The Yamaha BB mega-thread

[Muzz]

So I tweaked my back (on the roof, too, doing a spot of DIY, tho not the full Rod Hull, thankfully) last weekend, and I've had a back-focused kinda week, so I decided to weigh all my basses. Tragically, my favourite gigging bass, the BB414, is (as I'd suspected/feared) the heaviest of the lot. What surprised me was by how much - after a bit of restringing/fettling, I gigged a Shuker that was nearly 2lbs lighter.

 

I'm now trying to think of simple ways to lighten it (I've already done the tuners, there's not much else easy to do), I may even explore more radical solutions...

[hooky_lowdown]

7 minutes ago, Muzz said:

So I tweaked my back (on the roof, too, doing a spot of DIY, tho not the full Rod Hull, thankfully) last weekend, and I've had a back-focused kinda week, so I decided to weigh all my basses. Tragically, my favourite gigging bass, the BB414, is (as I'd suspected/feared) the heaviest of the lot. What surprised me was by how much - after a bit of restringing/fettling, I gigged a Shuker that was nearly 2lbs lighter.

 

I'm now trying to think of simple ways to lighten it (I've already done the tuners, there's not much else easy to do), I may even explore more radical solutions...

So, what is the weight?

[neepheid]

Hold my beer, where's that router?

 

[Muzz]

9lbs 5oz...not a killer for some folk, but very heavy for me, especially with my gig calendar...

[Muzz]

Just now, neepheid said:

Hold my beer, where's that router?

 

Don't tempt me...the trouble is, if I did lighten the body, it'd neck dive, so the fix for that is...

[Maude]

Route out the back of the body to lighten it and then counter the neck dive by the popping some lead weights in the newly made cavity. 

 

 

Anything else you need help with just give us a shout. 🫡

[Muzz]

Tempting...I need to find some tonelead first, tho...

[Woodinblack]

15 minutes ago, Maude said:

Route out the back of the body to lighten it and then counter the neck dive by the popping some lead weights in the newly made cavity.

 

you can route out the back of the neck to counter the neck dive.

[Muzz]

I believe there's a heavy steel rod in there, too...

[Hacksawbob]

Helium balloons....your welcome.  

Also helps you you to hit those high bv  notes at the end of the gig. 

Edited May 13, 2024 by Hacksawbob

[pete.young]

5 hours ago, Muzz said:

So I tweaked my back (on the roof, too, doing a spot of DIY, tho not the full Rod Hull, thankfully) last weekend, and I've had a back-focused kinda week, so I decided to weigh all my basses. Tragically, my favourite gigging bass, the BB414, is (as I'd suspected/feared) the heaviest of the lot. What surprised me was by how much - after a bit of restringing/fettling, I gigged a Shuker that was nearly 2lbs lighter.

 

I'm now trying to think of simple ways to lighten it (I've already done the tuners, there's not much else easy to do), I may even explore more radical solutions...

 

[Guest]

It was the combination of the weight of my 424 and the particular way it pulled against my injured shoulder that made me have to sell it. I often wonder what a 424 or 1024 would be like with the body reshaped and then chambered, with ultralight tuners. But not enough to spend the money finding out. But oh I miss that neck and oh I miss how it played. Oh well.

[Gnermo]

[soulstar89]

1 hour ago, Gnermo said:

put on the kettle, I’m coming over to play them all lol. 😂 

[Velarian]

An interesting lot at the upcoming Gardiner Houlgate auction on 11th June

 

https://www.guitar-auctions.co.uk/sale/218/44/Bernie-Marsden--stage-played-Alaska-era-1982-Yamaha-BB2000-bass-guitar-made-in-Japan

[Robert Manning]

Just picked up a BBP34 

 

Jeez this thing sounds fantastic. I’m officially a convert now. Sounds more like a P bass than a P bass somehow, and the jazz PU at the back is just perfect. Snappy and sharp sounding but still reads nicely as a bass sound. So fast and fun to play and it’s put together so well. 
 

im really considering buying another one to put flats on I like it so much. 
 

Only downside for me is those fret ends are a bit sharp/poky for me. They look great and have been nicely finished in a way (it’s no dog like a fender) but still bit sharp. I have ultra sensitive skin tho. No worries I’ll grab a file 🤘

best sounding bass on my rack. 

 

[Bo Millward]

Buy a BBNE2 if you can

[Robert Manning]

finacial issues art with comments like these! ha 

[Al Krow]

About to say goodbye to the last Yamaha in my herd (a lovely BB 2005) and it will be the first time since 2017 I'm without one! Just been finding that my Elrick and Spector are giving me everything I need for the 60 or so covers/function gigs my crew are currently doing annually.

 

But it's been a fun 380 page journey while it lasted and it's great to see folk still coming across Yamaha BBs for the first time and falling in love with them.

[Baloney Balderdash]

On 07/06/2024 at 22:32, Robert Manning said:

Just picked up a BBP34 

 

Jeez this thing sounds fantastic. I’m officially a convert now. Sounds more like a P bass than a P bass somehow, and the jazz PU at the back is just perfect. Snappy and sharp sounding but still reads nicely as a bass sound. So fast and fun to play and it’s put together so well. 
 

im really considering buying another one to put flats on I like it so much. 
 

Only downside for me is those fret ends are a bit sharp/poky for me. They look great and have been nicely finished in a way (it’s no dog like a fender) but still bit sharp. I have ultra sensitive skin tho. No worries I’ll grab a file 🤘

best sounding bass on my rack. 

 

Is the front instrument a guitar, or?

 

And what brand/model exactly?

[Doctor J]

EBMM Silhouette SUB, I would guess.

[Maude]

1 hour ago, Al Krow said:

About to say goodbye to the last Yamaha in my herd (a lovely BB 2005) and it will be the first time since 2017 I'm without one! Just been finding that my Elrick and Spector are giving me everything I need for the 60 or so covers/function gigs my crew are currently doing annually.

 

But it's been a fun 380 page journey while it lasted and it's great to see folk still coming across Yamaha BBs for the first time and falling in love with them.

 

"You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave." 😉

[acroxixo]

I forgot to update the Yamaha’s in & out 😂 

The BB424 left the house (very good bass by the way)

I bought a BBP35 a couple of months ago. What a fantastic bass this is. I love it!!!! 
I also have a BB1025. It’s a different beast compared to the BBP35. 

The BBP35 it’s now without the pickguard. Will have a transparent. I will picture when it arrives. 

[neepheid]

Sad sauce - missed out on a sibling for my BB1200.  You snooze, you lose!

[Robert Manning]

4 hours ago, Baloney Balderdash said:

Is the front instrument a guitar, or?

 

And what brand/model exactly?

That’s an old musicman SUB guitar from the 00’s based the Silhouette bit made be be more affordable.