GAS-ing Yamaha BB 234, but...

tyohars

tyohars

Nov 11, 2016
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#1
I already have Sire V7, a Jazz bass style active bass and I love it. But, now I'm on a market for Precision bass style, PASSIVE bass. If I want an active, I would buy a Sire P7, no question. So, I'm considering the Yamaha BB 234. It's a P/J bass, but all I really need is just the P part, but my budget is limited to under $ 200. Is it as good (in build quality and material) as Sire? Is it a waste to buy a P/J bass just for the P? For someone who already have it, how does it feel? Or, any suggestion for any P style bass? Fyi, in my area used Squier cost more than new BB234, so, I'm not looking for Squier. Thanks.
 
#2
Not sure what area you are in but I would buy a used Peavey Fury . Several members here have purchased them for under $200. I've seen a few listed for under that price as well.
If you are patient you can score a nice made in USA bass that will rival a Fender Precision. The necks are nice and small like a Jazz bass.
 
#3
tyohars said:
I already have Sire V7, a Jazz bass style active bass and I love it. But, now I'm on a market for Precision bass style, PASSIVE bass. If I want an active, I would buy a Sire P7, no question. So, I'm considering the Yamaha BB 234. It's a P/J bass, but all I really need is just the P part, but my budget is limited to under $ 200. Is it as good (in build quality and material) as Sire? Is it a waste to buy a P/J bass just for the P? For someone who already have it, how does it feel? Or, any suggestion for any P style bass? Fyi, in my area used Squier cost more than new BB234, so, I'm not looking for Squier. Thanks.
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I don't know Sire but I don't think you can go wrong with a Yamaha. They're one of the most quality-conscious companies on Earth. I have owned 3 Yamahas. Two of them -- a fretted and a fretless -- are my favorite electric basses and I regret selling the other. The BB 234 now features volume controls for each pickup rather than a switch that forces you to choose one pickup or the other or 50% of each. I'm a P guy and find myself using just that pickup because I like the sound, but there have been times when bandmates have been looking for a whinier tone and the J pickup came in handy. If you can get a new BB 234 for less than a new Squier, buy it.
 
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#4
I don't know the Yamahas at all myself, but they have a very good rep on here from what I read. Have a very nice Yamaha electric guitar I still haven't learned to play properly after 20 years. Sigh. I'll vote with checking the TB classifieds or even the GC used gear page for something used first though, some great deals to be found at times. I'll bash my local GC, it's a bad store, but I've had good luck on the used gear site twice now.
 
#6
I have Yamaha BB424 and it has incredible cut through sound. I have played it in many different band situations and it has never let me down. One drummer said that it has 'balls' so that should explain a lot of things.
I am on the other hand in pursuit of active 5 string and very ambivalent between Yamaha BB735 and Sire V7 Vintage. I am not considering Sire P7 because Yamaha has tighter and more agressive sound.
I own BB424 for almost 2 years now and during that time I have compared it to Fender Jazz MIA and MIM, Squier P and J, Ibanez J, older Yamaha BB versions, Aria, Sterling MM Ray and I have always kept my BB. The rest were sold on because I could not justify to keep them. Yamaha has extremely solid feel and good finish. I can lower it's action very low. One bassist said that he had the feeling of playing guitar.
All in all it is, by my opinion, the best passive bass you can buy for not that much money.
I am sure that BB234 would not dissapoint you.
 
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