Yamaha SB-35, low start

[Paul S]

Popped up yesterday on eBay, £300 start.  Listing says SG-35 but it is an SB-35 and a pretty unmolested, all original one by the looks of things.  32" scale Yamaha SG style bass.  They only made these for a year or two in the early 70s.  I had one, sold it 6 years ago when I 'moved permanenlty to 5 string basses'🙄, biggest seller's remorse ever.  Since then this is only the second one to turn up (I check daily), both have been around 1.5lbs heavier than my old one, this is 4.1kg.  Sigh.  Not a problem for most people but a deal breaker for me.  These are totally top notch - the bass equivalent of the Yamaha SG guitar series and similar quality but there is so little info about them that they usually pass under the radar.  There is a something about the voicing of the pickup that just sings - a lovely, lovely bass.  A Fender or Gibson of the same vintage would sell for huge amounts but I'll bet this goes for well under £1K.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/116388632178

 

[Bucket Head]

Hi Paul,

 

This is my ebay listing in case its of interest .

 

You're right, they are very nice basses. I have no idea what they're actually worth either since there's so little info about them

 

Thanks for posting this and the good words!

 

 

[Paul S]

54 minutes ago, Bucket Head said:

Hi Paul,

 

This is my ebay listing in case its of interest .

 

You're right, they are very nice basses. I have no idea what they're actually worth either since there's so little info about them

 

Thanks for posting this and the good words!

 

 

 

Hi!  Yes, price is a thing isn't it - what they are worth and what they sell for seem to be very far apart.  I bought my last one for £220!  I hope you sell it for near it's worth.  if not, my offer stands 

[ash]

I messaged you about it, I had a similar one, an SB-50 with a German carve to the body. I sold it on when I was moving house. Great bass. Sadly they don’t get the attention they deserve but I think that about most Yamaha basses. Especially considering their quality. 

[Paul S]

I weakened at the end but may have a plan to shed some weight 😁

[ash]

13 hours ago, Paul S said:

I weakened at the end but may have a plan to shed some weight 😁

Well done! I missed it, work got in the way.