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Head to head

Squier Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ vs Yamaha BB734A

The short answer is that they sit in different price brackets (Under $300 against $500 - $1,000). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 24 rows that actually differ marked out.

Squier
Squier Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ in Olympic White, full front view

Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ

Olympic White, Maple fingerboard

The most useful pickup layout in bass, at the lowest sensible price

7.8/104.6 (244)
Yamaha
Yamaha BB734A bass in Dark Coffee Sunburst, full front view

BB734A

Dark Coffee Sunburst

The BB434's engineering, plus the active EQ that makes it a stage bass

8.7/104.4 (19)

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Score profile

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

  • Squier Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ7.8
  • Yamaha BB734A8.7

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

Squier Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ compared with Yamaha BB734A
Affinity Series Precision Bass PJBB734A
BrandSquierYamaha
ModelAffinity Series Precision Bass PJBB734A
FinishOlympic White, Maple fingerboardDark Coffee Sunburst
InstrumentBassBass
Fretline score7.8 / 108.7 / 10
Value for money9 / 108 / 10
Amazon rating4.6 / 5 (244)4.4 / 5 (19)
PriceUnder $300$500 - $1,000
TypeElectric bassElectric bass
BodyPrecision Bass solidbodyBB solidbody
Body woodPoplarAlder/maple/alder three-layer construction
Neck jointBolt-on, 4-bolt Squier neck plateBolt-on, six-bolt miter neck joint
Neck woodMapleMaple and mahogany, five-piece
Neck profileC shape—
Scale length34" (864 mm)34" (863.6 mm)
FingerboardMapleRosewood
Radius9.5" (241 mm)10" (250 mm)
Frets2021
Fret sizeMedium jumbo—
NutSynthetic bone—
Nut width1.625" (41.3 mm)1.575" (40 mm)
Bridge4-saddle standardConvertible, diagonally strung
TunersVintage-style open-gearLightweight open-gear
Neck pickupCeramic split single-coil (Precision Bass)YGD Custom V7 split single-coil (Alnico V)
Bridge pickupCeramic single-coil (Jazz Bass)YGD Custom V7 single-coil (Alnico V)
ConfigurationPJPJ
ElectronicsPassiveActive three-band EQ with active/passive switch and battery alert LED
ControlsVolume 1 (neck pickup), volume 2 (bridge pickup), master toneMaster volume, pickup balancer, bass, middle, treble, active/passive switch
SwitchingNone—
OrientationRight-handedRight-handed
Skill levelBeginner, IntermediateIntermediate, Advanced, Professional
StylesRock, Pop, Funk, Blues, Country, Indie, PunkRock, Pop, Funk, Blues, Metal, Jazz, Country
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.

Best value

Squier Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ

Highest editorial value-for-money score of the instruments compared.

Best build

Yamaha BB734A

Highest editorial build-quality score.

Best tone

Yamaha BB734A

Highest editorial tone score.

Most versatile

Yamaha BB734A

Highest editorial versatility score, backed by pickup layout and switching.

Most comfortable

Squier Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ

Highest editorial comfort score: neck profile, radius and body ergonomics.

Best for beginners

Squier Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ

Strongest overall score among the instruments we rate as beginner-friendly.

Best for rock

Yamaha BB734A

Strongest overall score among the instruments suited to rock.

Best for metal

Yamaha BB734A

Strongest overall score among the instruments suited to metal.

Best for the studio

Yamaha BB734A

Build 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.

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