Howdy folks, I have been looking at various Yamaha BB configurations lately, and have been liking what I have heard regarding their build and sound qualities, I like what i have seen so far re. price point for some of them but have a question. For the 424 and 1024 series, the controls look nice and simple, but dont allow for the blending of the P and J Pups. Looks just like a toggle switch, so either you are one or the other or a preset blend of the two, do folks find that allows for enough tonal variances? (like I am actually good enough where that matters, but I do like blending things via volume on the J basses I have. I am a toneshaping novice, but like to listen to what happens to the sound when, for example, I have the neck PU dialed in and can then bring in just a kiss of the bridge for some nice articulation.) What do owners of either/any P/J Basses with a hard switch think? Am I missing something? Love the look of the Yammies. And remember, I live in Cheap Basston, USA, with no ability to try much beyond a bevvy of Squires and Dean entry level basses...(Anyone need to know about those? Let me know, we have tons here...)
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Yamaha BB Toneshaping
- Thread starter Cube198
- Start date
Some years ago, I played a Yamaha BB450 (PJ) a few times; it had V-T with a 3 way switch. I missed being able to adjust the 2 pickup volumes independently.
I would rather have V-V-T than V-T with a 3 way switch.
You can have both. For example, the passive 80s Fender Jazz Bass Special (PJ pickups) came with V-V-T and a 3 way switch. You could solo either pickup or adjust both with V-V-T.
I would rather have V-V-T than V-T with a 3 way switch.
You can have both. For example, the passive 80s Fender Jazz Bass Special (PJ pickups) came with V-V-T and a 3 way switch. You could solo either pickup or adjust both with V-V-T.
Cube, I've got a couple of the BB414's that I've used for a while and love them. For the $$$ I think they're a lot of bass as I'm sure the current BB replacement models are. I haven't found the controls to be a drawback whatsoever but I can see how some folks would disagree. I have seem a few with the switch removed and a blend pot in that spot. It's not a major project to do. I just never found it necessary. I can get all the tones I need with the V-T-switch setup. I could be wrong but I "think" if you could play one for a while you'd find it to be no big deal. Just my two cents and they're very under rated basses. Good luck, Lee.......
I wouldn't, not compared to any V/V/T instrument I've ever played. Passive V/V/T always seems to have trouble mixing, so dump it and move on to a clean switched system.
Hi Cube198,
how're you doin'?
Well: I'm on your side. But, you know?!
It's a matter of pickup/style configuration.
My younger brother taught me how to play the bass, and the least I thought I could do for him was periodically presenting him something new.
We both know and love Yamaha basses, but, sticking to my brother, especially the BB series.
In the 90's, Yamaha cooperated with Nathan East to upgrade the remarkable traditionally "rock" oriented BB. They came up with a wide range of well crafted and, sometimes, highending kinda objects.
But one out of other characteristics was the adoption of twin jazzy style single coil pickups nowadays you can easily investigate on the Nathan East signature BB bass.
Anyway:
my brother still got this one I presented him, which controls are V, V, T
please check out the "jazz" style single coils (I recorded demos
and played live many times with this posh satin lookin' bass...)
I presented my brother this one too: but w/DiMarzio ModelP in the place of the original split pickup.
On this bass (the one you're talking about) the orientation is IMHO very, very "rockish": that's why, being the two pickups so different one another, Yamaha opted for a straighter 3 way
"6 string guitar" switch...
To me it's even a matter of fashion... now it's P/J time again...
Cheers,
Wallace
how're you doin'?
Well: I'm on your side. But, you know?!
It's a matter of pickup/style configuration.
My younger brother taught me how to play the bass, and the least I thought I could do for him was periodically presenting him something new.
We both know and love Yamaha basses, but, sticking to my brother, especially the BB series.
In the 90's, Yamaha cooperated with Nathan East to upgrade the remarkable traditionally "rock" oriented BB. They came up with a wide range of well crafted and, sometimes, highending kinda objects.
But one out of other characteristics was the adoption of twin jazzy style single coil pickups nowadays you can easily investigate on the Nathan East signature BB bass.
Anyway:
my brother still got this one I presented him, which controls are V, V, T
please check out the "jazz" style single coils (I recorded demos
and played live many times with this posh satin lookin' bass...)
I presented my brother this one too: but w/DiMarzio ModelP in the place of the original split pickup.
On this bass (the one you're talking about) the orientation is IMHO very, very "rockish": that's why, being the two pickups so different one another, Yamaha opted for a straighter 3 way
"6 string guitar" switch...
To me it's even a matter of fashion... now it's P/J time again...
Cheers,
Wallace
I actually prefer the toggle switch on my 414. The pickups by itself sound good enough for me that I don't miss being able to mix them. And the toggle makes for faster switching between sounds.
Have you looked at the 614? It has active electronics and a blend knob, and is otherwise identical to the 414. Doesn't have the upgrades the 424 has and seems to be discontinued, though.
Have you looked at the 614? It has active electronics and a blend knob, and is otherwise identical to the 414. Doesn't have the upgrades the 424 has and seems to be discontinued, though.
I get good results with the ones I have used, and I have gotten some complements so I guess others like the way they sound.
The V-T with 3 way switch on the BB450 limited the available tone options for me.
Feel free to use whatever works for what you need.
Did you come from a bass with the ability to blend? I am very curious about going from a blendable PU set up to an either/or. One consensus seems to be building that the PUPs in Yammies are very good on their own and maybe with a little rolling on or off with the tone knob there is enough tonal headroom to get where people want to be.
Re. 614 Yes, yes I have. And in reality, IF one were to present itself somewhere and IF i had the scratch laying around I would totally get one, i have heard nothing but good things about Yamaha basses, love the look, LOVE the price point. I am sure just about everyone here knows this drill, 1. get GAS, 2. Obsess on the details, 3. Look at bank account, 3. Get Depressed, 4. learn about a new bass 5. repeat...
Wallace320 said:
Wallace, thanks for the reply,
Nice gift to your Brother! I guess the bottom line is that I am having difficulty
Wrapping my head around the "either/or" aspect of the V, T, switch...
Perhaps there is a cheap little something or other at one of the local shops I could noodle around with...
Weird, they tend to stock $100-$200 Yamahas, but never bb's...
My v/v/t setup is pretty crucial to how I get my sound. Why limit yourself with switching like that.
