Since I have owned a few really elite level instruments, I know for a fact the difference between the top and the next level is small, but it is real.
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NBD: Yamaha BB2025x (Extremely Rare Black and Maple Prototype)
- Thread starter stingray69
- Start date
Since I have owned a few really elite level instruments, I know for a fact the difference between the top and the next level is small, but it is real.
I dunno - maybe because I still have not had a chance to play a 1025x, so I can't speak to the differences between the two models to decide for myself.
I do know that the feel is incredible and the strings are literally laying on the fretboard without buzz, it is ridiculously low, and here I thought I had my BB425x dialed in really well. But this is a whole another level - custom/boutique level (of which I've owned a few).
I will say the sound of my 425X is extremely close to even the 2025MX, but the feel and build quality/setup are definitely several steps apart from each other. I don't know the history of this particular instrument, who owned it or if it was plekked or just hand built in general with extra meticulous fret work, but it is amazing.
Judging by the stickers on the case, it may have been owned by an artist/endorser - I dunno, but the TSA flight-ready case sure has gotten around. I see Alaska Airlines and perhaps Japan Customs stickers on it. It sure plays like a pro owned it and that's not an exaggeration.
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I dunno - maybe because I still have not had a chance to play a 1025x, so I can't speak to the differences between the two models to decide for myself.
I do know that the feel is incredible and the strings are literally laying on the fretboard without buzz, it is ridiculously low, and here I thought I had my BB425x dialed in really well. But this is a whole another level - custom/boutique level (of which I've owned a few).
I will say the sound of my 425X is extremely close to even the 2025MX, but the feel and build quality/setup are definitely several steps apart from each other. I don't know the history of this particular instrument, who owned it or if it was plekked or just hand built in general with extra meticulous fret work, but it is amazing.
Judging by the stickers on the case, it may have been owned by an artist/endorser - I dunno, but the TSA flight-ready style case sure has gotten around. I see Alaska Airlines and perhaps Japan Customs stickers on it. It sure plays like a pro owned it and that's not an exaggeration.
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I would like to say again that I am very happy for you. I know you appreciate a nice bass, and they don’t really get nicer than made in Japan Yamaha Bass. This is another case of looking around and finding a real gem at a great price.
Thanks again Doc, this is definitely one of the finest instruments I've ever owned by any measure. Still shaking my head in disbelief how it just fell into my lap. Perhaps I should have picked up a lottery ticket on my drive home with it.
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Super congratulations! I dig that bass, and story & uniqueness adds there. Would you follow it by tracking stickers on the case? I 95% sure it toured, especially looking at state before you cleaned it up. Maybe you could match it to player, people photo themselves every step nowadays, especially media people.
I would contact Yamaha and register that bass on your account, so serial number is cleary linked to your identity (it is not public, but IIRC it keeps the date you registered it, sort of "dibs on that" in legal manner).
I would contact Yamaha and register that bass on your account, so serial number is cleary linked to your identity (it is not public, but IIRC it keeps the date you registered it, sort of "dibs on that" in legal manner).
Congrats on a great find. I bought a BB2024X used from Guitar Center a few years back. I just noticed that mine doesn't say "Crafted in Japan" on the headstock and am thinking they sold me a 1024X instead. It's a great sounding bass with really low action and no fret buzz.
That thing is sick. I love the look of the BB's with all of that chrome, and the maple really makes it pop. Nice score!
Smooth_bass88
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- Oct 31, 2006
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Nice BB. How would you describe it's tone? Got any gigs coming up you'll be using it on?
Wow, wow and wow!! I'm a huge BB series fan. My first was a BB425x seen in my avatar. out of curiosity I got a BB435 thinking it couldn't be that much better.... it was. However the 2025x is something I've always lusted after but the price was out of reach. What a steal you got it for. Congrats.
An aside: the BB series opened my eyes to how good a passive bass can be. Before owning one I wouldn't even consider a passive instrument. The only one I owned was a MIM Jazz and the tone nob barely had any effect. These days if I'm looking for a bass and it's active, it has to have a solid passive mode with tone control.
An aside: the BB series opened my eyes to how good a passive bass can be. Before owning one I wouldn't even consider a passive instrument. The only one I owned was a MIM Jazz and the tone nob barely had any effect. These days if I'm looking for a bass and it's active, it has to have a solid passive mode with tone control.
From a cheap BB model owner, I can only say well done!
I'm sure it's a killer bass and it seems to have found an owner who really appreciates what they have there.
I like the "red spot". It reminds me of the red spot on the planet Jupiter, so maybe you should name it that?
A whopping great planet and the mythological god of the sky, thunder and king of the gods seems appropriate.
(I just hope it weighs a bit less than a planet!)
I'm sure it's a killer bass and it seems to have found an owner who really appreciates what they have there.
I like the "red spot". It reminds me of the red spot on the planet Jupiter, so maybe you should name it that?
A whopping great planet and the mythological god of the sky, thunder and king of the gods seems appropriate.
(I just hope it weighs a bit less than a planet!)
I think I'm going to follow up with Yamaha about this - if I can reach someone. I've never had to contact Yamaha support. I had no idea you could register a pre-owned instrument with them - plus, I would sure love to find out all I can about this incredibly rare instrument if they can tell me anything, that is.
I'm tempted to leave well enough alone - I'm so floored by what I've gained, the tiny little red mark hardly seems significant.
Fortunately, it does weigh a little less than a planet, lol. This one weighs in at exactly 10lb - which makes it still a few ounces lighter than my BB425x. So no complaints - and yes, it sounds like thunder!
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That is weird about the lack of "CIJ" being printed on the headstock - if there's a SN of any sort, you try looking it up online. I had some luck on this website. Or maybe contacting Yamaha support about it. Maybe between these 2 resources, you could get some answers. Regardless if it's a 1024X or 2024X - still, an amazing instrument!
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Congrats on the current BB435!
I still have yet to give one of the current series a spin - or see any locally for that matter, but I hear great things about them!
The one thing I love most about the X series is what you just mentioned - the vintage/classy vibe it has going on and the chrome is a big part of that. The maple neck with black inlays really takes that vibe off the chart.
Just when I thought I couldn't dig the BB "X" series any more, this thing falls out of the sky!
I'd never heard of a maple fretboard version - surely this must be a 1-off custom job.
I can't help but wonder, was Geddy pondering a switch to Yamaha one morning?
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Tone is hard to describe in words (at least for me) - the one thing that I can say is that all the BB series I've played have a very throaty, distinctive bark and growl when you dig in. IMO, it's just the best passive P/J tone (for me) that I've ever heard. I've never heard this voicing in any other brand.
As far as a general overall idea of tone, I think I'll let the very capable Ed Friedland take it from here - although I must say that with the stainless steel strings on it at the moment - the piano(ness) of it is off the charts. More so than what's in the video. Yes, I have some gigs coming up & this will definitely be coming with me to those!
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