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Watch me, having fun on my Yamaha BB425X...

Mik75

Mik75

Sep 21, 2013
600
1,575
Frankfurt, Germany
www.bassamatomy.com
#1
...over the soul classic "Higher Ground". ;-)
I like playing the melody and the bass line of a tune "at the same time", as this truly helps with internalising the concept of building bass lines around melodies, rhythmically and harmonically.
I am not too crazy about 5-string basses, but sometimes, you just need one.
And the Yamaha has a killer tone, even on the low B-string, it offers a classy look, and it's extremely affordable!
The chorus effect you hear, is the "Gemini Chorus" by Source Audio.
Please watch in HD, using HQ speakers or headphones!
Thanks a lot for watching, stay safe and enjoy yourselves!

 
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#11
Love your videos man. Glad you like the bassI'm seriously thinking of getting a BB425. Just a couple simple questions as I'd like to know but won't find any specs around the internet. What's the string spacing at the bridge in that BB425X? Also, how thick is the neck (front to back)? And finally, how's the low B (my 5ers of reference are EBMM Stingray5s)? I just wish it came with maple fingerboards too. Thanks so much in advance. Keep it up, you have many fans here in TB.
 
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#12
andruca said:
Love your videos man. Glad you like the bassI'm seriously thinking of getting a BB425. Just a couple simple questions as I'd like to know but won't find any specs around the internet. What's the string spacing at the bridge in that BB425X? Also, how thick is the neck (front to back)? And finally, how's the low B (my 5ers of reference are EBMM Stingray5s)? I just wish it came with maple fingerboards too. Thanks so much in advance. Keep it up, you have many fans here in TB.
Click to expand...

The width at the nut, and the string spacing, is medium, perfect for all kinds of techniques, and still extremely comfortable! The neck feels very healthy, and it's not too thick, it has, what I would call, a modern shape. Not Ibanz like, nor early P-Bass! ;-)
I love this neck, seriously!
The weight of the bass is not exactly leight, with 10,5 lbs, mine is around the same weight as most StingRay 5's I've played so far. With a comfortable strap, it's not an issue at all.
Pickups and hardware are absolutely fine, especially for the price, and the bass is put together extremely well!
The low B-string is killer, with D'Addario nickel wounds 045-135 it moves some serious air, and still sounds accentuated and defined.
The whole sound of the bass is quite modern "aggressive", even the bridge PU soloed has the BB typical fat bottom end.
The tone blend offers some variety, but the basic character is always present.
You can watch my sound review here:

I hope, that helps a bit with your decision.
I can definitely recommend these fantastic instruments!
And, thanks a lot for your nice comment!
 
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#13
Mik75 said:
The width at the nut, and the string spacing, is medium, perfect for all kinds of techniques, and still extremely comfortable! The neck feels very healthy, and it's not too thick, it has, what I would call, a modern shape. Not Ibanz like, nor early P-Bass! ;-)
I love this neck, seriously!
The weight of the bass is not exactly leight, with 10,5 lbs, mine is around the same weight as most StingRay 5's I've played so far. With a comfortable strap, it's not an issue at all.
Pickups and hardware are absolutely fine, especially for the price, and the bass is put together extremely well!
The low B-string is killer, with D'Addario nickel wounds 045-135 it moves some serious air, and still sounds accentuated and defined.
The whole sound of the bass is quite modern "aggressive", even the bridge PU soloed has the BB typical fat bottom end.
The tone blend offers some variety, but the basic character is always present.
You can watch my sound review here:

I hope, that helps a bit with your decision.
I can definitely recommend these fantastic instruments!
And, thanks a lot for your nice comment!
Click to expand...


Thanks so much for taking the time. My dilemma is as follows, I own a Maruszczyk Jake 5a+ (P+MM big pole Delano PUs, active) and am not happy about some things: the neck is just OK, not too thick, but playability isn't anywhere close to my Stingray 5ers'; the P sounds dull, the MM sound is just not there (a semi decent single coil sound may be achieved, and I can tap the humbucker coils to get some 60-70's Jazz play). So I wouldn't mind letting the Maruszczyk go and get a BB425/425X for less than half the money I get for it, and have a WAY BETTER sound (as per samples, I like the "signature sound, just more modern and agressive" approach). These also sound like they'd cut nice in a mix (once again, I'm into Stingray 5s, I don't know any other bass that sits as gracefully nor with such authority in a mix, at least for the rock music I mostly do). Listening to No Doubt live you see Tony Kanal switch between BB and SR5 often and the BB cuts almost as good as the Stingray5. I know it's barely comparable as he's for sure using top of the line BBs, but I still hear such defining low-mid character in the BB425 demos I've ran into. What's your experience in a mix with yours? (playalongs really don't give a whole idea about it) Thanks again.
 
