Head to head
Ibanez GSR206SM vs Yamaha BB234
The short answer is that the pickup layouts differ (HH against PJ). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 18 rows that actually differ marked out.
GSR206SM
Natural Grey Burst
Six strings for the price most brands charge for four
BB234
Yellow Natural Satin
The workhorse BB formula at its entry point, and a genuinely narrow neck
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Score profile
Six editorial axes, overlaid. Where one shape sits outside the other, that is where the instrument gains ground.
- Ibanez GSR206SM7.5
- Yamaha BB2348.3
Scores are Fretline editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are our own assessment and are not supplied or endorsed by Amazon or by any manufacturer.
Specification by specification
| GSR206SM | BB234 | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Ibanez | Yamaha |
| Model | GSR206SM | BB234 |
| Finish | Natural Grey Burst | Yellow Natural Satin |
| Instrument | Bass | Bass |
| Fretline score | 7.5 / 10 | 8.3 / 10 |
| Value for money | 9 / 10 | 9 / 10 |
| Amazon rating | 4.5 / 5 (272) | 4.3 / 5 (66) |
| Price | $300 - $500 | $300 - $500 |
| Type | Electric bass | Electric bass |
| Body | GSR solidbody | BB double cutaway |
| Body wood | Poplar | Alder |
| Top | Spalted maple | — |
| Neck joint | Bolt-on | Bolt-on |
| Neck wood | Maple (GSR6) | Maple |
| Scale length | 34" (864 mm) | 34" (864 mm) |
| Fingerboard | Jatoba with white dot inlays | Rosewood |
| Radius | — | 9.84" (250 mm) |
| Frets | 24 | 21 |
| Fret size | Medium | — |
| Nut width | — | 1.575" (40 mm) |
| Bridge | B16, 16.5 mm string spacing | Vintage-style fixed |
| Tuners | — | Lightweight open-gear |
| Neck pickup | Dynamix H humbucker (passive) | Yamaha V3 split single-coil (Precision style), ceramic |
| Bridge pickup | Dynamix H humbucker (passive) | Yamaha V3 single-coil (Jazz style), ceramic |
| Configuration | HH | PJ |
| Electronics | Phat II active bass boost | Passive |
| Controls | Neck pickup volume, bridge pickup volume, tone, Phat II EQ | Volume (neck), volume (bridge), master tone |
| Switching | — | None |
| Weight | — | Around 8.8 lb (4 kg) |
| Orientation | Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Skill level | Beginner, Intermediate | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
| Styles | Rock, Metal, Funk, Jazz, Pop | Rock, Pop, Funk, Blues, Indie, Country, Punk |
| In the box | — | — |
A marked row is one where the two differ. A highlighted cell is the stronger figure where one can be judged objectively. Empty cells are specifications the manufacturer does not publish — never estimates.
Which one should you buy?
Computed from the specifications and our editorial scores for these two instruments only. It is not a general ranking.
Most versatile
Ibanez GSR206SMHighest editorial versatility score, backed by pickup layout and switching.
Most comfortable
Yamaha BB234Highest editorial comfort score: neck profile, radius and body ergonomics.
Best for beginners
Yamaha BB234Strongest overall score among the instruments we rate as beginner-friendly.
Best for the studio
Yamaha BB234Build and tone scores combined, with credit for tuning-stability hardware that matters when tracking.
Scores are Fretline editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are our own assessment and are not supplied or endorsed by Amazon or by any manufacturer.
Want a third opinion?
The comparator takes as many instruments as you like, not just two, and recomputes the whole table and every conclusion as you add them.