Should I upgrade my Bass's Electronics? (Yamaha BB435)

[Rangotouille]

left and right output to connect two cabs and make it stero and more watts.

Unless you need insane amout of volume, I would think the mono version is good enough. I got the Stereo version for both the DVMark and Markbass because it was something like 600 bucks new and I needed a spare amp heads for my home overseas.

I connect the Eich bassboard into the Markbass Multiamp S instead of daisy chaining it. I've daisychained the bassboard on my TC electronic BG250 and it sapped power, bringing the overall volume down. If I did that to the Multiamp, I would lose substantial power just like the BG250. So if you want more volume, I would get the stero version. If you ever plan on adding something like the bassboard, get the more powerful one.

Thanks, I didn't even know something like the bassboard even existed. Looks pretty sweet. I can't say I don't want one.

I don't know if I'll ever perform live but that setup would be pretty awesome. I guess it comes down to price and availability as to which I'll go for. Meanwhile I'm going to play around with the two amps and the varitone on the guitar. Probably keep the martial as a portable practice amp and ultimately put the Cube 20XL on eBay (or maybe the other way around).

 

[Joemexibass]

It sounds like the OP is worrying about something that might not even be an issue. Get the bass play it then worry about it.

 

[MadScience]

Meanwhile I'm going all the way with this one using all the wrong tools

 

[HarveyRobertson]

What a shame..

 

[Johnny Vance]

I have a Yamaha BB435 (five string PJ) on its way to me and I want to send it to a luthier to get it professionally set up, and to get a custom fret dress to improve the action.

While I was was looking at the available local services it occurred to me that it might be a good idea to get the electronics upgraded at the same time, including replacing the pickups with hand-wound scatter-wound pickups...

...however, I took a closer look at Yamaha's web page for the BB435 and it states that it has Yamaha "Custom Wound Pickups":

My 2 questions:

1. Is what I've quoted above, from the Yamaha website, just meaningless marketing speak, or are the Yamaha "custom" pickups truly built to match the guitar?

Should I change the pickups to third party, custom, hand-wound (scatter-wound) pickups and will this improve the tone, or is it best to stick with Yamaha's custom wound pickups? Do you guys really think they are matched to the guitar?

2. Whether I upgrade the pickup or not, Should I buy a "fender P-bass" electronics kit to replace the internal wiring? Will this improve the sound, or is it better to stick with the original Yamaha wiring?

I've been reading posts by Yamaha BB435 owners and many of them are saying that at this price point the BB435 has the equivalent Fender beaten. I'm wondering if it's best not to mess with the electrical system or whether I can get an improvement to the sound by upgrading.

Hello, I have a Teal Blue 435. Love it. The neck is small. Very comfortable. As far as pickups go, lots of great advice here in TB. The one I have is the 2nd from Sweetwater. Returned the first because of damaged tuning keys. Shoulda kept it. It had something as far as sound. The one i have now has gotten closer with some height adjustments. The P pickup is solid. The J pickup on the other hand, its weak. That's what has brought me here. Kinda wanna make it a P only. But, these Yamaha BB435s are great. They cut cost with like electronics. The pots are pretty cheap. The small squier looking type. But they work. It's all up to the individual. If you wanna change it, change it. And share it with us.