Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $424
Standard/Professional
$400
$1001+
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Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Yamaha BB235". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Yamaha's BB235 5-string electric bass guitar is a masterclass in blending tradition with modernity, delivering a reliable and dynamic instrument for both budding musicians and seasoned pros. This model is part of Yamaha's iconic BB series, known for its enduring quality and versatility. The BB235 is crafted from a solid alder body, ensuring a balanced, punchy tone that bassists have come to love. The Custom V3 pickups—a combination of split coil and single coil—offer a wide sonic palette, from a deep P-style growl to a crisp fingerstyle punch.
The bass's design is as functional as it is stylish, featuring a bolted maple neck with a rosewood fretboard that promises both stability and smooth playability. The neck's slightly thinner profile suits modern-player preferences, making it easier to navigate complex riffs and fast-paced lines. With its vintage-style bridge and lightweight open gear tuners, the BB235 ensures excellent tuning stability and easy adjustments.
Whether you're preparing for your first jam session or stepping onto a stage, the Yamaha BB235 offers a straightforward and rewarding playing experience. Its passive electronics—comprising two volume controls and a tone control—are intuitive, allowing you to dial in your desired sound effortlessly. Yamaha's dedication to quality is evident in every aspect of this instrument, making it an ideal choice for musicians who need a bass that can adapt to any musical setting.
Key Features:
- Solid Alder body for clear, punchy tones
- Custom V3 ceramic P/J pickup configuration
- Bolted maple neck with rosewood fretboard
- Lightweight open gear tuners for improved balance
- Vintage-style bridge with 18 mm string spacing
- Intuitive volume/volume/tone control layout
- Thinner neck profile for modern playing comfort
Product specs
| Number of Strings | 5 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Shape | Yamaha BB Doublecut |
| Body Material | Solid Alder |
| Body Finish | Gloss Polyurethane |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Neck Shape | Thinner BB profile |
| Radius | 23.62" |
| Fingerboard Inlay | White Dots |
| Number of Frets | 21, Medium |
| Scale Length | 34" |
| Nut Width | 1.692" |
| Nut Material | Urea |
| Bridge/Tailpiece | Vintage Style Bridge |
| Tuners | Light weight, open gear |
| Neck Pickup | VSP3n Ceramic Split Single-coil |
| Bridge Pickup | VSC3b Ceramic Single-coil |
| Controls | 2 x volume, 1 x master tone |
| Strings | .045-.130 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Sold Separately |
FAQs
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What kind of music genres is the Yamaha BB235 suitable for?
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The Yamaha BB235 is versatile and well-suited for a variety of genres, including rock, jazz, funk, and pop, thanks to its solid alder body and ceramic pickups that offer a balanced tone with a good mix of warmth and clarity.
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How does the Yamaha BB235's neck profile affect playability?
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The Yamaha BB235 features a thinner BB profile neck, which provides comfortable playability and easy access to all frets, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced players who prefer a fast and smooth neck.
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What is the tonal characteristic of the Yamaha BB235's pickups?
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The Yamaha BB235 is equipped with VSP3n Ceramic Split Single-coil and VSC3b Ceramic Single-coil pickups, delivering a punchy and articulate sound with plenty of clarity, suitable for both fingerstyle and slap techniques.
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Is the Yamaha BB235 a good choice for a 5-string bass?
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Yes, the Yamaha BB235 is an excellent choice for those seeking a 5-string bass, offering a solid construction, versatile tone, and additional low B string, which is ideal for players looking to expand their range.
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Does the Yamaha BB235 come with a gig bag or case?
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The Yamaha BB235 does not come with a gig bag or case; these must be purchased separately to ensure protection during transport and storage.
Videos
Yamaha Global
Yamaha BB Series Demo | BB235
Reviews
PROS
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Versatile sound suitable for any genre, including metal
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Lightweight and well-balanced, great for live performances
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High-quality build with impeccable craftsmanship
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Excellent tone with both stainless steel and flatwound strings
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Super low action and great playability out of the box
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Attractive vintage design and finish options
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Great value for money, comparable to higher-end models
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Reliable tuning pegs and stable tuning
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Multiple pickup combinations offer broad tonal range
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Easy access for neck and action adjustments
CONS
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Some units require initial setup adjustments, like bridge height
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Pickup texture may feel cheap to some users
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Occasional quality control issues with minor defects
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String tree may move during tuning
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Some users may find the single coil pickup too weak alone
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha BB235.
Comparisons
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The BB235 is similar in product tier to the Squier Affinity Jaguar bass, sharing the PJ pickup configuration, making it a lateral move, not an upgrade.
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The BB435 offers a significant improvement over the BB235 with better pickups and finishes, providing a similar passive sound to the higher-end 700 series.
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The BB235 features a traditional aesthetic reminiscent of a Musicman Stingray, offering a punchy and bright tone, contrasting the modern versatility of the TRBX305's active EQ.
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Some users find the TRBX305 a preferable choice for beginners due to its modern design and versatility, despite the BB235's traditional appeal.
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Features and functionality
User experience
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Some players find that waiting and saving for the BB435 is worthwhile, as it represents a more substantial upgrade in both sound and construction quality.
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Owners note the BB series is notably heavy, which can become uncomfortable during extended play, particularly in multi-set performances.
Source
4.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 5 Ratings
312
Impressively versatile!
This was my 2nd bass as I wanted a 5 string. I'm a Guitarist by trade but have played bass in a few bands and sessions so i'm decent enough of a player.
This bass truely is bang for your buck. I own 4 Fender guitars and 1 Squier bass (so I went into this with bias). My friend owns a Yamaha TRBX305 and I loved it. This set the seed for me to give Yamaha a shot.
The P and J combo offers more than enough tones for every gig, the neck is a perfect size (not as fat as some 5's i've tried) and the weight is spot on. This bass blows my Squier out of the water.
It's no wonder loads of sessions muscians use Yamaha. These basses can do it all.
Artist usage
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