Yamaha BB 3000S

I used to own a BB5000 (mid 80'S) and a late 80's BB1200s and I got them both for about $400.00 and they were in good condition. I love the older Yamaha BB line of basses and would consider spending $700.00 if I thought it was the right bass.

 

That's been my main bass for about 15 years. Good feel, great tone and a quick neck. There's a few things that need improving on them, IMHO.

Depending on the year, some of them had a reproduction of the original Fender bridge with the screw stock for saddles, the edges have to be filed or you'll be breaking strings. If you can find one, the transparent finish may have a bit better wood in them. The black sparkle seems most common. The bridge position J pickup sounds terrible soloed, but is useful for adding edge to the P. I replaced them both with an EMG P/J setup and it completed the package.

It's a great bass, but $700 may be a bit much. I've seen 5 on ebay in the last 4 months and the only one that went for over $500 already had the EMG P/J conversion.