Mada Music Posted July 16, 2021 Share Posted July 16, 2021 I've recently came into possession one of the oldest and rarest bass I've ever played. Yamaha SB-75. This was a precursor to the Super Bass Range and was made between 1973-75 Back in the 1970s this was the most expensive bass Yamaha made, and cost 75,000 Yen, which at the time was around $700. The styling, build quality and materials are incredible, and it sounds like a dark blend of a jazz and p bass, very good for harmonics, deep lows, mids and very clear treble tones. Any love for this old Japanese girl? 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mada Music Posted July 16, 2021 Author Share Posted July 16, 2021 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grahambythesea Posted July 16, 2021 Share Posted July 16, 2021 I quite like the body shape and the scratch plate but not the headstock which looks unfinished.IMHO. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted July 16, 2021 Share Posted July 16, 2021 (edited) Love that. Never seen or played one. Love that paddle head. would love one, they’re lovely. love. Edited July 16, 2021 by AndyTravis 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 Yamaha need to reissue these 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 1 hour ago, AndyTravis said: Yamaha need to reissue these And the Pulser 400 while they're at it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 1 minute ago, Ricky Rioli said: And the Pulser 400 while they're at it Well…thatd just be another p in a world of p’s… This would be an absolute hoot as a reissue. As long as they didn’t cop out and just shove generic j pickup units in it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elfrasho Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 Love this! 700 quid in early 70s? Couldn't you buy a house for that? 😂😂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 16 minutes ago, AndyTravis said: thatd just be another p in a world of p’s I resented having to buy something that hadn't come from a Yamaha factory when I bought my P, and my left hand is quite insistent about the difference. But anyway, Yamaha don't seem a very reissue-y kind of company, are they? They always seem to be marching onward with healthy vigour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mada Music Posted July 17, 2021 Author Share Posted July 17, 2021 1 hour ago, AndyTravis said: Well…thatd just be another p in a world of p’s… This would be an absolute hoot as a reissue. As long as they didn’t cop out and just shove generic j pickup units in it They are far from generic pups,there is a dedicated pole for each string, hand wound, alnico magnets brass back plates. Fender dream of making pups this good. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mada Music Posted July 17, 2021 Author Share Posted July 17, 2021 (edited) From my understanding, Yamaha made the Solid Bass 75 and 55 for two years, seems how well they were received and then launched the Super Bass line..the numbers indicate prices in Yen. The 75 had higher quality materials ie. Abalone inlays, Ebony fret board, quarter sawn neck and a Matoh ( related to Maghogany) body. The 75 cost too much to make and buy so they kept the dimensions the same for the SB500s etc, but did away with fancy materials etc. They also sculpted the headstock a bit to move away from the shovel head look, which I actually find quite cool. This bass has twice as much tone and sustain as a USA Fender. I love it ! Plus it came with the original case Edited July 17, 2021 by Mada Music 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 9 hours ago, AndyTravis said: This would be an absolute hoot as a reissue. As long as they didn’t cop out and just shove generic j pickup units in it 7 hours ago, Mada Music said: They are far from generic pups,there is a dedicated pole for each string, hand wound, alnico magnets brass back plates. Fender dream of making pups this good. Hence Andy's point. A reissue without the magical pickups would be just another j in a world of j's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petecarlton Posted July 18, 2021 Share Posted July 18, 2021 @Mada Music Any chance of your bringing this to the Midlands Bass Bash on 4th September? I'm sure there are quite a few Basschatters who'd love to see/hear this awesome thing (and - with any luck - more than 30 people will be allowed to congregate!)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mada Music Posted July 18, 2021 Author Share Posted July 18, 2021 5 hours ago, Rich said: Hence Andy's point. A reissue without the magical pickups would be just another j in a world of j's. My bad ! 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted July 18, 2021 Share Posted July 18, 2021 22 hours ago, Ricky Rioli said: I resented having to buy something that hadn't come from a Yamaha factory when I bought my P, and my left hand is quite insistent about the difference. But anyway, Yamaha don't seem a very reissue-y kind of company, are they? They always seem to be marching onward with healthy vigour. Not unheard-of though: And they resisted the temptation of sticking standard J pups in the SBV reissues - best description for this is Jazz on steroids, full, dark, punchy tone even compared to the 70s DiMarzio Model Js in my no. 1 Jazz. This is one of my favourite recording basses. SB75s do come up very occasionally & I've always had a bit of GAS for them - great-looking basses and by all accounts, typical excellent Yammy quality. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KK Jale Posted July 18, 2021 Share Posted July 18, 2021 Interestingly, as used by a certain Mr Illsley on the first ever gig by Dire Straits (Deptford Crossfields festival, the whole shebang being powered by an extension cable out of somebody's apartment window)., Mind you, John may just have borrowed it for the day. Apologies for the quality of the photo, they didn't have cameras back then - this is someone's memory directly printed onto a Kraft cheese slice. 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gorandelac Posted March 6 Share Posted March 6 Man I love SB-75 but it's so hard to find them in EU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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