Head to head
Ibanez SR305E 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.
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 SR305E8.7
- 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
| SR305E | BB234 | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Ibanez | Yamaha |
| Model | SR305E | BB234 |
| Finish | Pearl White | Yellow Natural Satin |
| Instrument | Bass | Bass |
| Fretline score | 8.7 / 10 | 8.3 / 10 |
| Value for money | 9 / 10 | 9 / 10 |
| Amazon rating | 4.3 / 5 (52) | 4.3 / 5 (66) |
| Price | $300 - $500 | $300 - $500 |
| Type | Electric bass | Electric bass |
| Body | SR solidbody | BB double cutaway |
| Body wood | Okoume | Alder |
| Neck joint | Bolt-on, five-piece | Bolt-on |
| Neck wood | Maple and walnut, five-piece (SR5pc) | 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 | Accu-cast B125, 16.5 mm string spacing | Vintage-style fixed |
| Tuners | — | Lightweight open-gear |
| Neck pickup | PowerSpan Dual Coil (passive) | Yamaha V3 split single-coil (Precision style), ceramic |
| Bridge pickup | PowerSpan Dual Coil (passive) | Yamaha V3 single-coil (Jazz style), ceramic |
| Configuration | HH | PJ |
| Electronics | Ibanez Custom Electronics three-band EQ with three-way Power Tap switch | Passive |
| Controls | Volume, pickup balancer, bass, middle, treble, Power Tap switch | Volume (neck), volume (bridge), master tone |
| Switching | — | None |
| Weight | — | Around 8.8 lb (4 kg) |
| Orientation | Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Skill level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
| Styles | Rock, Metal, Funk, Pop, Jazz, Indie | 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 SR305EHighest editorial versatility score, backed by pickup layout and switching.
Most comfortable
Ibanez SR305EHighest editorial comfort score: neck profile, radius and body ergonomics.
Best for beginners
Ibanez SR305EStrongest overall score among the instruments we rate as beginner-friendly.
Best for the studio
Ibanez SR305EBuild 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.