CameronJ

If active with a passive option, a SEPARATE passive tone knob. The best implementation of this I’ve seen is the MTD Kingston Saratoga Deluxe preamp. Only the 3 band EQ works in active mode and when you switch to passive the EQ is bypassed and only the tone knob works. So at the flick of a switch you can instantly go from bright HiFi modern tones to subby tone-down thump. This system works better IMO than what a lot of other brands do, which is have the treble knob become the tone knob when switched to passive, meaning you have to keep changing the position of that knob if you want a really bright active sound vs a really dark passive sound, or vice versa.

I have to say @Dood, your purple headless 6 string elicits pure jealousy from me. Just outrageously stunning! Having engaged in email discussion with Jon about some upcoming mods I have planned, he seems to be a really nice guy - always a bonus when parting with one’s hard earned cash. I’m actually considering doing one of Jon’s bass building courses at some point!

Yep. It’s a strong +1 from me. Yamaha may have actually hurt themselves by making their lower end BB424/5 and 1024/5 so good not that many people felt the need to shell out the extra dough for their top end 2024/5. It’s a different situation with the likes of the NE2 and Attitude basses as they don’t really have more affordable equivalents. They’ve been very smart in making the price tiers in the new range more distinct feature-wise than the older generation was. Active options as well as passive, very different finishes, some maple fingerboards thrown in. Well done Yammy.

Really loving the branding on the headstocks of the new BBs.

A handsome brute.

Not sure why but I actually really love the “eagle beak” style headstocks from the likes of Sadowsky, Xotic, Lakland etc.

Having played both I’d say the 435 and 1025x necks feel a bit different, mostly in finish. They’re both satin necks but the newer ones are slightly more “aggressively” satin, if that makes any sense. I could feel the texture of the wood on the 435, whereas on my old 1025x the neck had less of that textured feeling - slicker to the touch. Both basses have satin finished necks but different degrees of satin I guess. I can’t say I necessarily prefer one over the other. I definitely preferred the pickup selector switch of the older 1025x vs the blend knob Yamaha have gone for across the new range. So so easy to go between 3 distinct tones.

Either the 212 or 210 will both work just fine. I believe they’re both 8ohm cabs so you’d only be getting around half the power of the amp through either one of them, and even then you’d have to be running the gain and master volumes at max to be putting that wattage through the cabinet anyway. Long story short, the BQ500 won’t blow the K212 or K210. The 212 will probably give you a little more volume.

I believe they’re keeping the 7.25 radius and gloss finish on the Vintage V7 necks, so there’s still something for everyone in the new range.

I saw a lovely looking flamed maple one you PM’d the seller for a few months ago @Al Krow - presumably he never got back to you?

Although, having said that...

Handsome basses indeed. Sadly I can’t help with finding one!

@therealting resistance is futile.

I hate to be the bearer of good news but there’s one for sale right now in the classifieds!

Grim. I have to say I agree with this!

@AndyTravis that is horrendous! And they charge how much?

But at least at Wal you have options:

I actually like the Fodera headstocks. They’re certainly a more attractive 2+2 design than this IMO:

Dear god that looks like a shovel.

Hmmm. I like most of these changes but the battery compartments feel like a step backwards. Not sure I enjoy the M7 series going from a satin finish to gloss either. Not that I was going to be buying one anyway but still 😅