TRBboy

Photo from one of our followers last night.

Yep..... Although the caveat to this is that I've found 'the one' on numerous occasions previously! 🤣 Unfortunately, the requirements for qualifying as 'the one' change periodically..... 🤔

We do have a lot of fun! Here's tonight's set lists. I was sooooo pleased with my sound tonight, and I'm incredibly fussy! My band mates noted the time and date at the end of the first set when I joyfully announced that my sound was perfect! 😂 I've been chasing something for a long time, but didn't know what it was until recently. A bit of trial and error and a few gambles have paid off. I was playing the BB435 all night, through my pedal board and into my fairly newly aquired Rumble 500 combo, which I've had for a month or so, and 1x15 ext cab which I only got last weekend and hadn't gigged yet. This setup tonight was by far the best fit sound I've ever had for my band, seriously awesome! The BB435 itself performed admirably, I was very impressed! My prior research and careful consideration was worth the faff I feel, and I've ended up with the right bass for me. It was hard for me to put my own prejudices and preconceptions aside, and accept the fact that the mid range model was likely going to give me exactly what I wanted, and resist the urge to go for one of the higher range models. The traditional solid alder body, passive electronics, etc gives me just what I need. The neck profile is lovely, I'm not completely sold on the finish right now, but I can imagine it'll be just perfect once it's played in a bit. I was a bit clumsy to start with, due mainly to the unfamiliar string gauge, but actually even that was alright in the end. Very, very playable bass! Once it's set up with my usual strings it'll be even better. The pickups are just incredible, I have absolutely no desire to change them. Gives me enough of the Fender style tone, but actually a lot more too. From my brief affair with the Fender Player Jaguar recently I realised two things: firstly, that a passive PJ setup have me exactly the sound I was after, and secondly that a no frills but well made 'traditional' style bass would give me what I wanted. I need that organic, full, traditional tone to sit in the band mix right. Even though my previous setup was excellent, it perhaps didn't work quite as well in the band context. It's kinda where my comment about my 'perfect imperfection' epiphany comes in. I've never considered myself a gear snob, but equally it's very liberating for me to realise that I don't NEED expensive gear to give me what I need! Anyway, I'm rambling on, I'd better try and calm down and get to bed..... .....can't wait to gig it again next weekend though! 😁👍

Will do, just about to start. Rock covers really, everything from stones and beatles through to foo fighters etc, via a bit of ska and footloose!

First gig for the new bass and extension cab, just soundchecked and out sounds flipping astonishing! Looking forward to this! 😎🤘

Once I have chance to restring it with the usuals, it'll be incredible! Just had a quick go with my little practice amp, and it seems great! Yamaha have always been good value, but for me this new range really steps it up. For me the only compromise is the bridge on this model, but I may get some brass saddles for it. There's actually nothing wrong with it though, works fine! Setup is fine out the box, and the neck is finished superbly. Impressed. True test at tonight's gig though!

I hate it.

Hi folks! Anyone know if tickets are transferable? I'm going to struggle to make it now, so have a Saturday ticket going spare.

Thanks! Yeah I would imagine they come with D'addario nickel as standard, that's what Yamaha usually use. There'll be nothing wrong with them, other than I'm very used to my usual strings! I use Dunlop super brights stainless 40-120,and because of the gauge and lower tension they're so easy to play, and I get on with them really well. May try and change them quickly before the gig, but if not I'll cope. 😊👍

Okay cool, thanks, so standard long scale I assume? Don't think I'm going to have time to restring it before the gig tmrw night, but I'm sure I'll cope fine with the stock strings. Really hope it's every bit as good as I think it's gonna be! 😁

Might be a stupid question, but do you need extra long scale strings for the through - body stringing on the newer BB's?

Finally made a decision, BB435 ordered and should be here tomorrow in time for the gig! 😁👍👌

I had been thinking about some matt valspar varnish I'd seen in B&Q tbh, I jest not! 😉

Unpopular opinion maybe, but I had a BB605 with NE preamp, and I didn't care for the preamp at all! 😬 It was the main reason I sold it. Curious about your sandberg experience now also!

BTW, I was planning to refin the N5 with a stain rather than paint, as it will be a LOT less hassle! 😉👍 I agree though, white would look killer, kind of a poor man's Nathan East sig.

😂 It's a balance of a lot of factors with this really, and I want to choose right because a) this will probably become my main bass, and B) I'm a fussy bugger! Trying to balance cost vs weight vs which one is likely to give me the 'traditional' tone I'm after vs VFM. Due to these things, I think the 435 is likely to give me the best balance of what I want. The prospect of potentially selling my two custom made Sandbergs and my main bass being a mid-range, mass produced instrument feels both insane and liberating in equal measure! Your P35 is very nice. 😂

Erm..... Still a few bits and bobs to do, kind of at that point where its more or less done, it's just getting round to actually finishing it! Time has been against me though recently I must say.... Was thinking earlier I'm actually tempted to gig this bass on Friday, I normally take it as backup, but tempted to use it for the gig this week. Very close to ordering a 435 though I think.....

I'd guess it'll sound more like the P35 in passive mode, as it has the same pickups, same body construction, and same bridge. I believe the treble control does act as a passive tone control. I'd love a black one too, but the coffee burst one belonging to our friend @jrixn1 is looking increasingly tempting.....

Earlier, I thought I was set on a 435,but now you're making me think about the 735 again! 😂😭

For anyone who's interested in the differences between the pickups, I just had a conversation with Yamaha, and they kindly sent me a chart showing the differences. There's not actually that much difference between the V5 and V7 pickups; -the coil wires are enamel coated on V7 vs urethane coated on V5 -V5 have slightly more windings, and a slightly hotter output -V7 has cloth covered leads and V5 has vinyl Other than that they're the same magnets, bobbins, wire gauge, etc, etc.

Think I'm leaning more and more towards a 435.... Although I still keep looking at the 735a and P35 for sale on BC! 😂🤦‍♂️🤔

Yeah they are ceramic, but very hot and warm (ooh-er!) for a ceramic pickup. The tone profile on the dimarzio website kinda shows this. I had a BB414 way back, same pickups as your 425, and I found them a bit 'empty', seemed to be lacking presence in the low mids to my ears. That was a long time ago though....

Do you think the difference is maybe Alnico vs ceramic pickups? Making an assumption there that your P has a traditional alnico pickup.... But that would account for more warmth and presence in the mid range than the BB

I have a nicely worn in set of SS Dunlop Super brights (40-120) on my BBN5, and I use them on all my basses. They sound great IMHO, and even though I use a light gauge, they're low tension and stainless, they have a huge low /low mid response, and really punchy! They are very bright out the box, but I always figure it's easier to dull down a bright string than try to make a dull string sound bright! I love the feel of them, so easy to play.