I'm primarily a guitarist, but needed a bass. I love Yamaha value and quality and the specs and price on it sounded ideal. My 434 (same as yours: Green, dark neck) has been wonderful.
My first bass was a TRBX304 with the double humbucher, but im currently looking for a pj bass might go give this one a try Yamaha really do make great basses
Thanks for watching. Absolutely, this is a fantastic PJ bass. If you can stretch, the BB734 gives a slight upgrade in the pickups and the ability to use active or passive. Either bass is outstanding.
Great review and explanation! I've been looking at the trbx 504 but I noticed that my fav band bass players from the 80s and 90s used a pj. Maybe the trbx would be too modern sounding!
@@philgraves4998 thanks for watching. I haven’t had much todo with the trbx. Ideas.from memory, the neck is a bit narrower, but the main difference is the soap bar pickups vs the PJ. I personally prefer the P style, but if the trbx feels comfortable, it will be an excellent bass.
Good instruments. I have played a lot of Ibanez basses mostly 1000 euros and up and all of them have been returned for QC issues. With Yamaha every bass I had was stellar/ The BB734A is a great instrument, I would also reccomend the Yamaha TRB1004J.
@@albertmarkethinkpr1325 thanks for watching. I agree with you on the quality of Yamaha basses. I also have the BB734 . Slightly more pricy, but the ability for active and passive is great.
I've owned many basses, including fender p-bass and jazz of multiple variations and years, and think the BB434 and BB435 is the best value out there by a really wide margin.
I totally agree. For the price, the quality and the playability is awesome. I do like my p-bass, but I hardly ever use it as the BB feels much more comfortable.
@@twistieonbass Definitely. It's great to meet people that understand the BB. My biggest challenge was that I had to EQ to cut the highs and low mids, but that was mostly resolved when I switched to flat wounds, reduced tone, and lowered the pickups. The only way to get better for what I do is a very expensive fretless p bass. But this is like 95% of that, but for only 25% of the money. And far easier to play IMO.
@@s.gharavi1614 I usually roll off the tone about a quarter turn, which to me sorts out the high eq. Me and flat wounds don't get along to well though I'm afraid 🙂I probably just don't use them enough.
@twistieonbass Totally understand the flat wound issue. I think that adding to string tension often sounds better, but comes at a cost of playability. That's why I love playing my Danelectro short scale bass. It's so fun to play. But I can't get that deep tone. It's just the physics of the thing.
My first bass was a Yamaha BB as well. A BB G5. They looked a bit different back then. JJ pickups and 24 frets, but similar body shape. It served me well for 15 years, great bass! But if you're going 5-string, Yamahas have very narrow necks at the nut. But still nice wide string spacing at the bridge. I agree with your recommendation, they are great instruments, especially for beginners, but also for pros!
@@VeitLehmann thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. I’ve not used a 5 string but I think you are right about the neck being a little narrow for it. Having said that, people who have the BB735 rave about them.
I have a BB435 and it's great. Trying to get heavier (or flat) strings to tame the highs and reduce lower mids. I'd prefer hotter pickups, as well, but it's probably not worth it.
Thanks for watching, and the feedback. I have replaced the pickups on my BB734 with Dimarzio Relentless, and they have made a difference. Haven't done it to my 434 as I don't play it as much as the 734. I use Rotosound BS66 strings which have a heavy E and a lighter G. Give them a go and see what you think.
Thanks, this was a good review. I went the G&L route, and its a shame they are more widely know. Leo Fender’s final company where he developed all his old designs. Take a look and try to play, their SB-2T, also a PJ set up but Leo MFD pups are like nothing else. But I’ve always loved the BB and this week will be going for a 734, in coffee burst (pickguard will be removed). The alder/maple middle body I wanted, aswell as the better bridge and both Active and Passive is best of both worlds. All the best from Canada’s East coast!🤟🏼
Thanks very much for watching. I very nearly picked up a G&L bass when I was looking for an active bass. It was really great, but in the end I opted for the BB734a and am extremely happy with it (Coffee Burst). Build and playability is on par with the 434, but the ability to have active or passive opens up a lot of opportunities. I have another video on the channel that goes through me changing the pickups to the Dimarzio Relentless. The standard pickups are great, but I wanted to make them the same as my Attitude Bass.
