Yamaha BB234 vs Ibanez SR300E

[FretRiff]

These two shouldn't even be compared togetherif you know what kind of sound you're going for. One is passive PJ the other is active dual-coil pickups. They're both basses but they do different things and sound different because of their electronics.

For what it's worth I went through a similar decisionmaking process but I knew what sound I wanted, so I focused on passive P and PJ basses, with sub-$550 Yamaha and Sire basses being considered because of sound, build quality and build consistency. I went with Yamaha -- good luck with yours!

 

[OhCompassMyComp]

Hello all,

Have you ever found yourself in vapor lock over deciding between which of two basses to buy?

I've already read a bunch of posts over these 2 basses but still stuck and interested in your opinions as you may have thought of something I haven't. Plus all your experiences with these or similar basses are valuable and I appreciate your input. Neither of these models are at a local store.

I have diverse tastes but I come from the school of classic rock. I prefer a clean, balanced bass tone.

Here are my thoughts currently.

I am looking for a grab n go. I have a Fender Jazz that I love but I don't want to drag it to all potential situations. My primary criteria is that I don't want to spend more than $400, the neck needs to feel good, the pickups sound decent, and I don't want it to weigh too much. I have 2 amps, an Ampeg PF500 with the PF210 cab and a New Fender Rumble 800 which is what it will mostly be used with.

Between these two...

Looks
Yamaha BB234 Good
Ibanez SR300E Good

Weight
Yamaha BB234: I'm guessing it is a little heavier
Ibanez SR300E: I'm guessing it is a little lighter

Price
Yamaha BB234: Under $400
Ibanez SR300E: Under $400

Neck
Yamaha BB234: Unknown
Ibanez SR300E: I like the Ibanez necks on the models I've played

Pickups
Yamaha BB234: I like good passive pickups
Ibanez SR300E: Active electronics, sound good from demos I've heard. May give a little punchier sound.

Reviews
Yamaha BB234: Gets good reviews
Ibanez SR300E: Gets good reviews. Read a few complaints of qa issues

I am leaning ever so slightly towards the Yamaha because, I like the simpler electronics and I like the light wood color.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BB234YNS
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SR300EBWNF

Thanks!

Is their absolutely no way to use credit or sell another instrument to fund a used BBP34 on reverb?

 

[Ash Jazz]

Is their absolutely no way to use credit or sell another instrument to fund a used BBP34 on reverb?

Yes but the point is to find a bass that is good enough to be a grab and go bass, especially for situations I'm not comfortable bringing my jazz bass.

 

[dune]

Not that I really need both but it's kind of tempting.

And would allow you to shoot a comparison video.

 

[Ash Jazz]

And would allow you to shoot a comparison video.

And help others with the same question. Great idea!

 

[Zooberwerx]

Yes but the point is to find a bass that is good enough to be a grab and go bass, especially for situations I'm not comfortable bringing my jazz bass.

You nailed it. For me, it's a mid-tier Ibanez Soundgear as it meets my weight & balance requirements, sounds pretty good, is remarkably stable, and serves as the sacrificial lamb among the 5. It was cheap, hot-rodded to an extent, but I'd feel really bad if something catastrophic were to happen.

Riis

 

[Aric Bjorn]

And help others with the same question. Great idea!

These two shouldn't even be compared togetherif you know what kind of sound you're going for. One is passive PJ the other is active dual-coil pickups. They're both basses but they do different things and sound different because of their electronics.

At these price points, some compromises will be made, whoever is making the instrument. Leaving out the active electronics to focus on the rest seemed like a really good compromise to me. Like I mentioned, I'm a big fan of my TRBXs, but I should also add that I have very little hands on experience with Ibanez basses. But I do know that directly comparing active to passive is like apples to oranges. My 605 has an active/passive switch, and I prefer passive, though the active mode also sounds really nice. I prefer the sound of a passive bass through my JHS Punchline, that does what I need it to

 

[Ash Jazz]

At these price points, some compromises will be made, whoever is making the instrument. Leaving out the active electronics to focus on the rest seemed like a really good compromise to me. Like I mentioned, I'm big fan of the TRBX, but I should also add that I have very little hands on experience with Ibanez basses. But I do know that comparing active to passive is like apples to oranges.

I did touch on this in my OP. I said I like a clean balanced sound and that I like the sound of good passive pickups, like my Jazz, but I also said that demos of the Ibanez sounded good, maybe a little more punchy. So I am open minded to the sound of the Ibanez.

 

[BassicJazzy]

Thanks everybody, I totally appreciate your posts.

I just found a bb234 on Ebay for $150 and jumped on it! I got it so cheap Im thinking I may be able to go over board and get the ibby too!

Not that I really need both but it's kind of tempting.

Why don't you pick up the fretless version of the SR, if you are going for a second bass at that price point? SR370EF. It's a little more money but it will make you a better player, once you get used to the lack of frets.

It only took me a week to adjust to playing fretless. It really helps with training your ears, and also reinforces proper fingering technique. Opens up lots of tonal possibilities and different sounds you cannot easily get from a fretted instrument.

 

[FretRiff]

At these price points, some compromises will be made, whoever is making the instrument. Leaving out the active electronics to focus on the rest seemed like a really good compromise to me. Like I mentioned, I'm big fan of the TRBX, but I should also add that I have very little hands on experience with Ibanez basses. But I do know that comparing active to passive is like apples to oranges.

