Shop Keyboard Deals, Financing, and More

Yamaha BB434 Bass Guitar - Tobacco Brown Sunburst

4-string Electric Bass Guitar with Alder Body, 5-piece Maple and Mahogany Neck, Rosewood Fretboard, and 2 Single-coil Pickups - Tobacco Brown Sunburst
Building your custom Guitar Gallery
$539.99

Earn $27 back in Bonus Bucks OR pay $23/month with 24 month financing*

In Stock!

Add to Cart
Notify me about deals

Ask An Expert

Our expertly trained Sales Engineers are ready to help!

What is a Sales Engineer?
Sweetwater Gear Exchange

Have one to sell?
Check out Sweetwater's Gear Exchange!
Learn More

Most Popular Accessories & Related Items

Certified Fit Cases

No more guesswork! These cases are hand-tested and guaranteed to fit your guitar. See how we do it

Certified Fit Cases

Yamaha BB434 Bass Guitar - Tobacco Brown Sunburst
In Stock!
$539.99
Add to Cart
Add to list
Back to navigation

This article was Written By

Our Product Research Team

Get to know them!

Modern Version of the Iconic Yamaha BB Bass

This BB434 4-string electric bass guitar puts all the legendary BB bass attributes into a clear-sounding passive design that is both inspiring and affordable. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, you'll love the neck's thinner profile and the way the bass stays balanced thanks to its lightweight tuning machines. And modern appointments such as the sustain-enhancing 6-bolt miter neck joint and convertible bridge ensure you get the absolute most from your bass. If you want a modern and affordable take on the BB bass, the BB434 4-string is for you.

The BB bass legacy

When the first Yamaha BB basses rolled off the line in the late '70s, the bass world quickly took notice. A diverse array of high-caliber players took to these unique instruments, such as Van Halen's Michael Anthony, No Doubt's Tony Kanal, and legendary session ace Abraham Laboriel Sr. Their comfortably contoured bodies, clear-as-a-bell electronics, and immediately identifiable look keep these basses at the forefront of many different genres. The Yamaha BB434 is among the latest additions to this storied line of lauded instruments.

Familiar construction with modern twists

What truly sets Yamaha's BB basses apart from other basses are their comfortable and familiar contours. Carefully crafted from balanced-sounding alder, the BB434 4-string boasts that same identifiable character. Its rounded edges and forearm and belly cuts seem to melt into your body while playing. The bass's 5-piece maple and mahogany bolt-on neck sings with a new level of punch and sustain, thanks to its 6-bolt miter design. And its slightly thinner profile is a welcome addition to a more modern style of players.

Flexible and easy-to-use electronics

Whether you're a session player or a specialist, you know the benefits of a P/J pickup combination. The pickups in this BB434 4-string are Yamaha's present-sounding YGD Custom V5 Alnico V single-coil design. Dial in more of the neck pickup for that all-important P-style growl. And nail punchy fingerstyle tones with the bridge pickup — a favorite for many Sweetwater bassists. The BB434's passive volume/volume/tone control layout couldn't be easier to dial in.

Yamaha BB434 4-string Bass Features:

  • Straightforward version of a classic bass
  • Modern appointments such as lightweight tuners for better balance
  • Alder body offers a clear tone with plenty of punch
  • Passive YGD Custom V5 Alnico V P/J pickup setup is versatile and intuitive
  • 5-piece maple and mahogany bolt-on neck is incredibly stable
  • The neck's 6-bolt miter neck joint ensures the bass sings with clarity and sustain
  • Simple to use volume/volume/tone control layout
  • Thinner neck profile for a more modern feel

Why Buy Your Guitar from Sweetwater?

See how Sweetwater goes to great lengths to give you the very best online guitar buying experience. From our online Guitar Gallery that allows you to see and select the exact instrument you want to our 55-point Inspection process and our in-house guitar techs, we take the guesswork out of buying your next guitar online.

Additional Media

Warranty Info

Sweetwater's FREE 2-Year Total Confidence Coverage Warranty

Extra peace of mind at no extra cost.

  • Save money with FREE parts and labor
  • Get back to making music with the industry's fastest turnaround time
  • Fix it the first time with our award-winning, factory-certified Service Department
Learn More about Total Confidence Coverage

Free 2-year Warranty

Sweetwater's 2-year Total Confidence Coverage™ Warranty gives you extra peace of mind at no extra cost.

Learn More about Total Confidence Coverage
Tools Icon

Save money with free parts & labor!

Fast Icon

Get back to making music with the industry's fastest turnaround time.

Award Icon

Fix it the first time with our award-winning, factory-certified Service Department.

