Top-Rated
Yamaha BB735A 5-String Electric Bass Matte Black


Description
Alder/Maple/Alder Body Construction
The new BB features an Alder/Maple/Alder multi-laminated body construction. The hard maple center increases body stiffness and accentuates midrange to cut through the mix of a band, and allows a more uniform transmission of vibrations between the body and the maple neck for unparalleled resonance and sustain.
6-bolt Miter Neck Joint
Miter bolting holds the neck closer and tighter to the body fusing these two separate components into one.
Compared to a conventional bolt-on joint, miter bolting offers more efficient transfer of string vibration throughout the body, for improved sustain and outstanding resonance that brings every note to life.
YGD Custom V7 Pickups
Alnico magnets produce a fat yet penetrating tone that works in combination with the unique Alder/Maple/Alder construction of the 700 and Pro models for an organic, well-defined sound.
Active Circuit
The new BB700 models feature a specially tuned active/passive circuit for fine tonal control and extreme flexibility. This updated circuit has been retuned for the BB for a crisper tone and improved mids via a level-matched output whether in passive or active mode and tone-switching circuitry that seamlessly moves from treble control to master passive tone.
High-quality gold plated parts are used for key signal chain contacts, providing increased conductivity and reliability and a battery alert LED installed on the back panel gives instant indication of low power to eliminate sudden power loss during performance.
Control
The 700 models feature active pickups with a 3 band EQ, a pickup balancer, and an active/passive switch, for enhanced versatility and flexibility when shaping your sound.
Convertible Bridge and Saddle for Precise Tone Shaping: Vintage Plus Bridge
The 700 and Pro are equipped with the Vintage Plus Bridge, which incorporates “Diagonal Body Thru Stringing,” where strings are angled at the saddle and pass through the instrument to the bridge at a 45º angle, as opposed to the traditional vertical stringing method which places more stress on the strings.
Diagonal Body Thru Stringing significantly reduces this stress while transferring string vibration to the body reliably and efficiently.
Strings can also be set to the tail end of the bridge, which comes equipped with a convertible saddle that can be adjusted to 2 different angles for more precise tonal shaping and feel. The rounder side of the saddle gives a slightly softer sound, while the more angled area produces a slightly tighter one.
The brass saddle of the Vintage Plus Bridge delivers a slightly deeper low-end, and the steel bridge plate offers a brighter tone. All screws and springs are made of stainless steel to guard against corrosion.
Five-piece Neck
The new series features a 5-ply maple and mahogany laminated neck, in a bolt-on design that delivers a sharp attack, and quick response. This durable construction resists warping and twisting and adds the tight, penetrating character of maple combined with the warmth of mahogany to the instrument’s tone.
New Neck Shape
The New BB models feature a slightly thinner neck than previous BB basses, improving playability and feel for both modern and traditional players.
Lightweight Tuners
Lighter weight tuners offer a better balance and complement the overall feel, providing a perfect match for the smaller, lighter body of the new BB.



Features
- Alder / Maple/ Alder Body Construction
- 6-Bolt Miter Neck Joint
- 5-piece Neck
- YGD Custom V7 Pickups (AlnicoV)
- 3-Band Active EQ
- Battery Alert LED
- Vintage Plus Bridge : Convertible Bridge and Saddle
- Lightweight Open Gear Tuners
Specs
- Shape: C
- Wood: Maple Mahogany
- Neck joint: Bolt-on
- Scale length: 34 in.
