The Yamaha BB mega-thread

[AndyTravis]

Brilliant. A burst BB matching Headstock...

will try the preamp as I know they’re not everyone’s cuppa. Then I’ll investigate options.

will wear a pickguard like my 414 too.

[MDWagstaff]

  On 06/05/2019 at 13:08, AndyTravis said:

Brilliant. A burst BB matching Headstock...

will try the preamp as I know they’re not everyone’s cuppa. Then I’ll investigate options.

will wear a pickguard like my 414 too.

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I have the 615, replaced the pre with an Aguilar which sonically has put it up there with £1k+ basses. Without fail it has been given compliments on how it sounds by everyone the first time they've heard it

[Al Krow]

  On 06/05/2019 at 14:04, MDWagstaff said:

I have the 615, replaced the pre with an Aguilar which sonically has put it up there with £1k+ basses. Without fail it has been given compliments on how it sounds by everyone the first time they've heard it

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The 615 always did seem like a lot of bass to me. The precursor to the current 735A if I'm not mistaken (and there was no equivalent in the "2" series). 

Did you go for an OBP3? 

[MDWagstaff]

I did indeed, I found the original pre to be a little harsh sounding

[AndyTravis]

  On 06/05/2019 at 14:04, MDWagstaff said:

I have the 615, replaced the pre with an Aguilar which sonically has put it up there with £1k+ basses. Without fail it has been given compliments on how it sounds by everyone the first time they've heard it

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Which model? Thanks! Edit - Obp3 just read

Edited May 6, 2019 by AndyTravis

[AndyTravis]

Which begs the question, has anyone got a 414x/424x/1024x/2024x pickguard spare?

[gobasserk]

Would be a more than cool thing to have such a pickguard shape to copy! 

 

 

[AndyTravis]

I’m going to put my black one on the Sunburst and get a white pearl (as I’d originally planned) for the orange bb 

[bassfan]

  On 06/05/2019 at 16:46, AndyTravis said:

I’m going to put my black one on the Sunburst and get a white pearl (as I’d originally planned) for the orange bb 

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Pearl would look best👍🏻👍🏻And then sell the orange one to me. 👍🏻😂

[MDWagstaff]

  On 06/05/2019 at 14:57, AndyTravis said:

Which model? Thanks! Edit - Obp3 just read

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Also to note, thankfully the electronics cavity is big enough to accommodate an extra battery for an 18v system 

[Al Krow]

  On 06/05/2019 at 19:31, MDWagstaff said:

Also to note, thankfully the electronics cavity is big enough to accommodate an extra battery for an 18v system 

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If you don't mind me asking, how much was the whole upgrade for the OB3 plus fitting (or did you manage to get that done yourself)?

[MDWagstaff]

I can't remember off the top of my head, it was 9 years ago now and I got the nut changed to bone at the same time but I think it was about £110 for the preamp and about £30-40 for the installation 

[Al Krow]

  On 06/05/2019 at 20:05, MDWagstaff said:

I can't remember off the top of my head, it was 9 years ago now and I got the nut changed to bone at the same time but I think it was about £110 for the preamp and about £30-40 for the installation 

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Aha, thanks. And here's the point: you've kept (and really liked?) the 615 with OBP3 pre for nearly a decade!

That speaks quality to me.

[MDWagstaff]

Indeed! Tonally it's mint and I've used it for most of my recordings, the only reason I have the trbx as my main instead is purely because the BB dwarfs me haha 

[MDWagstaff]

Exhibit A

[gobasserk]

I just found the org. BB3000 passive electronics that I had changed against a Glockenklang active circuit. I wonder what bass would benefit most from it. 414 or 1000ma? 

[ChrisJaxon]

Mickleburgh in Bristol have had a 615 in stock forever and every now and then they knock the price down. Very interesting price...See here: https://mickleburgh.co.uk/shop/yamaha-bb615-bass-guitar/

 

[Al Krow]

  On 07/05/2019 at 07:29, ChrisJaxon said:

Mickleburgh in Bristol have had a 615 in stock forever and every now and then they knock the price down. Very interesting price...See here: https://mickleburgh.co.uk/shop/yamaha-bb615-bass-guitar/

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Wow is that a brand 'new' BB 615? If so, that's a good price!

[bassfan]

  On 07/05/2019 at 09:00, Al Krow said:

Wow is that a brand 'new' BB 615? If so, that's a good price!

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I’m surprised it’s not already in transit to Krow Towers yet!  😂

[ChrisJaxon]

Yep brand new. Seen it in the flesh. I have had 2 basses from Mickleburgh and always had a good deal. I was tempted....but now have a 735!

[Al Krow]

  On 07/05/2019 at 09:08, ChrisJaxon said:

Yep brand new. Seen it in the flesh. I have had 2 basses from Mickleburgh and always had a good deal. I was tempted....but now have a 735!

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^^ exactly this for me too! 

[Al Krow]

But the possibility of refi in white and dropping in an OBP3 as suggested above, or in my case a John East Uni Pre with para mids. Hmmm... now that is tempting!

Chris - do you know if the 615 is purely active or does it have a passive switch? 

[ChrisJaxon]

This 615 is active only, no passive mode. AFIK!

[Al Krow]

  On 07/05/2019 at 09:20, ChrisJaxon said:

This 615 is active only, no passive mode. AFIK!

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That was my understanding too. Now we know why we have our 735A's

...although I'm guessing that if you're dropping a new preamp in, then a passive / active switch will anyway come as 'standard' with some of these?

PS I've also just noticed that the 615 has the same B string bridge 'extension' that is there on the 425 (and I presume also the 415?) which has disappeared in the newer '3 series' range (blimey that sounds like a BMW, which is probably about right for the modern Yammy basses 😂).

Edited May 7, 2019 by Al Krow

[MDWagstaff]

Is there anyone out there with the 615 and the 735a? How do they compare in terms of feel? Considering getting the latter and stringing one with flats.