@@twistieonbass this is good to see you also wanted a 734. I'm considering a 5, to have a new bass have that additional different something from my eight others. Yes, the sickness... but I've always sold off any 5er I've tried to like in the past... will probably stick with the 734, string through with flats and it'll be the yin to my white G&L SB2T's roundwound yang at gigs.
@@peatybirchgroover All my basses, except one, are strung with Rotosound BS66 strings which I have been using for decades. The BB434 and 734 I have setup as string-through as I find it gets a better tone (could just be me!!). I have added a Hipshot Bass Extender (D-Tune) to allow me to drop the E to a D, but I have not ventured into 5-string. After 40 years, I'm still learning the 4-string, but the Low B does sound cool when I hear it :-)
Bought this bass this year as a beginner and I love it, I can't stop playing. I mainly play with headphones, and I noticed sometimes weird noises depending on the pick up configuration. Also pick ups in general feels cheap and tend to move if I push the P ones. Is a 150€ upgrade (EGM GZR) worth it?
@@albertozaffonato1325 thanks for watching. I haven’t noticed that issue with the pickups. I have upgraded mine to Dimarzio Relentless because I really like them, not because I needed to.
Looking for an amazing entry level bass that will last all the way through to professional work?
I'm primarily a guitarist, but needed a bass. I love Yamaha value and quality and the specs and price on it sounded ideal. My 434 (same as yours: Green, dark neck) has been wonderful.
@@DavidAVest thanks for watching. It is definitely the best value bass I own.
My first bass was a TRBX304 with the double humbucher, but im currently looking for a pj bass might go give this one a try Yamaha really do make great basses
Thanks for watching. Absolutely, this is a fantastic PJ bass. If you can stretch, the BB734 gives a slight upgrade in the pickups and the ability to use active or passive. Either bass is outstanding.
Great review and explanation! I've been looking at the trbx 504 but I noticed that my fav band bass players from the 80s and 90s used a pj. Maybe the trbx would be too modern sounding!
@@philgraves4998 thanks for watching. I haven’t had much todo with the trbx. Ideas.from memory, the neck is a bit narrower, but the main difference is the soap bar pickups vs the PJ. I personally prefer the P style, but if the trbx feels comfortable, it will be an excellent bass.
Great vid, mate. Thanks
Thanks very much for watching, and taking the time to feedback. Much appreciated.
I bought an ice blue BB434 about 6 months ago, i love it. I mostly play with the p pick up and it sounds so good
@@fumancu8625 thanks for watching. I agree. Awesome bass
Good instruments. I have played a lot of Ibanez basses mostly 1000 euros and up and all of them have been returned for QC issues. With Yamaha every bass I had was stellar/ The BB734A is a great instrument, I would also reccomend the Yamaha TRB1004J.
@@albertmarkethinkpr1325 thanks for watching. I agree with you on the quality of Yamaha basses. I also have the BB734 . Slightly more pricy, but the ability for active and passive is great.
I've owned many basses, including fender p-bass and jazz of multiple variations and years, and think the BB434 and BB435 is the best value out there by a really wide margin.
I totally agree. For the price, the quality and the playability is awesome. I do like my p-bass, but I hardly ever use it as the BB feels much more comfortable.
@@twistieonbass Definitely. It's great to meet people that understand the BB. My biggest challenge was that I had to EQ to cut the highs and low mids, but that was mostly resolved when I switched to flat wounds, reduced tone, and lowered the pickups. The only way to get better for what I do is a very expensive fretless p bass. But this is like 95% of that, but for only 25% of the money. And far easier to play IMO.
@@s.gharavi1614 I usually roll off the tone about a quarter turn, which to me sorts out the high eq. Me and flat wounds don't get along to well though I'm afraid 🙂I probably just don't use them enough.
