Currently in the process of getting my first bass and I’m stuck between either the Yamaha BB234 or the Squier CV 60s P-bass. In short I’m wondering if either one of these basses are better than the other and which one would be better as a first bass? The price of the both are quite similar in my country, with the BB234 being slightly more expensive.
Cheers!
Both are quality choices.
Best thing is if you can actually get your hands on them and decide what feels better.
If not, get the one that you like the look of the best that is going to make you more excited to play.
The Yamaha does have the advantage of being a P/J bass, which gives you a bit more tone flexibility. Which is nice.
Buy a P-Bass you’ll never regret it (but depends on what you play but for 70% of situation this is the best and for the rest it works 
)
I started on an Ibanez PJ and like so much more my Squier P that I bought a few years later
Both are good choices. The Squier CV line is way better than the average Squier and that P bass will be good anywhere; the Yamaha BB is a classic line that will be somewhat higher quality than the Squier but in the end both are solid entry level basses.
(Also, before someone else does, I will also call out my own Yamaha bias here - I have owned three BB’s and own two now.)
That said, I came really close to buying a Squier CV '70s P-bass, in the end I went with a MIJ Fender instead but I liked the Squier about as much as the MIM Fender I tried. The CV’s are solid basses.
Is the J pickup on that Yamaha silent (no 50/60 Hz hum)? That’s one of the things I appreciate about my Sire U5 shorties (fretted and fretless). Props to Sire for using a silent J on an inexpensive bass.
I don’t believe it’s advertised as noiseless but I’ve never heard any hum come out of mine. The caveat to that is that I always play with headphones through my DAI, so YMMV
The ones on the 435 and 734 that I’ve got are definitely not noiseless. There’s still a U5 for sale near me, it’s tempting… I just wish it was a P5 instead.
I have three P/J, none have hum-canceling J’s, and it has never been an issue; YMMV of course. The 234 J is not.
They haven’t been an issue for me either, but I tend to roll at about 90 / 10 neck / bridge anyways.
Classic Vibe P bass for me. This kills 2 birds with one click.
IMO, Squier.
Why
In the end it doesn’t matter as both are excellent choices and you’ll be upgrading it eventually anyway, yeah.