FS/FT: Rare Yamaha BB1200S

[medgeking]

Price Change! $450 plus shipping with no case!

OK guys, it took me some pondering to make this decision. I picked this one up recently not knowing what it was. I absolutely love the feel and playability. It has an unrivaled growl and resonance with the neck thru construction. However, two things make it less than ideal for me. Firstly, I don't have need of the active circuitry. Secondly, there is no bridge pickup. I've considered installing a bridge pickup, but being that this is a collectible bass, I thought I'd see if there was a trade deal that would work.

The bass is in gigged condition with all manner of dents, dings, scratches and personality. However, it's all cosmetic and the bass is in very good functional condition. I replaced the tone pot which was frozen when I bought it. I used a cts 250k, like the original. The finish is a dark forest green transparent which shows off the neck thru construction. There is some milky haze that has developed in the finish, but it's not terribly noticeable in most lighting. If you're looking for a closet classic, this isn't it, but if you're after an amazing player's bass with the distinct BB1200S sound, this is it!

In case you don't know, this is the preferred model of Joy Division/New Order bassist Peter Hook. Sir Paul McCartney also used the non-active version of this bass. The BB1200S was only produced for a short time and Yamaha stopped producing this particular active preamp which is what gets that distinctive sound.







Let me know if you're interested . . .

[swpyne]

Price?

[takeout]

What do all the controls... control?

[estringnyc]

GREEN! Price please?

[swpyne]

Originally Posted by takeout

What do all the controls... control?

The big knobs are Volume (both active and passive) and Tone (passive only). The three smaller knobs are active Bass, Midrange and Treble. The mini switch selects Active or Passive mode.

[Matt R]

PM sent.

[easye]

Would be much easier to buy if there were a price?

[medgeking]

Sorry about the lack of price guys. I've had a lot of inquiries so far and to be honest, I'm more interested in a trade than a straight sale. This is kind of a feeler because it's really hard to nail a fair price for this bass. I know that this is a collectible bass and the green color is particularly rare. I've already got one offer of a Marcus Miller Jazz bass, so I imagine, a fair price has to be in the $800 range, but I don't really know.

I hate to ask, but if you're seriously interested, send me an offer. Otherwise, for now, let's consider $800 as the current asking price . . .

[medgeking]

Swpyne's description of the controls is spot on. I'd also add that the passive sound of this bass is freakin' incredible. I've been playing the bass non-stop and I find myself leaving the active electronics off because the passive tone is so incredible.

[kenstee]

Policy here is that you MUST list a price......

[medgeking]

Hey sorry guys, this is the first time I've posted. I think considering the current market price of this bass, I'm either going to do a trade, or I'm going to just mod the bass for a bridge pickup. I honestly couldn't give a hoot personally that the bass was played by Peter Hook or that it's rare, . . . all I know is that it's a killer bass. I was going to just install a bridge pickup, but I kept reading about how this is a rare piece and that you shouldn't mod it. However, for $400 or so, I just consider it an amazing bass. If I put in a bridge pickup, it will basically be perfect for me.

Anyway, if there are any other trade offers out there, let me know . . .

[easye]

I have,a bb1600 with bart pj setup. Natural finish any interest

[4001_kenobie]

For the love of god, don't modify it!!!! If I hadn't just picked one up I'd be very interested.Does it come with the original hardcase?

[swpyne]

Originally Posted by 4001_kenobie

For the love of god, don't modify it!!!!

+1

[Sleepwalker42]

Originally Posted by swpyne

+1

+2

[kenstee]

+3. Moding it is like going to the art museum and painting a mustache on the Mona Lisa.....

[adbass]

PMd

[medgeking]

I don't have a case for this one . . .

Originally Posted by kenstee

+3. Moding it is like going to the art museum and painting a mustache on the Mona Lisa.....

The problem with this analogy is that the Mona Lisa would sell for a heck of a lot more than anyone seems to be willing to pay for this bass

Here's where I'm at so far guys, for a few more dollars, I can install a bridge pickup on this bass and have pretty much exactly what I'm looking for. The active electronics will be largely unused, but they aren't really problematic for me. I can't buy that set-up in a bass this good for the kind of money that people seem to think this "collectible" bass is worth. So, at this point, the fact that this is just an incredible bass is totally outweighing the fact that it's collectible. It's worth more modded to me than anyone seems to want to pay for it . . .

I haven't made up my mind yet though, so keep the offers coming . . .

[jimc]

FWIW I bought one of these when they first being sold and the first thing I did was install a bridge pickup. I got hold of one of the Yamaha blade style J pickups and had that installed with a 3 way switch.

It made a badass bass even more badass!

If I played 4s I would be after this, would bring back many happy memories!

[Halegroove]

Wouldn't that be a BB2000 after that?