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Which Yamaha BB for the money?

Which BB (considering price)?

  • $320 - BB234

    Votes: 8 5.0%

  • $520 - BB434

    Votes: 39 24.2%

  • $800 - BB734

    Votes: 53 32.9%

  • $1900 - BBP34

    Votes: 50 31.1%

  • The one that says “fender” on it

    Votes: 6 3.7%

  • Carrots

    Votes: 5 3.1%
  • Total voters
    161
#41
Deleted member 271037 said:
Interesting! I've never heard about this. The Yamaha website still says 40 mm (= 1.575") for ALL their 4-string BB-models. Where did you get 1.59" from???

I purchased my BBP34 brand new around 4 years ago (I'm not sure about the actual year it was built but definitely older than March 2023). The width at the nut measures 1.578", which is pretty much spot on 40 mm.

1.5" would definitely be a noticeable difference (almost 2 mm), and not necessarily for the better, depending on personal taste of course. This would mean moving from a neck that's leaning heavily towards a slim/"modern" P-bass neck to a J-bass neck. When necks get slimmer I generally like them to also get thicker front-to-back. I'm not sure I would be as happy with a 1.5" nut width unless they also make the neck profile slightly "deeper" (which is suspect isn't be the case here).

Can anyone else with a BBP34 (or other BBs for that matter) made after or around March 2023 confirm this?
Click to expand...

I meant 1.57" per the Yamaha secs... I did run across a new BBP34 at an online store & they said the nut width was 1.59! It was built in 2-2023. So who knows!
 
#42
Just for context, I own a BBP34 and a BB434 and if something happened to either one of them, I'd take the insurance money and buy another one just like it. I've never played the other two. Whether the BBP is worth almost four times the 434 is completely your call. There are obvious differences in overall quality and sound, but if I had only $600 and could afford only one bass, I'd buy the 434 in a nanosecond. I love mine and always take it as a "just-in-case" backup for my upright. However, if I know it's definitely an EBG gig, the BBP is generally my choice.
 
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#43
Deleted member 271037 said:
Btw, I forgot to mention the ONE thing I didn't like about my BBP34: The B250k linear pots. The tone control worked more like an on/off switch. Have they sorted this out yet, or is this still a problem with these basses? It was a relatively quick fix of course. It's just a matter of replacing the stock pots (at least the tone pot) with A250k logarithmic/audio taper pots, but still... Such a strange oversight on an otherwise OUTSTANDING instrument.

I know mine isn't the only one with linear pots btw, I've played others with the same problem.
Click to expand...
I don't know if the new ones still come with the linear pots, but mine is older and did come with linear - I just replaced it, quick and easy fix.
 
#46
I own the BB435, while the 700 series was calling my name, I wanted something lighter that would also be somewhat of a mod platform knowing how picky I am about things. I've replaced the pots, pickups and tuners and this thing plays and sounds awesome. Has become my everyday player even though I own a Serek and a few Fenders. I think your really cant go wrong with any of them imo
 
#47
Dabndug said:
On a pure utility basis, the BB734 has the BBP34 covered for less than half the ask.
Click to expand...

Yes, in the same way that on a pure utility basis a good Squier CV has a Fender Custom shop covered at (significantly) less than half the price. Plus the BB734a is active/passive.

Or we could look at it another way: The BBP34 is easily as good as any Fender Custom Shop I've ever played, at less than half the price.

The BBP34 specs may not look more impressive than the BB734a on paper, but the build quality really is a class above. Both are superb instruments in their price range, but crazy as it may sound I still think the BBP34 is BY FAR the best value of all current BBs. It feels like an instruments that should cost at least twice as much. I suspect Yamaha can't make much money on the BB Pro series. The level of craftsmanship is FAR beyond what I would expect for $1799 which is the current price at Sweetwater. That's an absolute steal for an instrument of this quality!!!
 
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#49
Op here. Question - on the 734, will it play without a battery? The TRBX 504/604 will still function, even when the battery is totally removed. (I won’t buy a bass if I can’t play it in passive mode with no battery.)
 
#52
I have an affinity for my BB734a. Its my favorite bass and really my favorite instrument. I put some flatwound cobalt strings on it ,replaced the Precision pickup with a fender vintage custom one of some kind and I'm ordering a split Jazz pickup from Lindy Fralin. Something about Yamaha basses really stands out to me. It plays so well and feels just right.
 
#56
Played the 734 today

Killed the Fender Ultra II Precision.

I absolutely loved the preamp and everything else about it

If NAMM wasn't so close, I'd order the burst.

My only mod would be a Fralin Split Jazz pup.

20241222_104325.jpg
 
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#57
SharpCat said:
They are all great. But $320 for the 234 is a steal.
Click to expand...
I gotta chime in cuz the BB234 was/is my first bass - but I modded the dickens out of it and doubled my investment in the process. All that's original is the wood - every component has been upgraded, and with excellent results I might add.

If this is your cup o' tea, I can recommend it - otherwise pay more and do less.
 

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#59
Zoot H Rollo said:
Played the 734 today

Killed the Fender Ultra II Precision.

I absolutely loved the preamp and everything else about it

If NAMM wasn't so close, I'd order the burst.

My only mod would be a Fralin Split Jazz pup.

View attachment 7105920
Click to expand...
These BB basses are the best deal out there. Such amazing instruments flat out, and not "for the price range".
 
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#60
Brian Patterson said:
I gotta chime in cuz the BB234 was/is my first bass - but I modded the dickens out of it and doubled my investment in the process. All that's original is the wood - every component has been upgraded, and with excellent results I might add.

If this is your cup o' tea, I can recommend it - otherwise pay more and do less.
Click to expand...
I like the wood pickguard and control plate. Did you put a shim under the bridge?
 

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