The new Yamaha BB425

[hrodbert696]

Is there a reason to have a pickguard on the 4-string but not on the 5?

And ouch, they are more expensive -- didn't the old 415s go for about $450? The 425s are priced at $599! I don't think I'm seeing $150 worth of improvement, but maybe I'm missing something.

 

[mouthmw]

Is there a reason to have a pickguard on the 4-string but not on the 5?

Both 4 and 5 string have the X version (424X and 425X) - with pickguard and chrome plate.
Just like they had with older 414 and 415 models (414X, 415X).

 

[cymatics]

Larry: someone had posted a link into the ishibashi japanese website and they had a billy sheehan model yamaha w/ a 2-blade neck humbucker and a p pick-up. looked brutal!

I think you're describing the BB714BS.

It was a less expensive cousin to the Billy Sheehan signature Attitude LTD II. They met the price point by putting the electronics in the BB style body, doing away with the separate hi/lo outputs, scalloped frets, super-duper neck joint and a few other things.

It has been discontinued which sucks cuz it looks like an absolute monster for the money.

 

[zachoff]

I really wish they'd make a new BB without the bridge pickup.

 

[arsie]

I can see why the 424 is significantly more expensive to make than the 414, the 5 piece neck and the string through all seem to be stuff that need quite a bit of craftsmanship, or skilled CNC operation.

 

[RBASS930]

Just a heads up - Guitar Center has a $100 off coupon through the end o the month, so that would bring the total price to $399 for the BB424X, and $499 for the BB425X. Not too shabby.

 

[winston]

I think you're describing the BB714BS.

It was a less expensive cousin to the Billy Sheehan signature Attitude LTD II. They met the price point by putting the electronics in the BB style body, doing away with the separate hi/lo outputs, scalloped frets, super-duper neck joint and a few other things.

It has been discontinued which sucks cuz it looks like an absolute monster for the money.

I bet it would sell if the double-blade humbucker was at the bridge, but then it wouldn't be a BS sig model.

 

[jasper383]

Are the 424 and 425, the models without pickguard, also going to be available in the US?

I greatly prefer the looks of the 424 and 425 over the X models.

 

[cymatics]

Guitar Center still has a few of the Billy Sheehan BB714BS basses in stock, so I just ordered a BB424X and a BB714BS.

I couldn't decide between the two, so I figured I'd audition them both side by side.

If anyone's interested, I'll post some clips when I get them.

*edit*

I have a feeling I'll end up keeping both.

 

[winston]

Guitar Center still has a few of the Billy Sheehan BB714BS basses in stock, so I just ordered a BB424X and a BB714BS.

I couldn't decide between the two, so I figured I'd audition them both side by side.

If anyone's interested, I'll post some clips when I get them.

*edit*

I have a feeling I'll end up keeping both.

Sounds cool!

cymatics: Do you engage in the visual study of sonic vibrations as your username suggests?

 

[arsie]

I had considered the BB414 at some point, and I thought it looked a little naked without a pickguard. But looking at the BB424X, I am not sure it looks better with one.

Why didn't they reuse the old BB pickguard with the old school Interstate sign shape? It suits the sharper (compared to Fender) body shape of the BB. The old BB1000 pickguard looks like its designed for the bass, the BB424X pickguard looks like a Frankenbass.

Link Removed

 

[cymatics]

Do you engage in the visual study of sonic vibrations as your username suggests?

Nope. I was just intrigued by the concept of 'seeing sounds' and I thought it sounded good as a screen name.

Pretty cool stuff

 

[Orpheus55]

These new BBs look great, but there's little info on them at Yamaha's website. It was mentioned that they are string-thru; is this really so? That would make a difference for me.

 

[cymatics]

It was mentioned that they are string-thru; is this really so?

It looks like the bridge accommodates either this

or this

They make a point of touting the benefits of their Diagonal Body Thru Stringing to achieve superior transmission of string vibration by virtue of greater contact surface area with the body and bridge. Makes sense in theory.

 

[RBASS930]

A bit more info on the UK site: Link Removed

 

[Orpheus55]

Looks like the bridge was updated as well; what's not to like, especially at this price? The old ones were great, and I'm thinking I just might up and order one. Only wish they came in natural!

 

[Orpheus55]

Now I see there's a $100 discount at MF for these. It's getting hard not to take the plunge! If I get it I will review.

 

[wake & Bass]

So reading this thread (and seeing all of the reviews of the high dollar model) I decided to take the plunge and order the lower line BB424x (w/pickguard and control plate, in TSB) a couple of weeks ago. So......I got the BB424 (no pickguard)...bummer! Called them up for and exchange.....guess what happens again...yep, they did the same thing!! So twice I did not get the X version (not that the non pickguard 424 is bad, I just liked the look of the X version) Just got a call from a wharehouse mngr from MF saying that there is no X version and if I did another exchange I would get the same thing......wait what! I checked both the Yamaha site and other online sites (and theirs with the $100 off) and clearly there is an X model? So......if anyone is ordering an X version from MF....heads up, you might get the 424 (and or 425) which does not have the pickguard/control plate. However if you do get and X model please post, not sure if they were just giving me the runaround????
just a rant I guess.......

 

[RBASS930]

Same thing happened here (Guitar Center), although I just returned it the first time figuring they received all 424's. Very nice bass, I just prefer the pick guard look.

 

[Orpheus55]

It appears that the guardless model, the 424, also has the string through feature, which is what I really want. I think both versions look great, though the white might be a ltitle nicer without the black guard, in my opinion. MF is usually pretty straight about this kind of stuff, but that $100 discount forgives alot for me.