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Yamaha Nathan East Signature Bass BBNE2

basically its a custom yamaha 90's BB series (there is a difference, the current are re-issues of the 70's-80's BB series where as the 90's BB's had a more jazz bass sound with the yamaha soapbar pickups).

the bass has yamaha jazz bass pickups and nathans yamaha 3 band pre amp, which is a 2 band with a vairable frequency mid sweep, so you can dial in that sweet spot.

if you like yamaha basses then the BBNE is a great bass
 
I'm personally boycotting Yamaha because they don't make anything lefty. Not a hard boycott to follow, what with me not having any money to not buy their non-existent lefty basses with. :D

Seriously, though, if I could buy a Yamaha bass, I would on that like flies on yesterday's breakfast. I have loved the tone of every Yamaha I have heard. I figure I can at least pimp the brand if I can't speak for the particular bass in question.

(And if the Big Y does make lefties. PLEASE, PLEASE tell me where the heck I can buy them. I have looked until my eyes bled and didn't find anything.)
 
I had the NE1 and I was told that it is better in both sound and woods so I kept it for 5 years (along with many) but I still could not keep the bass and let go to those who love it. I was checking with NE2 before letting go NE1 and I was certain that NE1 is far better as said. The NE2 has Piezo which I never going to use and on top of that it has a fancy bridge to me. I think Yamaha, Japanese made is a good working bass and you will not be dissapoint unless you starting to notice the off-natural sound. To me it is liking you play it through an EQ. I still have 1986 BB VIII with me which is passive with double "P" and this one stay.
 
I believe he's playing one in this video:





A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste! :cool:


It's a Yamaha TRB6P, the old neckthrough's with piezos. it's custum built for nathan east by yamaha japan. he plays a beautiful cherryburst bbne2 sig. on eric clapton's dvd "Me And Mr. Johnson". there you can see a white 6 string bbne2 on the stand while he's playing the cherryburst 5 (they're both custom made for nathan )
I'd like to have both of them:eek::D
 
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I had the pleasure on 2 occasions....same instrument, however I cannot say for sure if it was the NE1 or NE2, however it did have the piezo. All that said, it was a pleasure to play and sounded awesome. I don't think anyone could be dissapointed in the tone/playability of one of those fine instruments.
 
I own and often play the BBNE 2. IF you have heard Eric Clapton's live DVD, that is the tone of this bass. Nathan is playing that bass on All of FourPlay newest music. I spoke to Nathan East, and asked him whether his bass is custom made for him. When he autographed mine, he told me that his comes from the same custom shop as mine, and there was no difference. When I play mine, people tell me that I sound like Nathan East. So if you like that tone, get one.
 
Very good basses! High end Yamaha's are (in my experience) excellent basses.

I own an NE2 & quite like it. Well built, versatile (as a modern jazz style bass can be) & a great looking bass (IMO)

I noticed talk of a piezo, but this is not the case, the odd looking knob & switch near the bridge are a mid contour & an on/off for the mid cut (so you can set a "scooped" tone to taste & flip it on/off...
 
You can't be wrong with BBNE 2. The best bass I've ever played. As versatile as Nathan East plays in every genre of music. The mid sweep is so great to shape the tone that no other bass has. Very neat finishing and craftsmanship. You only need this one bass to cover all kinds of music you play. The low in insane, the treble is rich and sparkling. Very worth it with the price.