Head to head

Jackson Pro Series Signature Adam Blackstone "Gladys" Concert Bass V vs Yamaha BB434

The short answer is that the pickup layouts differ (JJ against PJ). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 22 rows that actually differ marked out.

Jackson

Pro Series Signature Adam Blackstone "Gladys" Concert Bass V

Black Stone

A session player's signature bass, not a metal bass with a famous name on it

8.8/105.0 (1)

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Yamaha

BB434

Black

The working bass that quietly outbuilds everything near its price

8.2/104.5 (36)

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Score profile

Six editorial axes, overlaid. Where one shape sits outside the other, that is where the instrument gains ground.

Jackson Pro Series Signature Adam Blackstone "Gladys" Concert Bass V8.8
Yamaha BB4348.2

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

Jackson Pro Series Signature Adam Blackstone "Gladys" Concert Bass V compared with Yamaha BB434
	Pro Series Signature Adam Blackstone "Gladys" Concert Bass V	BB434
Brand	Jackson	Yamaha
Model	Pro Series Signature Adam Blackstone "Gladys" Concert Bass V	BB434
Finish	Black Stone	Black
Instrument	Bass	Bass
Fretline score	8.8 / 10	8.2 / 10
Value for money	8 / 10	9 / 10
Amazon rating	5.0 / 5 (1)	4.5 / 5 (36)
Price	$500 - $1,000	$500 - $1,000
Type	Electric bass	Electric bass
Body	Concert Bass solidbody	BB solidbody
Body wood	Poplar	Alder
Neck joint	Bolt-on, graphite reinforced	Bolt-on, six-bolt miter neck joint
Neck wood	Maple	Maple and mahogany, five-piece
Scale length	34"	34" (863.6 mm)
Fingerboard	Maple with black block inlays	Rosewood
Radius	9"-16" compound	10" (250 mm)
Frets	21	21
Fret size	Jumbo	—
Nut width	—	1.575" (40 mm)
Bridge	Jackson HiMass	Vintage Plus Light, convertible stringing, steel saddles
Tuners	Open-gear	Lightweight open-gear
Neck pickup	Custom Jackson BBE J-style single-coil	YGD Custom V5 split single-coil (Alnico V)
Bridge pickup	Custom Jackson BBE J-style single-coil	YGD Custom V5 single-coil (Alnico V)
Configuration	JJ	PJ
Electronics	Active three-band EQ	Passive
Controls	Volume, pickup blend, bass, middle, treble	Neck pickup volume, bridge pickup volume, master tone
Orientation	Right-handed	Right-handed
Skill level	Advanced, Professional	Intermediate, Advanced, Professional
Styles	Funk, Pop, Rock, Jazz, Blues	Rock, Pop, Funk, Blues, Country, Indie, Metal
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.