Rich Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 A friend of a friend is considering buying a Yamaha BB 615, but he's after a 2nd opinion before splashing out the dosh. He's also tried Fender, Warwick, Ibanez and although the Yam is not the most expensive, for him it feels and sounds the best. I'm happy to tell him that the Yam is a great bass and that if it feels good to him then go ahead and do it, but another 2nd opinion would be good. He's worried that the BB, quote, "would be looked down upon by real bass players". Anybody got good or bad experiences of this bass or other BBs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul h Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Love my BB614. Great bass for the money. [quote]"would be looked down upon by real bass players"[/quote] However I'm not a real bassplayer! P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soulfinger Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 I prefer passive basses and have owned the BB414 and tried the BB415 - both excellent sounding, well made, gig-worthy basses (great B string on the fiver as well). Whoever looks down on Yamaha basses is not a "real" bass player anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 I had a BB614. They are great very well made basses that sound great too, the neck pickups does a superb Precision impression. There are plenty of well known players that have used BB's so i'm sure it would be fine in the annual BBC Bass Fashion Awards . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted March 13, 2009 Author Share Posted March 13, 2009 Thanks guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stylon Pilson Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 (edited) [quote name='Rich' post='433260' date='Mar 13 2009, 09:02 AM']although the Yam is not the most expensive, for him it feels and sounds the best.[/quote] "Real" bass players would understand that this is all that matters. Edit: oh, and I've played a Yamaha BB as my primary fretted bass for the last eight years. S.P. Edited March 13, 2009 by Stylon Pilson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soulfinger Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 BTW, just spotted a BB415 in the classifieds: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=43240"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=43240[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clockworkwar Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Its the tone not the brand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doctor_of_the_bass Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Allo! Just to add I've recently bought another 614 and it really is a great bass! Tell your mate that the guy with 61 basses* rates it very highly!!!!! * he is also modest and very very poor!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 I've had a couple of BB614's & the 5-string version is excellent, too. It's an oddity in the budget 5-string world, as the B-string portion of the bridge is extended. So you've got a 34" scale bass with a 35" scale B-string. No flappy B there, then! All in all, excellent value for money 5-stringer with good sound, P & J adaptability & 3-band eq. Oh and not to mention Japanese build quality. What's not to like?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandini Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 +1 from me too although I play a 614... Everyone who has heard it is impressed with its versatility and playability too. Its not teh sexiest in teh world but its quality at a good price and i wouldnt swap mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chappers Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 Bought mine from Silverfox Nik. In a word, Superb! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayfan Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 +1 Gigged my BB614 again last night. I love the way it plays and I think it looks the dogs too. Despite being big in the body, it's pretty light so you can throw it around a bit when you play. Handed it to a guitarist friend after the gig to have a go and he said: "they are great these Fender basses, aren't they". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfoxnik Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 [quote name='Chappers' post='435047' date='Mar 15 2009, 09:18 AM']Bought mine from Silverfox Nik. In a word, Superb![/quote] Glad you're still enjoying it Chappers! So, where are you exactly now - are you in Oz as your avatar suggests..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='434471' date='Mar 14 2009, 10:26 AM']I've had a couple of BB614's & the 5-string version is excellent, too. It's an oddity in the budget 5-string world, as the B-string portion of the bridge is extended. So you've got a 34" scale bass with a 35" scale B-string.[/quote] Not quite. The extended bridge decreases the break angle of the string over the saddle making it less likely to break. If the B string were a 35" scale it'd be out of tune since the fretboard is spaced for a 34" . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelk27 Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 (edited) [quote name='Rich' post='433260' date='Mar 13 2009, 09:02 AM']He's worried that the BB, quote, "would be looked down upon by real bass players". Anybody got good or bad experiences of this bass or other BBs?[/quote] Whoever wrote that hasn't got a f**kin' clue what they're talking about. The original BB1200 set an exceptionally high standard, when it was launched. BB series models have been played by top musicians for years. To be honest I haven't played a BB615, or for that matter a BB415, my first BB series 5-string was a BB5000A, which was an exceptionally good recording bass. But I have owned four BB series models, and every one was solid and reliable, as well as being fantastic to play - which, is the only thing that matters. So, f**k the author of that quote, I'd take substance over style every time. By the way, what is a "real bass player" anyway? I've been playing for nearly 40 years - been signed, been dropped, been round the block - but does any of that make me any more or less a real bass player than the next guy, learner or professional? Edited March 15, 2009 by noelk27 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted March 15, 2009 Author Share Posted March 15, 2009 Calm down, calm down My mate's mate was the "author" of that quote, and all he means is that he knows nothing whatsoever about Yamaha basses (other than the BB feeling and sounding great), and so doesn't want to blow his hard-earned on what might have been an overpriced lemon. His bass experience is limited and that's why he was after advice. So thanks for yours too, but enough of the playground language Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinman Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 Robby Takac uses the BB series and he does alright IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 [quote name='Tinman' post='435134' date='Mar 15 2009, 11:55 AM']Robby Takac uses the BB series and he does alright IMO [/quote] Tony Kanal was always using BB basses too. I had a fretless (think it was a BB1100S) years ago and it was a top bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Born 2B Mild Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 Seems this thread confirms that the BBs are a top choice. Sebastian Steinberg uses a 5-string Yamaha BB5000 on stage. A classic passive neck-thru with quality build. One day, I'd love to have a Yamaha top-end six string. Oh, and yes, I guess this is also a shameless plug for my superb BB415 for sale!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 [quote name='Born 2B Mild' post='435179' date='Mar 15 2009, 01:13 PM']Oh, and yes, I guess this is also a shameless plug for my superb BB415 for sale!!!![/quote] If I hadn't already spent this month's GAS allowance I'd have it - I need a 5'er and that's about the best "cheap" one I've seen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy67 Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 yamaha bb series?? nothing other than superb! workings mans tool and well road ready! I totally adore my BB714...it's all I use! andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brave Sir Robin Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 tried a 415 and 615, strangely enough, I preferred the 415. May have been the strings. Good honest bass all round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamthewalrus Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 I had a BB1100S (which I wish I still had). Without doubt one of the best 4 string basses I've ever owned, Yamaha's are excellent quality basses for the money, no question. Cheers, iamthewalrus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 Found this thread after somebody quoted it on Gumtree. I bought a BB615 - great bass tonally with amazing playability. My only issue is the size of the body - I prefer a smaller body - if I could transfer everything into a something like a BC Nanyo I would be a very happy bunny. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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