The Yamaha BB mega-thread

[Maude]

I wonder if it's the same red finish as the BBPH. I'd assume so as that is the same deep red indoors/bright red outdoors kind of difficult to photograph finish. 

[Paddy777]

32 minutes ago, Maude said:

I wonder if it's the same red finish as the BBPH. I'd assume so as that is the same deep red indoors/bright red outdoors kind of difficult to photograph finish. 

I’ve never seen one IRL, just pics but I think the Peter Hook is a more ‘red’ red (hope that description cleared things up 🙄🤣)

[Paddy777]

37 minutes ago, dub_junkie said:

Down to lighting I would think. Previous pic was in daylight. These two are under artificial light.

 

 

The top one of these two pics is probably closest to how I see it. I’ve just been playing through my GK Plex as a headphone amp tho, and I think I’m in love 😍 Admittedly I’ve had more basses than poor Harvey Price has had stepdads, but this is perfect for me at the moment, so impressed!

[RobD]

On 17/04/2025 at 12:56, Fil1ip said:

I've been watching No Doubts Tragic Kingdom live on YouTube, I know Tony was famous for playing a BB1600 but I seem to see him playing the BB3000. What is the main difference between the two and are they both hard to find/buy. 

I think the 1600 is essentially the bolt on neck version compared to the 3000's neck through build. not certain about all of the fine details, but from what I've seen the electronics etc are the same. Some I've seen listed with rosewood fingerboards rather than the ebony of the 2/3000 but others have stated ebony so not 100% on that.

 

I think they're similarly elusive, not impossible to find, but they certainly don't seem to come up all that often. I belive (although prepared to be corrected) that the 1600 was also called the BBX for some time

Edited Tuesday at 12:58 by RobD

[AndyTravis]

The BB1600 - I regret selling that over any other bass. It was exactly as per TK’s - I even used to buy GHS boomers for it because I’m a sad little fanboy.

 

I will say, a well set up 414 is comparable…but doesn’t feel as nice.

Edited Tuesday at 13:36 by AndyTravis

[andy67]

7 hours ago, AndyTravis said:

The BB1600 - I regret selling that over any other bass. It was exactly as per TK’s - I even used to buy GHS boomers for it because I’m a sad little fanboy.

 

I will say, a well set up 414 is comparable…but doesn’t feel as nice.

Made the same mistake 😞

[AndyTravis]

Great white BB414 at ridiculous bargain price = happy me.

 

apparently needs some electrical fettlement…but it looks balls ace.

Edited 2 hours ago by AndyTravis

[Aidan63]

2 hours ago, AndyTravis said:

Great white BB414 at ridiculous bargain price = happy me.

 

apparently needs some electrical fettlement…but it looks balls ace.

and likely for sale once fettled, at a loss or just breaking even, eh Andy ?

[MrDinsdale]

Wow that orange is excellent!!!

[Maude]

I saw that white one for sale, some kind of phase issue iirc. Looked like a bargain. 👌

[AndyTravis]

47 minutes ago, Aidan63 said:

and likely for sale once fettled, at a loss or just breaking even, eh Andy ?

Nah - plays great, looks ace - was a bargain, needs love. It’s home now.

 

22 minutes ago, Maude said:

I saw that white one for sale, some kind of phase issue iirc. Looked like a bargain. 👌

Yeah - the usual sparky bridge pickup seems lifeless/dark.

 

will open it up…at some point. I’m sure it’s just a wire on the wrong doofer on the switch.

 

etc.

[AndyTravis]

39 minutes ago, MrDinsdale said:

Wow that orange is excellent!!!

Been with me for years. It’s seen off every BB I’ve ever owned. Still needs a fret dress 😣

[Maude]

Are the 414 necks slimmer than the usual BB necks of that series? 

 

 

[AndyTravis]

14 minutes ago, Maude said:

Are the 414 necks slimmer than the usual BB necks of that series? 

 

 

The 414/614 necks are shallower than the 424/1024/2024

 

but single action truss rod