Two basses from very different places. Two completely different stories. The BB734A is made in Indonesia — Yamaha’s mid-range production. The Fujigen Mighty Jazz is made in Japan. The price gap between them is real, but so is the quality on both sides. One is a household name in the bass world — the other is a brand most Western players have never heard of. But when you plug them both in and start playing, the gap closes fast.
The Yamaha BB734A and the Fujigen Mighty Jazz don’t compete in any obvious market category. Yamaha is everywhere. Fujigen is a manufacturer’s manufacturer — they built guitars and basses for Fender Japan, Ibanez, and ESP before putting their own name on instruments. If you’ve played a Japanese Fender from the 80s or 90s and loved it, there’s a decent chance Fujigen made it.
The BB734A — Active BB at Its Best
The BB734A is the 4-string active version in Yamaha’s upper BB lineup. Same DNA as the BB735A — alder body, maple neck, the same sweepable mid EQ that makes the 700 series stand out from cheaper active basses. But as a 4-string it feels more focused, more direct.
The BB734A has a presence that 5-strings sometimes lose. Four strings, passive-feeling response even through active electronics, that classic BB punch in the low-mids. Fingerstyle sounds warm and full. Pick playing gets bright and aggressive without being harsh. Slap works well — the wide string spacing gives you room.
This is the kind of bass that sounds right immediately. You don’t spend ten minutes adjusting EQ trying to find a usable tone. You plug in, play, and the BB734A just sits where bass is supposed to sit.
The Fujigen Mighty Jazz — Japan’s Best Kept Secret
Fujigen built instruments for other brands for decades before releasing basses under their own name. The Mighty Jazz is what happens when a factory full of master craftsmen decide to build exactly what they want, without a corporate brief telling them to cut costs.
The construction quality on the Mighty Jazz is exceptional. The neck joint is tight. The fretwork is precise. The hardware is solid. These are details you feel before you even plug in — the way the bass balances, the way the neck feels under your hand, the action out of the box.
Tonally the Mighty Jazz lives up to its name. It has Jazz Bass DNA — two single-coil pickups, wide tonal range depending on which pickup you favor. Solo the bridge pickup and you get that nasal, cutting tone that slices through any mix. Roll in the neck pickup and you’re in warm, round Motown territory. Both pickups together — the classic Jazz sound, full and balanced.
What surprises people who pick up a Fujigen for the first time is how alive it feels. Japanese craftsmanship at this level produces instruments with a resonance and response that’s hard to describe technically but immediately obvious when you play.
Who Wins?
They don’t really compete — they do different things. The BB734A is an active bass with a character EQ that gives you control over your sound. The Mighty Jazz is a passive instrument that lets the wood and pickups do the talking.
If you want tonal flexibility and a modern platform — BB734A. If you want a passive instrument built to the highest possible standard that rewards great technique — Fujigen Mighty Jazz.
I’ve played both extensively. In a band context, the BB734A sits in the mix more easily — the EQ helps you carve your space. Recording solo, the Mighty Jazz captures something more organic and honest. Both are excellent instruments. The choice comes down to what kind of player you are and what you’re trying to say with your bass.
FAQ
Is Fujigen a reliable brand?
Extremely. Fujigen has been manufacturing instruments since 1960 and built basses and guitars for Fender Japan, Ibanez, ESP, and others. Their quality control is considered among the best in Japan. Instruments under their own name represent exceptional value precisely because you’re paying for craftsmanship, not a famous logo.
Where can I buy a Fujigen Mighty Jazz?
Fujigen is distributed primarily in Japan and Europe. You’ll find them at specialty dealers or through Japanese online retailers that ship internationally. They’re harder to find than Yamaha but worth the effort.
Does the BB734A have a passive mode?
Yes. Pull the volume knob to switch to passive. The passive tone is excellent — the BB734A doesn’t depend on active electronics to sound good.
Which is better for a beginner — BB734A or Mighty Jazz?
BB734A. It’s more widely available, easier to find support and accessories for, and the active EQ helps beginners find a usable tone faster. The Mighty Jazz rewards experience and a developed ear.
How does the Fujigen compare to a Fender Jazz Bass?
Favorably. Fujigen’s build quality often exceeds American Fender production at comparable price points. The pickups and hardware are different from standard Fender, so the tone has its own character — but the playing experience is at least as good and often better.
The BB734A vs Fujigen Mighty Jazz comparison comes down to what kind of player you are philosophically. The BB734A is a complete instrument — it has character, it has opinion, it pushes back a little. The Fujigen is more of a tool. Exceptional craftsmanship, precise response, but it asks you to bring the personality.
Both instruments are serious quality at non-serious prices compared to boutique alternatives. They suit different contexts. Studio work where you need versatility — the Fujigen. Live gigs where you want the bass to carry some weight of its own — the BB.
You can’t really make a bad choice here. Both will outlast the trend you bought them for.
One thing that often gets overlooked in instrument comparisons is how each bass responds over time. The BB734A, being an established Yamaha design, has a predictable aging curve — the neck stabilizes quickly, the frets wear evenly, and the instrument improves with playing. Japanese instruments at this level are built to last decades, not seasons.
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