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!
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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!
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