The endless debate : rosewood vs maple. A Yamaha BB2024 experience.

[claustra]

Hello,

- Please note I do not have the gear to make proper soundclips and tone comparison - This is purely subjective.

 

The difference between a rosewood and a maple neck has been discussed all over again.
I have always tended to prefer a maple board, with which I have a better feeling.

 

Yamaha is well known for its consistent build quality.
The Yamaha BB2024 and BB2024x series are particularly consistent from one to another.

 

I have spent ages searching for a maple board Yamaha BB2024MX, and have found one to compare with my BB2024 (now on sale, as the MX was quite pricey)

 

Specs :

The BB2024 weights 4.1kg

the BB2024Mx 4.1 to 4.2kg

Both happily built by same guy (m. Kobayashi)

Strings : both have new D'addario EXL160 nickel round wounds 50 . 70 . 85 . 105

I have tried to set them up as identically as possible, including the pickup height

 

Testing conditions :

I have compared them many times at low volume on a Phil Jones briefcase at home, a very clean and faithfull little amp.

I have spent a few hours playing both on a Fender TB1200 head with a 2x10 and 15 cab.

 

Feel :

The BB2024Mx seems to have more high mids and very deep lows, as if it was EQed a bit, with a little cut in the low mids

 

The BB2024 rosewood board feels like it has a more linear tone, but does not lack any of the overtones the Mx has.
I thought the rosewood grain did dim those a bit. It seems it does not.

 

Switching from one bass to the other - especially with the Precision pickup only, to which I am accustomed - they feel different.
The Mx maybe a bit brighter, more aggressive, and the rosewood has a little bit more of that big punchy hump in the low mids the Precision lovers do love.

 

Both are really similar, and the Mx is the one I prefer considering the looks, the fingerboard wood, and the rarity on the market, but the BB2024 with the rosewood fingerboard actually, and oddly, feels a bit better to me.

 

It may have something to do with the setup. Maybe the BB range was designed to be bright enough with a rosewood board, and is perfectly balanced like this. Maybe the difference is not related to the fretboard.

 

That is absolutely not a scientific approach.

I would have liked to have the gear or know someone locally to make a comparison video, but I will probably have to sell the 2024 beforehand.

 

 

[Doctor J]

Purely aesthetically, the necks need to be swapped. Black and maple is a winner, as is 3TSB with rosewood. Maple fretboards paired with 3TSB just doesn't work for me.

[Munurmunuh]

31 minutes ago, Doctor J said:

Purely aesthetically, the necks need to be swapped. Black and maple is a winner, as is 3TSB with rosewood. Maple fretboards paired with 3TSB just doesn't work for me.

 

If there's such a thing as a 2024M rather than a 2024Mx, there's no sign of it on the internet. So if you did swap the necks..... 

[Doctor J]

...you'd be King of the World!!!

[4000]

Swapping the necks is worth trying anyway, to see if any sonic differences migrate over or not. 

[BigRedX]

You prefer the sound of one bass over another superficially similar one.

[such]

+1 for keeping the maple on black and letting the German flag go. 

[krispn]

*As an aside those Fender TB heads are fantastic. I’ve got the TB600 and love it. 

[claustra]

On 08/09/2021 at 17:49, 4000 said:

Swapping the necks is worth trying anyway, to see if any sonic differences migrate over or not. 

Not sure I'd want to take the neck off those basses. I've done it on old Fenders in order to double check the date stamped on the neck or for adjusting the trussrod, but I would not take those high end neck apart from the body without being suspicious on having a slight effect on the general set up.

Edited September 9, 2021 by claustra

[Yan_Huriey]

I like the necks as they are but a black headstock on the black bass would look sick. Black hardware too. Not everyones cup of tea I'll bet, but we all like different flavours.