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Yamaha BB series - need some guidance

project_c

project_c

May 8, 2008
1,592
1,870
London, UK
#1
Looking into the Yamaha BB series recently and I'm a little confused by all the different variations out there. I'm looking specifically at the high end PJ models, and I know the current pro range is the BBP34, but if I wanted something similarly high end and used, but from one of the older discontinued ranges, what are the past iterations I should be looking for?
 
#2
project_c said:
Looking into the Yamaha BB series recently and I'm a little confused by all the different variations out there. I'm looking specifically at the high end PJ models, and I know the current pro range is the BBP34, but if I wanted something similarly high end and used, but from one of the older discontinued ranges, what are the past iterations I should be looking for?
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Project_C

Look for a BB2000 with the reverse PJ set up, or a BB3000 (successor to the 2000) with the trad PJ set-up. Both MIJ, high-end, neck-through designs.

I have both. My BB2000 is from 1982, and the BB3000 is an '84

The BB2000 is a large, reasonably heavy bass and has a precision shaped neck reminiscent of a '62P, only more comfortable IMO, while the BB3000 is slightly smaller and more svelte of body, with a neck similar IMO to a '64 jazz bass.

The reverse P pickup on the BB2000 has a very warm, raspy tone, a very punchy bridge pickup and the blended tone is just magic. The tone on the BB3000 is a bit more trad. The P pickup has a slightly different tone profile than a stock Fender P bass, but more or less in the same ballpark. The bridge pickup is equally as good as the BB2000 (same pickup actually) but the tone with both pickups blended is nowhere near as good as the BB2000 IMO. The tone of the BB2000 is *it*. Funny thing is, I bought the BB3000 after I picked up the 2000, thinking it might have the edge being a later model. Nope.

So, if you don't mind a big axe and can handle a wide neck, get a BB2000. I only have one bass that sounds as good or better, and that is my Steinberger L2 - enough said. The BB3000 is still a very good vintage sounding PJ that is a very nice combination of an old-school Precision on the front pickup, and Jazz on the bridge, but the blended tone is a bit too nasal for my liking. Having said that, I think it sounds better than the BBP34. (FWIW, I think the previous iteration of high-end BB, the BB2024 and 2024x sounded better than the current iteration).

Hope this helps.
 
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#5
ToddB1963 said:
Project_C

Look for a BB2000 with the reverse PJ set up, or a BB3000 (successor to the 2000) with the trad PJ set-up. Both MIJ, high-end, neck-through designs.

I have both. My BB2000 is from 1982, and the BB3000 is an '84

The BB2000 is a large, reasonably heavy bass and has a precision shaped neck reminiscent of a '62P, only more comfortable IMO, while the BB3000 is slightly smaller and more svelte of body, with a neck similar IMO to a '64 jazz bass.

The reverse P pickup on the BB2000 has a very warm, raspy tone, a very punchy bridge pickup and the blended tone is just magic. The tone on the BB3000 is a bit more trad. The P pickup has a slightly different tone profile than a stock Fender P bass, but more or less in the same ballpark. The bridge pickup is equally as good as the BB2000 (same pickup actually) but the tone with both pickups blended is nowhere near as good as the BB2000 IMO. The tone of the BB2000 is *it*. Funny thing is, I bought the BB3000 after I picked up the 2000, thinking it might have the edge being a later model. Nope.

So, if you don't mind a big axe and can handle a wide neck, get a BB2000. I only have one bass that sounds as good or better, and that is my Steinberger L2 - enough said. The BB3000 is still a very good vintage sounding PJ that is a very nice combination of an old-school Precision on the front pickup, and Jazz on the bridge, but the blended tone is a bit too nasal for my liking. Having said that, I think it sounds better than the BBP34. (FWIW, I think the previous iteration of high-end BB, the BB2024 and 2024x sounded better than the current iteration).

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Thank you, that helps a lot! The larger neck and body might not be ideal for me so that’s good to know, but there’s a used 2024 locally that I will definitely look at. It looks like it’s been modded with a pickup blend (did these all come with a switch?), but otherwise it seems to be in good condition.
 
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#9
well, the sweet spot of the older lines were not the top ones, but the entry-level then BB4xx. there was a BB414/415 with a slim jazz neck and a BB424/425 with a thicker neck. there were BB424X/425X that are the same as non-X ones but with a pickguard.

the older BBs are terrific basses.

if you want it more expensive, there were BB2024/5 (X or not), made in Japan.
 
