Which Yamaha BB for the money?

[Greenman72]

https://www.sweetwater.com/yamaha-bb/series

BB Series - Overview - Yamaha USA

Long story short - Local GC (that’s 300 miles away) only had the BBP34 available. I played it and I loved it, both the fit and the tone.

But why does the BBP cost 2x the 734? Why is it 3x the 434? Is it worth the extra coin? Which one and why?

(“Go to the store and try both and see what you like” isn’t an option.)

 

[CuiFoo]

I've tried them all, I think the BB234 is good for the price, while the others are just good instruments on their own. The BB434 felt a little "cheaper" and thinner sounding than the BB734 and BBP34, but not bad by any means.

I think the 734 and BBP are closer in quality and tone than the retail price might indicate. I found them very similar-sounding (734 in passive mode). You can definitely feel the difference in quality and finish on the BBP, which is just impeccable, but whether that justifies 2x the 734 cost is more of a personal question. For me, the biggest differences where the feel/finish of the neck and the overall feel of the instrument, so I went for a BBP34 (used).

I'd consider a used BBP34, especially if you can find one in very good shape. Yamaha's resale value is much lower than other brands, so if you buy used you can take advantage of that.

 

[SharpCat]

They are all great. But $320 for the 234 is a steal.

 

[Sean150]

The 734 and BBP34 are almost identical in specs, but the 734 is the mass produced Indonesian made version and the BBP34 is the hand finished Japanese made version. I went with the BBP34 and would make the same decision again. It is as nice as a the MM Stingrays and Fodera that I have played.

 

[Greenman72]

Yamaha's resale value is much lower than other brands….

Really? I did not know that. Why do you think that is?

 

[mixbus]

As someone who had & recently sold a BBP34, it seems some people think of Yamaha differently than other brands - like they are a mass-produced bland product because they make all sorts of stuff...instead of the flashy Fender, Music Man, Sandberg etc... Whether it's marketing or what I don't know.

I had to really lower the price to get mine to sell. People aren't seeing the value in what they're getting & overlook these.

They are amazing bases!! They have a deceptive low key vibe that grows on you. Like they can't be THAT good, can they?!?

And... FWIW - I regret selling mine and am in the process of getting another!

Whadda I know!

 

[JenderBazzFass]

The BBP34 is Made in Japan and is top quality. I think they come with a hard case too.

 

[songwriter21]

Was an incredible bass, just that I sold it because the body was too big for me.

 

[sonojono]

The active circuit on the 734 is a hard pass. So I voted for the 434. Not only that the 434 can be had at a cheap price used, it’s a solid entry level bass in the BB lineup.

 

[Swerve]

I've only had the chance to demo a few BB234's and was not impressed. The 734 is active so that's a no for me. So my vote would be the 434, or if you've got the scratch, the P34. I'm also not a fan of the black headstocks, prefer the classic Yamaha look with the two wood stripes.

 

[Steve Fox]

Last summer I very briefly owned a BBP35. The neck, the construction, everything about that bass was just drenched in quality and great design.

That being said there were a couple parts of the bass that I didn’t care for. The fingerboard was very flat, which isn’t a bad thing at all but it wasn’t comfortable for my hands.

The pickups and electronics really made my tailpipe itch though. For a bass that was well near $1700 new it was just too damn noisy.

 

[CTBassGuy]

Mine is a sample size of 2 at the extreme spectrum ends; the BB234 and BBP34.

My son‘s friend has the 234 which he brought over to our house so I could tweak it and set it up for him. My overall impression was “it’s OK, But nothing special”. For the price, it’s a good instrument. I would buy it over just about any Squier at any of their price points.

On the other end, I’ve been on a quest to find a fretted mate for my Pedulla Buzz, but recently acquired a BBP34 I really couldn’t pass up (at like 1/5 the current Pedulla going rate). I bought it thinking I’ll see what it’s like and flip it for a small profit if I’m not keen on it. After having owned the BBP34 for a few months now, it can very satisfactorily fill that position. I’ll still keep an eye out for a Pedulla MVP, but if I never find one I can afford, the BBP34 is a very good substitute, IMO. I was and I’m still amazed at how good it really is.

 

[Low Down Brown]

I gigged a 734 for a while. I actually really liked the active pre-, but it sounded great in passive, so that's where I kept it most of the time. It was a very well-constructed instrument and very comfortable to play. I sold it so I could get a 735, but I ended up going with a 32" scale fiver instead. I still think about grabbing a 735 and taking it in for a defret because I think the BB73- series would make killer fretless basses.

 

[Minimalist]

I'd go either used BBP34 or a BB1024/2024. The BBP34 can be had for around 1k used. The older BB1024 sounds a bit dirtier if that makes sense. Definitely a great instrument for blues and classic rock.

 

[Isaac_James]

I am a very happy owner of a 735. While it's on par, price wise, with my other basses, it feels a lot better in so many ways. It really is a good value. I can't speak on the P34/35 line as I haven't tried it yet.

Others here have noted the active preamp being a deal breaker. That was also a feature I had misgivings about initially, but I bought it anyway figuring I could just switch the preamp off and leave it there.

But it turns out that I don't mind this preamp after all. It doesn't add much in the way of tonal color to the sound, just some EQ adjustment and a little extra clarity.

 

[jam.majors]

I have heard really great things about the BBP series, but I don't own one. I do have a 735a, though.
Aside from the active/passive option, one thing I like better is having a balance knob instead of a Volume/Volume configuration. For the way I like to play, that's really important.
And I second @Low Down Brown on wishing I could have a fretless BB735a. That would be amazing.

 

[ThaCoast]

I voted carrots - because my suggestion would be finding a used BB model (like in the vintage). I had a 1985-86 BB300 for less than a year or so, & it was a cool bass. Paid 250$ CAD in used market, (with a hard case & some miscs. Only reason i sold it was because it sounded dead middle between two of my other basses (a pbass copy & a grabber copy). I did trace the body shape out & built my own rendition of it (with a nordstrand 2b-3a preamp, reverse split p pickup) & it delivers on what i need.

You can find good deals on older models if you're patient enough.

 

[booch29]

Really? I did not know that. Why do you think that is?

It's a fact.
Most people don't realize how good yamahas are, or just looking for a fender tone and feel...
The BBP34 for me, is a high end instrument, it's just plays like butter!!!

 

[J Wilson]

For me, the 7- basses, 4 or 5, are the sweet spot. No problem with the less expensive series, and the BBP's may be a hill to climb price-wise with the production differences not obvious or noticeable to some, save for the passive electronics being the real difference.

The BBP's are MIJ at Yamaha's MusicKraft shop, where they make the Nate Easts, the JP 6's, the Sheehans, etc.
with the best builders and high-spec wood and hardware. Whether that is worth the price difference is up to you. I've owned many 80's MIJ BB's and they were all exceptional.

 

[808P123]

I regret selling my BB435...such a great bass