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#14
andruca said:
Thanks so much for taking the time. My dilemma is as follows, I own a Maruszczyk Jake 5a+ (P+MM big pole Delano PUs, active) and am not happy about some things: the neck is just OK, not too thick, but playability isn't anywhere close to my Stingray 5ers'; the P sounds dull, the MM sound is just not there (a semi decent single coil sound may be achieved, and I can tap the humbucker coils to get some 60-70's Jazz play). So I wouldn't mind letting the Maruszczyk go and get a BB425/425X for less than half the money I get for it, and have a WAY BETTER sound (as per samples, I like the "signature sound, just more modern and agressive" approach). These also sound like they'd cut nice in a mix (once again, I'm into Stingray 5s, I don't know any other bass that sits as gracefully nor with such authority in a mix, at least for the rock music I mostly do). Listening to No Doubt live you see Tony Kanal switch between BB and SR5 often and the BB cuts almost as good as the Stingray5. I know it's barely comparable as he's for sure using top of the line BBs, but I still hear such defining low-mid character in the BB425 demos I've ran into. What's your experience in a mix with yours? (playalongs really don't give a whole idea about it) Thanks again.
Click to expand...

The Stingray isn't a classic without a reason! ;-) Its signature sound cuts through any mix!
I love the P-Sound of the BB425, it's so punchy. But the most recognisable sound of the BB425 is the middle position with both PUs on. I lowered the P PU a bit, to get more of the upper mids that the J PU brings into the PJ sound. That way, the low B has zero "mud" and is of remarkable clarity for an instrument that affordable.
The midrange frequencies, that give the bass its voice, are in a perfect balance, and the whole sound reacts very dynamically to the playing style and technique.
This thing cuts really through, and especially for Rock and Funk, I'd call it a perfect match!
Plus, I love its classic look!
I've never played a BB2025, but playing and hearing my 425, I really doubt that the difference between these two instruments is a huge one. ;-)
 
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#15
Man that 425 has perhaps one of the greatest tones ever...unless it's all in the maestro's hands...???

I love the gritty and growly neuances under the overall tone of that bass...I've been on an unsuccessful mission in finding that tone in a lot of basses....and I think the 425 is the holy grail!!!

Too bad no one has them anywhere local to me where I can try one out...
 
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#17
eastcoasteddie said:
Man that 425 has perhaps one of the greatest tones ever...unless it's all in the maestro's hands...???

I love the gritty and growly neuances under the overall tone of that bass...I've been on an unsuccessful mission in finding that tone in a lot of basses....and I think the 425 is the holy grail!!!

Too bad no one has them anywhere local to me where I can try one out...
Click to expand...

The BB425X offers everything one needs to create a wonderful and punchy tone! Sincerley, I couldn't think of anything, a 10 times more expensive instrument could do better! ;-)
The fingers and the technique are a huge part of the sound.
My technique isn't the cleanest, and I dig in quite hard. And that's being reflected in the resulting sound.
I ordered my bass online, without playing it before. I trusted Yamaha, the demos I've heard before, and the BB's I've held in my hands! ;-)
Thanks a lot for your nice words, and all the best!
 
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#20
Mik75 said:
The width at the nut, and the string spacing, is medium, perfect for all kinds of techniques, and still extremely comfortable! The neck feels very healthy, and it's not too thick, it has, what I would call, a modern shape. Not Ibanz like, nor early P-Bass! ;-)
I love this neck, seriously!
The weight of the bass is not exactly leight, with 10,5 lbs, mine is around the same weight as most StingRay 5's I've played so far. With a comfortable strap, it's not an issue at all.
Pickups and hardware are absolutely fine, especially for the price, and the bass is put together extremely well!
The low B-string is killer, with D'Addario nickel wounds 045-135 it moves some serious air, and still sounds accentuated and defined.
The whole sound of the bass is quite modern "aggressive", even the bridge PU soloed has the BB typical fat bottom end.
The tone blend offers some variety, but the basic character is always present.
You can watch my sound review here:

I hope, that helps a bit with your decision.
I can definitely recommend these fantastic instruments!
And, thanks a lot for your nice comment!
Click to expand...

You play bass the way it was meant to be played!
I see why James Jamerson and Sir McCartney are your bass heroes!
 
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