Is there a Yamaha BB club? There is now! - Page 12

Red Four · #**221** 03-02-2012, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecapdeville

If you remember I told you at this same thread the story about my first bass in 1993. It was a beautiful black BB300 that I sold it and I regretted that for years. (from 2000 to 2012)

Well, happens that I found an identical bass and is in home to never leave.

I don't know what it is, but I "fit" in it, its like it never leaved, its like if was yesterday the last day I gig with it... Its like a very good friend coming back home.

Love the Yamaha BB bass!

Great story! My first bass is identical to your black BB300, and I feel the same way about it (and still have it). Nothing else "fits" quite like it, even though my hand size would seem to argue for something smaller. Congrats on your "reunion", and enjoy!

retroheadau · #**222** 03-05-2012, 01:51 AM

I have a BB2000. My first bass, and still my favourite. Only downside is the tuning heads, which I'll get round to replacing one of these days. Love It!

Tuned · #**223** 03-05-2012, 01:59 AM

I play mostly fretless, but my fretted axe is a beat up BBN5 with Wilkinson alnico V's I picked up off eBay for $60 delivered, and I'd sooner pay a luthier to make it look sexy than pay the $2k or so it would take to buy a Fender Jazz 5 that sounds and plays as good.

Matthijs · #**224** 03-05-2012, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retroheadau

I have a BB2000. My first bass, and still my favourite. Only downside is the tuning heads, which I'll get round to replacing one of these days. Love It!

What is your problem with the tuners? It took me several years before I found out the friction is adjustable. For me, that solved the only downside ever to the BB.

retroheadau · #**225** 03-05-2012, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthijs

What is your problem with the tuners? It took me several years before I found out the friction is adjustable. For me, that solved the only downside ever to the BB.

The worm gear keeps working its way out of contact with the capstan. Generally, I have to wind tthe sleeve around the tuning peg (is this the friction adjustment which you were talking about), which works ok, but I'm left with a rattle from the tuning head on occassion.

bassclef112 · #**226** 03-05-2012, 06:06 AM

When I got my BB3000S it had a (very) loose tuner on the G - just barely holding tune. I also finally figured out how to adjust the "drag" by turning that little collar with needlenose pliers. Since then it's been as solid as ever and tunes very smoothly and easily.

On a side note: I took the BB out on a gig Saturday night and a good friend of mine (also a bass player) showed up with his wife - nice surprise! Anyway the club was pretty crowded so he caught the first set from the back of the room.

Ater the set (and pleasantries) he was absolutely gushing about how every note sounded so even and the tone was killer. I gave him a look and some background and now he is on a serious hunt to find one for himself. What's a higher compliment than that?

One of my most favorite basses, and I've got a bunch!

Luv2Pla4U · #**227** 03-05-2012, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassclef112

I took the BB out on a gig Saturday night and a good friend of mine (also a bass player) showed up with his wife - nice surprise! Anyway the club was pretty crowded so he caught the first set from the back of the room.

Ater the set (and pleasantries) he was absolutely gushing about how every note sounded so even and the tone was killer. I gave him a look and some background and now he is on a serious hunt to find one for himself. What's a higher compliment than that?

One of my most favorite basses, and I've got a bunch!

Yamaha's BB series is undoubtedly one of music's best-kept secrets... aren't you glad you play one?

Matthijs · #**228** 03-05-2012, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retroheadau

The worm gear keeps working its way out of contact with the capstan. Generally, I have to wind tthe sleeve around the tuning peg (is this the friction adjustment which you were talking about), which works ok, but I'm left with a rattle from the tuning head on occassion.

That sleeve is the adjustment I meant. I think you've got a bigger problem with that rattle though.

CC088 · #**229** 03-05-2012, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luv2Pla4U

Yamaha's BB series is undoubtedly one of music's best-kept secrets... aren't you glad you play one?

Agreed!

ecapdeville · #**230** 03-05-2012, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luv2Pla4U

Yamaha's BB series is undoubtedly one of music's best-kept secrets... aren't you glad you play one?

That could be a splendid signature!

and the best thing is that I play three!

hrodbert696 · #**231** 03-05-2012, 01:50 PM

You know, I should know this, but could anyone just lay out for me the differences between the current BB models that go into the price differences? I currently have a BB415 and love it, but then I've been at a level to play under-$500 basses.

I'm thinking at some point, if the current band really gets rolling with regular paying gigs, to buy a higher-level bass. So one natural option would be to move up to a BB1025x or 2025x (not interested in the 600-level because I like passive tone, not active). So what's in them to make them worth doubling or quadrupling the price? Has anyone compared, say, the BB1025 to a Lakland Skyline or anything?

(EDIT: none of the music stores around me carry any Yamaha basses apart from teh RBX starter ones, so I don't have the option of trying them out myself).

