Yamaha Super BB Part I

[Sean]

After being initially skeptical about a Yamaha BB in this price range, I decided I had to try one to see what the fuss was about. I'll write a full review soon and I'll try to be more detailed than the recent press reviews.

I'm not entirely happy with these photos, I'll retake them when I get some good light.

Anyway, this is the BB2024x and the "x" means it's got a pickguard and chunky chrome control plate.








[url="http://plunder.com/1cbff90762"]Sound file [/url]

Edited August 24, 2010 by Sean

[yorick]

What's the difference to a standard BB414, apart from the cosmetic stuff, and the laminate neck?

[Sean]

[quote name='yorick' post='783108' date='Mar 23 2010, 09:37 AM']What's the difference to a standard BB414, apart from the cosmetic stuff, and the laminate neck?[/quote]

The bridge, the stringing system, the pickups, the tuners, the woods, the inlays, the construction, the frets, the electrical components, the string tree, the body shape (loads of difference - really), the ageing process, the vibration treatment, the nut, the fact that it's handmade in a small workshop in Japan in very small numbers, pretty much everything, really.

Edited March 23, 2010 by Sean

[tayste_2000]

[quote name='Sean' post='783122' date='Mar 23 2010, 09:56 AM']The bridge, the stringing system, the pickups, the tuners, the woods, the inlays, the construction, the frets, the electrical components, the body shape (loads of difference - really), the ageing process, the vibration treatment, the nut, the fact that it's handmade in a small workshop in Japan in very small numbers, pretty much everything, really.[/quote]

How much did you end up paying in the end, I tried one at Bassday in the morning before the slap fest started and it was nice but not the price tag nice. Defo better than a US fender

[Sean]

Bassdirect has a sunburst one in for £2299.

I spent a couple of hours playing a white one through my Boogie a couple of months back and couldn't believe how good it was. It's easily one of the best instruments I've played and definitely the best bolt-on bass. Better (for me) than any Sadowsky, Nordy or US Lakland I've tried.

Edited March 23, 2010 by Sean

[Clarky]

Thats looks so RAWWWWKKKK! Nice one Sean. So does it live up to everything you hoped (I am guessing yes!)? I think alanbass1 gets his white one this week so there should be two reviews up of this great looking bass.

[Sean]

[quote name='Clarky' post='783146' date='Mar 23 2010, 10:16 AM']Thats looks so RAWWWWKKKK! Nice one Sean. So does it live up to everything you hoped (I am guessing yes!)? I think alanbass1 gets his white one this week so there should be two reviews up of this great looking bass.[/quote]

It's so RAWWWWKKKK! that I'm going to have to get lessons. Lessons in how to walk more rock'n'roll I think I'd better go and book a few more tattoos as well...

...oh, I have

The bridge pickup on this bass is astounding and justifies its own existence as it's so powerful when soloed; more of a thinner Stingray vibe than a fatter Jazz tone. The balance between the two pups makes this bass so versatile. I picked it up on Friday and have hardly put it down - the fact that it's very light helps especially with my crazy back issues.

I'm going to get a few gigs on this before I review as I think it's only when doing the job for real that you get a true idea of what an instrument's like.

Edited March 23, 2010 by Sean

[tayste_2000]

[quote name='Sean' post='783135' date='Mar 23 2010, 10:09 AM']Bassdirect has a sunburst one in for £2299.

I sent a couple of hours playing a white one through my Boogie a couple of months back and couldn't believe how good it was. It's easily one of the best instruments I've played and definitely the best bolt-on bass. Better (for me) than any Sadowsky, Nordy or US Lakland I've tried.[/quote]

Yeah no they are very good for sure, I think what did it for me was the neck I'd have prefered a heavy gloss on the back to go with the vibe I got from the rest of the instrument, but you know at this much money you have to get awful picky

[hillbilly deluxe]

[quote name='Sean' post='783122' date='Mar 23 2010, 09:56 AM']The bridge, the stringing system, the pickups, the tuners, the woods, the inlays, the construction, the frets, the electrical components, the string tree, the body shape (loads of difference - really), the ageing process, the vibration treatment, the nut, the fact that it's handmade in a small workshop in Japan in very small numbers, pretty much everything, really.[/quote]
But,apart from that,they are the same,right ?

[alanbass1]

[quote name='Clarky' post='783146' date='Mar 23 2010, 10:16 AM']Thats looks so RAWWWWKKKK! Nice one Sean. So does it live up to everything you hoped (I am guessing yes!)? I think alanbass1 gets his white one this week so there should be two reviews up of this great looking bass.[/quote]


Got it and it's, well great.....

[7string]

Never seen one of these before. Looks great and sounds like you'll have many hundreds of hours of playing.

Many congrats

[Sean]

More (better) photos of mine...

[IMG]http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd462/Stoker1/Bass%20Pics/BassPics021-1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd462/Stoker1/Bass%20Pics/BassPics023-1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd462/Stoker1/Bass%20Pics/BassPics034-1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd462/Stoker1/Bass%20Pics/BassPics036-1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd462/Stoker1/Bass%20Pics/BassPics043-1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd462/Stoker1/Bass%20Pics/BassPics020-1.jpg[/IMG]

[Sean]

And my other one...

[IMG]http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd462/Stoker1/Bass%20Pics/BassPics058-1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd462/Stoker1/Bass%20Pics/BassPics063.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd462/Stoker1/Bass%20Pics/BassPics053.jpg[/IMG]

[Horizontalste]

Amazing...........

[Gust0o]

Holy moly, Sean - that's absolutely stunning. I love the vintage white.

Sadly, I think £2300 will be too rich for me.

[dannybuoy]

I have severe GAS for a BB2025X. Sean, did you get a chance to compare to the BB1025X/BB1024X range?

[louisthebass]

[quote name='Sean' timestamp='1333003704' post='1595945']
And my other one...




[/quote]

I remember when these first came out, and at the time I wasn't that crazy about them, but having seen a few of them now, they're actually growing on me (especially the one above ).

[Muzz]

Fantastic basses - you have to play one to comprehend how well they're built. Shame they don't do a maple board. Actually, it's just as well, my finances really wouldn't stand it.

[Sean]

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1333104698' post='1597399']
I have severe GAS for a BB2025X. Sean, did you get a chance to compare to the BB1025X/BB1024X range?
[/quote]

I've played the 1025 and 1024 and they were both fantastic basses and for about £700 on ebay, you probably won't find better value for money.

[Ruck]

I love how you guys have the pickups really set high out of the body! I experimented and put the same pups in my bb1200 and the pickups are soooooooo hot output wise ive had to set them into the body as much as possible to stop the low frequencies from spiking constantly

Edited April 2, 2012 by Ruck

[Sean]

[quote name='Ruck' timestamp='1333388857' post='1601054']
I love how you guys have the pickups really set high out of the body! I experimented and put the same pups in my bb1200 and the pickups are soooooooo hot output wise ive had to set them into the body as much as possible to stop the low frequencies from spiking constantly
[/quote]

Did you put the pups from your 414 into the 1200?

[Horizontalste]

[quote name='Sean' timestamp='1333704661' post='1605414']
Did you put the pups from your 414 into the 1200?
[/quote]

I think he had super bb pickups in the 1200?

[cocco]

I love these basses, although I doubt I'll own one for a good while