Al Krow

I guess it really depends what you're after? The key tonal difference is going to be from swapping humbuckers for a P-J set of pups which, for me, is the "USP" of the modern BB range (apart from the NE2, which is a souped-up Spector in disguise not a Yammy BB 😁). The body construction on the 434 will also be a step up from the TRBX and, as you already note it's purely passive, rather than active / passive. Do you feel the TRBX is coming up short and, if so, what is it "missing" for you? On the other hand if you're after a PJ that punches well above its price point, I suspect you're not going to be disappointed with a BB 434!

Seems to be looking to do a different job from typical HPFs which provide a -12dB / octave (or ideally -24dB / octave) cut. This has a much more restricted -3dB cut for the HPF and LPF. Intriguing.

A comment about a BB235 being "off-topic" on a Yamaha BB thread? Now I know you Scandinavian types have a reputation for being super honest (by the rest of the planet-we-all-share standards), but I'm afraid that hardly even registers on the off-topic Richter scale. You're going to have to try a LOT harder...😁

One more suggestion for consideration. This seems to be working just as well as my Ciocks DC5 and OneSpot CS6 and is a fraction of the price and has a tiny footprint:

For the avoidance of doubt, please note that neither of the above two basses are for sale either through the official channels, or otherwise 😁

Go on then, post a link to your favourite track he features on 😊

All the main knobs have indents at their centre point. I find a slight cut on the bass to handle that awesome low end and with mid and treble broadly flat is a great starting place. But usual rules e.g. a little mid boost if you need to cut through more, a bit more treble for slap but dialled back for Motown. Then the Nathan East mid scoop can be dialled in to suit your personal "taste". I suspect you'll be all over it in no time - although you won't get bored with the sound any time soon, as you have so much variety available at your fingertips! 😊

Unlikely Twins! Two of my very favourite basses! Pic inspired by recent chat with @Chopthebass whose identical finish new NE2 has just arrived and @cetera, undoubtedly the biggest Spector lover on BC (and probably the UK!) I posted a while back about how I felt that the NE2 took more design cues from Spector than from any other of my basses including my other Yammys. In particular, they both have in common: sculpted backs making them very comfortable to wear; neck through; 3+2 headstock; purely active; seriously meaty low end; and 24 very accessible frets - even more so on the Yammy with its cut-away lower horn. The "extra" that the Yammy delivers is a 3 band EQ vs 2 band on the Spector and a Nathan East mid scoop, which I believe is centred at 2kHz, and which adds to its capability as a phenomenally versatile tone monster. On the other hand the ability to obtain tonal precision by being able to select single or dual coil for either pup on Spector is an excellent feature. Differences: obvious key one of pups - the Spector has it's iconic EMGs whereas the Yammy features two Jazz-style, hum-cancelling, stacked Alnico V pickups; single bridge piece Spector vs individual bridge pieces on the NE2; 35" scale on the Spector vs 34" scale on the NE2; 17mm string spacing on the Spector vs 18mm on the NE2, but with a shallower taper on the Spector (down to 9.5mm at the nut vs 8.8mm for the NE2). In theory the individual bridge pieces should provide better isolation vibrations on other strings, but I know some folk prefer single bridge pieces, and whilst a 35" scale should provide a slightly tighter low end I think it's relatively marginal and I personally find 34" a more comfortable scale length. I was kinda gratified to read in this excellent review: Yamaha BBNE2 Nathan East Signature Model – MusicPlayers.com that their evaluation short list for the NE2 were the following: Spector Euro5 LX 5-String Electric Bass Guitar Warwick German Pro Series Streamer CV 5-String Electric Bass Guitar Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray 5 HH Neck Through 5-String Electric Bass ...so it appears that I'm in good company in wanting to put these two superb basses side by side! Both have pretty eye watering new prices although the NE2 is typically another £750 to £1,000 on top of the Spector - I was fortunate to get my NE2 in great condition used and my Spector new in a "sale". If I had to save just one 'in a fire'? Hmmm...tricky question! I guess I'd just be happy to still have either!

