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Thoughts/Info on the Yamaha BB2000 Fretless
- Thread starter theroan
- Start date
I never saw a Factory BB2000 fretless -- although I have seen many converted to fretless. Are you sure you are not checking out a BB200F? Totally different animal.
The BB2000 should have the engraved bridge and the REVERSE P pickup along with a rail pickup in the bridge position. It should also be stamped Made in Japan on the back of the headstock.
The BB200F was a fretless bass that Yamaha made though its Korean factory. It had a standard P configuration (not reverse) pickup and a plain bridge.
Make sure you know what you are getting. Even a defretted BB2000 can be a great bass. A factory fretless BB2000 would be worth $600-$700. A Korean BB200F would have no collector value. Maybe worth $200 or so if it played well.
Good luck.
The BB2000 should have the engraved bridge and the REVERSE P pickup along with a rail pickup in the bridge position. It should also be stamped Made in Japan on the back of the headstock.
The BB200F was a fretless bass that Yamaha made though its Korean factory. It had a standard P configuration (not reverse) pickup and a plain bridge.
Make sure you know what you are getting. Even a defretted BB2000 can be a great bass. A factory fretless BB2000 would be worth $600-$700. A Korean BB200F would have no collector value. Maybe worth $200 or so if it played well.
Good luck.
Ya its I got a factory BB2000 Fretless, engraved, made in Japan. It's great. Would love to learn more about it though
I am sure you will love it.
The BB basses were engineered to be GREAT recording basses. Originally called Yamaha "Broad Bass", thus the "BB", the good folks at Yamaha created a prototype P style bass with the help of renowned Los Angeles luthier John Carruthers. The prototype was then shopped around to LA session players like Lee Sklar and Carol Kaye, who were asked to take the bass to sessions, record them and provide feedback. The BB series basses were then given free of charge to other gigging musicians to take on the road. Famous early endorsers included Michael Anthony (Van Halen), George Hawkins Jr. (Kenny Loggins, Mick Fleetwood), Lee Sklar, Jimmy Haslip (Yellowjackets) and Abe Laboriel Sr. (Paul Simon).
These are GREAT basses, that record very well, with great resonance and sustain. They are a little heavy, but the tone is to die for. In my experience, the only weak spot tends to be the tuning machines. Although they will keep pitch, they tend to get a little loose with time.
I gigged both BB2000 and BB1000 basses for years and have a great fondness for them. Congratulations on you purchase. A factory fretless BB2000 is a rare beast. Enjoy it!
The BB basses were engineered to be GREAT recording basses. Originally called Yamaha "Broad Bass", thus the "BB", the good folks at Yamaha created a prototype P style bass with the help of renowned Los Angeles luthier John Carruthers. The prototype was then shopped around to LA session players like Lee Sklar and Carol Kaye, who were asked to take the bass to sessions, record them and provide feedback. The BB series basses were then given free of charge to other gigging musicians to take on the road. Famous early endorsers included Michael Anthony (Van Halen), George Hawkins Jr. (Kenny Loggins, Mick Fleetwood), Lee Sklar, Jimmy Haslip (Yellowjackets) and Abe Laboriel Sr. (Paul Simon).
These are GREAT basses, that record very well, with great resonance and sustain. They are a little heavy, but the tone is to die for. In my experience, the only weak spot tends to be the tuning machines. Although they will keep pitch, they tend to get a little loose with time.
I gigged both BB2000 and BB1000 basses for years and have a great fondness for them. Congratulations on you purchase. A factory fretless BB2000 is a rare beast. Enjoy it!
Before changing them (its a shame to ruin an otherwise vintage-original bass) try tightening the screw on the back of the post. I did this and it solved the loose machine problem altogether.
