Interesting bass I didn't know existed: Yamaha SB-50

[AHaze]

This popped up for sale near me and I had a WTH is that moment.

A search on here turned up a single post in the "Medium scale bass club" thread so I assume they are reasonably rare / unknown.
The ad claims MIJ in '72-'73, shows a pickup cover and an ash tray bridge cover in another photo. Apparently they're 32" scale.
Nothing to add beyond that, just thought it was aesthetically interesting.

 

[Haans]

Very cool! From what little I found in a quick search, they were supposedly built in 1972 only and are very well made. Very modern looking for that time, especially the pickups. I would grab it if reasonably priced. Looks like they advertise for $800-1100, I would guess $7-800 is closer to what they sell for, but Reverb probably have the statistics. The red one looks really nice!

 

[tim gueguen]

It's a bass version of the SG40. Yamaha's instruments of that era are said to have been of much higher quality than most Japanese instruments that were exported at the time. A brief encounter with an SG40 a few years ago makes me think that's correct. I think the numbers exported were pretty low, definitely lower than the later double cutaway SGs most people outside Japan think of when they think of '70s Yamaha guitars.

 

[lowendblues]

Can we get a pic of the whole bass? I've never seen one, and I've seen it all.

 

[AHaze]

Can we get a pic of the whole bass? I've never seen one, and I've seen it all.

There are no overall shots in the ad, sorry.
They're asking $1200 Cad. Seems like a lot to me but since I didn't know they existed an hour ago, that doesn't really mean much.

 

[ajkula66]

I've never played one of these but have been intrigued by them for a long time. Missed my chance when GC had one in seemingly mint condition with the original case for $599 a couple of years ago...wouldn't dream of paying $1200CDN though.

Please keep us posted if you manage to haggle with the seller and make this old girl your own...

 

[Matt Liebenau]

I have the guitar version, SG40S. It's typical MIJ from the 70s, good quality if a bit quirky. If be interested in the matching bass but it would have to be about 1/2 what you say they're asking.

 

[Free Bassing]

Looks like what Jack White would use if he was a bass player

 

[lowendblues]

For some reason I think this is very cool. I'd be all over it.

 

[Pop C]

I have the guitar version, SG40S. It's typical MIJ from the 70s, good quality if a bit quirky. If be interested in the matching bass but it would have to be about 1/2 what you say they're asking.

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I had the SG 80T. Bought it new in '73. I think I gave $450 for it. It was a nice guitar. Quirky, for sure!

 

[gln1955]

The ad says 7.7 pounds and, with that shape, be prepared for neck dive city.

But, very cool and quirky. I'd try it for the right price.

 

[HardNHeavy]

coool, the beveled edges are nice touch

 

[pbass2]

coool, the beveled edges are nice touch

Yeah, reminds me a little of an Ampeg Baby Bass. I dig it.

 

[Bassamatic]

That is very cool - I would definitely play that, but not for CAD1200.

 

[brianrost]

They used to sell those Yamahas in the base PX when I was in South Korea back in the 1970s.

 

[Watchootognbout]

 

[Iridescentone]

Looks like what Jack White would use if he was a bass player

Or maybe he's not the "rebel" people think he is...

 

[Grant Jack]

I bought this one a couple of months ago. 31.5 inch. Nice build quality, and more importantly sounds and feels really nice. No neck dive at all.

 

[skycruiser]

View attachment 5088622
I bought this one a couple of months ago. 31.5 inch. Nice build quality, and more importantlyView attachment 5088638 sounds and feels really nice. No neck dive at all.

Does it have single-coils or humbuckers?
Really cool bass. I love the style. I like that the cut around the body is wider at the bottom. Not a simple outline route.

 

[Tanner5382]

Doesn't look like a neck diver at all to me. Looks like it'd do the opposite. I dig it.