Back to navigation

Tech Specs

  • Number of Strings: 4
  • Left-/Right-handed: Right-handed
  • Body Shape: Yamaha BB Doublecut
  • Body Material: Solid Alder
  • Body Finish: Gloss Polyurethane
  • Color: Tobacco Brown Sunburst
  • Neck Material: 5-piece Maple/Mahogany
  • Neck Shape: Thinner BB neck profile
  • Radius: 10"
  • Fingerboard Material: Rosewood
  • Fingerboard Inlay: Dots
  • Number of Frets: 21, Medium
  • Scale Length: 34"
  • Nut Width: 1.57"
  • Nut Material: GraphTech
  • Bridge/Tailpiece: Vintage Plus Light convertible bridge, steel saddles
  • Tuners: Light weight, open-gear
  • Neck Pickup: VSP5n Alnico V Split Single-coil
  • Bridge Pickup: VSC5b Alnico V Single-coil
  • Controls: 2 x volume, 1 x master tone
  • Strings: D'Addario EXL .045-.100
  • Case Included: Sold Separately
  • Manufacturer Part Number: BB434 TBS

What Makes Our Sales Engineers Great?

Sweetwater Sales Engineers are a world-class team of experts dedicated to you. Hand selected from across the globe, each brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the world of music gear to provide you with unparalleled service completely free of charge. Friendly relationships, real trust, and the right gear are only a call or a click away!

Back to navigation

Customer Reviews

Write your review
Rated 5/5

A severely underrated bass

This is what I have been looking for for the past year or so. If I could describe this bass in one word, it would be balanced. The yamaha bb434 is a middle ground between the classicality of Fender and the modernity of Ibanez, maybe with a slight leaning towards classicality.

It is probably the most comfortable bass I have ever played. Out of the box, the action was, for me, perfect, at a medium/low height. Really comfortable to play. The neck is not as thick as a Fender, nor as thin as an Ibanez. It is a nice middle ground where you can lay down a groove, but are not held back from quicker runs. The body is not as small as an Ibanez, but has substance without seeming impeding.

As for tone, it's versatile, having a P/J pickup configuration. I personally was looking for like more classic, Fender tones, and the Yamaha does exactly that. I have put flats on it and could not be happier.

The hardware is it's weak point, but is really been nothing to complain about.

If you're looking for a bass under $1,000, the bb434 should be a serious contender for your consideration. I could not recommend it enough. Particularly if you're looking for comfort, versatility, and Fender-like tone.
Rated 5/5

Yamaha BB434 Bass Guitar

For the money, an amazing Bass. Special thanks to Joe Schafer for guiding me through the many options available. Steered me away from something I thought I needed but wasn't the right instrument for me. Thanks Joe. Sweetwater's service and especially Joe Schafer in particular are the reason I my gear is always purchased from Sweetwater.
Rated 5/5

pro level bass

I am a long time Sweetwater buyer but I got one of these BB434 TS basses and a Fender Rumble 800 combo new during a local store trade. The bass weighs 7lbs15ounces, and the amp 29 lbs, at 66 yrs old that alone is enough to get my interest. Last night was their 1st test in public and they both performed flawlessly and gave me the vintage sound and punch w/ a little modern edge I like. These basses are serious quality, and IMO have taken the best from Fender, improved it, and left the rest. I'm getting another in black. As for the amp? Perfection.
Music background: 52 years pro
Rated 5/5

Love this Bass!!!

I own a Jazz fretless two american Fender Pro II Basses. 1 Jazz and 1 P. I own 2 Yamaha BB434 Basses. 1 rosewood. 1 maple fretboards. My Yamaha BB434 is the best bass in my arsenal. Fast and smooth, looks great and the tone is better than any bass I have ever played. If it sold for $999.00 it would still be a bargain. What a great instrument. Ryan Murphy from Sweet water fixed me up. My BB434M (M is for Maple fretboard) WOW a set of black round wounds and it is FUNKY. These two Yamahas cost me less than one Fender and they play a sound better. Flats on the rosewood bass, can't be beat! Thank you Sweetwater for all of your help.
Music background: First lessons then Bands, playing over 5 decades. Now I'm just old!
Rated 5/5

My First Bass Guitar

I like pretty much everything about this guitar so far. I have always liked Yamaha for so many products. Not just guitars. I love the neck. The action seems a little high. Maybe that's normal for bass, I don't know. I will take it in for a set up soon. I'm just enjoying playing it too much right now. Thanks to all the folks at Sweetwater who helped me get my first bass which I think is a real winner.
Music background: work in progress
Close Close $2,000 Pick Your PRS Giveaway -- input your email address below to enter or click here to learn more.

See giveaway details & rules or check out our past winners!

Success!

Your email, has been entered to win this giveaway. Good Luck!