Need Yamaha help

[Greenman72]

(Note - In This Thread, "TRBX" = 504 or 604.)

Ultrashort version of the story - Need help deciding between the TRBX504 and the BB434 and the BB734A.

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Longer version - I have several premium instruments which are half instrument, half decoration. But for real workhorse instruments, nothing beats a Yamaha.

I already have two TRBX's. One of them is tuned to C#-standard (so I can play along with bands like A Perfect Circle and Rob Zombie), and the other is tuned to B-Standard (so I can play along with Type O Negative).

I have never owned a BB. But I have played a BBP at the big box store and loved it. However, BBP isn't worth the extra coin to me, so I'm stuck deciding between these models:
- BB434
- BB734A

Just looking for commentary. Any advice would be appreciated.

Couple of notes:
- I play with a pick about 99% of the time.
- I use a thin pick (0.73), so even soapbars get a pretty trebly sound.
- I almost always play in passive mode. (I don't want to pay extra just for active EQ.)
- I prefer Volume/Balance instead of V/V. (Might be willing to pay extra for V/B, though.)

(Yes, I do plan on going to Guitar Center and playing them both. But GC is 300+ miles away, so....please don't say "go try them both out". Next time I get the chance, I will.)

 

[Greenman72]

One more thing - I also have my eye on the Sterling Pete Wentz model. I don't have a lot of experience with MM pickups, but from what I can tell, I think I'll like them.

 

[el jeffe bass]

I don't know if this will help but I bought a BB435 to determine if I could use a five string bass. I found that the fiver is a fairly useful tool and that the BB is a VERY good bass. I would buy one as my main bass without hesitation. Hope that helps

 

[sambass0124]

734a has V/B and passive active switch ( so that you can play it as active or passive )
434 is passive but V/V.

And these 2 offer different colours - you may want to check that out. 734a only offers sunburst and Matt black while 434 offers blue and sunburst.

Because I Iike blue, if I were you I would choose 434. Also I don't like hum. I would swap the single coil pickup to a noiseless one.

 

[Brian Patterson]

FYI: I bought the BB234 to get started in bass and the only thing stock on it now is the wood! Doubling my investment with mods has been a success.

I installed EMG Geezer pickups, Hipshot bridge and their USA Ultralight tuners - no more neck dive and great tone.

It's just another way to go...

 

[BioDriver]

I have a Yamaha BBP34 and it quickly became my main workhorse. I also have a Schecter Stiletto Session that is collecting dust. My vote would be the BB434 unless you really need active electronics.

 

[Solude]

BB434 for sure. I used to have the BB734 and the black coating of the neck feels like it is sprayed after the normal finish and is uneven in comparison. Still loved it but the next one I ordered was a BB434