Yamaha BB434M Electric Bass Guitar

The Yamaha BB434M is a four-string electric bass guitar from Yamaha’s BB Series, designed to deliver powerful bass tones, reliable performance and comfortable playability. It features a solid alder body with a traditional double-cutaway design, providing a balanced feel and easy access to the upper frets. As the maple-fingerboard version of the BB434, it combines classic BB styling with a distinctive appearance and responsive sound.

The BB434M is equipped with Yamaha YGD Custom V5 Alnico V pickups in a PJ configuration. The split single-coil neck pickup produces a warm, full-bodied bass tone, while the single-coil bridge pickup adds clarity and articulation. Two independent pickup volume controls and a master tone control allow players to blend the pickups and shape their sound. Its passive electronics provide straightforward operation without requiring a battery.

The instrument features a five-piece maple and mahogany bolt-on neck secured with Yamaha’s six-bolt miter neck joint for a stable connection between the neck and body. Its maple fingerboard has 21 medium frets and a 250 mm radius, offering a smooth playing surface. The Vintage Plus Light bridge supports both through-body and top-load stringing, while lightweight open-gear tuning machines and chrome hardware complete its practical design.

Key Features

• Four-string electric bass guitar
• Solid alder body
• Traditional double-cutaway design
• Five-piece maple and mahogany neck
• Six-bolt miter neck joint
• Maple fingerboard
• 21 medium frets
• Standard 34-inch scale length
• Yamaha YGD Custom V5 Alnico V pickups
• PJ pickup configuration
• Split single-coil neck pickup
• Single-coil bridge pickup
• Passive electronics
• Individual neck and bridge pickup volume controls
• Master tone control
• Vintage Plus Light convertible bridge
• Steel bridge saddles
• Through-body and top-load stringing options
• Lightweight open-gear tuning machines
• Chrome hardware

Specifications

• Brand: Yamaha
• Type: Electric Bass Guitar
• Series: BB Series
• Model: BB434M
• Number of Strings: 4
• Body Shape: Double Cutaway
• Body Material: Alder
• Body Finish: Gloss Polyurethane
• Neck Material: Maple/Mahogany 5-Piece
• Neck Construction: Bolt-On (6-Bolt Miter Neck Joint)
• Neck Finish: Satin Polyurethane
• Fingerboard Material: Maple
• Fingerboard Radius: 250 mm (10")
• Scale Length: 863.6 mm (34")
• Nut Width: 40 mm
• Width at 12th Fret: 56.4 mm
• Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: 21 mm
• Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: 23 mm
• Number of Frets: 21
• Fret Type: Medium
• Nut Material: Graph Tech
• Pickup Configuration: PJ
• Neck Pickup: VSP5n Split Single-Coil / Alnico V
• Bridge Pickup: VSC5b Single-Coil / Alnico V
• Electronics: Passive
• Controls: Neck Pickup Volume, Bridge Pickup Volume and Master Tone
• Bridge: Vintage Plus Light
• Bridge Saddles: Steel
• Stringing Options: Through-Body or Top-Load
• String Spacing: 19 mm
• Tuning Machines: Lightweight Open-Gear
• Hardware Finish: Chrome
• Strings: D'Addario EXL-170SL (.045–.100)
• Available Finishes: Black and Tobacco Brown Sunburst
• Included Case: Not included as standard

The Yamaha BB434M is an excellent choice for bassists seeking the reliable construction of the BB434 with the distinctive feel and appearance of a maple fingerboard. Its five-piece neck, Alnico V PJ pickups and versatile bridge design make it suitable for practice, rehearsals, studio recording and live performances.