NBD: Yamaha BB1000S

[Stev187]

Hey TB Pals:

I recently bought a 1982 Yamaha BB1000S to use on gigs. Played a show with it last night and it's a really nice bass. I recorded a 2 minute demo video of the three different pickup settings with pick, slap, and fingers. I thought I'd share (nothing fancy here):

http://youtu.be/0gNNsF3zSTg

The bass has really dead strings on it, but that can't keep the thing from being super bright. The reverse P has a nice P-bass tone; the P/J setting is Swiss Army Knife--does everything and it's great for slap. The bridge pickup alone doesn't really get that nasal Jaco tone, but it's close.

It's a neck through, and it's pretty heavy (9lbs 14oz). Overall a great gig bass. Since I learn so much about basses here on TB, I thought I'd throw all this out there for the group. My take: this is a great gig bass, perhaps on the heavy side, but a great all-around axe for gigs.

--Steve

[Nobody]

Those old BBs are great basses. I had a BB2000 that is one of the only basses I really regret getting rid of. I got rid of it because of the weight, I should have just dealt with it.

[Anthony Barrett]

Nice vid. Love the tone and really well played.

[purfektstranger]

Yamaha BB series has a great reputation and you got pretty much the top of the line. Congrats! Tons of sound options there.

[20db pad]

Cool!

[neren]

I've always loved the big round shape of these, especially the headstock which I think looks like a Sadowsky/Fender/Peavey hybrid. I think some lollipop tuners would look great.

[Stev187]

Originally Posted by purfektstranger

Yamaha BB series has a great reputation and you got pretty much the top of the line.

Thanks. I have been hunting for this model for a while; we briefly had a B1200S (sold that one). That was great, but I wasn't nuts about the active pickup, the ebony board and the lack of a bridge pickup. So I've been scouting around for a Persimmon Red BB1000S for a while. This one is very worn but in all-original and playable shape. It was great on the gig last night. Again, next to my parts Jazz--which is just over 7lbs--the thing seem heavy. But it's lighter than my Ric. The P/J tone is what you'd exect, but that reverse P solo is just a killer tone!

My bandmates never comment on my bass choices, but they all had great things to say about this one last night.

--Steve

[Joebone]

These are great basses. I have HUGE regrets over selling a BB2000 that had replacement Bartolini pickups - it weighed a ton, but it had bloom and punch, and what I didn't dig (other than weight) could have been cured by Nordstrands!

I now have BB2000 fretless that kills. Pedulla-like performance, for a pittance. These should be collector's items.

Loved your clips - the slap sound on both pickups was magnificent, and there was nice degree of burp on fingerstyle/bridge - my guess is the issue is strings rather than the axe.

Enjoy!