- Truss rod: Standard
- Finish: Satin
- Active or passive pickups: Passive
- Pickup configuration: SS
- Neck: Split single-coil Alnico V
- Bridge: Single-coil Alnico V
- Brand: Yamaha
- Series or parallel: Parallel
- Active preamp: Active/passive switch
- Special electronics: 3-band EQ
- Material: Rosewood
- Radius: 23.6 in. (600 mm)
- Fret size: Medium
- Number of frets: 21
- Inlays: Bar
- Nut material: Graphtech
- Nut width: 1.69 in. (43 mm)
- Cutaway: Double cutaway
- Construction: Solidbody
- Body wood: Alder/Maple/Alder
- Top wood: Alder/Maple/Alder
- Body finish: Matte Translucent Black: Satin Polyurethane, Dark Coffee Sunburst: Gloss Polyurethane
- Orientation: Right handed
- Control layout: Master volume, balance, 3-band EQ, Active/passive switch
- Bridge type: Fixed
- Bridge design: 5-Saddle vintage-style with brass saddles
- Tailpiece: String-thru body
- Tuning machines: Open-geared
- Color: Black
- Number of strings: 5
- Pickguard: Yes
- Special features: Pickups
- Case: Gig bag
- Country of origin: Indonesia
Featured Articles
Reviews
4.67
3 Reviews
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend
Filters
Best Uses
- Jamming3
- Practicing3
- Recording3
- Small Venues3
- Rock Concerts2
Describe Yourself
- Professional Musician2
- Experienced1
Pros
- Fun To Play3
- Good Feel3
- Good Pick Up3
- Good Tone3
- Solid Electronics3
Reviewed by 3 customers
Love my bass!
submitted4 years ago
byLane, N
fromBridgeport, WV
Worship band at my church and other jam sessions.
My Yamaha BB735A is a pro bassist must..
submitted6 years ago
byHurricane Jones
fromLos Angeles
I've been playing bass guitar professionally since high school in the early 1970's. I've owned and performed with several bass guitars over the years.. from pre-CBS mfd. Fender Precision and Jazz, Gibson 1970's SG EB3, Rickenbacker 4001, to Peavy T40. As you can already gather, I've almost exclusively been partial to the "passive" pick up axes. However, in the professional bassist arena versatility is a must, gearwise as well as skill set. I didn't own a 5-string yet, and while shopping for one, I luckily came across a Yamaha BB735A in a very slightly blemished condition (a non issue for my applications) for under $700.00 USD (can't blame or fault any envy / jealousy) and I've been in love with mine ever since it arrived in an extremely nice gig bag.. set up and ready to go. Now I'm looking for a BB734A for the same price, and a BBP and a Nathan East 5-String, because I'm certain that I'll love playing them just as much. You just can't beat Yamaha's quality and "BANG" for your Buck.. period!
AWESOME BASS!
submitted6 years ago
bymantus417
fromSpringfield MO
This bass is an excellent buy. I can't say enough good things about this bass. I have been wanting for a while now a 5-string P/J bass and I believe I have found the one. I bought a sire p7 earlier this year and thought it played great but I had a hard time finding the right tones and I spent more time messing with the knobs than enjoying playing it. I sold it because I have other basses that I like more and thought I would give up on the 5-string P/J bass for a while. Then I saw this yamaha bb735a nd thought I would give it a go and I am so glad did. I had never played a yamaha bass before but I figured that because of their reputation and the high level players that endorse them that it will be worth the try. Right out of the box I could tell that this is a quality instrument and it was already set up to play. It was in pretty good tune, the action was about right, and the neck was straight. The playability is great, the mids, lows, and highs are all awesome, and the bass is not very heavy. The thing I like the most is that the passive tone is great and it does not have a significant volume cut when you switch it from active. The p-bass sound is nice and low and can give you old school tones or more modern tones. The jazz pickup adds a nice high end for enhancing slap tones, jazz, or funk. This bass is a keeper and I look forward to playing it for many years to come. I never thought I would be a Yamaha guy but know I can say that I am.
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Q&A
Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.
submitted2 years ago
asked byPablo
fromLos Angeles
Is it made in Japan?
No, Indonesiasubmitted2 years ago
asked byTmacBass
fromDMV
How much does this guitar weigh? What is the closest distance between strings?
Distance would vary between basses, Weight is averaged at 9lbs - 9lbs 14ozsubmitted3 years ago
asked byJRbass
fromClio, MI
Can the strings be strung though the tailpiece instead of through the body?
They cannot. The bridge doesn't have the holes for the strings to feed through other than through the body.submitted5 years ago
asked byJoseph
fromFederal Way, WA
Does it come with gigbag?
Yes it does.submitted5 years ago
asked byJoseph
fromFederal Way, WA
Does it come with any kind of case?
This comes with a gig bag