Upgrade to PRS Kestrel or Yamaha BB424?

[Isaac_James]

That said, the broad body (that's what BB stands for)

The "broad" in Broad Bass intially meant that it was versatile, i.e. good at producing a broad range of sounds. Someone linked to a page from an early Japanese catalog (I think it may have been @hypercarrots?) in a different thread which lays this out.

But it definitely does have a broad body. At first glance it's obviously influenced by the Fender P bass body shape, but it's got a little bit of a fatter ass. Compared to my Fender, when I play my BB735 my hand tends to want to rest a little closer to the bridge - I think this is a result of the body shape.

I absolutely agree that they're great basses though!

 

[hypercarrots]

The "broad" in Broad Bass intially meant that it was versatile, i.e. good at producing a broad range of sounds. Someone linked to a page from an early Japanese catalog (I think it may have been @hypercarrots?) in a different thread which lays this out.

But it definitely does have a broad body. At first glance it's obviously influenced by the Fender P bass body shape, but it's got a little bit of a fatter ass. Compared to my Fender, when I play my BB735 my hand tends to want to rest a little closer to the bridge - I think this is a result of the body shape.

I absolutely agree that they're great basses though!

Yes

 

[Deleted member 271037]

I'm a huge fan of Yamaha BBs but these older 424s have a far more aggressive/bright tone than classic PJ-basses or even than current BB models. Much more upper mid "bite" and a tighter, more percussive feel.

Any recommendations based on the current BBs (434/734/P34) is rather pointless IMO. They are very different instruments.

Don't get me wrong, I love BBs, old or new, but I will strongly recommend trying before buying. Older BBs like the 424 do not sound like a traditional PJ-bass even though they have a similar looking pickup configuration.

Personally I would probably have chosen the BB but I also think the PRS is probably the safest option here, unless you have tested the BB and love the tone.

 

[zubrycky]

The "broad" in Broad Bass intially meant that it was versatile, i.e. good at producing a broad range of sounds. Someone linked to a page from an early Japanese catalog (I think it may have been @hypercarrots?) in a different thread which lays this out.

But it definitely does have a broad body. At first glance it's obviously influenced by the Fender P bass body shape, but it's got a little bit of a fatter ass. Compared to my Fender, when I play my BB735 my hand tends to want to rest a little closer to the bridge - I think this is a result of the body shape.

I absolutely agree that they're great basses though!

Thanks for the clarification. I read the broad body thing somewhere a long time ago and I was fooled until now.

 

[Aloe]

I had a BB (albeit a 414) and briefly played a Kestrel and IME BB is a better instrument overall.
but this all ends up whether you prefer a PJ or a Jazz

my BB was 4kg, but the Kestrel I played was heavier.

 

[Heiwa]

I'm a huge fan of Yamaha BBs but these older 424s have a far more aggressive/bright tone than classic PJ-basses or even than current BB models. Much more upper mid "bite" and a tighter, more percussive feel.

I play through an Ampeg SCR DI, so I would be able to tame the mids to my taste.
I really like the look of the BB basses too..