Jump to content
Why become a member? ×

NBD - 1978 Yamaha BB1200 (and I'm definitely done for the year now!)


neepheid

Recommended Posts

I've wanted a Yamaha BB1200 ever since I learned what Yamaha BBs were.  Well now I have one.  A 1978 model in natural, it has honest wear and bumps on it being 45 years old but it's sound as a pound and an absolute joy to play - thin frets on an ebony board, wide but not too chunky neck, it feels lovely.  Sounds great too, reverse P be reversin'.

 

This makes me feel fancy, in a similar way that my Wunkay does.  I truly feel like I own one of the cornerstone basses of history.

 

It weighs 9 and a half pounds, not too shabby for a late 70s bass.

 

01yamahabb1200frontall.jpg.d4eeacc03571f8a2a692cd8c10f3b983.jpg

 

02yamahabb1200frontbody.jpg.6d1f3f708ce780f731ae1c0b6fc5ae87.jpg

 

03yamahabb1200fronthead.jpg.93822d2a46930da7b8a4b15245e41bbc.jpg

 

04yamahabb1200backall.jpg.8dee1ef104bb405a87a92a2b4ef583ba.jpg

 

05yamahabb1200backbody.jpg.c7c6d23d39986765c0d240e527d111fd.jpg

 

06yamahabb1200backhead.jpg.5be78ffd7c7d20739d84368d856c39a6.jpg

 

Enough chat, I'm off to play it some more!

  • Like 38
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, neepheid said:

I've wanted a Yamaha BB1200 ever since I learned what Yamaha BBs were.  Well now I have one.  A 1978 model in natural, it has honest wear and bumps on it being 45 years old but it's sound as a pound and an absolute joy to play - thin frets on an ebony board, wide but not too chunky neck, it feels lovely.  Sounds great too, reverse P be reversin'.

 

This makes me feel fancy, in a similar way that my Wunkay does.  I truly feel like I own one of the cornerstone basses of history.

 

It weighs 9 and a half pounds, not too shabby for a late 70s bass.

 

01yamahabb1200frontall.jpg.d4eeacc03571f8a2a692cd8c10f3b983.jpg

 

02yamahabb1200frontbody.jpg.6d1f3f708ce780f731ae1c0b6fc5ae87.jpg

 

03yamahabb1200fronthead.jpg.93822d2a46930da7b8a4b15245e41bbc.jpg

 

04yamahabb1200backall.jpg.8dee1ef104bb405a87a92a2b4ef583ba.jpg

 

05yamahabb1200backbody.jpg.c7c6d23d39986765c0d240e527d111fd.jpg

 

06yamahabb1200backhead.jpg.5be78ffd7c7d20739d84368d856c39a6.jpg

 

Enough chat, I'm off to play it some more!

 

Get that Wings tribute band started!

 

EMnyaaOX0AAhfDC-scaled.jpg

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, Eldon Tyrell said:

 

The most expensive bass ever sold at auction for $496,100

Like yours from 78.

https://www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/news/paul-mccartneys-bass-is-now-the-most-expensive-ever-sold-at-auction-8202/ 

 

Unfortunately, this one has this idiot attached to it, so by that metric it's probably only worth about 50p now...

  • Haha 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

These are indeed really superb instruments. That reverse P pickup seems to give such a good growl to these basses. 

 

Looking at that bass you can see what a beautiful shape these original BB basses were. They subsequently tweaked the body shape. I don't know why, because these basses look so elegant in their simplicity.

 

Lots of top players used these Bb1200 basses back in the day. Lee Sklar, Abraham Laboriel, Paul Jackson ect. And the geezer out of Chas and Dave for that matter (also a good player, by the way.)

 

Have a lovely Xmas putting your new bass through it's paces. I would like to think that you will be ripping some smouldering late '70s funk and disco lines on this beauty. And/or some Chas and Dave.

Edited by Misdee
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice.  I had a bb2000 for a few years.  Funk monster. I sold it for £200 in 1998. Bad move. I'd buy another if I saw one.

 

Reverse P is the only P worth having; if only more makers realised that.  Through neck for a crisp sound and endless sustain. Marvellous.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...