I'm not sure what the economies of scale are for bass electronics, but there is an additional cost for proper installation of a preamp. Maybe more important we repeatedly see for cheaper mass market instruments active electronics that tend to sound worse than more expensive active basses. It seems like I've seen countless LowEndLobster reviews of less expensive active basses discussed as 'modding platforms' that could use replacement preamps and/or pickups.

All things equal if the profit margins are the same between identically priced active and passive basses, manufacturers have to cut costs somewhere on the active model. That might show up in looser quality control (eg poor quality fretwork) worse materials (lesser/softer wood, slippy tuners) or in compromises to the electronics like cheaper pickups or an underwhelming preamp.

 

[BassicJazzy]

I'm not sure what the economies of scale are for bass electronics, but there is an additional cost for proper installation of a preamp. Maybe more important we repeatedly see for cheaper mass market instruments active electronics that tend to sound worse than more expensive active basses. It seems like I've seen countless LowEndLobster reviews of less expensive active basses discussed as 'modding platforms' that could use replacement preamps and/or pickups.

All things equal if the profit margins are the same between identically priced active and passive basses, manufacturers have to cut costs somewhere on the active model. That might show up in looser quality control (eg poor quality fretwork) worse materials (lesser/softer wood, slippy tuners) or in compromises to the electronics like cheaper pickups or an underwhelming preamp.

Yeah, I'm not a super-fan of the Ibanez active EQs but they actually use the same pre-amp in the 300 series that goes into the mid-level models, which cost closer to a grand. The p'ups in this bass are proprietary but actually pretty good. They cheap out a bit in things like the tuners, the barrel jack (total crap), and the finish, which seems thin. The important part, though, like the neck and general construction, are pretty good. They play well above their price point.

 

[Ash Jazz]

Why don't you pick up the fretless version of the SR, if you are going for a second bass at that price point? SR370EF. It's a little more money but it will make you a better player, once you get used to the lack of frets.

It only took me a week to adjust to playing fretless. It really helps with training your ears, and also reinforces proper fingering technique. Opens up lots of tonal possibilities and different sounds you cannot easily get from a fretted instrument.

I actually have super el cheapo Dean fretless bass. I dont use it much but I am blessed with a good ear and can do a pretty good job on fretless. I also play a little viola and would love to get an upright or a Cello. That SR370EF looks awesome and would be a big step up over what I've got.

 

[joeLowB]

Thanks everybody, I totally appreciate your posts.

I just found a bb234 on Ebay for $150 and jumped on it! I got it so cheap Im thinking I may be able to go over board and get the ibby too!

Not that I really need both but it's kind of tempting.

Hey, that's terrific! Nice find.

Give it a careful set up and think carefully about strings...you have a player now which will totally satisfy the needs you spoke of in your initial post.

Happy for you! Let us know how it works out!


.

 

[BassicJazzy]

I actually have super el cheapo Dean fretless bass. I dont use it much but I am blessed with a good ear and can do a pretty good job on fretless. I also play a little viola and would love to get an upright or a Cello. That SR370EF looks awesome and would be a big step up over what I've got.

If you're curious, this is what the pre-amp in the SR370EF looks like.

 

[Ash Jazz]

If you're curious, this is what the pre-amp in the SR370EF looks like.

Cool, thanks.

 

[OhCompassMyComp]

Yes but the point is to find a bass that is good enough to be a grab and go bass, especially for situations I'm not comfortable bringing my jazz bass.

I have a guitar and bass for hanging in the living room that I don’t mind people bumping into so I understand that. Also I read or saw a take on YouTube recently about why you should always take and use your best stuff because you bought it to use it and as these basses take damage they become the most “Yours,” they could possibly be. I think it was Scott’s bass lessons actually. It’s also a little soul crushing anytime one of my babies takes damage.

 

[Yahboy]

Build quality and future bass mod, i choose BB234. But tone i prefer SR300E's powerspan eletronic.

I only been own myself the SR300E , but unstable neck issue just drive me nut.....

 

[toastw]

Glad you went the used route. I think instead of buying a second bass, maybe do a pickup swap or maybe preamp. Max out your bass budget and treat your new toy to a couple mods!

 

[BassicJazzy]

Build quality and future bass mod, i choose BB234. But tone i prefer SR300E's powerspan eletronic.

I only been own myself the SR300E , but unstable neck issue just drive me nut.....

Curious what you mean by "unstable neck issue?" I do notice that I have to adjust tuning on my SR370EF every time I take it out of its bag, but it stays in tune while I'm playing it, until the next day. I wouldn't call it unstable, just not "rock solid" like my Fender Jazz and premium-level SR1350B, which do not require re-tuning every time I play them.

It's a thin neck without stabilizing rods, and only a 4 bolt neck/body connection, to a relatively soft maple body, so I guess that's par for the course?

 

[Zazie Moondust]

Seconding either a fretless or modding/upgrading an existing bass.

A 2nd bass gives you a backup, alternative and the ability to more easily try different tunings and string types, but as you add more basses you start to get diminishing returns on that while the cost of maintenance of the basses, time spent playing each one and space to store them goes down.