My Yamaha BB300 doesn't sound very P-Bassy

[Pokerdweebz]

I have been itching for a P for the longest time and it is impossible to find any that are left handed. I finally found a 1991 Yamaha BB300 on ebay and pulled the trigger. It arrived today and I threw on a set of Roto 77's and started playing away. I can not get anything remotely like that "traditional P sound". I tried messing with the tone knob, messed with my eq a little, but nothing. It doesn't sound bad, but I bought a P to be a P, not reproduce the sound I can get out of 3 of my other basses. It sounds very similar to my Yamaha BBN4 which has jazz pickups and Roto 66's on it. I have a list of possible problems that I figured could be the culprit, but I need help.

1) The Yamaha BB300 is not a very P sounding P bass in general. If you would want it to sound more like a P buy a new pickup.

2) Roto 77's are not the right flat to use to get that P sound.

3) Your Roto 77's are too fresh and need broken in.

4) Your tone knob and eq should be set to X.


https://soundcloud.com/pokerdweebz/bb300

Just added this. First clip is Full tone. Second tone off. Third Tone at 6. I think it sounds pretty Pish now that I played it more

[Rip Topaz]

Roto 77's are a bright flat. Might not have been the right string choice.

Is it "bedroom" P tone you're after or "band" P tone. The latter isn't all that bassy either.

[Rip Topaz]

Also try some foam under the strings at the bridge.

[twocargar]

The BB300 is a reverse P, so it's bound to sound different. I think mine sounds much different than my Squier P, before I added the bridge Jazz pickup to the BB300.

For me, if I wanted the P sound, I would have bought a Fenderish P, and not a Yamaha. I'm sure you can spend time and money changing the tone, but unless you reroute the pickup cavity, it's going to sound different.

[Pokerdweebz]

Thanks for both the suggestions. I'll be sure to try that.

[Pokerdweebz]

Originally Posted by twocargar

The BB300 is a reverse P, so it's bound to sound different. I think mine sounds much different than my Squier P, before I added the bridge Jazz pickup to the BB300.

For me, if I wanted the P sound, I would have bought a Fenderish P, and not a Yamaha. I'm sure you can spend time and money changing the tone, but unless you reroute the pickup cavity, it's going to sound different.

I wanted to but Fender P's in lefty are hard to come by. The only option I've seen for a while are MIA and I don't want to shell out that kind of cash. I think my BB300 is standard P. The Split over the E A is closer to the neck and D G is closer to the bridge.

[Rip Topaz]

You could always grab a lefty Rondo if you're really set on obtaining the classic P tone. They're cheap knockoffs but its a P-bass, kinda hard to screw up.

In a live situation, just being in the ballpark is good enough.

[Pokerdweebz]

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

You could always grab a lefty Rondo if you're really set on obtaining the classic P tone. They're cheap knockoffs but its a P-bass, kinda hard to screw up.

In a live situation, just being in the ballpark is good enough.

True. I'm going to give this a chance and see what it sounds like at my next rehearsal.

[JimmyM]

I remmeber Justin Meldal-Johnsen talking about a new Yamaha model that he got from them as a prototype during his tenure with NIN. It was a PJ and he dug it but he said if you're expecting a traditional PJ tone from it, look elsewhere. More sustainy and hard edged, I believe, is what he said. Maybe you could roll one of those 62 Originals or a Duncan SPB-1 in there and get more of that sound, I don't know. But it sounds like Yamaha was never interested in building an exact P clone with those basses, and the ones I've played would confirm it.

[Pokerdweebz]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I remmeber Justin Meldal-Johnsen talking about a new Yamaha model that he got from them as a prototype during his tenure with NIN. It was a PJ and he dug it but he said if you're expecting a traditional PJ tone from it, look elsewhere. More sustainy and hard edged, I believe, is what he said. Maybe you could roll one of those 62 Originals or a Duncan SPB-1 in there and get more of that sound, I don't know. But it sounds like Yamaha was never interested in building an exact P clone with those basses, and the ones I've played would confirm it.

Sounds about right. I'm getting some pretty nice sounds out of it. I'm trying to record some clips to put up here.

[Pokerdweebz]

Added audio clip

[JimmyM]

I don't know, dude...that sounded pretty P-like to me. Maybe not identical but very much in that realm.

[Pokerdweebz]

Good. That's what I like to hear.

[Musiclogic]

My BB800 is still the best P I have ever played. P thump and growl but slightly clearer and a little more defined. Always preferred it.

Jimmy is right, that clip does have a great P sound.

[Pokerdweebz]

Good. I'm glad I'm just nuts.

[Bassamatic]

I have had a couple of BB300s and have a 400 now that I have added a second reversed P Pickup to.

No - they don't sound exactly like a P, even if you change the pickup - I've tried. However, they have a really good sound, are well made and they are easy to play. The 300's are a great bargain. Enjoy.

[Sparky6string]

Yes sweet bass, and nice tones. I would still ove one of these. There's a guy close to me selling a BB3000 for cheap and it's tempting, but I also just want a BB300.

[Pokerdweebz]

Yeah I'm definitely happy with it. I would jump on any Yamaha BB that was left handed haha.

[MakoMan]

Try to look at it this way... it doesn't sound exactly like a P because it sounds even better than a P

[PotsdamBass8]

I find that p's as well as any single pickup bass, are very sensitive to hand position and pressure. Sometimes you just have to play it for a while to figure out how to get the sound you want.