm5Rxj6ujgvPisP.wm-lh.jpg
 
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#3
Just because a bass is cheap doesn't mean it will hold yiu back. why do you think yiur current bass is holding yiu back? A p bass can certainly hold its own in all styles you mentioned. Is it playability?

I'm not trying to steer you away from buying a new bass, but knowing exactly what currently bothers you and what you are trying to improve will help making a smart investment.
 
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#5
Minimalist said:
Just because a bass is cheap doesn't mean it will hold yiu back. why do you think yiur current bass is holding yiu back? A p bass can certainly hold its own in all styles you mentioned. Is it playability?

I'm not trying to steer you away from buying a new bass, but knowing exactly what currently bothers you and what you are trying to improve will help making a smart investment.
Click to expand...
Its mainly the playability, fretting is mostly fine however there is slight popping in some frets, slapping is also its worst quality, It just got an adjustment but I don't thing there is any changing that. It's also just a P pickup and I'd like something withba bit more tonal variety.
 
#6
Minimalist said:
Just because a bass is cheap doesn't mean it will hold yiu back. why do you think yiur current bass is holding yiu back? A p bass can certainly hold its own in all styles you mentioned. Is it playability?

I'm not trying to steer you away from buying a new bass, but knowing exactly what currently bothers you and what you are trying to improve will help making a smart investment.
Click to expand...
While I do think it can do the job, the frets are a bit noisy no matter the setup, everything else is fine about it but the tone is pretty restricted due to its 1 P pickup and I would like a bit more variety.
 
#9
Considering your priorities of reliability, playability, and versatility, you're definitely on the right track with Yamaha :thumbsup:

I have owned and regularly played a BB735A (and BB734A) for more than three years now. I think of them as highly evolved Precision basses. I prefer the finish of the neck, big position markers, and the Stingray-esque bridge on the 735 to their counterparts on the 435, but I would consider all those things mostly aesthetic and purely subjective. The preamp would be the major objective difference between the two, and it certainly adds versatility. If you want a bright edge for slap, you would probably prefer the 735 in active mode; running passive, they both still have the versatility of a uniquely well done PJ pickup configuration and should do a lot of "classic" sounds very well. The necks are neither chunky nor slim.

I have less experience with the TRBX models but have played a few in stores. They had noticeably slimmer necks than the BBs and a more hi-fi sound.

I think your choice between these would come down to whether you want the added versatility of an onboard preamp, which neck profile you find most comfortable, and which aesthetic you prefer. You'll certainly get quality and versatility with any of these.
 
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#13
Though I've been an Ibanez fanboy most of my life (I do not currently have one), I absolutely LOVE the Yamaha BB434/734/435/735 series! I am currently awaiting delivery of a Stambaugh custom 5 with active electronics (which I was fortunate enough to have the money for). Now, I'm looking for a value based passive P bass. If I didn't have anything, I'd get one of that Yamaha line. I think they're in the top 3 of most bang for your buck in the entire industry. That being said, there are dozens of inexpensive options to be had out there... and "used" doesn't mean used up.
 
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#14
IMHO, the 605 over the 505 is completely about looks. The flame maple/alder body might be a touch brighter than the mahogany, but the active preamp could dial that out easily. Everything else is the same between these. So you’ll have to decide between those based on your aesthetics.

On the other hand, the difference between the 435 and the 735a is much bigger. In addition to added maple sandwich in the body, the preamp is added, components are upgraded, and the pickups are the same ones used in the top end BBP35. I do think the upgrade is worth it on this side. My only quibble: I don’t like the black painted back of the neck on the 73x line.

Between the TRBX and the BB, I think the BB gets the win. Most people find the soapbar pickups in the TRBX bland.

My theory, which has been…rejected, criticized, laughed out of town. (Yeah, I’m bitter. :laugh: ) Yamaha tried to make a super PJ in the BB, and succeeded. They tried to make a super Jazz/Stingray successor in the TRBX and kinda failed.
 
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#15
lionsdenblog said:
Though I've been an Ibanez fanboy most of my life (I do not currently have one), I absolutely LOVE the Yamaha BB434/734/435/735 series! I am currently awaiting delivery of a Stambaugh custom 5 with active electronics (which I was fortunate enough to have the money for). Now, I'm looking for a value based passive P bass. If I didn't have anything, I'd get one of that Yamaha line. I think they're in the top 3 of most bang for your buck in the entire industry. That being said, there are dozens of inexpensive options to be had out there... and "used" doesn't mean used up.
Click to expand...
All my go-to instruments—fretted or fretless; 4-, 5-, or 6-string; electric or acoustic; bass or guitar—are either Yamaha or Ibanez :thumbsup:
 
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