Vintage Yamaha Bass?

IotaNet · #1 01-27-2006, 03:44 PM

Is there such a thing as a "Vintage" Yamaha Bass? Probably not but if there is, I just got one!

I was recently bitten by the "Yamaha Bug" after buying my BB415 a while ago. (TB'ers have all heard my spiel on this. Excellent bass, excellent construction, nothing flashy -- just a quality bass at an excellent price.)

I have been on the lookout for a plain-ole P-Bass for a while and in my searching, I came across this bass. The seller told me that he is the original owner, it had basically been put away in a closet for many years and that the bass had been bought in -- get this -- 1977!

He mentioned that he recently took it to his bass guy for a setup and was told that this was one of the most EXCELLENT examples of an older Yamaha bass he'd seen. And he was right -- it's in excellent condition -- especially for a bass that's so old.

The details: This is Yamaha's 1977 interpretation of the Precision Bass concept. Volume & tone control. Split pickups. Solid as a rock without being too heavy (about 9.4 lbs). Excellent neck/fretwork including MOP inlays. Beautiful finish and GREAT TONE. It sounds like a P-Bass is supposed to sound! (It even came with the original, clean as a whistle, hard-shell case.)

My next move is to remove the strings, give the neck a thorough cleaning/oiling, and re-string it with some TI Flats. From there, I'll call it a day. She doesn't need anything else.

I'm not deluding myself into thinking that its going to drastically increase in value -- it was a mid-level bass when it was sold and unlike the BB3000's that came later, there really isn't a burgeoning market for these models.

On the other hand, this 1977 bass makes a perfect "bookend" to my 2005 BB415 - she looks great, sounds great, and plays great -- I am tickled to death to have her in the arsenal!

wyleeboxer · #2 01-27-2006, 04:39 PM

Very sweet, saw that one for sale I think? What did you end up paying? I have two BB300 which are very similar but with out the upgrade bridge, pick guard and neck inlays., However I did hot rod both of mine, my first one I got now has a bad ass ll, SD 1/2lb pups, schaller tuners, and new electronics. It blows the doors of my 1980 MIA Fender P and most other MIA Ive played. The tone knocks my guitar player out!The second BB300 I bought I put parts off ebay on it wilkinson tuners, Mighty mite bridge, and SD performer pups. This bass blows me away as well and I did it all for $200, thats including the bass! The MIM Fender stuff doesnt even compare.
My next bass I want is a BB2000. I just got one for a friend of mine used at GC, I just set it up for him and I must say its one of the best basses Ive ever played for $400. They didnt know it was such a steal!

62bass · #3 01-27-2006, 04:49 PM

That's a nice bass. Don't do a thing to it. They sound great.

One of my students has one of the old Japanese made Ibanez P copies. It's another very good bass. very high quality work. With TI flats it's everything you need.

Mark Moss · #4 01-27-2006, 04:50 PM

Does your "new" yamaha have a bolt on neck or is it a neck-thru?

IotaNet · #5 01-27-2006, 06:05 PM

Fellas -

This bass is a bolt-on and I'm going to leave it bone-stock.

Dr. Cheese · #6 01-27-2006, 06:52 PM

Iota, I'm glad you got it. I think it is cool to won a closet classic. It's also alot cheaper than breaking the bank on the one everybody is chasing!

sjleland · #7 01-27-2006, 06:58 PM

Nice one!

Good to see you got picks up of that. Very P-bass looking, must be a good sound.

russjm · #8 01-28-2006, 03:26 AM

Nice Dwayne, it looks like a cracker, same bridge as on my BB400S, you've got a great bass there, I wish I'd seen it first!!

phxlbrmpf · #9 01-28-2006, 03:38 AM

I don't really dig the shape of the pickguard but other than that it looks great, congrats!

Pennydreadful · #10 01-28-2006, 04:42 AM

Ooh, I like it.

eots · #11 01-28-2006, 05:40 AM

And it's got it's own looks to boot. Unique bridge engraving, pg shape, and even reverse pups.
He shoots, he scores.

Blues Bass 2 · #12 01-28-2006, 07:24 AM

Very sweet.I had a BB 2000,Yamaha makes some great basses,congrats.

Minger · #13 01-28-2006, 07:56 AM

Looks nice, although I'm not so much a fan of the upper horn being so...low.

congrats man...

Dr. Cheese · #14 01-28-2006, 08:28 AM

The more I look at that bass, the more mint I realize it is. I have seen new shopworn basses that looked much worse than this old Yamaha. IotaNet, you got one heck of a deal!

loendmaestro · #15 01-28-2006, 09:38 AM

FWIW, here's a link to a pic of Glenn Hughes in his Deep Purple days playing some type of Yamaha bass in 1975...

http://gallery.ghpg.net/showphoto.php/photo/73/cat/509

IotaNet · #16 01-28-2006, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loendmaestro

FWIW, here's a link to a pic of Glenn Hughes in his Deep Purple days playing some type of Yamaha bass in 1975...

Loendmaestro -

That looks like an old Yamaha SB75. They went on the market in 1973.

Munjibunga · #17 01-28-2006, 09:54 AM

What a great-looking bass. That pickguard has style and flair. Great score!

bass nitro · #18 06-14-2011, 01:13 PM

Here is my.

zachoff · #19 06-14-2011, 01:20 PM

Hell yeah, dude! I have a black one like that and it rules. Totally a P on 'roids. Real aggressive tone & kicks butt for punk rock and metal.

bass nitro · #20 06-14-2011, 01:31 PM

Right.Amazing tone when use a plectrum.With fingers also sound great - i used to play direct in PA because of lack of money LOL and had no problem to cut through mix.Great bass.