@Japhet - nice! Another P bass with flats?

You've got me thinking I need to remind myself how the Nathan East mid cut works! The best clue is in some of the blurb that goes with his separate pedal. I'm guessing that as "Deep 4 is his favourite setting" that is what has been incorporated into the bass i.e. a mid scoop at 2kHz which, as you note, has a surprisingly potent effect! Yamaha NE1 manual.pdf

We all know your love for Spectors and it's kinda interesting that both the OP and me have a Spector in our armoury as well as the NE2. Of all my basses I'd say the NE2 took more design cues from Spector (sculpted back, neck through, 3+2 headstock, purely active, seriously meaty low end, 24 very accessible frets) than any other of my basses including my other Yammys. So I'd suspect you'd totally love it if you played 5ers!

Congrats - what a way to start your Yammy journey! Btw - the magic knob does make this one heck of a tonally versatile beast. But as you say, you're not obliged to play with it 😉

Bought a pair of headphones and a wireless Boss WL-20 set off Dave in two separate transactions. Very good prices for gear in tip top condition and both super smooth transactions. Dave is a top bloke - deal with complete confidence.

For the money it's almost a no brainer compared to the competition!

Been pointed out to me that I can use the two inputs "separately" on my Helix HX Effects and set up dedicated EQ patches for EUB and bass, so it looks like I haven't dealt with all my excuses for shelling out £300 on one of these just yet... ...which is all good advice if I didn't subsequently go and sell my HX Effects, lol. Roll on the Hotone Ampero2 Stomp in May / June...

😁

Bare faced cheek if you ask me

Woah boys, you're missing the C5.

Love that question! I'd say I am married to 5 string electric basses having had an amicable divorce from 4 strings, apart from my EUB and a lone 8 string which is kinda still a 4 string (but with aspirations to be something higher, right?) So I guess it's more of a sultry affair with the EUB and the fact that they are slimline does make them much more attractive 😁 Put more seriously: portability is a key driver for me - I'd never be able to lug around a double bass alongside the PA and my own bass gear. The Eminence being able to pack down into a golf buggy case immediately gets my attention!

Nice board! Interested that you have both the C4 and Spectrum?

Yup - that's supposed to be the key benefit of the reverse P ie a tighter low end (and a mellower top). Shame Yammy don't offer that option more widely. Although I guess with a judicious use of EQ and / or HPF you should be able to get a chunk of the way there, particularly in reducing any boominess.

Nice tone. I wonder what signal chain he was putting it through? Lots of clarity, sustain and presence. I'd be half tempted to guess a VTDI. And then tone dialled down for the more mellow parts? Whereas from the sound and brief hazy clip at around 2.50 this would appear to be classic P bass? (And very tasty all the same!)

OMG - he's using a music stand - haha! There's clearly hope for us mere mortals yet 😁 Btw @gobasserk well done for nailing his tone so well! Kinda amused he's running out of fretboard - my only gripe with the Yamaha BB range (except the NE2) is that they are 21 frets and not 24. Just spotted that the Warwick Thumb played by one of my bass heroes (Jack Bruce RIP) has 26 very accessible frets - that's insane!

Yeah - choice and competition always a good thing and great to see two of my fav Jap companies, Yamaha and Zoom, keeping each other on their toes! I think Baloney-D's point that this is a head to head competitor for the Line 6 POD Go is spot on. But I certainly wouldn't rule out the POD Go, just yet, if that is your alternative John. So far Helix has outgunned Zoom on chip processing power and consequently the quality of a number of resultant effects. So what sort of a chip set upgrade Zoom have provided with this new model I think could be key.

Makes sense. And additional DSP will flow through to improved fx elsewhere. But I thought I read that they were using the same generic fx models available in the rest of the range (which would also make sense from a development / immediate use perspective)?