If You're Considering a Yamaha BB ...

[Figjam]

I think they look pretty nice, especially the 5er you posted.

 

[Kitsapbass]

how is the balance on it - is it neck heavy, and if so, how bad? Does it dive like a 500 lb. fat man on a diving board, or is it relatively stable?

Inquiring minds DO want to know....?

 

[IotaNet]

To the Group -

Here is a review of the Yamaha BB's that was published in the May 2005 Issue of BassPlayer Magazine.

Invalid Link Removed

Excellent review with a lot of good (and accurate) info.

 

[phxlbrmpf]

Man, if that fretless came in a lefty version, there'd be no stopping me.

 

[bigbeefdog]

I'm going to buy a Fender, maybe some other basses over the next few years, but Yamaha stays

I use a BB404 as my passive Jazz, and use it for recording; chose it over the Fenders for a few reasons:

- 24 frets
- MUCH higher-mass bridge
- 2+2 headstock, with string retainers on the A and D strings (so all strings have a good break angle - I never cared for the weak A-string break angle on Fenders)
- The numbered "Les Paul" style knobs - I don't really like them visually, but jotting down the numbers is helpful to later recall your settings

Installed some Dimarzio Model J's (drop-in fit, great sound, no hum), strung it with flats, set it to medium action, and it's a great recording bass. It's staying.

 

[tulkas]

Probably my next bass too, or a Fender Precision.

Gas caught me...

PS - How is the fretless bb415, anyone try it?

 

[Christopher]

The vintage vibe is okay, but they shouldn't be cutting corners on the hardware.

I like the pimped-out gold trim on the active 80s BBs.

 

[soholounge]

Eek.

That thing is hideous.

i didn't like it so much at first either, but then i saw one in person, at the store, and i was pleasantly surprised.

great looking/feeling bass.

retro-vibe but still very tasteful.
balances well.

definitely wouldn't mind picking it up one day.

 

[SteveC]

Both my basses are the BB series. I have an orange passive 414, and a wine red 605 that has a Bartolini preamp and pups. Great basses.

 

[russjm]

All three of mine are 80's BBs, and they piss all over everything else I've tried new and old, including Fender, Warwick, Musicman etc etc. For the record, I think they are stunning to look at, including the new re-issue ones. I'm yet to find any bass within any price band that feels as good to me as my BB3000S, which was only £350 here in the UK.

Anyone who doesn't like them is missing out, big time.

 

[CoolHat]

Original 80´s BBs are quickly becoming mid-range classics - and deservedly so. Great sounding, well made basses, solid as rock. Somewhat heavy though.

I used to have a fretless 4-string (BB404F, I think) that I bought for about 150 euros in the early 90´s. Very good bass, but in the end fretless just wasn´t my thing so I sold it few years ago for 250 euros. Pretty good deal IMO...

 

[russjm]

Original 80´s BBs are quickly becoming mid-range classics - and deservedly so. Great sounding, well made basses, solid as rock. Somewhat heavy though.

Yeah the 400S weighs a ton, but the 3000S is really really light, with just a bit of neck dive though, but I can live with that.

 

[winston]

Can someone please post the nut/bridge spacing of the fivers? I've tried the BB414 and 614 and much preferred the tone and beefier neck of the 414.

Every '80s BB I've come across has had the frets worn down to almost nothing. This has dissuaded me from buying them, but it does attest to the mojo these basses have--they inspire you to play, play and play some more.

 

[IotaNet]

Can someone please post the nut/bridge spacing of the fivers?

Nut Width: 43 mm
String Spacing at Nut: 36 mm (Center B to Center G)
String Spacing at 21st Fret: 61 MM (Center B to Center G)
String Spacing at Bridge: 73 mm (Center B to Center G)

I don't own any calipers so these measurements were taken with a wooden ruler -- but they should be close enough for government work.

 

[Baryonyx]

I've had a chance to play a few, and for "cheaper" basses they are very good! The slap tone is particularly nice, it had a lot of presence and beef, but also a distinct sublety not usually found in lower-end basses...

 

[Kitsapbass]

so does the 5 string have bad neck-dive? I really want to get one of the 615s, but I don't want to have to pay for shipping, just to find out it dives like mad...

 

[IotaNet]

so does the 5 string have bad neck-dive?

Not to me. I find that it balances quite nicely.

 

[smo]

Masashi Kishimoto is brilliant - Bleach and Naruto complete each other very well in the sense where one has a downfall, the other rectifies it. Also... Naruto is in filler mode until Spring, so I had to become hip to Bleach 'cause lord knows I can't stand many other anime out there.

You guys watch Cromartie High?

 

[PilbaraBass]

I played one of these a few months ago at a music shoppe in Rockhampton (QLD) and I couldn't put it down.

it sounded GREAT!...it felt great (unlike you, IotaNet, I LOVED the neck)...this WILL be my first 5 string (my wife doesn't know it yet )

It is dead simple...3 way toggle (bridge, 50/50, neck), tone, and volume...the sounds...neck (P-erfect, deep and round, actually may need a tad brightening), bridge (snarly, growly, slaptastic), mix (rich and round while maintaining some bite).

I LIKE IT! I LIKE IT!

 

[tony moore]

Can anyone with experience please compare the active to the passive in tone and response/dynamics?

I'd prefer passive, but they're only offering the natural finish in the active eq version :scowl:

Thanks,

Tony