tredders

As I said in another thread, they are both lovely, but quite different. The BB1200 is a good old fashioned P bass, but done fantastically well. The neck is gorgeous on it and it sounds like a good P bass should. The BBP34 is more refined - still vintage sounding at heart, but with a bigger variety of sounds available. Build quality is great on the BB1200, but absolutely outstanding on the BBP34. Really does feel like Custom Shop territory, which I suppose it is. Being absolutely honest, I prefer the BB1200, but they’re both fantastic instruments.

Definitely wasn’t a cheapie, but well worth the money I paid in my opinion. I actually work every other month in the US and will do for at least the remainder of this year. I’ll ultimately bring it back with me, but for the next year at least it’ll stay over in the US. I’ll cross the import duty bridge when I come to it.

Double post

They are both lovely, but quite different. The BB1200 is a good old fashioned P bass, but done fantastically well. The neck is gorgeous on it and it sounds like a good P bass should. The BBP34 is more refined - still vintage sounding at heart, but with a bigger variety of sounds available. Build quality is great on the BB1200, but absolutely outstanding on the BBP34. Really does feel like Custom Shop territory, which I suppose it is. Being absolutely honest, I prefer the BB1200, but they’re both fantastic instruments.

A couple of weeks ago, I got hold of a 1980 Yamaha BB1200, and have been absolutely blown away by the quality, sound and how good it is to play. I got it from here (thanks Paul!), and wrote a thread about how ironic it is that after 30 years, I found my perfect Precision, and it even wasn't a Fender. It's in great condition and even came with the original Yamaha case. A few pics: I spend every other month in the US with work, and wanted a cheap bass to plunk about on whilst over there. I didn't really want to bring a bass over from home, so today popped into the local guitar shop (https://www.toneshopguitars.com - ask for Chas!). I'd seen and played a cheap Sterling Ray for $300 in there previously, so thought I'd go in and have a look round. Of course, it didn't work out like that! They'd just taken in a Yamaha BBP34 on part ex towards some 6 string guitar kit (ugh), so I sat down with that. I remember picking one up a year ago in another guitar store, and thought it was nothing special. However, this one had just been set-up and was an absolutely lovely bass. Very resonant unplugged, and a huge sound plugged in. Sounded very warm and vintage to my ears. Anyway, long story short, I walked out with it at a very good price (inc posh Yamaha case, all the case candy and a Levy's strap), along with a little Fender Rumble 40 combo ($160 on special!), and have just unpacked it all. Happy days. A few pics: \

My two new additions: Firstly, 1980 BB1200. Bought it from here, and it's in such great condition - even came with the original Yamaha case. Secondly, I just bought this today. BBP34 - beautiful build quality. Puts most of my US basses to shame.

I’ve got a HW 4005 on order. Should be finished middle of next month. Can’t wait.

Did you order from Japan in the end? I keep seeing nice BB1200 / BB2000’s on sale on various Japanese websites but have never ordered before. I wondered what the process is with regard to shipping, duty etc.

Great tune. What’s the story behind getting him to play on this?

If you’re ever round my neck of the woods, you’d be more than welcome to pop in for a coffee and try it out. I took a chance on this (and I’m really glad I did) because the chances of playing one before buying it were slim to none. Happy to spread the Yamaha love!

Over the years, I've had every form of P bass, from starting years ago on a cheapo Vox White Shadow, through to Fender custom shops, CIJ, AV models, a couple of Shukers, several Laklands, and finally my current ones (a 73 and 75). The last two are the closest to P bass perfection for me. I've played another couple I really loved (Steve Amadeo's 68 P bass, and the one that Horace Panter played & recorded Ghost Town on), but thought I'd got as close to my ideal bass as I was ever going to. Rewind two weeks, and I buy Paul's (Shepster8316) Yamaha BB1200 for a very good price, as I've been wanting to try one of these for years. I get it home, plug it in, and....... it's bloody amazing!! Not only does it sound great (like a good P bass should), but the neck is superb - absolutely perfect for me, and has made me realise that its profile (wide, narrow) is exactly what I like playing. I find myself picking this one up ahead of all of my others, and keep sneaking off to play it "just for a few minutes"! Weird that after a journey of a thousand (or at least several dozen) Fenders, my ideal P bass turns out to be a Yamaha. A few of Paul's pics attached (hope you don't mind Paul).... Now I just need to find another one, to string with flats. Anyone looking to move one on, let me know 😊

I was lucky enough to buy Paul’s beautiful BB1200 this week. Total gent to deal with - he even delivered the bass, and we had a good chat about all things bass. Fab bass and equally excellent guy to deal with. Thanks mate!

I recently bought Pat’s Hofner 500/1 from him. Lovely bloke to deal with - we exchanged many bass-related emails, and the bass was in better condition than described. Packed really well, even had a spare set of strings included. Will happily deal with Pat again.

Nice looking pair of Hofners. Have you done much to them?

I quite fancy a Hofner Beatle bass (500/1), so decided to start looking at the Hofner website. Blimey, I thought that Fender milked their Precision / Jazz range to death, but it seems that Hofner is just the same. In my naivety, I was anticipating a cheap model, a midrange model, and an expensive model. However, from my initial quick look, the range is as follows: Ignition model - entry level, made in Indonesia(?) - based on the 70's 500/1, hollow. Contemporary model - made in China, with sustain block. Uses German electronics and pups. Hofner Artist '63 model - made in Germany. "The '63 is inspired by the bass we made in 1963 for Paul McCartney." Bridges pickup closer to the bridge. Hofner 500/1 1961 Cavern Violin bass. "Inspired by the original 1961 model which was purchased by Paul McCartney in Hamburg." Different pickup spacing on this mode - bridge pickup much closer to the neck pupl. Hofner 500/1 1962 Mersey Violin bass. "Based on Paul McCartney’s 1962 Violin Bass" Hofner 500/1 1961 Vintage Violin Relic. "Inspired by the original 1961 model which was purchased by Paul McCartney in Hamburg." I assume this is the same as the Cavern bass above, but relic'd. Höfner Violin Roof Top Bass 69. "Replica of the 1963 bass played by Paul McCartney at the legendary "Rooftop" concert in January 1969 Prices range from £269 to £2500. Looks to me as though there are 2 cheap models (Ignition and Contemporary), no mid-range models, and the remainder are high end (ranging from £1600 - £2500). I've actually just bought a (slightly upgraded) Ignition from here for a decent price to try out, but assuming I like it and decide to buy a more expensive model, I'm not sure which I'd go for. Lots of basses "inspired" by different Macca basses, but which is the definitive Beatle bass? Cavern? Artist? Roof Top? Relic? Can't think it would be an easy ask to go to a shop and try all of them, although I know Bass Direct advertises (nearly) all of the above. Anyone owned one of the German models who can comment on it? Cheers!

Just out of interest, what was the price? (post above, jazz bass)

Was he Marty McFly? 😀

I've gone through quite a few Fenders over the years, and here's what's left now: 73 Precision sunburst & rosewood (probably the best Precision I've ever played) 75 Precision black & maple 75 Telecaster bass custard 77 Telecaster bass black The Precisions are both all original. Both Tele basses have been refinished.