• 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.

Vintage Yamaha BB Series???

#21
funkytoe said:
The BB1200 is a really nice bass. Paul McCartney had a very similar BB1200 that he played with Wings. I think you see it on You Tube in one of the charity concerts. Concert for Kampuchea maybe?

But the BB1200s was the active model Made in Japan. It ranks right up with the BB2000 in terms of value and desirability.
Click to expand...

I see. I thought you meant plural as in more than one 1200.

CC088 said:
Hey, that's my bass --I can tell by the Neutrik jack and Badass II bridge. ---bought it from a TBer last year. I love it --great sound and plays like a dream. it's a '78.
Click to expand...

I stole the pic from the classifieds. The BB was the first bass I owned, bought in the late 80s. I know that one's not mine because the wood around the jack busted and it had a big black washer holding it in. Enjoy :bassist:
 
#22
I have a 86 BB300 that is consitered bottom of the line.... The thing kills!!!!!!!! After getting it I promptly sold a USA Fender P.... Also last night I saw Johnny Winter at Toad's place and Scott Spray absolutely rocked on his BB2000!!!!!!!!
100_3172.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: jmlee, Dave Neal and infamusblkdeath
#24
I had a BB2000 and the bridge was nasty looking when I got it so I thought I'd have to replace it(assuming it was junk under all the "whatever" that it was caked in). On the advice of some TBers I cleaned it thoroughly and it shined up nicely and was a beautiful and SOLID bridge. I did replace the tuners with Hipshots(probably didn't NEED to but a few of the originals were a little floppy). The P pup seemed a little more subdued than other Ps but the bridge pup made up for that big time. I think the subdued P is a good thing(as long as you have that bridge pup) because you can do a smoother P sound or add the bridge pup for a little more bite OR just the bridge pup for real aggression if needed. It's weight was my only problem. That's why I sold it. In hindsight I should have just toughened up and kept it. I work out a lot now and I don't think the weight would bother me anymore.
 
  • Like
Reactions: OOD
#25
My 1983 BB1000s, un-played since 1991. It really is a truly fine bass, absolutely magnificent sounding. But it had such bad emotional baggage I never played it. I dug it out this winter for the first time in 17+ years and had it set up and it still feels and sounds amazing. But this bass still breaks my heart because now its tuning pegs are badly tarnished, the bridge it pitted, and the lacquer clear-coat has a blotchy haze. I know the hardware is an easy fix but I was told the haze is inside the lacquer finish and the only way to get rid of it is to have it re-finished.
I can feel its accusatory presence haunting me, demanding restoration.

Straight on you dont notice the hazing
1983YamahaBB1000s6.jpg


Then you turn it slightly...
Picture325.jpg

Picture339.jpg


What a shame. I dont know if I'm gonna sell it, restore it, or what.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dave Neal
#26
BoRadBass said:
I have a 86 BB300 that is consitered bottom of the line.... The thing kills!!!!!!!! After getting it I promptly sold a USA Fender P.... Also last night I saw Johnny Winter at Toad's place and Scott Spray absolutely rocked on his BB2000!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

BoRadBass, I completely agree with you on the BB300. I have one almost the same as yours - black, same age range. It was my first bass, and I've never let go of it - its tone is terrific and its neck is magnificent. My hand fits a slimmer neck better, but the BB feels exceptional.
 
#29
nocontrols said:
The bolt-on BB1000 is passive, right? How much do they typically go for on eBay?
Click to expand...

Sorry. The BB1000s pictured above is neck-through (the "s" model BB1000s were all neck through).

Yamaha did make bolt neck BB1000 basses both before and after the BB1000s. But the BB1000s is nearly identical in construction to the BB2000. The only differences are fretboard and bridge pickups. BB2000 had ebony fretboard with oval inlay and a rail pickup at the bridge. BB1000s had a rosewood fretboard with dot inlays and a pole pickup at the bridge. Otherwise, the two models are identical.
 
#30
Two years ago, on a whim because I play strictly 4 bangers, I came across an '85 MIJ BB5000 and grabbed it. I had heard about the quality etc of these and this one was in good condition plus the price was right. I figured if I was going to experiment, this was the ticket. I was so impressed with the overall build and tone of this bass that I knew I needed a 4 string version. Last year I came across this '86 MIJ BB3000S and I am thrilled with it! Flats or rounds it rocks the house. I just had it out on a gig and a bass player buddy was there - he was knocked out by the tone.

Both are keepers!:D
 

Attachments

  • BB3K FULL FR in CASE.jpg
    BB3K FULL FR in CASE.jpg
    26.3 KB · Views: 399
  • Yammy BB5K Crop.JPG
    Yammy BB5K Crop.JPG
    8.8 KB · Views: 316
  • Like
Reactions: Dave Neal
#37
Bassmanmike1 said:
I love seeing all these great Yammies. You guys have some sweet lookin' basses.
Here's my baby.
Link Removed
My 89' Yamaha BB5000 Bought new in 1990. According to the serial # it's an 86. All I know is I bought it in Jan. of 90 and the store was having a last years model sale.
The rest of the pics are in the black bass thread here.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/show-your-black-basses-394948/index34.html

I love my BB5000 and if I had the cash I'd have many more Yammies. I see nice ones in CL all the time. This one is neck through, and passsive. All stock the way I bought it 21 years ago except for the strap locks. I keep her strung with roto 66's.

Thanks for all the info here and to the OP for starting this thread. Had often wondered where my bass was in the so called "pecking order". The chart here was very helpful.

I also have a TRB fretless 5 string. Would it be ok to post a pic of her in this BB thread? What say you?
Click to expand...

That's a pretty cool bass you got there.
 
#38
I love my BB300, it was given to me in pieces. I added a BadAss II bridge and J bridge pickup. The only thing I wish it had was a Hipshot Detuner. Which model fit these BB's anyway?

Recently, I've seen a couple BB300's on my local CL for $100! I wish I could get away with buying one, but I know the wife would say, "You have one JUST LIKE THAT ALREADY!" :)
 
#39
I used to have a 4 string with P (non-reverse) and J (blade). Seemed like maple neck-through with alder wings (think it had 2 walnut strips in the neck/body (can't remember...>)? Don't remember the model #.

I must say a few things:

1. Played like a dream and was very ergonomically comfortable. Not a heavy instrument at all, either.
2. Studio quality tone. Perfect.
3. Great build quality. Very nice.

The only thing I didn't like was that the P-bass tone was good, but not growly/edgy/present enough for me. Like I said, very even studio quality sound. Very pro instrument, obviously.

I've also owned a BB300 - nice cheap (mine was Taiwan) bolt-on p-bass. Think it was alder, but not a really high-grade piece - might have been a bunch of cheaper pieces glued together under the finish (mine was solid color so couldn't tell). Also owned a BB350F (P/J lined fretless). Cool, cheap fretless. J was VERY noisy though (even for a single coil) and the instrument was cool and cheap, but acoustically pretty dead. Decent quality neck, though. Not bad. Can't remember if this was Taiwan, also, though.

LL
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back