The Yamaha BB mega-thread

[Muzz]

Thanks for that, unfortunately still too heavy for me these days. It's a shame, but getting old sucks...

[gobasserk]

Sandbeg is offering  a line  of 3kg basses ! 

 

https://www.sandberg-guitars.de/california-sl-tm-superlight/

Edited May 28 by gobasserk

[Muzz]

Sadly no P option, but that's more like it! 👍

[Raj_Shredder]

I finally picked up my first BB!! A matte black 734A. It was a bit of a train wreck when I got it, but after a seriously lengthy fretboard cleaning and a much needed setup, it’s absolutely fantastic. It’s really quite the player!! 

[Al Krow]

@Raj_Shredder That is quite the vinyl record collection you have!

[Raj_Shredder]

4 hours ago, Al Krow said:

@Raj_Shredder That is quite the vinyl record collection you have!

There’s lots more than seen, but I’ve been collecting since I was a kid…. In the 70’s. lol. 

[soulstar89]

I just went to try some bb basses at Yamaha. Tried the bbp34, bb434 and bb734A. I have a 79 Yamaha pulser 400 which has a 39” neck and Bartolini pickups. 
 

The bbp34 was great. Built well, growly tone. For someone who never gets on with active basses at all (I’m an analogue person) I preferred the bb734A. It was easier to dial in things as everything has a d10 notch. Genuinely shocked I preferred it. Tone reminded me of my Bart’s. 
 

made me think, is the tone I like even vintage. 

Edited June 20 by soulstar89

[soulstar89]

On 02/06/2025 at 13:22, Raj_Shredder said:

I finally picked up my first BB!! A matte black 734A. It was a bit of a train wreck when I got it, but after a seriously lengthy fretboard cleaning and a much needed setup, it’s absolutely fantastic. It’s really quite the player!! 

I played the exact same today. I’m surprised how much I liked it as it’s active. Truly an enjoyable bass to play. 

[soulstar89]

Question. What are the EQ frequency settings of the bass,mids,treble on the Yamaha bb734A. 
 

I have looked on the Yamaha website and it doesn’t state. Internet doesn’t come back with anything either 
 

Cheers

 

Edited June 20 by soulstar89

[Al Krow]

On 20/06/2025 at 21:36, soulstar89 said:

Question. What are the EQ frequency settings of the bass,mids,treble on the Yamaha bb734A. 
 

I have looked on the Yamaha website and it doesn’t state. Internet doesn’t come back with anything either 
 

Cheers

 

 

The preamp EQ frequencies for quite a few bass brands seems to be something they keep close to their chest!

[soulstar89]

10 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

 

The preamp EQ frequencies for quite a few bass brands seems to be something they keep close to their chest!

Yes. The sales assistant emailed back stating they don’t have a documentation of the EQ frequencies 

[AndyTravis]

Anyone got one of these knocking about?

 

I may need one…I may not…😏

[soulstar89]

9 hours ago, AndyTravis said:

Anyone got one of these knocking about?

 

I may need one…I may not…😏

😳 you jammy bugger. congrats! I wish manny was closer to London. I would invite myself over and would bring my famous curry  so I could try a bb lol. 

Edited August 18 by soulstar89

[AndyTravis]

After some fettlement…

 

yup. Very happy to have an 1100s back in the fold.

 

Wish I could remember where my old sunburst one went.

[miles'tone]

Does anybody know if the bolt-on Yamaha BBVI has the same pickups as the through neck BB1200?

I'm really taken with the idea of a BB1200 but the weight of them (and the price now) makes it a no go for me unfortunately. 

I'm wondering if the cheaper and a bit lighter BBVI would be a good buy instead?

Thoughts appreciated...

 

Edit... I'll soon find out, just bought one online for a song. 

 

Guinness - the voice of reason 😄

Edited Saturday at 21:50 by miles'tone

[andy67]

If I recall correctly, the BBVI is the BB1600 for the Asian market, I’m sure someone will correct me sooner rather than latter 😎🤘

[andy67]

Corrected myself.

[miles'tone]

4 hours ago, andy67 said:

If I recall correctly, the BBVI is the BB1600 for the Asian market, I’m sure someone will correct me sooner rather than latter 😎🤘

I think the BBX is the non export BB1600. 

🤔

[YellowLedBetterBass]

I'm torn between a Yamaha BB234 and Sire P5 as my first ever "P Style" bass. Does anyone have any recommendations for which I should be going for?

[Misdee]

28 minutes ago, YellowLedBetterBass said:

I'm torn between a Yamaha BB234 and Sire P5 as my first ever "P Style" bass. Does anyone have any recommendations for which I should be going for?

If you want a traditional P-style sound and feel then the Sire is probably a better bet. The Yamaha is a decent entry-level BBC, but the Sire is a much more faithful rendition of a Fender Precision.

 

Whether it's a P Bass, Jazz Bass or Stingray, Sire get shockingly close to the sound and playability of the more expensive basses they are trying to emulate.

[andy67]

Not a BB but a TRB Mk1 Japan and a steal - https://ebay.us/m/J7zX53

[Paddy777]

 

I’m back in the club again - got this BBP35 with Nordstrand pups last week, plays beautifully and has a great PBass sound on the front pup. I can see what all the fuss is about with these now I’ve got it in my hands, an amazingly comfy neck and the quality is ridiculously good all the way through. My main bass is still an active J but this is a fantastic alternative when the P Bass is needed, gonna stick some TI flats on it once I’ve got a spare £80 😖

[Paddy777]

On 28/09/2025 at 09:59, YellowLedBetterBass said:

I'm torn between a Yamaha BB234 and Sire P5 as my first ever "P Style" bass. Does anyone have any recommendations for which I should be going for?

IMO the Sire P5 is a better quality bass, it’s less versatile as it just has the one pickup and you’ll not go far wrong with either, but a second hand BB434 is what I’d be looking for if you want a Yamaha, the Sire P5 is really good tho - the Sire P5R is outstanding