@twistieonbass Totally understand the flat wound issue. I think that adding to string tension often sounds better, but comes at a cost of playability. That's why I love playing my Danelectro short scale bass. It's so fun to play. But I can't get that deep tone. It's just the physics of the thing.
My first bass was a Yamaha BB as well. A BB G5. They looked a bit different back then. JJ pickups and 24 frets, but similar body shape. It served me well for 15 years, great bass! But if you're going 5-string, Yamahas have very narrow necks at the nut. But still nice wide string spacing at the bridge. I agree with your recommendation, they are great instruments, especially for beginners, but also for pros!
@@VeitLehmann thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. I’ve not used a 5 string but I think you are right about the neck being a little narrow for it. Having said that, people who have the BB735 rave about them.
I have a BB435 and it's great. Trying to get heavier (or flat) strings to tame the highs and reduce lower mids. I'd prefer hotter pickups, as well, but it's probably not worth it.
Thanks for watching, and the feedback. I have replaced the pickups on my BB734 with Dimarzio Relentless, and they have made a difference. Haven't done it to my 434 as I don't play it as much as the 734.
I use Rotosound BS66 strings which have a heavy E and a lighter G. Give them a go and see what you think.
Thanks, this was a good review. I went the G&L route, and its a shame they are more widely know. Leo Fender’s final company where he developed all his old designs. Take a look and try to play, their SB-2T, also a PJ set up but Leo MFD pups are like nothing else.
But I’ve always loved the BB and this week will be going for a 734, in coffee burst (pickguard will be removed). The alder/maple middle body I wanted, aswell as the better bridge and both Active and Passive is best of both worlds.
All the best from Canada’s East coast!🤟🏼
Thanks very much for watching. I very nearly picked up a G&L bass when I was looking for an active bass. It was really great, but in the end I opted for the BB734a and am extremely happy with it (Coffee Burst). Build and playability is on par with the 434, but the ability to have active or passive opens up a lot of opportunities. I have another video on the channel that goes through me changing the pickups to the Dimarzio Relentless. The standard pickups are great, but I wanted to make them the same as my Attitude Bass.
@@twistieonbass this is good to see you also wanted a 734. I'm considering a 5, to have a new bass have that additional different something from my eight others. Yes, the sickness... but I've always sold off any 5er I've tried to like in the past... will probably stick with the 734, string through with flats and it'll be the yin to my white G&L SB2T's roundwound yang at gigs.
@@peatybirchgroover All my basses, except one, are strung with Rotosound BS66 strings which I have been using for decades. The BB434 and 734 I have setup as string-through as I find it gets a better tone (could just be me!!). I have added a Hipshot Bass Extender (D-Tune) to allow me to drop the E to a D, but I have not ventured into 5-string. After 40 years, I'm still learning the 4-string, but the Low B does sound cool when I hear it :-)
Bought this bass this year as a beginner and I love it, I can't stop playing. I mainly play with headphones, and I noticed sometimes weird noises depending on the pick up configuration. Also pick ups in general feels cheap and tend to move if I push the P ones. Is a 150€ upgrade (EGM GZR) worth it?
@@albertozaffonato1325 thanks for watching. I haven’t noticed that issue with the pickups. I have upgraded mine to Dimarzio Relentless because I really like them, not because I needed to.
@twistieonbass thank you!
Yamaha Bass guitars are superb.
Hey!! Thanks for watching. I completely agree. Are you using one?
Love this bass, but is so heavy, so I prefer the Yamaha TRBX-605, Is plume.
@@dxurbina awesome. Another fantastic bass. I prefer the BB because of the pickup configuration, but the TRBX is on my wish list.
I didn't know fred durst played bass
Me either.
Most bassists end up playing P style basses so this great starting point.
I've tried a few different configurations, but always seem to come back to that P-Bass style.
Thanks for this. Thinking about a yamaha trbx174. Hopefully they are not made in China
TRBX are also great basses.
I got a fender jazz,93.my yamaha is a cheaper version,but it's lighter,plays faster,and sounds mean.
@@chucke9492 Fantastic!! Thanks for watching