Yamaha SB-55

[AndyTravis]

Thanks to @bagsieblue who knows I’m a fan…

 

I have a dirty old Yamaha arriving.

 

This story started 23 years ago (1998…) and I was a beginner of about 14/15 months.

 

Every month my local paper shop go “Bassist” magazine in for me. It was great. My grandad Eoin paid the subscription.

 

They ran articles - a sort of “readers wives” column.

 

in the August 1998 issue it was this - 

 

And tonight…I’ve got one.

Go me.

 

[AndyTravis]

Better pic

Edited September 3, 2021 by AndyTravis

[Doctor J]

Nice. There's something very pleasing about laying your hands on something you've been interested in for a very long time. Those horns have a touch of old Ibanez RB about them. It's a tasteful design, I hope you enjoy it.

[Guest]

Presumably it looks a lot more trad once the player's arm is coming over and covering the bulkier bit of the body

 

[Guest]

Has anyone ever read an explanation for Yamaha's 33¾" scale length back then? It doesn't look any prettier written in metric – 85.725 cm. Am looking forward to be hearing how much effort is needed to feel the difference.

 

PS a choice of either natural or targetburst, what a world it was.

Edited September 4, 2021 by Ricky Rioli

[AndyTravis]

2 hours ago, Ricky Rioli said:

Has anyone ever read an explanation for Yamaha's 33¾" scale length back then? It doesn't look any prettier written in metric – 85.725 cm. Am looking forward to be hearing how much effort is needed to feel the difference.

 

PS a choice of either natural or targetburst, what a world it was.

I will dig out my Yamaha book, don’t think it goes into any major detail about the SB’s.

 

Thought it may have been linked to the idea of a rickenbacker, but that was 33 1/4

[Lfalex v1.1]

Looks almost like a "right way up" SBV..

[AndyTravis]

8 minutes ago, Lfalex v1.1 said:

Looks almost like a "right way up" SBV..

It’s screaming for a modern reissue in funky colours 

[Guest]

22 minutes ago, AndyTravis said:

It’s screaming for a modern reissue in funky colours 

 

You going to have yours stripped and refinished in LPB? 

[AndyTravis]

13 minutes ago, Ricky Rioli said:

 

You going to have yours stripped and refinished in LPB? 

Hmmmnnn nah, looks in great nick

[Bassassin]

Not jealous.

Not jealous.

Not jealous.

 

1 hour ago, AndyTravis said:

It’s screaming for a modern reissue in funky colours 

Enter the Eastwood limited edition, with standard J pickups, generic pressed-tin hardware and a 4-figure price tag...

[Guest]

 

[LeftyJ]

I love these, and will always associate them with Peter Vink of Dutch bluesrock legends Q65. I mostly know him from his work with Ayreon though. He played one as his main axe for a long time, until he got a Lull and more recently a hideous Bo-el. 

[AndyTravis]

48 minutes ago, Ricky Rioli said:

 

Yup. Sounds well.

[Guest]

11 minutes ago, AndyTravis said:

Yup. Sounds well.

 

I especially liked the neck / pick at 1'43". But I would.

 

I also came across a demo of the SB-75 which started with a style conscientious youtube demos don't normally include:

 

 

[LukeFRC]

2 hours ago, Ricky Rioli said:

 

You going to have yours stripped and refinished in LPB? 

He’s going to find it hard enough to not get a new bridge and scratchplate for it, let along get it refinished! 

[Guest]

8 minutes ago, LukeFRC said:

He’s going to find it hard enough to not get a new bridge and scratchplate for it, let along get it refinished! 

I didn't for a moment imagine that he would do such a thing to one unless it was battered beyond recognition. But that particularly handsome bit of tort...and that bound neck...ahh they deserve better.....

 

[such]

1 hour ago, Ricky Rioli said:

 

I especially liked the neck / pick at 1'43". But I would.

 

I also came across a demo of the SB-75 which started with a style conscientious youtube demos don't normally include:

 

 

That's the guy who built my P, and he respects those old Yamahas greatly. I think he has a BB VI in stock just now. 

[lee650]

Much like "Readers wives" I think it's best we don't see the Head (stock) 😂

[lee650]

10 hours ago, AndyTravis said:

Yup. Sounds well.

Very jazz bass like. Nice!

[lee650]

On 04/09/2021 at 14:37, Ricky Rioli said:

 

I especially liked the neck / pick at 1'43". But I would.

 

I also came across a demo of the SB-75 which started with a style conscientious youtube demos don't normally include:

 

 

That demo isn't making me want to rush off and get one 😂

Edited September 5, 2021 by lee650

[LukeFRC]

2 hours ago, lee650 said:

Much like "Readers wives" I think it's best we don't see the Head (stock) 😂

See I thought that, and then I saw a photo of one in its case - the headstock fit perfectly in the corner of the case… I imagine in the 70s that was Apple like packaging and product design! 

[AndyTravis]

It’s here.

 

delivered at 8.50 on a Sunday…

 

I have a hangover the size of Uganda.

 

its 100% the best bass ever. And I’m selling everything.

 

TBH I’ve no clue what it sounds like.

 

but acoustically and feel wise, it’s a belter.

 

sleep now. In a bit gangsters.

[AndyTravis]

Plugged in, sounds great.

 

the thing plays itself, really nicely set up. Neck is bang on 74/75 jazz. Like a deep pencil.

[AndyTravis]

Also…have seen these advertised at 11/12lbs.

 

this is about 9.

 

hahahah