The Yamaha BB mega-thread

[Misdee]

On 02/12/2022 at 08:31, pn_day said:

I purchased a 1978 BB2000 last week. I'm still getting used to it (and to playing round wounds as I've been on tapes/flats on all my basses for years) - but it is rather nice. It sustains longer than any bass I've ever played, but also has more clarity than my (Indonesian, bolt-on) BB425. I've always fancied a neck-through Yamaha - and when I played this one it was hard to say no!

 

I know such a post needs photos, so here goes...

Phil

 

 

That's a proper Yamaha bass!

[BassApprentice]

On 24/11/2022 at 14:18, BassApprentice said:

Stopped by a local shop and had a noodle on a BBG4A, really very good.

 

Is £350 fair for these? Might have to move some bits on

Question - what readily available pickups sound like the pickups in the BBG4A? I liked the tone but don't need another bass and have wanted to change the pickup in my MTD Kingston for a while....

[lidl e]

Didn't Michael Anthony have a sig model BB that had chili pepper fret inlays?

 

That was a nice bass.

 

Edit: there is. Anyone got one of these?

 

Edited December 19, 2022 by lidl e

[Maude]

2 hours ago, BassApprentice said:

Question - what readily available pickups sound like the pickups in the BBG4A? I liked the tone but don't need another bass and have wanted to change the pickup in my MTD Kingston for a while....

There was a BBG4S on ebay a couple of days ago for £200 ono I think. 

Fantastic bass for that money. 

 

Here you go. 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/394382139621?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=kSKcxboISmu&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=i1P6UitjSry&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Edited December 19, 2022 by Maude

[songofthewind]

Or...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334656981722?hash=item4deb1c4ada:g:PRwAAOSwxOZjkLg0&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAoHPcJCaX55ZT3Y6blLv09maAHCux%2FdvAfo1Al30enL%2BL1NTDk8Nzs04CB0h6lMXGk4rtWxVsPy8uf6qp39%2BvanKqcpqy4I7E8jZX9PcQ2G6IeU8II7TTGEi%2BPe5V6%2Blxd%2B0HB5CJbBJ6871CkSEtpmKFZLvl7fb9JI1MrJuEZzzkwXRBhBZvYnnwUa1hsgqzdRHdYWP%2Fn7g3jzqLrg28PQ4%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR7bqlbmlYQ

[Maude]

That's a crazy amount of of bass for the money!

I bought the 5 string version brand new when they first came out. My only bass for ten years, then ended up back on fours but didn't sell it for another ten years as it was just too good to let go. 

I did in the end as I just didn't play fives anymore. 

 

[songofthewind]

I would like a fiver in the fotoflame finish. Even though I don’t play fivers.

[Maude]

Just seen this BB1100S fretless on ebay.

Seems a bargain... or did I overpay for mine! 😳

[AndyTravis]

16 minutes ago, Maude said:

Just seen this BB1100S fretless on ebay.

Seems a bargain... or did I overpay for mine! 😳

It’s a great price if it stays like that 

 

oh wow BIN.

 

almost feels like an instruction 

Edited December 19, 2022 by AndyTravis

[andy67]

7 hours ago, AndyTravis said:

It’s a great price if it stays like that 

 

oh wow BIN.

 

almost feels like an instruction 

Did you get it?? 

[AndyTravis]

2 hours ago, andy67 said:

Did you get it?? 

No. I’m skint due to Christmas x

[andy67]

2 hours ago, AndyTravis said:

No. I’m skint due to Christmas x

Aww bummer mate  next time or hopefully Christmas brings you a lovely surprise  

[neepheid]

On 03/12/2022 at 15:39, Maude said:

There's a BB400S on ebay if anyone's after a cheap way to dip their toe into reverse P BBs. 

£325 or best offer, nothing to do with me but everyone should own a vintage BB if for the tuners alone. Are they not the best looking tuners ever?

 

 

Damn it, went down to £275 and still hung around for a while but it's gone now.  If it had hung around until the new year I would have pounced on it.

[Maude]

1 minute ago, neepheid said:

 

Damn it, went down to £275 and still hung around for a while but it's gone now.  If it had hung around until the new year I would have pounced on it.

I actually had a look yesterday in a moment of boredom after noting it was down to £275. Kind of relieved to see it was gone. 😁

[djc63]

And here she is, bought as a project/something to do over Christmas. Was located just 20 mins up the road so hard to resist!Totally stripped down, every screw and component cleaned, tuners dismantled and straightened and repaired, fretboard gunk cleaned, oiled and frets levelled, all chrome polished, body polished and some chips repaired, neck correctly realigned, new strings and full setup, plays and sounds great!

A lot of bass for a small amount of cash.

[Maude]

Was that the ebay one? 

Looks fantastic. 🙂👍

[djc63]

2 hours ago, Maude said:

Was that the ebay one? 

Looks fantastic. 🙂👍

Yes, from eBay.

[neepheid]

20 minutes ago, djc63 said:

Yes, from eBay.

 

I would have pounced on this as soon as it reduced in price if I hadn't been abstaining from purchasing gear this year.  Well jel, congrats.

[djc63]

1 hour ago, neepheid said:

 

I would have pounced on this as soon as it reduced in price if I hadn't been abstaining from purchasing gear this year.  Well jel, congrats.

Yes I held out as long as I could thinking it would go but it didn't. It was too good not to buy at the price and local too. It's well used of course but still a bargain and a great addition to the collection. 

[Owen]

I am guessing this is where the Yamaha bods hang out. I have a 5 string BB425 (I think) and would love a chrome control plate like the one in this picture because you can never have enough chrome. Does anyone have any idea where I might buy one? Google has given me somewhere in Indonesia which is entirely cool, but I was wondering about somewhere closer?

[Horizontalste]

Yamaha UK 084-481-11116

 

I think in this thread somewhere is a mention of a UK based distributor that has lots of Yamaha stuff!

Edited January 17, 2023 by Horizontalste
Pants spelling

[Owen]

1 minute ago, Horizontalste said:

Yamaha UK 084-481-11116

 

I think in this thread somewhere is a mention of a UK based distributor that has lots of Yamaha stuff!

Thanks. I suspected there might be info in the thread, but 350 pages made feel weak. And being BC, someone actually know the answer straight away.

[Guest]

Given how much replacement 1024 pickups cost, I predict that small piece of chrome will be priced c. £2,000

[LukeFRC]

37 minutes ago, Ricky Rioli said:

Given how much replacement 1024 pickups cost, I predict that small piece of chrome will be priced c. £2,000

Ie more than a secondhand bb425x?

[tredders]

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.