Yamaha BB VIs - anybody had/have one?

[Paul S]

Some random Googling just now winkled out the existence of this model - a medium scale BB bass that by most accounts weighs 3.5kg.  Seems they came in flat red, sparkle red, burst or black.  A black one of these ticks every one of my boxes and addresses all the issues I have with BB basses.

 

Has anyone owned one and formed opinions?

 

Muchas gracias!  

[2pods]

I had one. it was red and played very nice.

However, a bit fell off the nut during the slap bit in Sting's "Set them Free" (it was the 90s ), and the same thing happened with it's identical replacement.

 

I got fed up of treking up to Sound Control, and took the equivalent in credit.

I  got a Korg synth module instead. 

[Paul S]

One of the lesser known side effects of slap bass!  We should be told.   

[loudspeaker]

 I've had a couple of them, both tobacco burst. Great easy to play little basses, for me the most comfy neck, 31 1/2" scale slim front to back and a 40mm nut width. Usual made in Japan Yamaha bb quality and heel access truss rod which I always like. I can confim the weight at 3.5 kg. Yamaha adjusable tuners which are quite heavy so there can be little neck dive, lightweight tuners took 150grms off the weight of mine and cured the slight inbalance. Great sound I would say a slightly refined P bass which seems to sit within the music really well.

[Paul S]

Thank you.  Quite an endorsement!  I've had a few BB Yamahas and really liked them but a decade on the long scales are too much of a stretch and too heavy - one of these would be a a nice way back. 

[2pods]

If you get one stick a brass nut on it.

Just in case Sting wants to relive his youth with it 

 

 

 

Actually, I've always fancied a white one, as the ones I had were very comfy and sounded good, but I there was only red and black

[Iheartreverb]

I had one of these and it was great. 
The quality was there, importantly it sounded ace and good value, I only paid about £350.

 

Truth be told, I’d buy one again tomorrow if I could. I was looking at them the other night and there’s only one or two sunburst ones around and a bit too much money, especially considering they are mostly overseas and you’ll pay import.

That being said, if there was one in the U.K. £400 to £600, I’d easily have it 

[Paul S]

9 hours ago, Iheartreverb said:

I had one of these and it was great. 
The quality was there, importantly it sounded ace and good value, I only paid about £350.

 

Truth be told, I’d buy one again tomorrow if I could. I was looking at them the other night and there’s only one or two sunburst ones around and a bit too much money, especially considering they are mostly overseas and you’ll pay import.

That being said, if there was one in the U.K. £400 to £600, I’d easily have it 

 

There's a sparkly red one in Sheffield at the moment that is £300 on eBay but reduced to £250, I think, on Reverb (or somewhere other than eBay, anyway).  Collection only.  For £250 it is tempting to strip and oil, except I have no way of colleting from Sheffield.

[Iheartreverb]

3 hours ago, Paul S said:

 

There's a sparkly red one in Sheffield at the moment that is £300 on eBay but reduced to £250, I think, on Reverb (or somewhere other than eBay, anyway).  Collection only.  For £250 it is tempting to strip and oil, except I have no way of colleting from Sheffield.

yeah, I’d seen that, just knowhere near me or I’d be tempted too.

Theres a sunburst one in France that is a bit too much 

[loudspeaker]

I have just listed one of my Yamaha BBV1s in the basses for sale ads

[Paul S]

Yup. Looks like I'm too late 😢😁

[Mykesbass]

On 17/04/2025 at 20:09, 2pods said:

If you get one stick a brass nut on it.

Just in case Sting wants to relive his youth with it 

 

 

 

Actually, I've always fancied a white one, as the ones I had were very comfy and sounded good, but I there was only red and black

Only on here could 34 be considered youth 😎