Luv2Pla4U · #**232** 03-05-2012, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecapdeville

That could be a splendid signature!

and the best thing is that I play three!

ecapdeville, you have my permission to use that anytime you choose!

Luv2Pla4U · #**233** 03-05-2012, 02:32 PM

I just gave number 49 to retroheadau

How do you think we should celebrate when we have member #50?

jmbjandfam · #**234** 03-05-2012, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrodbert696

You know, I should know this, but could anyone just lay out for me the differences between the current BB models that go into the price differences? I currently have a BB415 and love it, but then I've been at a level to play under-$500 basses.

I'm thinking at some point, if the current band really gets rolling with regular paying gigs, to buy a higher-level bass. So one natural option would be to move up to a BB1025x or 2025x (not interested in the 600-level because I like passive tone, not active). So what's in them to make them worth doubling or quadrupling the price? Has anyone compared, say, the BB1025 to a Lakland Skyline or anything?

(EDIT: none of the music stores around me carry any Yamaha basses apart from teh RBX starter ones, so I don't have the option of trying them out myself).

I sent a PM to another TB member who has both 425 and 1025 series to ask the same question. I was curious as well as I have the 424 and 425. He advised he felt like it was worth the extra cash due mainly to increased quality in fit and finish. He described the tones as being fairly similar.

As I have been pretty well satisfied with the fit, finish and tone of my 424 and 425 series, I have not investigated it any further.

homey · #**235** 03-05-2012, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrodbert696

I'm thinking at some point, if the current band really gets rolling with regular paying gigs, to buy a higher-level bass. So one natural option would be to move up to a BB1025x or 2025x (not interested in the 600-level because I like passive tone, not active). So what's in them to make them worth doubling or quadrupling the price? Has anyone compared, say, the BB1025 to a Lakland Skyline or anything?

IMO the difference between a bolt-on and neck-thru bass is huge. You should factor this one into your next consideration. Since I have had my neck-thru BB3000S, I haven't touched my BB615 ever.

In any ways, I can not find an obvious reason yet to pay the premium for a BB1025.

swpyne · #**236** 03-05-2012, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrWalker

I always had a sweet spot for the Yamaha BB-basses ever since I fell in love with Nathan East's white BB5000 back in the early 80s. I nearly bought a BB5000 in 1986 in Sweden, but this being in a time and age when the Internet wasn't known and credit cards were for the upper class, it was hard to go through with it. Coming back to Norway, I found out that the price was 35% higher and I couldn't afford one, and going back to Sweden was too far... So I ended up hunting basses instead. Took a few years before I finally found a five string I liked.

Anyway, I kept dreaming of BBs, and finally this year I bought one. Its a 1982 BB800 that has been beautifully restored by tb member swpyne, I believe and refinished by Pat Wilkins in a gorgeous Sherwood green metallic. The neck is finished in satin with an aged tint, and the front of the headstock is beautiful gloss. All the hardware is brought back to its former glory. Beautiful bass to hold and play, has a wonderful P tone.

I'm probably hanging on to this beauty for old times sake and to keep the precision option in my collection.

Yep, that was one of two that I totally restored. Pat Wilkins did the neck and body refinish and I did the rest. The other one was kind of a banana cream color. They were both great basses but you just can't keep them all. Glad to see that this one has found a good home........

........that's my hot tub in the background!

swpyne · #**237** 03-05-2012, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hellboy

I don't need a number, but I have two 1984 BB1200S's - Beauty:

...and the Beast:

Love the tone on these, it's pretty much my perfect bass sound.

I have owned three of those in the past (two burgundy and one green) and I'd love to have one back in my stable. If you ever decide to let one of those beauties go please shoot me a PM!

Porkbun · #**238** 03-11-2012, 09:34 PM

Before Before:

Before:

After:

Stick_Player · #**239** 03-11-2012, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StoutFellow

Ok, anyone put Flats on their BB? My BB is a 425 and, while I'm LOVING the feel and the action and, to some extent, the tone, it's all too zingy for my liking. So, have ordered up some nice flats from BassStringsOnline (La Bella Deep Talkin'). I'm expecting less Zing but perhaps more punch than other basses with the same strings.

I'd love to hear from other BB Club members who've put flats on their BB. What flats did you put on? And how did it work out for you?? Happy with the result?

Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats on two of my BB5000s (one fretted, one fretless). The fretless BB5000 is strung E-C with the TI Jazz Flats. My 3rd BB5000 is strung with Fodera 44-125 Nickel with a Tapered B.

Very happy with the TIs.

ecapdeville · #**240** 03-11-2012, 10:58 PM

Hi!

I have a BB300 that I would like to defret... do you think I can do it at home?...

cheers!