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#12
Aloe said:
well, the sweet spot of the older lines were not the top ones, but the entry-level then BB4xx. there was a BB414/415 with a slim jazz neck and a BB424/425 with a thicker neck. there were BB424X/425X that are the same as non-X ones but with a pickguard.

the older BBs are terrific basses.

if you want it more expensive, there were BB2024/5 (X or not), made in Japan.
Click to expand...
Wow the Yamaha BB range is a little confusing, there are a lot of different models out there. If I wanted a solid and well-built passive PJ with a slim neck, what models should I be looking for? I think I get the current range, the older ones are more confusing because price doesn't always necessarily reflect quality..
 
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#14
Aloe said:
well, the sweet spot of the older lines were not the top ones, but the entry-level then BB4xx. there was a BB414/415 with a slim jazz neck and a BB424/425 with a thicker neck. there were BB424X/425X that are the same as non-X ones but with a pickguard.

the older BBs are terrific basses.

if you want it more expensive, there were BB2024/5 (X or not), made in Japan.
Click to expand...
+1 on this.

I owned and played several of 21'st century BB Yamahas.

They restarted the line with First generation: BB Y1Z (like 414), where Y is 4 (passive) or 6 (active) and Z is 4 (strings) or 5. Great bass guitars, like @Aloe said, with a thin neck. Controls are VTS (volume, tone, switch)
Next was Second generation: BB Y2Z (like 424 or 1024), where Y is 4 (medium tier), 6 (medium tier active), 10 (high tier), or 20 (top tier), and Z is same as before. There is also X variation (like 424X), which is only esthetically different (has pickguard and control plate). IMO best looking of modern BB Yamahas. Again, great guitars, neck is slightly chunkier, but same width. Neck is 5 piece and is connected with 6 screws to body. Has option of string-through-body setup. Same controls.
Current one is Third generation: BB Y3Z (like 434 or P34), where Y is 2 (low tier), 4 (medium), 7 (medium active), or P (pro), and Z is same as before. Don't own one (although I did play P34) so can't say for sure what are differences. I know controls are VVT, and they replaced earlier "blade" bridge pickup with more standard one. The rest should be mostly like Second gen.

IMO all of these modern 21' century models are great. Like @Aloe said, medium tier models are "sweet spot", but BB232 is also great. As for generations, each has its merits: second gen X models are IMO esthetically top choice and have almost everything third gen has. Also, I'm a big fan of that bridge "blade" pickup. First gen is also great, and models can be found used for low price. Third gen is current so can be bought new, also pickups format is standard so easy to upgrade.

Since OP is looking for older model in same tier as P34, I would recommend looking at 1024/1024X but do try 424/424X if you get a chance, I play mine in every gig size.
 
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#15
I had a BB1600 for 30 years and it’s the bass I most regret selling. I think I bought it new in 1989 from Strait Music in Austin.

Those were passive, bolt-on, P/J with a VVT setup. Mine had fretboard blocks and the neck was thin like a J. It had the trademark Yamaha P/J “ping” sound and was a funk monster.

It was my only electric through college and for about the next ten years after. What the hell was I thinking to get rid of it.
 
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#17
I have two BBs. I have a 734a that’s great, but obviously not an older model. I have 2003 BB404, which is a well-built J but had horrible electronics. Dropped some DiMarzio Model Js in it and now it’s as growly as you could want.

Would love to get my hands on a BB2000 or even an old BB1200S. If you have a BB2024 available locally I’d definitely jump on that. In general the older BBs with the reverse P are what I think of when I think of the classic BB sound.

Good luck!
 
#19
In the day I owned 1200's, 1600, 2000, 3000, and all three versions of the 5000.

Over these many years, the ones that reminded me most of those 80's gems were the BB414/415. Wasn't a big fan of the active 614/615 alter egos. One of the last versions where they kept the metal pickup surrounds, a big visual cue for me that they were BB's.

Although Yamaha finally smartened up and dropped the bespoke pickup sizes for rationalized PBass and JBass rout pickups on the current basses, they always look a little lacking visually without those metal surrounds, but I suppose that's me being sentimental.
 
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#20
I know you said BB right in the subject line, but you also said :thin neck, PJ, passive, and Yamaha, and you also indicated budget is an issue. Maybe consider a trbx174 for your next bass? It's not a BB, but I think it checks all of the other boxes, and they're relatively inexpensive even new compared to other options you're considering. Just a thought, I'm a big fan of mine, seen in my avatar :)
 

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