• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

My "new" 1982 Yamaha BB1200S

B

bcgd

May 27, 2008
59
3
#1
Look what arrived yesterday! My "new" 1982 Yamaha BB1200S. I have been pining for one for a while and I can't believe I finally have one let alone in the color I wanted too. It's battle worn with a few nicks and dings but that's all overshadowed by the sound it makes. I've never played a thru-neck bass before. THE TONE! I CAN'T BELIEVE THE TONE!!!

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#2
They are great aren't they! A P-Bass on steroids. One suggestion..Even if you're a die-hard rounds guy do consider at least trying D'Addario Chromes on it. With the preamp engaged, you can make it sound as bright as new roundwounds but with no string squeak. I didn't believe it either...until I tried it. I'm hooked.....

Another TB'er gave me some great advice for the preamp settings when I got mine: "Bass-all the way up, Mids-neutral, treble-all the way up. Depending on how your rig sounds, you can tweak them slightly. Sometimes I back off from those default positions just a tiny bit-- lows if the bottom is overwhelming, highs if it sounds too harsh, and mids to get a slightly more glass-like tone. For a more vintagey tone I'll back off the highs to neutral, and turn the mids all the way up. For true vintage tone, you can just flick the toggle to turn it off, and then there's just a single tone knob for passive mode. It's a really marvelous pre-amp, very well-voiced."

I've got a pdf of the service/parts manual for it. Shoot me your email address in a PM and I'll send one to you if you want.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LK Harwood
#3
Congrats! I have several really great basses, but my 1986 Yamaha BB5000 is the one closest to my heart. Just an amazing instrument, finely made and still sounds amazing to this day.
 
#10
I have two as well, both red 1984 1200S's. Congratulations on an awesome bass! If it's battle-worn that just means it was played and appreciated. These are hugely underrated in my opinion, and yours looks like an excellent specimen. Enjoy!
 
#17
Love it! Very good condition. Looks like the original PUPS are still there.
I have same --- but came with EMG PUPS --- works great, they're real hot. I am looking for way to get the original PUPS in there. The tone --- especially with Ernie Ball steel roundwounds @ Hooky gauges is so awesome. Very bright --- pops an sparkles!

bcgd said:
Look what arrived yesterday! My "new" 1982 Yamaha BB1200S. I have been pining for one for a while and I can't believe I finally have one let alone in the color I wanted too. It's battle worn with a few nicks and dings but that's all overshadowed by the sound it makes. I've never played a thru-neck bass before. THE TONE! I CAN'T BELIEVE THE TONE!!!

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...
 
#18
kenstee said:
They are great aren't they! A P-Bass on steroids. One suggestion..Even if you're a die-hard rounds guy do consider at least trying D'Addario Chromes on it. With the preamp engaged, you can make it sound as bright as new roundwounds but with no string squeak. I didn't believe it either...until I tried it. I'm hooked.....

Another TB'er gave me some great advice for the preamp settings when I got mine: "Bass-all the way up, Mids-neutral, treble-all the way up. Depending on how your rig sounds, you can tweak them slightly. Sometimes I back off from those default positions just a tiny bit-- lows if the bottom is overwhelming, highs if it sounds too harsh, and mids to get a slightly more glass-like tone. For a more vintagey tone I'll back off the highs to neutral, and turn the mids all the way up. For true vintage tone, you can just flick the toggle to turn it off, and then there's just a single tone knob for passive mode. It's a really marvelous pre-amp, very well-voiced."

I've got a pdf of the service/parts manual for it. Shoot me your email address in a PM and I'll send one to you if you want.
Click to expand...
Hi Kenstee,
 
#19
Bass Boy 1200S said:
Hi Kenstee,
Click to expand...
83_Silberpfeil said:
Love it! Very good condition. Looks like the original PUPS are still there.
I have same --- but came with EMG PUPS --- works great, they're real hot. I am looking for way to get the original PUPS in there. The tone --- especially with Ernie Ball steel roundwounds @ Hooky gauges is so awesome. Very bright --- pops an sparkles!
Click to expand...
Hi Kenstee,
Surfing around for info on BB1200S preamp LC87452 I came across this thread and saw that you have it's service manual. I immediately subscribed to TB to ask you if you can help me out.
My BB1200S came with EMG pickups and preamp. Former owner did send me the original BB1200S preamp, but no original pickups. I'm gonna replace the EMG's with alnico's and restore the original preamp. My BB2000S appeared to have the same LC87452 Yamaha preamp. It's missing some caps, a resistor and one of the C2240 BL transistors, so it's not working.
The BB1200S has a 3 band EQ, and the BB2000S has a 2 band EQ. But when I tried the BB1200S preamp on the BB2000S bass it worked perfect.

I hope you help me out with the service manual for the repair of the incomplete/defect preamp?
Curious about the D'Addario Chromes, I'll give them a shot.
Thanks anyway.
 
#20
kenstee said:
They are great aren't they! A P-Bass on steroids. One suggestion..Even if you're a die-hard rounds guy do consider at least trying D'Addario Chromes on it. With the preamp engaged, you can make it sound as bright as new roundwounds but with no string squeak. I didn't believe it either...until I tried it. I'm hooked.....

Another TB'er gave me some great advice for the preamp settings when I got mine: "Bass-all the way up, Mids-neutral, treble-all the way up. Depending on how your rig sounds, you can tweak them slightly. Sometimes I back off from those default positions just a tiny bit-- lows if the bottom is overwhelming, highs if it sounds too harsh, and mids to get a slightly more glass-like tone. For a more vintagey tone I'll back off the highs to neutral, and turn the mids all the way up. For true vintage tone, you can just flick the toggle to turn it off, and then there's just a single tone knob for passive mode. It's a really marvelous pre-amp, very well-voiced."

I've got a pdf of the service/parts manual for it. Shoot me your email address in a PM and I'll send one to you if you want.
Click to expand...

Hi Kenstee,

I'm looking for help:

My BB1200S came with EMG pickups and preamp. Former owner did send me the original BB1200S preamp, but no original pickups. I'm gonna replace the EMG's with vintage style alnico's and restore the original preamp.
I also have a BB2000S which appeared to have the same LC87452 Yamaha preamp. It's missing some caps, resistors and one of the C2240 BL transistors, so it's not working.
The BB1200S has a 3 band EQ, and the BB2000S has a 2 band EQ. But when I tried the BB1200S preamp on the BB2000S bass it worked perfect.
I'm trying to repair the incomplete preamp, I hope you can help me out with a schematic, or one of the service manuals for either BB2000S or BB1200S [LC87452 Yamaha BB1200S/BB2000S preamp]
Thanks, anyway.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20170717_133540.jpg
    IMG_20170717_133540.jpg
    262.9 KB · Views: 122
  • IMG_20170717_133450.jpg
    IMG_20170717_133450.jpg
    244.4 KB · Views: 87

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back