Considering Grabbing A Yamaha BB415 Off The 'Verb...

[HubbardsFate]

Just wondering what people might think of the asking price ($575 CAD/$435 USD).

Link Removed

Here's the ad:

Yamaha BB415 5 string bass guitar (reduced) | Reverb Canada

As far as I can tell from the pics, it's got one not-very-serious ding, and is otherwise pretty minty. Also, the seller is open to offers, although he's already come down 12% off his initial ask...

A bit of backstory: My very first bass (1991) was a Yamaha BB300, so this would be a hybrid nostalgia/NTMBD purchase. When I first got interested in the 414/415 line, I was intially interested in the wine-red finish, but they seem to pop up pretty infrequently, and I've yet to see one listed for sale here in Canada (a shop in Australia has one listed as of this post, but the shipping is prohibitive...)

So what sayest thou, TalkBass? Decent price, or is the seller out of his gourd?

EDIT: There's a wine-red 414 listed in the States too, but with both the (A) bass price and (B) shipping price being more expensive than the one from Australia...

 

[TrustRod]

I watched that model for years on Ebay and they were often $385. I finally bought one in great shape for $200. It played and sound like it was $2000. So for $435 it's not that bad but they have some newer models I prefer the looks of.

One of my favorite P sounds ever. The only thing I changed was adding a blend instead of the 3 way switch. I'd rate the tone and build quality as excellent.

 

[J Wilson]

Should be a good buy IF it is as advertised.

Note that this is the last of the bespoke Yamaha pickup/pickup ring style BB's, and replacement pickups that are an exact match are scarce (I can't think of any, actually). This is no problem for most, but I bring it up as an FYI. Yamaha finally gave in to the chirping, and current BB's offer standardized pickup P and J sizes, but to me I miss the pickup rings, a big visual cue they've lost for me.

Also, the last BB's built in Yamaha's Taiwan plant, before it was closed and non-Japanese production was moved to China. I laugh looking at that extended saddle for the low B, an effective if a bit inelegant solution.

These were great axes, and if it's honestly represented, a good buy.

 

[HubbardsFate]

I watched that model for years on Ebay and they were often $385. I finally bought one in great shape for $200. It played and sound like it was $2000. So for $435 it's not that bad but they have some newer models I prefer the looks of.

One of my favorite P sounds ever. The only thing I changed was adding a blend instead of the 3 way switch. I'd rate the tone and build quality as excellent.

Thanks for weighing in. What kills me is that 4, 5 months ago, someone had one posted on Facebook Marketplace (in the town I live in) for $200 CAD WITH a hardshell case...argh...I was out if town at the time...

Visually speaking, I like these 414s/415s better than a lot of current, newer, and recent-past BB models. I don't like the looks of BBs that are equipped with pickguards, as one example...and honestly, I have come to like these ones in the metallic-orange finish almost as much as, or maybe JUST as much as, the wine-red models that I originally lusted for!

 

[who]

Thanks for weighing in. What kills me is that 4, 5 months ago, someone had one posted on Facebook Marketplace (in the town I live in) for $200 CAD WITH a hardshell case...argh...I was out if town at the time...

Visually speaking, I like these 414s/415s better than a lot of current, newer, and recent-past BB models. I don't like the looks of BBs that are equipped with pickguards, as one example...and honestly, I have come to like these ones in the metallic-orange finish almost as much as, or maybe JUST as much as, the wine-red models that I originally lusted for!

I have a 414 in the same color that I also got for $200, and I concur with @TrustRod. These are really well made and sound great.

 

[Cicis Dad]

For price, filter your search on Reverb/eBay by "Sold Listings". This will give you a history of prices that the particular model has sold for recently.

Or you can search with Google, "Yamaha BB415 site:reverb.com". This narrows down to reverb or whatever site you want to focus on. I think this search goes much further back in history as I've pulled up listings over 5-6 years old that aren't showing up on Reverb's filter anymore.

As for the bass itself, I have a BB425 in red (see avatar). Differences being 5 piece neck vs 1 piece neck; string through body vs regular bridge; and that beautiful matching headstock for the 415. The rest is the same I think. Mine plays like a dream and sounds great. I usually leave my pup selector on neck only, once in awhile on both, never bridge only.

You might get better feedback and more replies if you post your question in this board. Some really knowledgeable and helpful guys there!

Is there a Yamaha BB club? There is now!

 

[Marko 1]

Also, the seller is open to offers, although he's already come down 12% off his initial ask...

With what prices are these days, it's probably not a ridiculous price, but I'd definitely offer much less and see where it goes.

I paid $325 many years ago for my used BB415 from the local GC, but again, that was many years ago...

And a recent purchase from GC Used (not locally), a BB425X for $450, I think $506 with tax/shipping, but it was still a good $100 less than I've been seeing them go for.

 

[Bitterdale]

Just wondering what people might think of the asking price ($575 CAD/$435 USD).



Link Removed

Here's the ad:

Yamaha BB415 5 string bass guitar (reduced) | Reverb Canada

As far as I can tell from the pics, it's got one not-very-serious ding, and is otherwise pretty minty. Also, the seller is open to offers, although he's already come down 12% off his initial ask...

A bit of backstory: My very first bass (1991) was a Yamaha BB300, so this would be a hybrid nostalgia/NTMBD purchase. When I first got interested in the 414/415 line, I was intially interested in the wine-red finish, but they seem to pop up pretty infrequently, and I've yet to see one listed for sale here in Canada (a shop in Australia has one listed as of this post, but the shipping is prohibitive...)

So what sayest thou, TalkBass? Decent price, or is the seller out of his gourd?

EDIT: There's a wine-red 414 listed in the States too, but with both the (A) bass price and (B) shipping price being more expensive than the one from Australia...

Great basses - I owned a 414 around 2008 and I liked it quite well.

I lucked into it for $180 USD through an eBay listing that advertised the bass as new in box, but made no mention of color.
I rolled the dice and ended up with the same orange metallic. It was gorgeous.

TBH, I feel the price is a bit high. I would probably offer $400-450 CAD at best.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

Great basses and that price is the norm for these recently.

It's great that others got them super cheap in the past but prices everywhere are only going up...

 

[HubbardsFate]

Great basses and that price is the norm for these recently.

It's great that others got them super cheap in the past but prices everywhere are only going up...

Yes. The three others I see - one the exact same (BB415 in same finish) in Ontario, two others being wine-red 414s (in the States and Australia) - are ALL priced higher than this one, plus of course higher shipping (I am in central British Columbia, the one I provided the link for is in Vancouver). And in the case of the one in Ontario, a couple of the tuners are starting to lift off of the back of the headstock, so...

That said, if I could only build a time machine and grab the one that popped up in my town for $200 earlier this year...

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I love the orange metallic. The price seems reasonable. Go into a music store these days and even a budget model with taxes will have you in that ballpark. You could always offer a bit lower without being a massive lowball.

 

[Andre678]

When I was looking for my first "good" bass it came down to this and the 2004 Fender Pbass deluxe I ended up buying. I still think of the Yamaha BB models and think of buying one someday. It just sounded so amazing.

 

[FranckBassist]

With what prices are these days, it's probably not a ridiculous price, but I'd definitely offer much less and see where it goes.

I paid $325 many years ago for my used BB415 from the local GC, but again, that was many years ago...

And a recent purchase from GC Used (not locally), a BB425X for $450, I think $506 with tax/shipping, but it was still a good $100 less than I've been seeing them go for.

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That 425 looks amazing!