SOLD!
Looking to sell or trade this rare bass. Made in Japan in 1986, based on the serial number, the BX-1 was one of top of the line basses that Yamaha made in the mid 80s.
The features include:
- Maple and mahogany 5 piece neck through with mahogany wings
- Striped ebony fretboard
- 1.5 inch neck width with 24 frets
- Headless design with string locks, so you can use regular strings
- Steinberger style bridge and tuners
- Two passive double jazz bass style humbucking pickups with covers
- Vol-vol-tone with a push-push on the tone knob to coil tap the humbuckers.
It comes with the original hardshell case. The interior is in very good shape. The exterior is a bit banged up but solid. It has a non-original handle and a previous owner’s name stenciled on it.
$450 Shipped.
A bit about this bass. I purchased this bass last summer, but this is my second one of these I have owned. The first one I bought in 1988 and was my first real bass, but I sold it many years ago. I had been keeping my eyes open for one, but was not really serious about getting another BX-1. However, last summer I decided to get rid of a five string that I was not using and get a second four string. Even though I went looking for a j-bass, I found this one on eBay for a good price. It needed some help, mostly cosmetic, but overall was in very good condition for a 24 year old bass.
The nut was replaced with a new bone nut, because the one on it was broken at the G string. At the same time, the tech installed some new Dunlop stainless steel 45-105 strings. I removed all of the hardware and cleaned all of the metal parts to remove the grime. I also gave the body and fretboard a good cleaning. It appears that this guitar spent a lot of time in its case. The only damage, and it's only to the finish, is near the output jack the wood is not damaged. This is common to these basses. Otherwise, there are only two very small dimples in the body, and nothing that is through the finish.
I replaced the strap buttons with off-brand strap locks. The frets are in very good shape considering the guitar is 25 years old. The metal parts have oxidized, but they are clean and everything works properly.
This bass sounds great. It has lots of sounds, and is extremely versatile for a passive bass. It can sound punchy and aggressive, but push the tone knob to split the humbuckers, roll off the tone, adjust the volume knobs and it can get mellow, deep, or adjust the other way and it can get bright and cutting. This is definitely not a one trick pony. It also has good lows for a small bodied bass, more low end than my 80s BC Rich. The neck is thin and fast, much like an Ibanez SR. The bass is very light weight, weighing in at a bit less than seven pounds. Also, not having a headstock makes it a good bass on crowded stage and it very balanced and has zero neck dive. The size also makes it a good travel bass.
There are several reviews on the ‘net for this bass, and almost all are good.
Link to the 1985 brochure:
Yamaha Electric Guitars/Basses Catalog 1985
Link to TalkBass review:
BX-1 - Bass Gear Reviews at TalkBass.com
As to trades, I am looking for a jazz style bass or a MM Stingray or Sterling style of bass. Straight up trades or I can add cash to the right offer. Real versions or derivates like MTD, but I am not interested in Squire, unless it is 80s MIJ, OLP, SX, Johnson or Rouge. Been there, done that. I am not looking for P-bass types, as I got that covered.
