Paul S Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 So, taking advantage of the current wave of affection for Yamaha BB basses... I recently bought a BB425 and am really impressed by it. Love the tone, especially the P pickup. I love the neck - the narrow string spacing at the nut suits me just perfectly. The one and only downside to it is the weight, even with lightweight tuners it is borderline for me at around 4.3kg. Nevertheless I can still manage a 3hr rehearsal with it. For the money it is amazing. Given how nice this 'budget' model is I have started to wonder what the models further up the range are like - I don't know much about them. My requirements would be a passive bass, the BB shape, not necessarily a P/J as just the split P would be fine. Preferably under 4.5kg - I am guessing the single pup might be lighter? Can anyone please do a quick overview of the various 5 string models, pluses and minuses. Current and back catalogue. Especially with regard to weight and string spacing. Muchas gracias! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost_Bass Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 The BB1025X i've had wasn't heavy at all, i don't remember the exact weight but i also don't think that a 4.3kg is a heavy bass so it may not be lighter than your current bass, my TRB is heavier and i manage through a +3h gig just for the sake of tone. The MM SR5 i've had with 5.5kg was a nightmare to gig. Soundwise, the 1025 will be very similar to your 425 but with more of everything, same goes for the 2025 comparing with the 1025. Each model will have better electrics, better tone, comfort, etc... You could try to find a 80's 5 stringer from Yamaha, they come up not very expensive and sound very good. I have the BB1000S wich has a great tone, it's very light, passive but only 4 strings. Can0t remember the 5 string models right now, do some research Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 (edited) you mean like this Yamaha BBs like this beauty? Edited January 24, 2017 by LukeFRC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted January 24, 2017 Author Share Posted January 24, 2017 (edited) Thanks for that. I had managed to get that far on my own, really, and was hoping for some hands on stuff about the older models, not the current range. Like - 'BB5000 is the one you should be looking for'. Or maybe it isn't? I don't even know which models had 5 string variants. Edit - yes, like that Luke but a 5er. Edited January 24, 2017 by Paul S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted January 24, 2017 Author Share Posted January 24, 2017 I seem to have asked variants around this question before, according to the search facility Pretty sure I am looking at a BB5000 as being right up my alley. Anyone got one can talk me out of/ further into my GAS? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealting Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 I know it's not a BB, but my Attitude Special is a smudge under 4kg. Has a split P pickup and a neck woofer, 40mm nut, and a sort of J shape with less rounded edges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CameronJ Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 (edited) [quote name='therealting' timestamp='1485291380' post='3222892'] I know it's not a BB, but my Attitude Special is a smudge under 4kg. Has a split P pickup and a neck woofer, 40mm nut, and a sort of J shape with less rounded edges. [/quote] Saw a couple of Attitudes hanging on the wall of the Yamaha Shop. Didn't have a play on either of them - the price tag deterred me they looked great though. Is yours passive? Edited January 24, 2017 by CameronJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealting Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 (edited) I believe all unmodified Attitudes are passive. This is mine. Edited January 24, 2017 by therealting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassApprentice Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 While not the style you're after. This is a stone cold bargain!!! Looks in great condition and will play like a dream.... *I don't need another 4 string, I don't need another 4 string, I don't need another 4 string* https://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/yamaha-bass-nathen-east/1212520950 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted January 25, 2017 Author Share Posted January 25, 2017 Not only was it specifically the BB range that interest me but also specifically a 5 string basses. Interesting link here I found to old Yamaha guitar catalogues [url="http://brochures.yokochou.com/en_index.html#YAMAHA_GTR"]http://brochures.yokochou.com/en_index.html#YAMAHA_GTR[/url] Looks like the BB5000 of the older models, then BB415, 425, 1025, 2025 are about it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassApprentice Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 Looking through those old brochures. Man, Yamaha have made some cool looking basses! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrixn1 Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 [quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1485339578' post='3223184'] Looks like the BB5000 of the older models, then BB415, 425, 1025, 2025 are about it? [/quote] There was a BB615, which is an active BB415. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted January 25, 2017 Author Share Posted January 25, 2017 Active - that's where it fails for me as I am looking for passive. Having read a bit more I think the BB5000 is definitely 'the one' I am looking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost_Bass Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 Looks like the BB5000 might be the model you're looking for. Thanks for the catalogues, found this gem that i didn't knew of it's existence: '85 Yamaha BB-VIII, that pickup placement looks like it could pump out some interesting tones. Since we're in vintage Yammy porn land here's some pics of my '85 BB1000s: [attachment=236627:291187162.jpg] [attachment=236628:291187176.jpg] [attachment=236629:291187179.jpg] [attachment=236630:291187178.jpg] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prowla Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 I have to say, I've never been particularly keen on Yammy basses; I'd walk right past them... ...maybe I need to stop and try one next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted January 26, 2017 Author Share Posted January 26, 2017 I felt the same way right up until I tried one. If you are a 4 string player then the choice is bewildering but, frankly, the current entry level BB424 (I have the 425) is a cracking bass for around £350 new. And a good deal less secondhand. Even with the 425, there is a a certain quality about the P pickup that seems to be missing in a P bass, somehow. And if you like soapbar type pickup sounds the choice opens up even further. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 Am I right in thinking that the bridge string spacing on the BB5000 is tighter than on the other more recent BB fivers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted January 28, 2017 Share Posted January 28, 2017 [quote name='prowla' timestamp='1485421803' post='3223785'] I have to say, I've never been particularly keen on Yammy basses; I'd walk right past them... ...maybe I need to stop and try one next time. [/quote] me too - In fact I would have said they were the ugliest basses in the shop... (something about the switch position on the 2 pickup ones) Then someone did a trade where I had a old japanese BB300 - not it was a cheap bass, and I traded it knowing I needed to sell... but it was really really really good. Take my test - go into a music shop try all the fenders, and whatever else they have - then pick up the £300 BB424 they have and tell me it doesn't match or surpass everything twice it's price* *unless you're looking for something specific. It aint a jazz! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted January 28, 2017 Author Share Posted January 28, 2017 [quote name='Rich' timestamp='1485556338' post='3224991'] Am I right in thinking that the bridge string spacing on the BB5000 is tighter than on the other more recent BB fivers? [/quote] Yes - 15mm I think. I read somewhere that it was a 4 string neck that they used for the BB5000. [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1485563149' post='3225029'] Take my test - go into a music shop try all the fenders, and whatever else they have - then pick up the £300 BB424 they have and tell me it doesn't match or surpass everything twice it's price* [/quote] That would be interesting. My money would be on the Yamaha, too! Nothing worse than a recent convert! I am still in the 'evangelistic' stage So, all you BB5000 owners - someone must want to move theirs on.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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